Carousel Gripping Mechanism for Non-Planar Package Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines lack flexibility in applying opening devices to packages with non-planar fastening areas, leading to inefficient adhesion and potential adhesive escape, especially when the fastening areas are inclined.
Innovation Solution
A unit with a carousel conveyor system and adjustable gripping members that vary their radial position and orientation to match the specific angles of the package, ensuring the adhesive contacts the package surfaces correctly, featuring cams and cam followers to control the gripping members' movement and position for optimal adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-position gripping member is used to apply opening devices, then the application process is simple, but it cannot adapt to packages with non-planar or inclined fastening areas, leading to adhesive escape and poor adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping member is made movable relative to the carousel conveyor, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically. The gripping member can move radially inward and outward, and tilt angularly, enabling adaptation to different package geometries including planar and non-planar fastening areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping member is divided into multiple independent movable components: a radial movement mechanism allowing inward/outward adjustment, and a tilt mechanism allowing angular adjustment. This segmentation enables each component to handle specific aspects of geometric variation independently, achieving high adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the entire gripping system
2Manufacturing precision
If the gripping member maintains a constant radial position, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot ensure proper adhesive contact with inclined or non-planar package surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping member incorporates a radial movement mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its radial position relative to the carousel conveyor axis. This dynamic adjustment ensures the gripping member's fastening surface remains in precise contact with the package surface regardless of the package's geometry or the carousel's rotation, achieving high manufacturing precision without overly complex positioning systems
3Manufacturing precision
If the gripping member has fixed orientation, then the structure is simple, but it cannot apply opening devices correctly on packages with inclined fastening areas
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping member includes a tilt mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its angular orientation relative to the carousel conveyor. This enables the gripping member to align its fastening surface with inclined or non-planar package surfaces, ensuring precise opening device application while maintaining structural simplicity through focused angular adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The orientation adjustment is segmented into a specific tilt mechanism that independently handles angular alignment. This separates the orientation function from the radial positioning function, allowing each to be optimized for its specific task without increasing overall device complexity excessively
4Productivity
If a linear conveyor system is used without carousel, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot efficiently transfer opening devices from withdrawal to application stations
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel conveyor uses a curved, rotating platform to transfer opening devices from the withdrawal station to the application station. This curved path allows multiple opening devices to be positioned at different angular locations on the carousel, enabling simultaneous or sequential application to multiple packages in a compact space, significantly improving productivity compared to linear conveyors
Data Source
AI summary
A unit for applying opening devices on packages of pourable food products, comprises a first conveying device to feed the opening devices along a first path, a second conveying device to feed the packages along a second path, a third conveying device movable about a first axis to displace the opening devices along a third path from a withdrawal station to an application station of the opening devices, a gripping member for gripping an opening device, and a supporting plate to support the gripping member; wherein the supporting plate is coupled to the third conveying device; the gripping member is displaceable, at the application station in a defined plane by a first direction transversal to the first axis and to the second path, and by the first axis.