Infusion Bag Stack Formation With Continuous Conveyor Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming packaging stacks of infusion bags are inefficient, cumbersome, and require excessive space, lacking a compact and reliable solution for rapid stacking.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that transfers infusion bags directly from a conveyor line to a stack-holding device using a removal device equipped with a counter and sensor, aligning bags vertically and utilizing centrifugal force for horizontal stacking, with a deflection wheel and clamping mechanism to maintain orientation and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivoting arm and feed line with parallel conveyor belts are used to remove and stack infusion bags, then the stacking function is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the removal device and stacking device into a single integrated unit. The removal device extracts infusion bags from the conveyor line and simultaneously places them into the stacking device, eliminating the need for separate pivoting arms and feed lines. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining the stacking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal device is designed to perform multiple functions: it removes infusion bags from the conveyor line, transports them horizontally, and deposits them into the stacking device. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each operation, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate devices (conveyor line, pivoting arm, stack holding device) are used for bag handling, then the stacking process is complete, but the system requires excessive space and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the removal device and stacking device into a compact unified system. The removal device directly interfaces with the stacking device, eliminating the need for separate pivoting arms and intermediate feed lines. This integration significantly reduces the spatial footprint while ensuring complete bag handling functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If infusion bags are handled multiple times during transfer from conveyor line to stacking device, then precise positioning is achieved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal device is designed to extract infusion bags from the conveyor line and place them directly into the stacking device in a single continuous motion. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for multiple handling steps, thereby maintaining precise positioning while reducing processing time and increasing stacking speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal device performs the entire transfer operation from conveyor line to stacking device in a single continuous action without interruption or repositioning. This continuous operation maintains manufacturing precision while maximizing productivity by eliminating time-consuming intermediate steps.
4Device complexity
If a compact design with fewer components is used, then space is saved, but the reliability of bag alignment and orientation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated removal and stacking device incorporates built-in alignment and orientation mechanisms within the compact structure. The removal device directly controls bag positioning during transfer, and the stacking device includes features to ensure proper bag orientation upon deposition. This integrated design maintains reliability while achieving compactness through functional merging rather than component reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method and device achieve time- and space-saving packaging stack formation with fewer components, ensuring reliable alignment and orientation of infusion bags, reducing system complexity and enhancing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing centrifugal force for horizontal stacking, with a deflection wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for forming packaging stacks (152) by stacking infusion bags (140), in which the infusion bags (140) are removed from a conveyor (100) on which the infusion bags (140) are fed one after the other to a removal station (102), in which the infusion bags (140) are removed from the conveyor (100) and arranged abutting each other in a stacking device (122; 300) to form the packaging stack (152), which is emptied when a number of infusion bags (140) forming the packaging stack (152) is reached, wherein the removal of the infusion bags (140) from the conveyor (100) is not interrupted during the emptying of the stacking device (122; 300) and at least one infusion bag (140) removed in this process is arranged upstream of the stacking device (122; 300). becomes.