Lateral Feeder Gravity Path for Rod Article Collation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for forming collations of rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, are limited in their ability to efficiently utilize space on production lines and in facilities, and they often require complex mechanisms and high energy consumption, while also restricting the arrangement of different types of articles within a collation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a hopper and lateral feeder that allows for the efficient arrangement of first and second rod-shaped articles into pockets on a conveyor belt, utilizing gravity-fed feeding paths and optional pneumatic or mechanical assistance to position articles orthogonally, reducing the need for moving parts and energy consumption, and enabling the arrangement of multiple types of articles in a single collation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a lateral feeder is positioned remotely from the hopper in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, then space utilization on the production line is improved, but the feeding path length increases which may affect gravity feeding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral feeder is positioned in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, utilizing the lateral dimension rather than extending along the production line. This dimensional change allows space optimization without significantly increasing the effective feeding path length, as the feeder operates in a different spatial plane.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of rod-shaped articles are arranged in a single collation with complex positioning, then product versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is divided into multiple compartments, with each compartment dedicated to storing a specific type of rod-shaped article. This segmentation allows different article types to be fed simultaneously into a single collation without requiring complex mixing or sorting mechanisms, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hopper structure serves multiple functions by incorporating multiple compartments that can handle different types of rod-shaped articles. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate feeding systems for each article type, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to create diverse collations.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional feeders with moving parts are used for precise article positioning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but maintenance costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the natural gravity and physical properties of the rod-shaped articles themselves to achieve precise positioning. Articles automatically orient and position themselves as they move through the hopper compartments and onto the conveyor, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning devices with moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical positioning systems with multiple moving parts are replaced by a gravity-based passive positioning system. The hopper compartment design and article geometry work together to automatically position articles correctly without requiring actuators, motors, or other active mechanical components.
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
This solution enhances space utilization on production lines, reduces construction and maintenance costs, and allows for the efficient arrangement of different types of rod-shaped articles in a collation, improving access and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lateral feeder is operable to feed second rod-shaped articles along a feeding path through the lateral feeder into the hopper such that the feeding of the second rod-shaped articles is performed under gravity along the full feeding path through the lateral feeder into the hopper
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided for arranging rod-shaped articles (13,14,15) to be fed into pockets (3,4,5) on an endless conveyor (19) operable to travel in a conveyance direction, the apparatus comprising: • a hopper (2) operable to receive rod-shaped articles (13,14,15) and to arrange the rod-shaped articles to be fed into the pockets (3,4,5) • a main feeder (70) positioned vertically above the hopper and operable to feed first rod-shaped articles downwards into the hopper; • a lateral feeder (60) spaced at least partially from the hopper in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the endless conveyor, whereby the lateral feeder is operable to feed second rod-shaped articles along a feeding path through the lateral feeder into the hopper such that the feeding of the second rod-shaped articles is performed under gravity along the full feeding path through the lateral feeder into the hopper, wherein a downstream end portion of the lateral feeder ends vertically above the hopper.