Rod Article Feeding Apparatus with Lateral Pneumatic Inlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for forming collations of rod-shaped articles are limited in their ability to efficiently utilize space along production lines and in facilities, as they restrict the arrangement of different types of articles to specific layers or columns, preventing central placement and inefficiently using available space.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a hopper and lateral feeder connected by a feeding tube allows for the efficient arrangement of first and second rod-shaped articles into pockets on a conveyor, enabling the use of unutilized space and allowing for the formation of predetermined collations with different types of articles, including gravity-fed and pneumatically conveyed options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rod-shaped articles are arranged in predetermined collations with multiple types of articles, then the versatility of the apparatus is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate feeders (main feeder and lateral feeder) that can independently supply different types of rod-shaped articles to the hopper. This segmentation allows flexible combination of article types without requiring complete redesign of the apparatus for each collation configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeders are configured to be adjustable in position and operation, allowing the apparatus to dynamically adapt to different collation requirements. The lateral feeder can be positioned at different lateral distances from the hopper, and the feeding rates can be modified to create various article arrangements.
2Device complexity
If the lateral feeder is positioned close to the hopper, then the device complexity is reduced, but the space utilization along the production line deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral feeder is positioned in the lateral direction (transverse to the conveyance direction) rather than only in the longitudinal direction along the production line. This dimensional change allows space utilization without significantly increasing the footprint along the production line path.
3Area of stationary object
If the lateral feeder is spaced laterally from the hopper, then the space utilization along the production line is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feeding tube acts as an intermediary component connecting the lateral feeder to the hopper. This allows the lateral feeder to be positioned at an optimized lateral distance for space utilization while still efficiently delivering articles to the hopper through the tube, managing the complexity through a dedicated intermediary component.
4Productivity
If multiple feeders are used to provide different types of articles, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feeders (main feeder and lateral feeder) are merged into a single hopper system where they converge to supply different types of rod-shaped articles. This combining approach allows high productivity through parallel feeding operations while managing complexity by integrating the feeders into a unified hopper receiving structure.
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
This solution enhances space utilization along production lines, reduces construction and maintenance costs, and allows for improved access to machinery, while enabling the formation of complex collations with various types of rod-shaped articles, optimizing space usage in production facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a main feeder positioned vertically above the hopper and operable to feed a mass flow of first rod-shaped articles downwards into the hopper
Implementation Method 2
the lateral feeder is connected to a feeding tube terminating in a feeding outlet, wherein the feeding tube is operable to feed second rod-shaped articles into the apparatus via the feeding outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided for arranging rod-shaped articles to be fed into pockets on an endless conveyor operable to travel in a conveyance direction, the apparatus comprising: • a hopper (2) operable to receive rod-shaped articles and to arrange the rod-shaped articles to be fed into the pockets on the endless conveyor; • a main feeder (700,800) positioned vertically above the hopper and operable to feed a mass flow of first rod-shaped articles downwards into the hopper; • a lateral feeder spaced laterally from the hopper (2) in the conveyance direction, wherein the lateral feeder is connected to a feeding tube terminating in a feeding outlet, wherein the feeding tube (F) is operable to feed second rod-shaped articles into the apparatus via the feeding outlet.