Glass Container Storage System with Movable Baffle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems for glass containers with unstable shapes face issues of increased risk of overturning, scratching, and damage due to contact with baffles or other containers during storage and handling, particularly during bumps or accelerations.

Innovation Solution

A temporary storage system utilizing a conveyor belt and a movable baffle with synchronizing control, which transfers containers from an advancement line to a storage conveyor, ensuring uniform distribution and minimizing contact between containers, using a sliding drawing device and adjustable baffle configurations to prevent clustering and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a baffle is placed to deviate containers towards storage table, then container storage is enabled, but contact between containers and baffle increases risk of overturning and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer storage capabilityVSAvoidrisk of overturning and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A transfer conveyor belt is introduced as an intermediary device between the feeding line and storage table. The transfer conveyor belt receives containers from the feeding line and transports them to the storage table, eliminating direct contact with the baffle and reducing the risk of overturning and damage while maintaining storage capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer conveyor belt performs preliminary action by receiving containers before they reach the baffle and redirecting them to the storage table. This preliminary transfer action prevents containers from contacting the baffle and reduces the harmful effects of potential overturning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If baffle is used to redirect containers, then storage function is achieved, but containers gather on storage table leading to clustering and increased damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer storage functionVSAvoidcontainer distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer conveyor belt is divided into multiple independent conveyors that can operate separately. Each conveyor can be controlled independently to distribute containers uniformly across the storage table, preventing clustering while maintaining storage function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer conveyor belt is made movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic control of container distribution. The conveyors can be positioned and adjusted to optimize container spacing and prevent clustering on the storage table

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If containers are conveyed on conveyor belt above support, then container stability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stability during conveyanceVSAvoidconveyor system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it acts as both a support structure for container conveyance and a transfer mechanism between feeding line and storage table. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining container stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3650380B1Storage system for storing containers
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 SILVA SRL CONGEGNI IND
  • EP3650380B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A temporary storage system for storing containers made of glass and not, comprising: -advancement means (2) for advancement of the containers along an advancement line (20); -a storage (3) comprising a conveyor (30) which receives the containers coming from the advancement line (20) and moves transversally to the advancement line (20); -transfer means (4) for transferring the containers from the advancement means (2) to said storage (3); said transfer means (4) comprising a baffle (40) which at least in one operating configuration extends transversally to the advancement line (20) in order to intercept the containers and displace the containers onto the storage (3). The baffle (40) is movable along the advancement line (20).