Hygiene Product Transport Device for Compact Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for handling flexible hygiene products, such as sanitary towels, require large machine layouts due to long conveyor belts and are prone to blockages and machine malfunctions due to the lightweight and low kinetic energy of the products.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a rotating device within the transport path to rotate hygiene products from a flat to an upright position, using conveyors on either side of the rotating device to maintain product engagement and prevent blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conveyor belts are made long to transport hygiene products, then the products can be transported and straightened, but the machine layout becomes large and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct transport and straighteningVSAvoidmachine layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by erecting hygiene products from a flat to an upright position during transport. The conveyor belt system combines horizontal transport with vertical orientation change, allowing products to be straightened without requiring long horizontal conveyor belts. This dimensional transition compactes the machine layout while maintaining effective product handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If hygiene products are transported horizontally to save space, then the machine layout is compact, but blockages and machine malfunctions occur due to low kinetic energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine layoutVSAvoidtransport reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary acceleration to hygiene products before they enter the horizontal transport section. The inclined conveyor section provides gravitational acceleration that increases product kinetic energy before horizontal transport begins. This preliminary action ensures products maintain sufficient momentum throughout horizontal transport, preventing blockages and malfunctions while keeping the machine layout compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the transport system by combining inclined and horizontal conveyor sections. The inclined section provides acceleration phase, while the horizontal section maintains transport. This dynamic configuration adapts to the lightweight nature of hygiene products, ensuring reliable transport without requiring excessive horizontal space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If lightweight hygiene products are transported with low kinetic energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but blockages and machine malfunctions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtransport reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes gravitational potential energy by incorporating an inclined conveyor section. Products are accelerated down the incline, converting potential energy to kinetic energy naturally without requiring additional energy input. This equipotential approach provides sufficient kinetic energy for reliable horizontal transport while minimizing energy consumption, as gravity performs the acceleration work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

Data Source

PatentEP4178897B1Method and device for handling hygiene products
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 FOCKE & CO (GMBH & CO KG)
  • EP4178897B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178897B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4178897B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for handling flexible hygiene products (10), in particular sanitary pads, wherein the hygiene products (10) are transported continuously along a transport path (11) and in the process are rotated, in particular placed upright. According to the invention, the hygiene products (10) are rotated by means of a rotating device (18) arranged in the transport path (11), wherein a conveyor means (21, 22) for the hygiene products (10) is arranged preferably directly upstream and downstream of the rotating device (18), and the rotating device (18) has a shorter dimension than the hygiene products (10) in the transport direction (12) of the hygiene products (10) along the transport path (11) such that each hygiene product (10) is transported by at least one of the two conveyor means (21, 22) while being rotated by the rotating device (18).