Container Weighing Cell With Sliding Transfer for Higher Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container weighing systems in production lines require significant time for each weighing operation, limiting the number of containers that can be processed and affecting productivity due to the need for a rotating disc to remain stationary during transfer and weighing.
Innovation Solution
A movable member with a recessed seat draws containers onto a support plane for weighing, allowing them to slide and detach independently, eliminating the need for gripping and transfer means, and enabling continuous movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating disc with gripping and transfer means is used to weigh containers, then containers can be drawn from the conveyor line and placed on the weighing cell, but the time required for each weighing operation increases due to the need for transfer operations and stationary positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the container drawing function from the traditional rotating disc system and implements it directly on the weighing cell through a linearly movable drawing element. This eliminates the need for complex gripping and transfer mechanisms, allowing containers to be drawn directly onto the weighing surface without intermediate handling steps, thereby reducing weighing operation time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the weighing cell to meet the container (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by moving the drawing element linearly to engage and draw the container directly onto the stationary weighing cell. This inversion simplifies the mechanism and reduces the time required for container transfer and positioning.
2Measurement precision
If the rotating disc remains stationary during weighing operations, then precise weighing can be performed, but the productivity decreases due to the interruption in container flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic movement to the drawing element, allowing it to move linearly forward to engage containers and then retract. This dynamic approach enables continuous container flow while maintaining the stationary weighing cell for accurate measurements. The system can process multiple containers in sequence without the weighing cell needing to move or stop the production line.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable drawing element enables continuous operation by rapidly engaging, drawing, and releasing containers in sequence. While one container is being weighed, the drawing element can already engage the next container, maintaining continuous productive action without interrupting the overall container flow through the system.
3Ease of operation
If gripping and transfer means are used to move containers from the rotating disc to the weighing cell, then containers can be positioned for weighing, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex gripping and transfer mechanisms from the system entirely. Instead, it uses a simple linearly movable drawing element that engages containers directly and draws them onto the weighing cell. This extraction of unnecessary components significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining full container transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawing element is designed to automatically engage containers through linear movement, draw them onto the weighing surface, and release them without requiring complex gripping mechanisms or manual intervention. The system performs the transfer operation through simple linear motion, making the process self-service and reducing mechanical 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
This solution reduces the time required for weighing operations, allowing for increased throughput and precise weighing without contact with the movable member, thus enhancing productivity.
Implementation Method 1
the container can slide on the support plane and being guided by the guide means outwards with respect to the seat
Implementation Method 2
when the container is drawn by the movable member the container can slide on the support plane
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A group (40) for weighing containers (3) is described, and also a method carried out by the group (40). The group (40) comprises: a movable member (4) for drawing at least a container (3), the movable member (4) having a peripheral edge (6) in which a recess (5) is afforded forming a seat (7) for drawing the container (3), the movable member (4) being activatable in a first movement direction (H) such that a first wall (15) of the seat (7) abuts and draws the container (3); a weighing cell (8) for weighing a container (3), comprising a support plane (9) for receiving and supporting the container (3); guide means (10) for guiding the container (3). The weighing cell (8), the movable member (4) and the guide means (10) are reciprocally arranged such that when the container (3) is drawn by the movable member (4) the container (3) can slide on the rest plane (9) and be guided by guide means (10) externally of the seat (7). The movable member (4) is further activatable in a second movement direction (J) opposite the first movement direction (H), such as to detach the seat (7) from the container (3) and leave the container (3) on the support plane (9) for weighing.