Linear Motor Slide for Blister Pack and Insert Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport devices for blister packs and their associated product inserts require multiple mechanical components and parallel systems, leading to inefficiencies in throughput and increased complexity for coordinating movements, especially when dealing with defective products or inserts.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with a movable slide and a stationary endless guide rail, driven by a linear motor with a permanent magnet, incorporates a retaining element that can pivot and change orientation to hold and transfer product inserts, reducing the number of components and allowing for coordinated movement of products and inserts, thereby simplifying the transfer process and compensating for system delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuously moving endless transport chain with multiple receptacles is used to transport blister packs, then the products can be conveyed continuously, but the number of mechanical components increases and the complexity of coordinating movements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transport of blister packs and product inserts into a single slide unit. The slide simultaneously carries both the blister pack and the associated product insert, eliminating the need for separate transport chains. This merging reduces the total number of mechanical components while maintaining continuous transport capability through the linear motor-driven slide system.
2Productivity
If two parallel transport devices are used (one for products, another for product inserts), then both items can be transported simultaneously, but the coordination of movements becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transport functions for blister packs and product inserts into a single integrated slide. The slide is designed with both a product receptacle for the blister pack and a retaining element for the product insert, allowing simultaneous transport of both items without requiring separate transport devices or complex coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves multiple functions: it transports the blister pack, carries the product insert, positions both items for packaging, and enables individual control of each item. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for specialized transport devices for each item type, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple retaining elements are distributed on each receptacle to hold product inserts, then each product can be secured, but the total number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates the retaining function into a single retaining element on each slide, rather than distributing multiple retaining elements across multiple receptacles. This single retaining element is sufficient to hold the product insert while the slide itself provides the structural framework, reducing the total number of components while maintaining reliable holding capability.
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 reduces the number of mechanical parts needed, allows for joint transport of products and inserts, simplifies coordination during transfer, and enables compensation for delays due to defects, enhancing overall efficiency and reducing the risk of product loss.
Implementation Method 1
A transport device of this type with a linear motor drive is known, for example, from WO 2013/156177 A1
Implementation Method 2
A linear motor drive device is provided to drive the at least one slide, wherein the at least one slide comprises at least one permanent magnet, which works together with the linear motor drive device
Data Source
AI summary
The transport device has at least one movable slide for conveying blister packs. A linear motor drive device is used to drive the slide along a guide rail. The slide has at least one permanent magnet for interaction with the linear motor drive device. In addition, a retaining element for holding a product insert is arranged on the slide and is moved with the slide. The retaining element is operable between an activated or closed position to hold the product insert and a deactivated or opened position to receive or release the product insert.