Container Handling Layout With Synchronized Carriers and Stationary Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary machines for treating containers face issues such as large moving masses, high centrifugal forces on treatment stations and process media, complex rotary feedthroughs, inflexibility, and the need for complete shutdown during maintenance of a single station.
Innovation Solution
A device with handling devices that transfer and dispense containers using movable carriers, synchronized with transport units, allowing for stationary treatment stations and reduced transport speed during transfers, and incorporating backup stations for continuous production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are stacked in a single file on a conveyor, then the conveyor width can be reduced, but the throughput (containers per hour) is limited to 24 containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional single-file stacking arrangement to a two-dimensional multi-level stacking system. Containers are stacked in multiple files (at least two files) and arranged in multiple levels vertically, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase throughput capacity without proportionally increasing conveyor width.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking system is divided into multiple independent files, with each file capable of handling containers separately. This segmentation allows parallel processing of containers across different files and levels, increasing overall throughput while maintaining manageable conveyor dimensions.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple containers are placed on a single pallet, then the number of pallets is reduced, but the risk of containers falling off increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting container conditions (such as lid status, seal status, or other indicators) before finalizing the stacking arrangement. This allows the system to proactively identify and address potential stability issues before containers are placed on pallets, preventing falling incidents while maximizing container capacity per pallet.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates detection mechanisms that provide feedback about container status and stacking conditions. This feedback loop allows real-time monitoring and adjustment of container arrangements, ensuring stability requirements are met while optimizing the number of containers per pallet.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for handling containers, said apparatus comprising: at least one transport device for transporting the containers; a handling device for transferring a predefined number of containers from the transport device in a transfer region and for delivering said containers to the transport device or to an additional transport device in a delivery region; and at least one additional handling device for transferring a predefined number of containers from the transport device in an additional transfer region and for delivering said containers to the transport device or an additional transport device in an additional delivery region. The handling devices each have a movable carrier using which the removed containers can be moved on a transport path, and at least one handling station is assigned to each of the handling devices, wherein the transport speed of the handling devices can be controlled such that the transport speed of the handling devices can be synchronised with the transport speed of the transport device and/or of the additional transport device during transfer and/or delivery of the containers and the transport speed of the handling device can be reduced after the transfer of the containers.