Magazine Unit with Movable Receiving Units for Continuous Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magazine systems for consumable materials face challenges in safe and efficient refilling during ongoing production, requiring machine stops or complex automation to avoid collisions and ensure continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A magazine unit with movable receiving units between removal and filling positions, equipped with protective mechanisms and lifting devices, allowing seamless transition between work modes for continuous refilling without interrupting production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual refilling of stacked consumable material is performed, then the magazine can be refilled, but machine stop is required for safety reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is divided into multiple stacks (first stack, second stack, etc.) arranged side by side. Each stack can be independently refilled through its own opening, allowing one stack to be refilled while another is being used, thus maintaining production continuity without requiring complete machine stoppage
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple stacks are pre-configured in the magazine before operation begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when one stack is depleted, another stack is already available to immediately continue supply, eliminating the need for machine stoppage during refilling operations
2Productivity
If several stacks are arranged next to one another in a magazine, then refilling can continue during operation, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each stack is equipped with its own opening accessible from the front of the magazine, allowing operators to independently refill each stack without complex coordination systems. The stacks serve themselves by being independently accessible and manageable, reducing control complexity while maintaining continuous production capability
3Productivity
If refilling and removal processes occur simultaneously, then production continuity is maintained, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine is segmented into multiple independent stacks, each with its own opening and refilling path. This spatial segmentation separates the refilling operations from the removal operations, allowing simultaneous execution without collision risk since each stack operates independently
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine structure itself acts as an intermediary between the refilling process and the removal process. By providing separate openings and internal pathways for each stack, the magazine mediates between these two processes, allowing them to occur simultaneously without direct interaction or collision
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a magazine unit (1) for consumable material (20), comprising at least two receiving units (2) for consumable material (20), at least one removal position (AP) and at least one filling position (BP), wherein the receiving units (2) are configured to be movable between the removal position (AP) and the filling position (BP). The invention also relates to a packaging apparatus (15) and to a method for combining article groupings (33) with a packaging means (21).