Flipper Table With Suction Cups for Item Reorientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Material handling systems face inefficiencies in reorienting items to expose labels for scanning, as existing methods are time-consuming and disrupt workflow, especially when labels are on non-visible surfaces, leading to reduced productivity and throughput.
Innovation Solution
A flipper table with a rotatable body and suction cups is used to manipulate items from one orientation to another, allowing labels to be exposed in the field of view of sensing systems without disrupting ongoing operations by rotating items up to 360 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual reorientation of items is performed to expose labels for scanning, then label visibility is improved, but productivity and throughput deteriorate due to time consumption and workflow disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper table automatically reorients items using suction cups to grasp and rotate them, enabling the system to self-correct label orientation without manual intervention. This automation maintains label visibility for scanning while preserving workflow continuity and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reorientation with an automated suction cup-based manipulation system. The suction cups grasp items and the flipper table rotates them to expose labels, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical system that operates without disrupting workflow.
2Measurement precision
If existing reorientation methods are used, then labels on non-visible surfaces can be exposed, but workflow continuity deteriorates due to disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The flipper table is integrated into the conveyor system, allowing items to be reoriented in-line during normal workflow. The automation enables continuous operation without stopping the conveyor or disrupting other processes, maintaining both label exposure and workflow continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If robotic tools are deployed to manipulate items, then item reorientation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reorientation function from complex robotic systems and implements it using a simpler flipper table mechanism with suction cups. This focused approach provides effective item manipulation while reducing overall system complexity compared to deploying full robotic tools.
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 flipper table efficiently reorients items to expose labels, enhancing scanning efficiency and maintaining workflow continuity by repositioning items without manual intervention, thereby improving overall productivity and throughput in material handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
The body of the flipper table also includes one or more suction cups disposed on at least the top surface of the body. The one or more suction cups are configured to engage to a surface of the item positioned on the top surface.
Data Source
AI summary
Various example embodiments described herein relate to a flipper table for manipulating an item from a first orientation to a second orientation. The flipper table includes a body rotatable about an axis. The body includes an end configured to be mechanically attached to an actuation unit. In this regard, upon an actuation of the actuation unit, the body is configured to manipulate the item. The body further defines a top surface configured to support the item positioned thereon. The body also defines at least one tab disposed on the flipper table and configured to extend relative to the top surface. Furthermore, the body of the flipper table defines one or more suction cups disposed on the top surface of the body where the one or more suction cups are configured to engage to a surface of the item positioned on the top surface.