Linear Buffer Storage for Piece-Good Stacks in Food Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary storage facilities for piece goods in food product systems are costly, space-consuming, and lead to high reject rates due to product jams and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a buffer section and manipulator, such as a gantry system, that temporarily stores stacks of piece goods in a clocked manner, allowing decoupling from downstream sections, using a transport apparatus and manipulator to manage storage and delivery points efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional temporary storage facilities with multiple vertically arranged storage levels are used, then product flow decoupling is achieved, but device complexity, cost, and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage function into discrete, addressable storage positions arranged linearly rather than vertically. Each position can independently hold a stack of piece goods, and the manipulator services each position separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve decoupling functionality while using a simpler, more compact linear structure instead of complex vertical stacking with elevators.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator acts as an intermediary between the product flow input and the storage positions. It receives stacks from the input conveyor and places them in appropriate storage positions, and later retrieves them for output. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible storage and retrieval operations without requiring complex vertical transport infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining decoupling capability.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional temporary storage facilities with elevators and multiple storage levels are implemented, then product buffering capacity is increased, but space consumption and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical three-dimensional storage (multiple levels stacked vertically) to horizontal linear storage (multiple positions arranged in a line). The buffering capacity is maintained by increasing the number of linear positions rather than vertical levels. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the same buffering capacity with a smaller vertical profile and reduced overall space requirements, as the linear arrangement can be more compactly integrated into the production line footprint.
3Reliability
If packaging capacity is designed higher than production apparatus output, then product jams are avoided, but operational disruptions occur when packaging apparatus interrupts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing excess produced stacks in the linear storage positions before they are needed by the packaging apparatus. When the packaging apparatus operates at high capacity, stacks are pre-positioned in storage. When the packaging apparatus interrupts or operates slower, the stored stacks are retrieved from storage positions, maintaining continuous packaging operation without causing product jams or requiring production apparatus shutdown.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for temporarily storing stacks of piece goods which are provided in a clocked manner at a transfer point integrated in the device or adjacent to the device of a system for producing food products, in particular chocolate products, comprising: one or more storage points, a delivery point, a transport apparatus for moving the stacks of piece goods in the direction of transport; and a manipulator by means of which the transfer point, the delivery point as well as the storage points arranged therebetween can be approached; wherein at least one piece of goods of a stack of piece goods, preferably a plurality of piece goods of a stack of piece goods, can be transferred at once to the delivery point by the manipulator; wherein the stacks of piece goods can be separated at the delivery point and fed to a downstream section of the system; and wherein the flow of stacks of piece goods provided at the transfer point can be decoupled from the downstream section of the system by successively occupying the storage points.