Packaging Conveyor Chain with Oblique Elastic Lamellae

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveying apparatuses are unsuitable for gentle transport of pressure-sensitive products, particularly due to structural complexity and unsteady running, which can lead to bumpy and uneven transport.

Innovation Solution

The use of lamellar elements made of elastic material, oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction, on conveyor chains to provide a time-delayed application of edge pressure, ensuring a more gentle transport of products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If support caps are mounted on chain pins to create a continuous bearing surface, then the conveyor chain can transport products, but the configuration becomes structurally complex and the support caps can lift off causing unsteady running

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor chain is divided into modular chain links with integrated bearing surfaces. Each chain link includes a bearing surface that directly contacts products, eliminating the need for separate support caps while maintaining continuous product support through the articulated chain structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing surface is merged with the chain link structure itself. The bearing surface is formed as an integral part of each chain link, combining the transport function and support function into a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If support caps are used to form a continuous bearing surface, then products can be transported, but the support caps are not prevented from lifting off leading to bumpy and uneven transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoidtransport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having separate support caps that may lift off, the chain link structure itself provides the bearing surface. The chain links are designed with integrated bearing surfaces that maintain constant contact with products throughout the conveying cycle, eliminating the lifting-off problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If conventional conveyor chains are used, then products can be transported, but pressure-sensitive products experience jerky movements and uneven acceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport speedVSAvoidmechanical stress on products

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing surface geometry is changed from discrete support caps to continuous articulated surfaces formed by the chain links themselves. This geometric parameter change allows for smoother product acceleration and deceleration, reducing mechanical stress on pressure-sensitive products while maintaining transport efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The oblique orientation of lamellar elements allows for a smoother acceleration and deceleration of products, preventing jerky movements and enhancing stability during transport, particularly for pressure-sensitive items.

Implementation Method 1

lamellar elements made of elastic material, oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction, on conveyor chains to provide a time-delayed application of edge pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12441549B2Conveying apparatus for a packaging machine, transport apparatus for transporting products and a packaging machine

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

A conveying apparatus in or for a packaging machine having at least one conveyor chain (1) which circulates in a chain running direction (5) and includes a large number of chain links (3) that are connected to one another in an articulated manner around a respective chain link axis (4) via transversely extending chain pins (2). Lamellar elements (6) that include lamellae (7) made of an elastic material, in particular a spring-elastic material, are oriented obliquely with respect to the chain running direction (5) are placed on the chain links (3), in particular interchangeably.