Conveyor Lug Guide Apparatus for Article Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveyor systems for packaging articles, such as bottles and cans, often cause articles to rotate or change orientation due to friction with static guides, which can lead to undesirable positioning of features like UPC labels or logos in the final package.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a guide apparatus with movable lugs along the conveyor to maintain the orientation of articles as they are conveyed. The lugs are mounted on a chain and move in the same direction as the articles, reducing the likelihood of rotation and ensuring consistent orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If static guide plates or walls are used to guide articles on conveyors, then the articles can be directed along the conveyor path, but friction between the static guide and articles causes the articles to rotate or change orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static guide plates with movable lugs that travel along the conveyor path. These lugs are mounted on a chain mechanism that moves them in synchronization with the conveyor belt, allowing them to guide articles without creating fixed friction points that cause rotation. The movable nature of the lugs enables them to maintain constant contact with articles while moving along with the conveyor, eliminating the orientation changes caused by static guides.
2Manufacturing precision
If movable lugs are used instead of static guides, then article orientation is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to the chain mechanism and motor drive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing the movable lug system to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same chain mechanism and motor drive that move the lugs along the conveyor path also provide the guiding function for the articles. The lugs act as both the guiding element and the timing mechanism, eliminating the need for separate guide structures. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite the added movement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable lug system implements self-service by using the conveyor's own motion to drive the guiding mechanism. The chain mechanism is synchronized with the conveyor belt movement, so the lugs are automatically positioned and moved without requiring independent control systems. The conveyor motor's rotation directly drives the chain, which in turn moves the lugs, creating a self-regulating system where the guiding action is inherently tied to the conveyor's operational cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of conveying articles. The method can comprise moving a plurality of articles in a downstream direction on one or more conveyors, each article of the plurality of articles having an orientation. The method further can comprise moving a plurality of lugs in the machine direction along at least a portion of the one or more conveyors for guiding the articles as the articles are moved in the downstream direction. The plurality of lugs can be mounted along a guide apparatus for facilitating maintaining the orientations of the articles of the plurality of articles during a least a portion of the moving the plurality of articles in the downstream direction.