Container Handling Tray Upending Mechanism for Parallel Pickup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for moving containers in processing lines are inefficient due to the 'quincunx' spatial configuration, which limits the number of containers that can be picked up simultaneously, leading to increased processing times, energy consumption, and wear on motorization units.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves upending containers on a tray with a positioning matrix, allowing extraction means to pick up multiple containers from parallel rows, moving them horizontally, and then transferring them to filling and weighing stations, thereby increasing the number of containers moved simultaneously and reducing overall movement times and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If containers are arranged in quincunx spatial configuration to maximize tray occupancy, then the number of containers per tray is increased, but the number of containers that can be picked up simultaneously is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container-holding tray is divided into multiple independent rows, each capable of being picked up separately. This segmentation allows the extraction means to selectively pick up containers from specific rows without being constrained by the quincunx arrangement, thereby resolving the contradiction between maximizing tray occupancy and enabling simultaneous pickup of multiple containers.
2Ease of operation
If only a small number of containers are picked up at a time due to quincunx arrangement, then pickup operation simplicity is maintained, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction means are designed with dynamic adaptability to handle varying numbers of containers and rows. The system can dynamically adjust which rows to pick up and how many containers to transfer, enabling simultaneous pickup of multiple containers while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized pickup mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple movements are required to process containers, then positioning precision can be maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple container rows are merged into a single pickup operation. The extraction means simultaneously pick up containers from multiple rows and transfer them in one coordinated movement, reducing the total number of separate movements required while maintaining positioning precision through unified control of the extraction mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
Method to move containers (C) in a processing line (10) that comprises a station (11) for storing and picking up said containers (C) and a station (12) at least for filling said containers (C), said method providing, in said storage and pick-up station (11), to supply a container-holding tray (15) containing a plurality of said containers (C) disposed upended in said container-holding tray (15) with respect to their mouth (43), and subsequently to upend said containers (C) with the aid of upending means (20) so as to invert the orientation of said containers (C) and make them available with the side of the mouth (43) facing upward so that they can be picked up by extraction means (22).