Elastomeric Gripper Fingers for Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product grippers on conveyor chains lack enhanced gripping sensitivity and universality, longevity, and flexibility for easy installation, particularly when handling diverse container sizes and materials.
Innovation Solution
A container gripper structure made of molded elastomeric material with parallel longitudinal rows of circular, tapered fingers having radiused tops, constructed from thermoplastic elastomeric material like Santoprene™ 271-55, which provides improved flexibility and adaptability for secure container handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional metal or plastic base plate grippers with resilient material are used, then basic gripping function is achieved, but gripping sensitivity and adaptability to diverse container sizes are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper is divided into multiple independent fingers (typically 3-5 fingers) that can move relative to each other along the chain link. Each finger can independently adapt to different container sizes and shapes, providing enhanced gripping sensitivity and universality without requiring complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper incorporates resilient material (such as rubber or urethane) between the fingers and the base plate, allowing the fingers to dynamically adjust their position and applying force adaptively. This dynamic adjustment enables the gripper to accommodate diverse container sizes and materials while maintaining effective gripping force.
2Reliability
If conventional gripper materials are used, then basic durability is achieved, but longevity and resistance to wear are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper combines metal or plastic base plate structures with resilient material (rubber, urethane, or elastomer) covering the finger surfaces. This composite construction provides both structural strength and wear resistance, extending the gripper's service life while maintaining gripping effectiveness on diverse materials including food containers.
3Ease of operation
If fixed rigid gripper structures are used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility for easy installation and chain movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient material covering the gripper fingers acts as a flexible element that allows the gripper to accommodate chain movement and installation variations. This flexible material layer enables easy installation on standard chain links while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the underlying metal or plastic base plate.
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 gripper offers enhanced gripping sensitivity, universality, and extended longevity, ensuring secure and adaptable container handling across various sizes and materials, with ease of installation and compliance with FDA regulations for food contact.
Implementation Method 1
molded elastomeric material with parallel longitudinal rows of circular, tapered fingers having radiused tops
Implementation Method 2
resilient material such as rubber, urethane, elastomer or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A bottle or can gripper structure for use on a container filling machine, the structure having a molded, one piece elastomeric rectangular base from which longitudinal rows of flexible but recoverable fingers project upwardly, wherein the fingers have radiused tops, and wherein the tops lie in a plane which is angled laterally upwardly with respect to the upper surface of the base from a leading row of fingers to a trailing row of fingers.