Packaging Device Mobile Collectors Product Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face challenges in reliably transforming unifillay to multifilatual product configurations, leading to coincidences and instability, especially with fragile products, during the packaging process.
Innovation Solution
A packaging device with a supply means that includes a transfer mechanism and mobile collectors to precisely control and position products, allowing them to be deposited in a controlled manner into longitudinal columns, avoiding conveyor belt issues that cause instability and coincidences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional conveyor belts are used to transform unifillay to multifilatual product configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to product coincidences and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The feeding device is segmented into multiple independent mobile collectors (at least two collectors) that can be individually controlled. Each collector independently handles product transfer to its designated longitudinal column, eliminating the coincidence problem that occurs with conventional single-conveyor systems. This segmentation allows precise positioning of each product while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs mobile collectors with controlled positioning capabilities that can dynamically adjust their positions along the conveying direction. This dynamic control enables precise placement of products in longitudinal columns according to predetermined positions, achieving high manufacturing precision. The collectors can be moved along the conveying direction to accommodate different packaging configurations without requiring complete device redesign.
2Reliability
If products are transferred through intermediate bulk conveyor stages, then adaptability to different packaging configurations is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to product instability and coincidences at high cadence
Solution Approach 1:
Products are referenced to the unit in advance during their preparation phase, and this referencing information is maintained throughout the transfer process. The mobile collectors use this pre-established product positioning information to accurately place each product in its designated longitudinal column. This preliminary action eliminates the need for intermediate bulk conveyor stages that cause instability, as the product position is determined and controlled from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile collectors act as intermediaries between the product preparation stage and the final packaging stage. Instead of using conventional conveyor belts that cause product coincidence, the collectors individually mediate the transfer of each product to its specific destination. This intermediary approach maintains product stability and reliability while still achieving the necessary adaptability to different packaging configurations through controlled positioning.
3Productivity
If conventional feeding methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to defects and rework from product falls and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates product referencing to the unit with continuous position monitoring throughout the transfer process. This feedback mechanism ensures that each product is accurately tracked and positioned in its designated longitudinal column, preventing falls and misalignment defects. The controlled positioning system provides real-time feedback on product location, enabling corrective actions if deviations occur, thus maintaining high productivity without compromising operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a packaging device (1) for packaging products (3), such as bottles, vials, cans and other, in batches (2), during which the products (3) are conveyed along a conveying direction (4) in order to be packaged. The batches (2) include at least two products (3), arranged transversely to the conveying direction (4). The device (1) comprises a feed means (5) for receiving products (3) travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area (6) and conveying same to a set-down area (7) for later packaging. The device is characterised in that the feed means (5) comprises: in the pick-up area (6), a transfer means (8) for transferring products (3) arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector (9) for receiving and then moving at least one product (3) in a controlled manner from the transfer means (8) to the set-down area (7). The device (1) also comprises a conveyor (10) in the set-down area (7), on which the at least one collector (9) deposits the at least one product (3) that it collected from the pick-up area (6). The invention also relates to a machine using the device and to a corresponding method.