Glove Stripping and Stacking Apparatus with Layering Conveyor

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glove manufacturing technologies lack an efficient means for stacking gloves to a predetermined stack before packaging, leading to inefficiencies and increased manual labor.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a stripping means with semi-cylindrical rollers, a moveable receptacle, a layering conveyor with side barriers, and an end effector for automatic glove stripping, conveying, stacking, counting, and packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual labor is used for glove stripping and packaging, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and labor intensity is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to detect glove presence and automatically triggers the stripping rollers and conveyors to operate, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining continuous production flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated system comprising sensors, controlled rollers, and conveyors that work together to strip, convey, and stack gloves without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If existing stripping apparatus is used, then glove removal is achieved, but stacking to predetermined quantity is not accomplished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking precisionVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: stripping rollers for removal, conveyors for transport, side barriers for alignment, and stacking mechanism for predetermined quantity accumulation, with each module performing a specific function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The layering conveyor with side barriers acts as an intermediary between the stripping station and the packaging station, providing alignment and stacking functionality that bridges the gap between glove removal and final packaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual handling is used after stripping, then flexibility is maintained, but productivity increases are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyors operate continuously to transport gloves from the stripping station through the layering and stacking process to the packaging station, eliminating idle time and maintaining constant production flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector is designed to perform multiple functions: gripping the stacked gloves, lifting them to the predetermined height, and placing them into packaging containers, replacing multiple manual operations with a single automated mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12337510B2Apparatus for removing and packaging elastomeric articles

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 SKY TAG ROBOTICS SDN BHD

AI summary

The present invention discloses an apparatus (100) for removing and packaging elastomeric articles (80), the apparatus comprising a stripping means for removing said articles (80) from their former to a moveable receptacle (30), the moveable receptacle (30) having a bottom surface which opens up to unload the articles (80) into a layering conveyor (40), wherein the layering conveyor (40) is provided with side barriers (41) for aligning and stacking of the articles (80) to be collected by an end effector (50) thereafter.