Palletizing Device Cardboard Sheet Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Palletizing devices experience inefficiencies due to significant waiting times for depositing subsequent layers of products on pallets and positioning cardboard sheets, leading to reduced overall efficiency and stability in the palletizing process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of a positioning organ with a gripping system and storage plane for cardboard sheets, allowing for simultaneous handling and positioning of sheets on the first layer of products, reducing waiting times and improving stability and efficiency by enabling continuous operation without interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cardboard sheet collecting and positioning turret is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases due to waiting times for sheet positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cardboard sheet handling function into multiple independent turrets, each capable of collecting and positioning sheets autonomously. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple turrets, eliminating the sequential waiting time that occurs with a single turret and thereby increasing productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary positioning of cardboard sheets by having multiple turrets prepare and hold sheets in advance before they are needed for palletizing. This preliminary action eliminates waiting time during the actual palletizing process, as sheets are already positioned and ready for immediate application, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If the upper platform waits for the follower platform to return with new products, then the stability of the palletizing process is maintained, but the productivity decreases due to dead time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of the palletizing processVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary positioning of cardboard sheets by having multiple turrets prepare and hold sheets in advance before they are needed for palletizing. This preliminary action eliminates waiting time during the actual palletizing process, as sheets are already positioned and ready for immediate application, thus improving productivity without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous operation of the palletizing device by having multiple cardboard sheet turrets operate in parallel or alternately, ensuring that a sheet is always ready for application regardless of the follower platform's position. This continuity eliminates dead time and maintains steady productivity while preserving process stability through coordinated turret operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If multiple cardboard sheet turrets are used, then the productivity increases by eliminating waiting times, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cardboard sheet handling function into multiple independent turrets, each capable of collecting and positioning sheets autonomously. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple turrets, eliminating the sequential waiting time that occurs with a single turret and thereby increasing productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the multiple cardboard sheet turrets to be self-sufficient, with each turret independently collecting, holding, and positioning sheets without requiring constant intervention from other system components. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex coordination mechanisms and control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maximizing productivity benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Significantly reduces waiting times for depositing layers on pallets, enhances the stability of the stack, and increases the overall efficiency of the palletizing plant by allowing uninterrupted operation and precise positioning of cardboard sheets.

Implementation Method 1

conveying means of a cardboard sheet at a time, which comprise a gripping system for holding a cardboard sheet of the stack of cardboard sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2964552B1A palletising device
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 ACMI CORP
  • EP2964552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2964552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2964552B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A palletizing device (10) comprising a lower plane (15) able to supportingly receive a pallet (5) and a loading device (100) vertically mobile above the lower plane (15) and comprising an upper platform (110), superposed in plan view on the lower plane (15) and provided with variable-configuration support means (112) and activating means able to cyclically move the support means (112) between a closed configuration, in which the define a support for a first layer of products (4) to be palletized, and an open configuration, in which they remove the support in order to release the first layer of products (4) downwards, in which the loading device (100) comprises a storing platform (120) defining a support for a second layer of products (4) to be palletized and flanked to the upper platform (110).