Loading Device Stabilizing System for Plastic Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading devices for plastic receptacles struggle with preventing tipping and falling over during the loading process, especially with lighter plastic bottles, leading to interruptions and the inability to stack containers efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A loading device with a stabilizing system comprising two adjustable support racks that create loading lanes within the tray, allowing for secure placement and stacking of plastic receptacles, with the second support rack acting as an anti-tipping device during the opening of new lanes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a tray is inclined to prevent receptacles from falling over, then stability is improved, but individual light plastic receptacles still fall over and cause interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
A support rack is introduced as an intermediary element between the tray and the receptacles. The support rack provides additional lateral support to light plastic receptacles during the loading process, preventing them from falling over even when the tray is inclined. This mediator component ensures reliable continuous operation without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rack is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing it to adapt to different tray configurations and receptacle types. The dynamic positioning of the support rack enables it to provide support at the appropriate location during the loading process, maintaining stability while accommodating variations in the system.
2Quantity of substance
If a stationary driven slide is used to push together deposited plastic receptacles, then receptacles are compacted in the tray, but varying receptacle formats cause tipping and falling over
Solution Approach 1:
The support rack acts as a mediator between the compaction process and the receptacles. Instead of using a slide that contacts and pushes the receptacles directly (causing tipping), the support rack provides lateral support during deposition. This intermediary structure allows compacting forces to be applied without directly disturbing the receptacles, maintaining both quantity and stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tray is tilted at a predetermined angle for loading, then receptacles are kept from falling over during deposition, but light plastic receptacles still tip after deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The support rack serves as a continuous intermediary support structure that remains in place during and after deposition. Unlike the temporary tilt mechanism, the support rack provides ongoing lateral support to light receptacles, preventing post-deposition tipping without requiring manual intervention to adjust or maintain the tilt angle.
4Ease of operation
If the multi-gripper is tilted by the same angle as the tray for filling, then loading aligns with tray orientation, but light receptacles fall over after deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The support rack is positioned to provide lateral support to receptacles during the tilted loading process. It acts as a mediator that allows the multi-gripper to operate at the tray's tilt angle for ease of operation, while simultaneously preventing receptacles from falling over by providing continuous lateral support during and after deposition.
Data Source
AI summary
A loading device for loading storage and transport receptacles or trays for plastic receptacles, such as plastic bottles, is disclosed which has a transport system for the trays that can be operated automatically and a transferring device for the plastic receptacles. The transferring device has a multi-gripper for securely grasping a predetermined number of plastic receptacles arranged in the form of a row. A stabilizing system is arranged in a loading station for the trays, which stabilizing system has a first support rack and a second support rack, which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be at least partially inserted into a tray that is to be loaded.