Portioning System for Stackable Flat Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing machines cannot handle large units of stackable carton elements due to height constraints, requiring expensive robot arms or manual cranes, which are cumbersome and inefficient for handling the weight of multiple cartons.
Innovation Solution
A portioning system comprising a feeder device with a lifting and pushing platform, allowing the stack to be broken down into a manageable size by lifting the edge portion and pushing it along a linear path to a delivery ramp, reducing friction and enabling easy transfer to a processing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large units of carton elements are delivered, then quantity of material is improved, but handling difficulty increases due to height constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The large unit of carton elements is divided into multiple manageable stacks, each with a height suitable for conventional printing machines. The portioning system automatically segments the large unit into smaller stacks by separating individual cartons and reforming them into compact stacks, resolving the contradiction between delivering large quantities and maintaining ease of handling.
2Ease of operation
If expensive robot arms or manual cranes are used, then handling capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portioning system enables automatic handling of carton stacks without requiring expensive robot arms or manual cranes. The system uses a self-contained mechanism with a pushing platform and lifting platform that automatically portions and transfers stacks, making the handling process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for complex external handling equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stack height is reduced to fit printing machines, then adaptability is improved, but handling efficiency worsens due to multiple transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The portioning system performs preliminary portioning of the large unit into appropriately sized stacks before they reach the printing machine. By pre-separating and reforming the cartons into manageable stacks, the system eliminates the need for multiple transfers and repositioning operations at the printing machine, thereby maintaining adaptability while preserving handling efficiency.
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 efficient portioning and transfer of carton stacks to processing devices, reducing handling difficulties and costs associated with manual or robotic handling systems, while ensuring the stack's stability and integrity during processing.
Implementation Method 1
The feeder device is movable along a lifting direction having at least a component which is parallel to the direction of the force of gravity
Implementation Method 2
The stack is pushable by the pushing platform along the linear path
Data Source
AI summary
A portioning system for portioning stackable flat carton elements in a stack (101) for further processing. A feeder device (105) includes a lifting platform (106) and a pushing platform (107), wherein the feeder device (105) is movable along a linear path (108) for pushing the stack (101) to a delivery position. The feeder device (105) is further movable along a lifting direction (110) having at least a component parallel to the gravity direction. The feeder device (105) is configured such that the lifting platform (106) is movable partially below the flat elements defining the stack (101) such that an edge portion (111) of the stack (101) is arranged on the lifting platform (106) for being liftable by the lifting platform (106). The feeder device (105) is further configured such that the stack (101) is pushable by the pushing platform (107) along the linear path (108) until the stack (101) is arranged at the delivery position.