Elastic Locator Web for Container Orientation and Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for beverage and consumable containers lack efficient mechanisms to orient and secure multiple containers relative to each other, particularly in displaying labels and preventing rotation, which affects visibility and stability during packaging and display.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a thin plastic web with apertures that elastically deform over container caps, providing frictional resistance and automatic optical sensing to rotate containers for optimal label orientation, combined with a conveyor system and cutting mechanism to form multi-packs within a carton.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin plastic web with apertures is used to secure containers, then the containers can be held in place and label orientation can be controlled, but the web must be elastically deformed to install over the caps which complicates the installation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes elastic deformation of the plastic web material to enable the apertures to expand during installation over the container caps, then maintain their shape to provide frictional resistance. This parameter change in the material's physical state during installation resolves the contradiction between secure positioning and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The apertures in the plastic web are designed with specific geometric characteristics that allow them to be elastically deformed during installation and then maintain a stable curved or rounded shape that provides continuous frictional resistance against the caps, ensuring reliable positioning while accommodating the installation process.
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic optical sensing and rotation mechanisms are implemented, then label orientation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual positioning with automatic optical sensing systems that detect container orientation and control mechanisms that automatically rotate containers to the correct label-facing position. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with automated sensing and control systems achieves precise label orientation while the automation reduces operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensing system automatically detects the current orientation of containers and the control system automatically rotates them to the correct position without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to self-correct and self-position containers for optimal label display.
3Stability of the object's composition
If frictional resistance is provided to prevent rotation, then container orientation is maintained, but the locator web requires elastic deformation which reduces structural rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic web material undergoes parameter changes in its physical state - remaining relatively rigid during normal operation to maintain container orientation, but becoming elastically deformable during installation to accommodate the caps. After installation, the material returns to its original rigid state while maintaining the deformed aperture shapes that provide frictional resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The locator web exhibits dynamic mechanical properties - it is flexible and deformable during the installation phase to allow apertures to expand over the caps, then transitions to a stable rigid state during the positioning and display phase where it provides frictional resistance to prevent rotation while maintaining structural integrity.
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
Ensures containers are securely positioned and labeled faces are visible, enhancing display and handling efficiency by maintaining container orientation and stability within the packaging system.
Implementation Method 1
The apertures are sized to be at least partially elastically deformed when installed over the caps of the product containers
Implementation Method 2
the locator web provides frictional resistance to rotation of the product containers
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A product multi-pack and a system for orienting and packaging such multi-packs is provided. The multi-packs include a plurality of elongate product containers that are linked by a locator web and enclosed within and displayed by a carton. The system includes a controller for communicating with a plurality of stations for orienting and packaging the multi-packs. A web application station is provided for installing the web over a series of conveyed containers. An alignment station is provided for communicating with the controller for rotating each container relative to the web for orienting the containers. A web cutting station is provided for communicating with the controller for separating the series of connected containers into subassemblies of linked containers. Additionally the system includes a transfer station and a carton feed station for transferring linked oriented containers into each carton.