Crown Cap Cleat Geometry for Accurate Orientation Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting modules for crown-type capsules fail to ensure complete orientation accuracy during the lifting process, leading to misaligned capsules being sent into the regular flow, necessitating downstream detection and potential damage or misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
The design of cleats with a convex lower edge and a concave upper edge, along with a specific groove configuration, ensures precise orientation of capsules by creating an imbalance for misaligned ones to fall back, while correctly oriented capsules fit securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional cleats with flat edges are used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of capsule orientation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat structure is modified with different edge configurations at specific locations: the lower edge features a convex section while the upper edge features a concave section. This local differentiation creates specific geometric profiles that interact with the capsule's serrated edge to ensure precise orientation without requiring complex overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat edges are designed with asymmetric profiles - the convex lower edge and concave upper edge create an asymmetric geometry that specifically accommodates the symmetric serrated edge of the capsule. This asymmetry ensures that only correctly oriented capsules can be properly positioned, while misoriented capsules are naturally rejected.
2Reliability
If simple flat cleats are used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability of capsule sorting is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than manufacturing entirely complex cleats, the invention applies local quality modifications only to the critical edges of the cleats. The convex lower edge and concave upper edge are the only features requiring precision manufacturing, while the rest of the cleat structure can remain simple and easy to manufacture.
3Measurement precision
If conventional sorting is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of capsule orientation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat geometry itself performs the orientation detection function. The convex lower edge and concave upper edge automatically indicate whether a capsule is correctly oriented through its interaction with the capsule's serrated edge during the lifting process, eliminating the need for separate detection devices or complex measurement systems.
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 design significantly improves the sorting accuracy, ensuring all capsules are correctly oriented before reaching the downstream workstation, reducing damage and misalignment, and enhancing the reliability of the supply process.
Implementation Method 1
the lower edge of the upper cleat has a convex section in opposition to said mat
Implementation Method 2
a sorting means for sorting capsules present within said housing by imbalance, this sorting means cooperating with the movement of said elevating conveyor, so as to cause the misoriented capsules present in said housing to fall
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (2) for providing sorted closure elements in the form of crown caps (1), comprising a space (3) for bulk storage of the caps (1), a lifting conveyor (4) in the form of a belt (40) entering the space (3) and comprising, on an outer face, a plurality of cleats (5) oriented transversely and spaced in order to define a recess (6) between a lower cleat (500) and an upper cleat (51), each recess (6) collecting a plurality of the caps (1) as the recess passes through the storage space (3), means (9) for sorting unbalanced caps (1) present inside the recess (1), which means cooperate with the movement of the lifting conveyor (4) so as to cause the incorrectly oriented caps (1) to fall, the device being characterised in that the lower edge (510) of the upper cleat (51) has a convex section opposite the belt (40). The invention also relates to such a cleat (5) per se.