Pre-grouping Conveyor for Continuous Box Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packing methods for articles into boxes are limited by high cycle times and inefficient use of supply lines, as they involve individual placement of products into packing boxes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-grouping articles on a conveyor belt and transferring them into cassette boxes, which are then filled and discharged into packing boxes, allowing for continuous movement and efficient placement of pre-grouped sets of articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If articles are individually placed into the packing box from the supply line, then the packing process is simple, but the cycle time for filling the packing box is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-grouping articles into sets on the pre-grouping conveyor belt before they are transferred to the packing box. This pre-grouping operation prepares multiple articles in advance, allowing them to be discharged together as a set, thereby reducing the cycle time for filling the packing box without requiring complex additional equipment
2Productivity
If articles are pre-grouped into sets on a pre-grouping conveyor, then the cycle time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the conveyor system into distinct functional segments: a pre-grouping conveyor belt for assembling article sets, and a discharge mechanism for transferring them to the packing box. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, increasing productivity while managing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a pre-grouping conveyor belt as a mediating device between the article supply line and the packing box. This intermediary component prepares articles in advance and facilitates their efficient transfer, improving packing speed without requiring direct complex interaction between the supply line and packing box
3Productivity
If multiple stretches of conveyor belt are used for pre-grouping, then article supply line efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by using multiple stretches of pre-grouping conveyor belt that operate in sequence. While one stretch is discharging a set of articles into the packing box, another stretch is simultaneously pre-grouping the next set of articles. This continuous operation maximizes article supply line efficiency by eliminating idle time, while the coordinated control of multiple stretches manages the increased device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A packing method of packing articles into a packing box comprises pre-grouping articles on a pre grouping surface provided by a pre grouping conveyor belt of a pre grouping conveyor, and providing the articles from the pre-grouping surface of the pre-grouping conveyor belt into the packing box. This is done consecutively by providing one of a cassette box and the packing box at a discharging end of the pre-grouping conveyer; moving downwards said one of the cassette box and the packing box while driving the pre grouping conveyor belt such that the pre-grouped articles on the pre-grouping conveyer-belt moves towards the discharging end of the pre-grouping conveyor and the opening of said one of the cassette box and the packing box, and that the articles of the pre-grouped articles are discharged from the pre-grouping conveyor belt into said one of the cassette box and the packing box and onto one another; and, in case the articles of the pre-grouped articles are provided into the cassette box, providing the articles from the cassette box into the packing box.