Horizontal Transport Device for Variable Pack Spacing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tax stamp application machines are unable to efficiently apply tax stamps to non-standard sized packs, such as those used for electronic aerosol-generating devices, due to their fixed positioning mechanisms, leading to increased manual handling and inefficiencies in the tax stamp application process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a horizontal transport device that vertically and horizontally spaces pairs of packs to maintain a predefined center position, independent of pack size, using space bars and partition elements to ensure accurate positioning for conventional tax stamp application, allowing for the use of conventional tax stamp application devices with packs of varying sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional tax stamp application machines use fixed positioning mechanisms, then they can reliably apply tax stamps to standard sized packs, but they cannot efficiently process non-standard sized packs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepack size adaptabilityVSAvoidtax stamp application efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device dynamically adjusts the positioning of packs by varying vertical and horizontal spacing between pairs of packs. This allows the system to adapt to different pack sizes while maintaining consistent center positioning, enabling both standard and non-standard packs to be processed efficiently by conventional tax stamp application machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spacing parameters (vertical distance between packs in a pair, horizontal distance between pairs) to accommodate different pack dimensions. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains the center position of packs within the fixed positioning mechanism's acceptable range, thereby preserving productivity across various pack sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If tax stamp application machines are adapted to handle non-standard packs, then they can process various pack sizes, but it becomes difficult to adapt all machines remotely located near point of sale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepack format compatibilityVSAvoidmachine adaptation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device acts as an intermediary between the pack supply and the fixed positioning mechanism of the tax stamp application machine. By preprocessing packs to standardize their center positions through controlled spacing, the transport device enables conventional machines to handle non-standard packs without requiring modifications to the machines themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual handling is used for non-standard packs, then correct tax stamp positioning can be achieved, but manual handling increases and reduces efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetax stamp positioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device automatically performs the positioning function that would otherwise require manual intervention. By self-adjusting the spacing between packs to maintain correct center positioning, the system achieves both accurate tax stamp placement and high processing speed without manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Extent of automation

If conventional tax stamp application devices are used with packs of varying sizes, then automation is maintained, but accurate tax stamp positioning becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidstamp position precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device performs preliminary positioning of packs before they enter the tax stamp application machine. By pre-adjusting the vertical and horizontal spacing to ensure correct center positioning, the system prepares packs in advance, allowing the automated tax stamp application process to maintain high precision without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12172783B2Method for transporting pairs of packs

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS SA

AI summary

A method for transporting pairs of packs (100) comprising arranging a first pair of packs on a horizontal transport device (50), transporting the first pair of packs in a horizontal direction, arranging a second pair of packs on the horizontal transport device (50), therein, for each of the first pair and the second pair of the pair of packs, spacing a first pack of the pair of packs and a second pack of the pair of packs vertically from each other and further spacing the first pair of packs and the second pair of packs horizontally from each other on the horizontal transport device.