Pouch Support Bars for Centrifugal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pouches experience misalignment and instability due to centrifugal forces as they move through the arcuate sections of the turret in machines designed for filling and finishing, leading to potential slippage during operations like filling and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A support device comprising a pair of bars, either 'V' shaped or elongated, that enclose the peripheral side edges of the pouch, with a slot to receive the side seal, and a support actuator to pivot the bars for opening and closing, ensuring the pouch remains aligned and stable throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pouch is held by grippers during turret rotation, then the pouch can be transported through work stations, but the pouch becomes misaligned and unstable due to centrifugal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bars as an intermediary support element between the gripper and the pouch. These bars extend downwardly from the gripper and engage the pouch body to provide additional support during turret rotation, preventing misalignment and instability caused by centrifugal forces while maintaining the pouch's proper positioning throughout the work station cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the support mechanism by extending bars downwardly from the horizontal gripper. This creates a three-point contact system (top edges by gripper, side edges by bars) that stabilizes the pouch in multiple dimensions, counteracting the centrifugal forces that cause misalignment during rotational movement
2Productivity
If the pouch moves through arcuate sections of the turret, then the pouch can be processed at multiple work stations, but centrifugal forces cause the bottom portion to become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The bars serve as intermediary support elements that maintain the pouch's alignment with the work stations during arcuate movement. By engaging the pouch body and extending downwardly, the bars prevent the bottom portion from becoming misaligned under centrifugal force, ensuring precise positioning throughout the multi-station processing cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The bars are positioned and configured in advance to engage the pouch body before centrifugal forces cause misalignment. The support structure is pre-established to counteract the expected centrifugal effects during turret rotation, maintaining alignment precision throughout the entire arcuate section traversal
3Extent of automation
If the pouch is subjected to stop and start forces between work stations, then the pouch can be processed sequentially, but the pouch becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The bars act as intermediary support elements that stabilize the pouch during automated stop and start operations between work stations. By providing continuous contact with the pouch body, the bars prevent instability caused by the repeated acceleration and deceleration inherent in sequential automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The bar support structure provides beforehand cushioning against the destabilizing effects of stop and start forces. The bars are positioned to engage the pouch body in advance, creating a support system that absorbs and mitigates the冲击 forces during automated positioning and transfer operations
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 support device effectively maintains the pouch's alignment and stability, preventing slippage and ensuring proper positioning for filling, sealing, and fitment insertion, even under centrifugal forces, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
The support actuator is configured to pivot the bars so as to open and close the bars with respect to each other
Implementation Method 2
The bars include a slot configured to enclose peripheral side edges of a flexible pouch
Implementation Method 3
the pouch may be subject to centrifugal forces as the pouch progresses through the arcuate sections of the turret
Data Source
AI summary
The support device includes a support and a pair of bars spaced apart from each other. The bars include a slot configured to enclose peripheral side edges of a flexible pouch. In one embodiment, the bars are wing shaped and include a first member and a second member. The first member is angled with respect to the second member. The slot extends inwardly from an inner surface of the bar and is disposed between the first and second member. The slot is configured to receive a peripheral side seal of the flexible pouch. The first and second members help keep the body of the pouch within the grips of the gripper. In a second preferred embodiment, the bars are an elongated member. The slot is disposed along the inner surface of the bars. The bars have a length sufficient to receive the side peripheral seal of the pouch.