Robot Arm Container Filling Machine Without Conveyor Belt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling and sealing machines for containers are inflexible and costly, requiring complex designs and conveyor belts, which are not suitable for sterilization environments and do not allow for easy adaptation to different container shapes and closures.
Innovation Solution
A filling and sealing machine with two handling stations, each equipped with a robot arm, where the second robot arm can seal containers during transport, eliminating the need for a conveyor belt and allowing for modular adaptation to various containers and closures, including a first stationary process station for weighing and filling, and optionally a third robot arm for additional processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conveyor belt is used to transport containers between processing stations, then the machine structure becomes more complex and costs increase, but the patent eliminates the conveyor belt to simplify the structure and reduce costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conveyor belt system from the machine structure, extracting this complex transporting component entirely. Instead, individual robot arms perform localized transport tasks between processing stations, eliminating the need for a centralized conveyor infrastructure and associated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical conveyor belt system with robotic manipulation. The robot arms use grippers and controlled movements to transport containers between stations, substituting a complex mechanical transmission system with programmable robotic automation that achieves the same transport function with simpler overall structure.
2Length of moving object
If multiple processing stations are arranged in a linear sequence with conveyor belts, then the machine length increases, but the patent uses robot arms to reduce the machine footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear one-dimensional arrangement of processing stations to a multi-dimensional workspace where robot arms move containers in three-dimensional space. This allows processing stations to be arranged more compactly in space rather than requiring long linear sequences, reducing the overall machine footprint while maintaining handling capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the machine is designed for high precision and sterilization requirements, then costs increase significantly, but the patent simplifies the design to reduce costs while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the machine into modular processing stations that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and sterilized. Each station operates as a separate unit with its own robot arm and processing equipment, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining overall system reliability through modular architecture that facilitates sterilization protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling and a sealing machine for containers (6), comprising a first handling station (1) provided with a first robot arm (11), a second handling station (2) provided with a second robot arm (21) and a first stationary treatment station (4). According to the invention, the first robot arm (11) transports the containers (6) to the first stationary treatment station (4), the second robot arm (21) transports containers (6) from the first treatment station (4) to a subsequent station (7) and at least one treatment step is carried out in the first stationary treatment station (4).