Container Lidding Alignment for Non-Circular Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual lidding of food containers after portioning is labor-intensive, repetitive, and poses a risk to food safety, especially for containers with non-circular openings, as conventional devices are not easily adaptable.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a conveying device, lid retaining assembly, and container adjustment device that aligns the container opening with a lid, using a gripper and adjustment assemblies to adjust the container's posture and retain the lid in a fixed orientation, facilitating efficient and safe lidding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual lidding is used for containers with non-circular openings, then flexibility in handling different container shapes is maintained, but labor intensity increases and food safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to non-circular container openingsVSAvoidlidding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container adjustment device dynamically adjusts the container's posture and orientation to align the opening with the lid, enabling automated lidding for various non-circular container shapes without requiring manual intervention for each container type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lidding system is designed with universal adaptability to handle different container shapes and sizes through programmable adjustment mechanisms, allowing a single device to perform multiple lidding operations across various container types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual lidding is used, then adaptability to different container types is maintained, but food safety is compromised due to repetitive handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling capability for various containersVSAvoidfood safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical handling with automated mechanical systems including robotic grippers, conveyor belts, and programmable adjustment devices that minimize human contact with food containers, thereby improving food safety while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The container adjustment device automatically detects and adjusts container orientation and position without human intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in aligning containers for lidding while maintaining consistent food safety standards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If conventional capping devices are applied to non-circular containers, then device simplicity is maintained, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlid alignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device incorporates dynamic positioning mechanisms that actively align container openings with lids in real-time, achieving high alignment precision without requiring overly complex fixed-structure devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs sensors and control systems that provide feedback on container position and orientation, enabling automatic adjustment to achieve precise lid alignment while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12577011B2System and method for lidding a container

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

Embodiments of present disclosure relate to a system for lidding a container and a method for lidding a container. The system for lidding a container includes a conveying device configured to convey a container, the container having a non-circular opening. The system includes a lid retaining assembly configured to retain a lid in a fixed orientation, and a container adjustment device configured to adjust a posture of the container to be lidded on the conveying device, so that the opening of the container is aligned with the lid.