Ice Cream Boxing Layout for Variable Product Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automatically boxing ice cream products require complex mechanical and control configurations due to the need to maintain a constant number of products boxed across sequences and adapt to variations in product distribution on the transport system, leading to complicated wrapping and boxing units.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that simplify the boxing process by using a storage unit, monitoring unit, and setting up unit to automatically detect and adapt to product positions, allowing for consistent boxing of a predetermined number of products with a simpler mechanical configuration, independent movement of boxing elements, and serial kinematics, enabling flexible adaptation to product distribution variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a robotized boxing unit is used to detect and adapt to product positions, then the number of products boxed can be kept constant across sequences, but the mechanical configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The boxing unit is divided into multiple independent boxing elements that can be individually positioned along the transport system. Each element can independently pick up products at different locations, eliminating the need for a complex centralized robotic system while maintaining the ability to adapt to product distribution variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex robotic detection and positioning systems with a simpler mechanical arrangement where boxing elements are distributed along the transport path. The positioning is achieved through the natural flow of products on the conveyor rather than active robotic tracking, substituting mechanical simplicity for computational complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a wrapping unit is added to wrap products before boxing, then product protection is improved, but the overall apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping and boxing operations are merged into a single integrated process. Products are wrapped and boxed in one continuous flow without requiring separate dedicated wrapping and boxing units, reducing overall apparatus complexity while maintaining product protection
Solution Approach 2:
The boxing elements serve multiple functions: they position products, perform wrapping, and complete boxing operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized units, reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive product handling capabilities
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a method for automatically boxing ice cream type products (p1, p2, p3, p4) which allows, by means of an apparatus (1) with simple mechanical configuration, a sequence of boxing steps to be performed, keeping constant the number of products boxed from one boxing sequence to another, in consideration of possible variations, from one boxing sequence to another, in the spatial distribution of the absences of product on the transport system (7), operating between the apparatus for production of the products and the boxing unit (3), the latter being configured, for each boxing sequence, for picking up the products (p1, p2, p3, p4) and transferring them in at least one box (S). The invention also relates to an apparatus configured to automatically perform the method.