Gear-Driven Lid Placement for Variable Container Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lid placement systems in dairy industries face challenges with complex handling and inefficient application of lids due to mismatched center-to-center distances between lids and container receptacles, requiring a fast and efficient solution.
Innovation Solution
A device with placement devices that releasably retain lids in a fixed position and move longitudinally, utilizing a non-rotational first gear and a smaller second gear in toothed engagement, along with a carrier and actuator to adjust lid positions, allowing for efficient alignment and placement on containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lids are conveyed to a position above the lids, separated from each other, spaced with a centre-to-centre distance matching the distance between the containers, then the lids can be placed on containers, but the handling of lids becomes relatively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lid conveyance system is segmented into multiple independent placement devices, each capable of holding and positioning individual lids. This segmentation allows each placement device to independently adjust its position, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining precise lid placement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The placement devices are made dynamically adjustable in their longitudinal position along the conveyance path. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different container spacings and lid arrangements without requiring complex fixed positioning mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the centre-to-centre distance between receptacles is larger than the centre-to-centre distance in-between the lids, then containers can be conveyed through receptacles, but lids must be separated and spaced to match the larger distance between containers
Solution Approach 1:
Each placement device is equipped with adjustable positioning capability that allows it to dynamically change its longitudinal position. This enables the system to adapt to different spacing requirements between containers and lids, eliminating the need for complex fixed spacing mechanisms while maintaining versatility across different container configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of each placement device independently to match the required spacing between containers. By adjusting the longitudinal position of each placement device, the system can accommodate varying distances between containers without requiring complex mechanical spacing mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Quantity of substance
If lids are placed very close to each other to reduce material waste, then lid density increases, but the conveyance and placement system becomes more complex due to the smaller centre-to-centre distance
Solution Approach 1:
The lid conveyance system is divided into multiple independent placement devices, each capable of holding and positioning individual lids. This segmentation allows each device to independently adjust its position, simplifying the control mechanism while enabling high lid density through precise individual positioning without requiring complex overall system adjustments.
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 device efficiently aligns and places lids on containers, matching the distance between lids and receptacles, enhancing production efficiency by reducing complexity and ensuring fast lid application.
Implementation Method 1
a non-rotational first gear (7) being moveable reciprocatable in a direction being perpendicular, or essentially perpendicular, to said longitudinal direction, a carrier (8) rotationally arranged around a centre of the first gear (7) and a second gear (9) having a radius smaller than the radius of the first gear (7) and being rotationally arranged on said carrier (8), wherein said first and said second gears are in toothed engagement
Implementation Method 2
an actuator device (11) being configured to reciprocate said first gear (7) and rotate said carrier (8) whereby the placement devices (4) are moved between a first position (12) wherein said fixed positions (3) faces in an first direction (13) and a second position (14) wherein said fixed positions (3) faces in a second direction (15)
Implementation Method 3
a number of moving elements (5) arranged on a shaft (6) extending in said longitudinal direction, said shaft (6) is connected to the second gear (9) to rotate said shaft (6) by rotation of said second gear (9), each of said moving element (5) is configured to co-operate with one of said placement devices (4) to provide longitudinal movement of one of said placement device (4) upon a rotation of said shaft (6)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for placing lids onto containers, the device preferably comprises a number of placement devices each being configured to releasable retain a lid in a fixed position relatively to the placement device, and being moveable in a longitudinal direction of the device.