Packaging Apparatus Discharge Pusher Tray Catching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging machines experience issues where the discharge pusher gets caught on trays, causing them to be pulled back, especially with lighter trays, which results in incomplete discharge.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus with a discharge pusher design featuring first and second pusher members that abut against the tray's side surface, with projections positioned lower than the members to prevent catching, and a restraining member to secure the tray during discharge, ensuring complete ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the discharge pusher uses a simple single-member structure to push trays, then the device complexity is reduced, but the trays get caught on the pusher causing them to be pulled back
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge pusher is divided into multiple independent pusher members (first pusher member with first arm, first member, first projection; second pusher member with second arm, second member, second projection). Each member has a specific function: the main member (e.g., first member) pushes the upper portion of the tray side surface, while the projection (e.g., first projection) positioned lower than the main member pushes the lower portion of the tray side surface. This segmented structure prevents the tray from getting caught and being pulled back, solving the reliability issue without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the pusher members have different functional qualities. The main member (first member, second member) is designed to abut against the upper portion of the tray side surface, while the projection (first projection, second projection) extends beyond the main member to abut against the lower portion of the tray side surface. This local differentiation ensures that the tray is pushed uniformly without getting caught, improving discharge reliability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the discharge pusher uses a multi-member structure to prevent tray catching, then the tray discharge reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher members are configured to swing up and down about a horizontal shaft located in a position away from the packaging position. This dynamic configuration allows the pusher members to adapt to different tray heights and positions during the discharge process. The swingable design enables the main member and projection to maintain proper contact with the tray side surface at different stages of discharge, improving reliability without requiring a complex fixed multi-member structure.
3Device complexity
If the projection is positioned at the same level as the main member, then the structure is simpler, but the tray gets caught and pulled back during discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The projection (first projection, second projection) is specifically designed to extend in the first direction beyond the main member (first member, second member) from the distal end portion. The lower end of the main member is positioned lower than the upper end of the projection. This local geometric differentiation ensures that the projection contacts the lower portion of the tray side surface while the main member contacts the upper portion, preventing the tray from getting caught during discharge.
4Device complexity
If the pusher member contacts only the upper portion of the tray, then the structure is simpler, but light trays are pulled back by the discharge pusher
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher member is segmented into a main member (first member, second member) that contacts the upper portion of the tray side surface and a projection (first projection, second projection) that contacts the lower portion of the tray side surface. This segmentation allows the discharge pusher to apply force to both the upper and lower portions of the tray, providing stable pushing action that prevents light trays from being pulled back, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Providing a packaging apparatus that can inhibit the pulling back of trays by a discharge pusher. A packaging apparatus (1) includes a film conveyance unit (3), a lift unit (6), a folding unit (7), and a discharge pusher (8). The film conveyance unit (3) conveys a film (T) to a packaging position (L1). The lift unit (6) lifts a tray (T) toward the packaging position (L1). The folding unit (7) folds a peripheral edge portion of the film (F) that has covered the tray (T). The discharge pusher (8) pushes a side surface of the tray (T) to discharge the tray (T) in a first direction (D). The discharge pusher (8) includes a first pusher member (81). The first pusher member (81) has a first arm (811), a first member (812), and a first projection (813). The first member (812) extends in a direction intersecting the first direction (D) and abuts against a side surface of the tray (T). The first projection (813) extends in the first direction (D) beyond the first member (812) and abuts against a lower portion of the side surface of the tray (T). A lower end of the first member (812) is positioned lower than an upper end of the first projection (813).