Ionizing Device for Neutralizing Static on Containers During Weighing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static electricity accumulation on containers and container-holding trays during movement and positioning in weighing systems leads to erroneous weight measurements due to electrostatic forces, affecting accuracy and repeatability, especially in pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors where precise dosing is critical.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method involving an extraction member with inter-spaced arms to lift and hold containers, and an ionizing device to neutralize static electricity by moving in proximity to the containers and trays, ensuring accurate weight measurements by eliminating electrostatic charges before weighing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If containers are moved and positioned in weighing systems, then weighing operations can be performed, but static electricity accumulates on containers and trays causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizing device is activated before the weighing operation to neutralize static electricity on containers and trays in advance. This preliminary action removes the harmful electrostatic charges that would otherwise interfere with the subsequent weight measurement, ensuring accurate readings without requiring manual intervention or system shutdown.
2Ease of operation
If extraction means are used to lift containers, then containers can be positioned for weighing, but static electricity is generated through friction and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizing device converts the harmful effect of friction-generated static electricity into a beneficial process by actively neutralizing the accumulated charges. As containers are moved and charged through normal handling operations, the ionizing device simultaneously applies ions to cancel these charges, transforming the unavoidable friction effect into a controlled process that maintains measurement accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If weighing operations are performed on filled containers, then dosing accuracy can be verified, but electrostatic forces interfere with weight detection
Solution Approach 1:
The ionizing device acts as an intermediary between the weighing operation and the containers. By introducing ions that neutralize static charges on both the containers and trays, it mediates the interaction between electrostatic forces and the weighing mechanism, allowing the load cell to detect only the true gravitational force of the product without electrostatic interference.
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 solution effectively neutralizes static electricity, ensuring accurate and repeatable weight measurements by eliminating electrostatic interference, thereby improving the reliability of weighing operations in sensitive applications like pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
Implementation Method 1
an ionizing device (19) configured to be relatively mobile with respect to the containers (100) extracted and/or with respect to the container-holding tray (200)... so as to ionize the surrounding space and neutralize static electricity present on the surface of the containers (100)... and/or of the container-holding tray (200)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Apparatus to neutralize static electricity present on the surface of containers (100; 10') and/or of nests (200; 300) comprising a plurality of seatings (212; 312) according to a positioning matrix (Ml) and able to receive, resting on them, an ordered group of said containers (100; 100'), wherein the apparatus comprises an extraction member (15) configured to engage at least one part of said ordered group of containers (100; 100'), in order to perform at least one relative lifting movement with respect to the nest (200; 300) so as to at least partly extract the containers (100; 100') engaged from the respective seatings (212; 312), and at least one ionizing device (19) configured to be relatively mobile with respect to the extracted containers and/or with respect to the nest (200; 300), while said group of containers (100; 100') extracted is in said raised condition, along a path that develops in the proximity of the containers (100; 100') extracted and/or in the proximity of said nest (200; 300), so as to ionize the surrounding space and neutralize static electricity present on the surface of the containers (100; 100') in the raised condition and/or of the nest (200; 300).