Flexible Retainer Elements for Package Recoil Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional package handling machines for liquid food products experience recoil issues, leading to packages falling off the transportation belt during stoppage, which disrupts downstream processing and requires manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A package handling arrangement featuring a transportation belt with a guide member and a retainer equipped with flexible elements angled relative to the belt, allowing packages to pass downstream while retracting to prevent upstream movement, thereby maintaining package stability during stoppage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the grouping arrangement stops to group packages, then packages can be grouped together efficiently, but packages may fall off the transportation belt due to recoil movement
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed with flexible elements that can dynamically change their state between flexed and neutral positions. During grouping operation, the flexible elements are in a flexed position that allows package passage, and during stoppage they retract to a neutral position to prevent upstream package movement, thus adapting to different operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible elements change their physical parameter of stiffness/flexibility based on operational conditions. When the grouping arrangement is operating, the elements are flexible to allow passage; when stopped, they maintain a stiffer neutral position to prevent recoil-induced package movement upstream
2Reliability
If the retainer uses stiff elements to prevent upstream package movement, then package stability during stoppage is improved, but package passage during operation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where flexible elements can change their effective stiffness. During operation, elements flex easily to allow passage; during stoppage, they maintain sufficient stiffness to prevent upstream movement
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer uses flexible elements made of elastic material that can bend and deform. These elements flex to allow package passage during operation and retract to maintain package position during stoppage, combining the benefits of flexibility and 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
Prevents packages from falling off the belt during stoppage, ensuring efficient grouping and reducing manual intervention by utilizing resilient flexible elements that flex to allow downstream passage and retract to maintain package position.
Implementation Method 1
The retainer has a plurality of flexible elements angled relative to the transportation belt and each flexible element is configured to flex to enable passage of a package in the downstream direction, and retract from a flexed position after passage of the package
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A package handling arrangement (1) and method for grouping packages filled with liquid food product includes a transportation belt (2) that transports the packages in a downstream direction (D), a guide member (4) arranged on one side of the transportation belt (2), a grouping arrangement (3) that receives the packages from the transportation belt (2) and groups a predetermined number of the packages together, and a retainer (5) that is arranged on an opposite side of the transportation belt (2) relative to the guide member (4). The retainer (5) has a plurality of flexible elements (6) angled relative to the transportation belt (2). Each flexible element (6) is configured to flex to enable passage of a package in the downstream direction (D), and to retract from a flexed position (F) after passage of the package, to prevent movement of the package in an upstream direction (U).