Package Apparatus Conveyance Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing package apparatuses struggle to efficiently overlay packaged objects with varying orientations and shapes at high speeds, leading to reduced efficiency and potential damage due to manual alignment and limited adaptability to different types of packaged goods.

Innovation Solution

A package apparatus comprising a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit positioned below, and a collection unit, where the second conveyance unit conveys packaged objects in a direction opposite to the first unit, allowing for stable alignment and orientation of packaged objects as they fall and overlay each other, with adjustable tilt angles and speeds to accommodate various packaged goods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If vacuum suction device is used to move packaged objects, then packaged objects can be transported, but a portion to be suctioned needs to be flat which reduces working efficiency when manually handling to overlay objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to packaged objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the vacuum suction device with a conveyance plane system that uses mechanical conveyance instead of suction. The packaged objects are conveyed by the conveyance plane without requiring any specific surface characteristics, eliminating the need for manual handling and overlay operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyance plane automatically conveys packaged objects and they are automatically overlaid on adjacent objects through the mechanical action of the conveyance system, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the overlay process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual handling is used to overlay packaged objects, then overlaying can be performed, but working efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworking efficiencyVSAvoidmanual operation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance plane system performs the overlaying function automatically through its mechanical action. As objects are conveyed, they are naturally positioned and overlaid on adjacent objects without requiring manual handling, thereby improving productivity while eliminating manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If packaged objects are conveyed and overlaid continuously, then productivity increases, but alignment precision and orientation control become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous packing speedVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance plane provides a stable, level surface for conveying packaged objects. This equipotential surface ensures that objects maintain consistent orientation and alignment during continuous conveyance, allowing high-speed operation while preserving alignment precision through the uniform mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

4Ease of manufacture

If apparatus configuration is simplified, then ease of manufacture improves, but adaptability to different packaged goods decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus configuration simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to packaged goods
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyance plane is designed as a universal component that can handle various types of packaged objects without requiring configuration changes. The simple, flat surface provides universal adaptability to different packaged goods while maintaining ease of manufacture through its straightforward design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables assured and efficient overlaying and packing of packaged objects with the same orientation at high speeds, reducing manual intervention and damage, while allowing for adaptability to different types of packaged goods without requiring changes to the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

a first conveyance unit (200); a second conveyance unit (400) provided below the first conveyance unit (200)... receiving packaged objects falling from the first conveyance unit (200) onto the second conveyance unit (400)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2204343B1A package apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.07.31 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP2204343B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2204343B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2204343B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a package apparatus for aligning packaged objects in such positions as to efficiently pack the packaged objects, and for conveying the packaged objects. A package apparatus 100 mainly includes: a first conveyance unit 200, a second conveyance unit 400, a third conveyance unit 410, and an extendable conveyance unit 420. The second conveyance unit 400 is provided below the first conveyance unit 200, and conveys a group of packaged objects 110 in a direction (a direction indicated by an arrow M2) opposite to a conveying direction in which the first conveyance unit 200 conveys the packaged objects. The control unit 301 controls the first conveyance unit 200 and the second conveyance unit 400. The packaged objects 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are caused to fall from the first conveyance unit 200 onto the second conveyance unit 400, and a plurality of the packaged objects 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are caused to overlay adjacent packaged objects, thereby forming the group of packaged objects 110. Further, when the packaged object 110a is conveyed, the second conveyance unit 400 is provided so as to be tilted almost along the horizontal plane. When the packaged objects 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e are conveyed, the second conveyance unit 400 is provided so as to be tiled at a tilt angle α2.