Container Nest Weighing With Complete Lift-Out Centering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Weighing individual containers, particularly pharmaceutical containers arranged in a nest, often results in jamming or improper positioning, leading to critical weighing errors due to their low weight and potential distortion of the weighing results.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a weighing device with a load cell and a movable arrangement unit, centering device, and interchangeable weighing and centering receptacles, which lifts containers completely out of the nest and centers them for accurate weighing, preventing jamming and distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are weighed directly in the nest, then weighing process is simple and fast, but containers become jammed or rest against the nest causing weighing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the container from the nest before weighing by using a lifting mechanism that removes the container from its nested position and places it on a weighing platform. This separation eliminates the jamming and distortion problems while maintaining efficient weighing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a weighing platform as an intermediary between the nest and the load cell. The platform provides a stable, non-constraining surface for the container during weighing, preventing direct contact with the nest while transferring the weight to the load cell for accurate measurement.
2Measurement precision
If containers are removed individually from the nest, then weighing accuracy is improved, but handling complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism serves multiple functions: it removes containers from the nest, positions them on the weighing platform, and can handle multiple containers simultaneously. This multi-functionality maintains weighing accuracy while reducing handling complexity compared to individual removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of containers on the weighing platform before the actual weighing measurement. This preliminary action ensures proper positioning and eliminates the need for complex individual handling operations during the weighing process.
3Measurement precision
If containers are lifted completely out of the nest, then weighing accuracy is improved by preventing jamming, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lifting mechanism with the weighing platform structure, combining two functions into a single integrated system. This reduces overall device complexity while still achieving complete removal of containers from the nest for accurate weighing.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism is designed to automatically handle container removal and positioning without requiring complex external control systems. The mechanism uses the container's own weight and the nest structure to facilitate self-positioning on the weighing platform, reducing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures precise and accurate weighing by fully lifting containers out of the nest and centering them, thereby eliminating weighing inaccuracies and enabling simultaneous handling of multiple containers.
Implementation Method 1
The weighing device has at least one load cell for weighing the containers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for weighing individual containers (14) arranged in a nest (12), wherein the containers (14) are formed with a bottom region (16) and a lid region (18), and the device (10) comprises: at least one weighing unit (20) with at least one load cell (19) and with at least one weighing receptacle (22), and an arrangement unit (28), wherein the weighing receptacle (22) and the arrangement unit (28) are arranged to be movable relative to each other in order to be able to completely remove a container (14) that is arranged in the nest (12), which is arranged in the arrangement unit (28), from the nest (12). The invention also relates to a set with such a device (10) and a method for weighing individual containers (14) arranged in a nest (12).