Dual Conveyor Pusher Mechanism for Deformable Product Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic packing machines for deformable products and informative sheets face challenges with complex structures, high velocity requirements, and format changes, leading to issues with the positioning and insertion of sheets and products into packs without reciprocal contact, and require significant redesign for different pack configurations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two independent loop-wound conveyor organs with distinct movement means for first and second pusher elements, allowing for simultaneous and precise insertion of sheets and products into packs without reciprocal contact, even at high velocities, and adapts to format changes without needing component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single looped conveyor organ is used to bear both first and second pusher elements, then the structure is more compact, but the positioning precision and independence of pusher elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single looped conveyor organ into two independent looped conveyor organs: a first looped conveyor organ bearing the first pusher element, and a second looped conveyor organ bearing the second pusher element. This segmentation allows each pusher element to be independently positioned and controlled, resolving the positioning precision issue while maintaining structural compactness through the coordinated operation of the two conveyor organs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the second pusher element from the first looped conveyor organ and places it on a separate second looped conveyor organ. This extraction eliminates the interference between the two pusher elements that would occur on a single conveyor, allowing each to operate independently with precise positioning control.
2Device complexity
If pusher elements are moved by a single looped conveyor organ, then the device is simpler, but the adaptability to format changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pusher elements onto separate looped conveyor organs, the patent enables independent adjustment of each conveyor's speed and positioning. This allows the system to adapt to different pack formats by adjusting the parameters of the first and second looped conveyor organs without requiring component replacement or system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the two looped conveyor organs, allowing their operating parameters (speed, positioning, timing) to be adjusted according to different pack configurations. This dynamic adaptability enables the same apparatus to handle various formats without physical modification.
3Productivity
If high advancement velocity is used to maintain productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of reciprocal contact between sheets and products increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the insertion process into two independent operations performed by separate pusher elements on separate looped conveyor organs. The first pusher element inserts the deformable product, and the second pusher element inserts the flexible packaging sheet. This segmentation allows each operation to be precisely controlled and timed, preventing reciprocal contact even at high advancement velocities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the first pusher element to preliminarily insert the deformable product into the pack before the second pusher element inserts the flexible packaging sheet. This preliminary action establishes the correct positioning and timing, ensuring that the sheet is inserted after the product is securely in place, thereby preventing reciprocal contact at high speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus (100) for introducing deformable products (B), such as blister packs and informative sheets (F), internally of relative packs (A) comprises first pusher elements (11), mounted on a first looped conveyor organ (1), and first movement means (3), associated to the first conveyor organ (1) for moving the first pusher elements (11), transversally to the advancement direction (V1) thereof, so that they can abut the products (B) and push the products (B) internally of relative packs (A). The apparatus (100) comprises second pusher elements (21) mounted on a second looped conveyor organ (2) which is arranged with respect to the first conveyor organ (1) such that the second pusher elements (21) are arranged above the corresponding first pusher elements (11). Second movement means (4), associated to the second conveyor organ (2), are included for moving the second pusher elements (21), transversally to the advancement direction (V2) thereof, so that they can abut the sheets (F) and push the sheets (F) internally of relative packs (A).