Container Retaining Unit With Oscillating Rest for Format Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining units are limited in their ability to securely hold containers of varying shapes and sizes, often requiring replacement or downtime for format changes, and struggle with maintaining stability during movement.
Innovation Solution
A retaining unit with a gripping element featuring rotatable arms and an oscillating resting element, coupled with elastic elements, allows for adaptable gripping and stable retention of containers of different shapes and sizes, and a movement unit for coordinated movement along a path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripping element with pincer arms is used to retain the container, then the container can be securely held, but the container may be crushed or slip out if the arm movement is not precisely calibrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of arm movement from reciprocal motion to simultaneous rotation in the same direction. This parameter change eliminates the need for precise calibration of opening and closing movements, while maintaining secure container retention through continuous rotational motion of both arms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having arms that open and close reciprocally, the patent inverts the motion pattern by having both arms rotate in the same direction simultaneously. This inversion of the gripping mechanism eliminates the calibration problem associated with reciprocal motion while maintaining effective container retention.
2Reliability
If the retaining unit is designed for specific container formats, then it can securely retain those containers, but the unit must be replaced or modified when container formats change, increasing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal retaining unit where both arms rotate in the same direction, allowing the same unit to securely retain containers of different shapes and sizes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to replace or modify the retaining unit when container formats change, thereby increasing productivity by reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by having both arms rotate simultaneously in the same direction, allowing the gripping configuration to automatically adapt to different container formats. This dynamic motion pattern maintains retention stability across various container types without requiring unit replacement.
3Reliability
If the pincer arms are mechanically clenched together to hold the container, then the container is retained, but excessive force may crush the container or insufficient force may allow it to slip out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the force application parameter from intermittent reciprocal clenching to continuous rotational motion. Both arms rotate in the same direction, providing consistent gripping force throughout the motion cycle, which prevents both crushing and slipping without requiring precise force calibration.
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
Enables secure retention and stable movement of containers with diverse dimensions, reducing downtime and increasing productivity by accommodating format changes without unit replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic element (20) which is coupled to the first arm (10) to apply a return force on the first arm (10) to return the first arm (10) towards the first returned position
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining unit (1) for retaining a container (4), comprising a supporting body (7), mountable on a movement unit (5), a gripping element (8) and a resting element (9) mounted on the supporting body (7), The gripping element (8) comprises a first arm (10) and a second arm (11), comprising respective gripping portions delimiting a housing (14) for the container (4), having a vertical main line of extension (15). The first arm (10) is movable between a first returned position and a first opened wide position. The resting element (9) has a resting portion (35), delimiting the housing (14), in part, and configured to make contact with a lateral surface of the container (4), is rotatably mounted on the supporting body (7) according to an axis of oscillation (36) transversal to the main line of extension (15), and can oscillate around this between multiple operating positions at each of which the resting portion (35) is positioned differently and delimits the housing (14) differently.