Gripper With Movable Stops For Overlapping Product Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grippers face challenges in efficiently producing overlapping products in a container, requiring complex setups and increased space for overlapping products on the feed belt, which complicates the packaging process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A gripper with movable receiving plates and associated stops, allowing for the overlap of product portions during the motion from the feed belt to the container, utilizing servomotors or pneumatic drives for precise alignment and adjustable overlap width, enabling the gripper to produce overlapping products without the need for additional picker lines or increased space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If overlapping products are formed on the feed belt before picking, then the products are ready for packaging, but the space requirements increase and the setup becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the receiving plates movable relative to each other during the picking process. The plates can shift position to accommodate and form overlapping products directly during transfer, eliminating the need for static overlapping setups on the feed belt. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different packaging requirements without increasing feed belt space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the overlapping operation from the horizontal plane (feed belt) to the vertical dimension (container placement). By forming overlaps during the vertical transfer motion rather than on the horizontal feed belt, the system eliminates the need for extended feed belt space while maintaining packaging efficiency.
2Productivity
If a complex setup is used to overlap products on the feed belt, then overlapping products can be formed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving plates are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as picking surfaces and as mechanisms for forming overlapping products. The same plates that receive products from the feed belt also perform the overlapping operation during transfer, eliminating the need for separate overlapping devices or complex feed belt setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper system performs the overlapping operation itself during the normal picking process. The movable receiving plates automatically adjust to create overlaps without requiring external overlapping mechanisms or complex pre-setup configurations on the feed belt.
3Productivity
If the gripper transfers products without overlapping capability, then the transfer process is simple, but additional pickers are needed to create overlaps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the overlapping function with the picking and transfer function into a single integrated operation. The movable receiving plates combine the product reception, transfer, and overlapping operations that would otherwise require separate pickers or stations, thereby increasing productivity without adding to the picker line configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper that comprises a first receiving plate for receiving a first product portion and a second receiving plate for receiving a second product portion, wherein the receiving plates are movable relative to one another. The gripper further including a first movable stop which is movable relative to the first receiving plate, and a second movable stop which is movable relative to the second receiving plate. The gripper is distinguished by the fact that the first stop and second stop are movable relative to one another so as to move the product portions towards one another when the gripper is closed such that the product portions then may be positioned to overlap one another.