Package Lid Gripper Ejector Structure for Easy Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging lid gripping units for automated sealing processes are complex to assemble and require extensive cleaning, leading to high labor costs and maintenance efforts, with the ejector design often complicating disinfection and sterilization processes.

Innovation Solution

A packaging lid gripping unit with a star-shaped connecting piece having at least three arms that extend through recesses in the wall, allowing for automatic centering and simplified assembly, and features snap-fit connections and tubular parts for easy cleaning and sterilization, ensuring precise positioning and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex connecting bolt design is used to secure the ejector, then the ejector can be secured against falling out, but the assembly and maintenance labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejector securityVSAvoidassembly and maintenance labor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is divided into multiple arms (at least three) that extend through recesses in the wall, allowing automatic centering and simplified assembly without complex securing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The star-shaped connecting piece with multiple arms enables automatic centering of the inner and outer parts, eliminating the need for complex guiding mechanisms and reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the ejector is designed to rest flat against the gripper for guidance, then the ejector can be properly guided, but extensive cleaning and disinfection is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejector guidanceVSAvoidcleaning and disinfection effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wall is segmented with recesses that accommodate the arms of the connecting piece, allowing the ejector to be guided through the recesses rather than requiring flat contact surfaces that need extensive cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the ejector rest flat against the gripper surface, the design inverts the guidance approach by having the connecting piece arms extend through recesses, enabling guidance without extensive cleaning requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If a sliding guide is used to position the inner part and outer part, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsliding guide structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The star-shaped connecting piece with at least three arms enables automatic centering of the inner and outer parts, achieving precise positioning without requiring complex sliding guides or other positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4467510B1Package lid gripping unit and capping machine

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 KHS GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a packaging lid gripping unit (1) with a gripper (2) which has a cavity (4) formed around an axis (A) and a wall (5) encompassing the cavity (4), and with an ejector (3) slidably guided along the axis (A), which comprises an inner part (8) arranged within the cavity (4) and an outer part (9) arranged outside the wall (5) and connected to the inner part (8) by at least one connecting piece (10). The connecting piece (10) extends through at least one recess (5a) formed in the wall (5). According to the invention, the connecting piece (10) is star-shaped with at least three arms (10a), each of which extends through a recess (5a) in the wall (5).