Two-Axis Conveyor Loading Device for Food Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting and packaging systems for food, such as sausage or cheese, rely on manual operation which leads to operator fatigue and errors, and the integration of robots or additional conveyor belts is often not feasible due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A loading device with a conveyor belt system that can move in two horizontal axes, allowing precise transfer of sliced food to packaging carriers, utilizing electric or pneumatic drives and a vacuum system to prevent slipping, and a control device for configuring different packaging formats without mechanical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used for loading packaging carriers, then the system structure remains simple, but operator fatigue and errors increase due to monotonous repetitive tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt device automatically performs the loading function by transferring slice groups from the cutting machine conveyor belt to packaging carriers without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using the existing conveyor belt infrastructure to accomplish the loading task that previously required human operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing conveyor belt is made multi-functional by enabling it to both convey slice groups along the production line and simultaneously load them onto packaging carriers. The conveyor belt device achieves this by selectively depositing slice groups at different positions, allowing the same belt to perform both transportation and loading functions.
2Productivity
If robots or additional conveyor belts are used to replace manual operation, then automation and productivity improve, but the space requirement increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the loading function with the existing conveyor belt system. Instead of adding a separate robot or additional conveyor belt that would require extra space, the solution integrates the loading capability into the already-present conveyor belt infrastructure, thereby achieving automation without substantial space increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing conveyor belt is made multi-functional by enabling it to both convey slice groups along the production line and simultaneously load them onto packaging carriers. The conveyor belt device achieves this by selectively depositing slice groups at different positions, allowing the same belt to perform both transportation and loading functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed conveyor belt system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different packaging formats and sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt device incorporates dynamic positioning capability along the conveying direction, allowing it to adapt to different packaging formats and sizes. The device can be positioned at various locations on the conveyor belt to deposit slice groups onto packaging carriers, enabling flexible accommodation of different packaging requirements without changing the physical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability through parameter changes in the positioning and control of the conveyor belt device. By adjusting the position where slice groups are deposited and the timing of the loading operation, the system can accommodate different packaging formats, sizes, and configurations without mechanical modifications.
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
The solution reduces operator fatigue and errors by automating the loading process, fits within existing system spaces, and ensures precise and efficient transfer of sliced food to packaging carriers, enhancing the overall manufacturing and packaging process reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum device (110) is provided, which interacts with the holes (108) in such a way that a group of slices (40) is held on the conveyor belt (62')
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a loading device for a cutting and packaging system (34) for cutting foodstuffs by means of a cutting machine (36) for slicing the foodstuffs into slices and for packaging the slices, which are arranged in groups and thus form slice groups (40), by means of a packaging machine (38). The loading device (32) comprises a conveyor belt assembly (44) movable in two horizontal axes (X, Y) perpendicular to each other, by means of which a slice group (40) can be picked up from a conveyor belt (42) of the cutting machine (36) and transferred to one of several packaging carriers (46) arranged in multiple tracks and multiple rows, by means of which the conveyor belt assembly (44) can be moved from a pick-up position (65) to a transfer position (66) along both horizontal axes (X, Y). The invention further relates to a cutting and packaging system (34) with such a loading device (32).