Roller Support Device for Shock-Free Packaging Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging technologies face inefficiencies in converting cycles, often resulting in increased time, reduced performance, and potential damage to goods due to shocks and impacts during transport, especially when handling bottles or cans from a conveyor to carriers.

Innovation Solution

A packaging device and method that allows for continuous movement of goods with a vertically movable transfer device and a rollable support system, minimizing shocks and impacts by synchronizing the movements of the transfer device, support device, and conveyor, enabling on-the-fly picking and placement with reduced vibrations and improved gripping safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If goods are stopped and accumulated at the transfer point, then transfer accuracy can be improved, but productivity decreases and goods are exposed to shocks and impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer accuracyVSAvoidconversion cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is designed to be movable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to provide continuous support to goods during the transfer process. The support device moves synchronously with the conveyor belt, maintaining its support function without requiring goods to stop, thus resolving the contradiction between transfer accuracy and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is positioned in advance at the transfer point and moves into place before the goods arrive. This preliminary positioning ensures that support is already in place when goods reach the transfer point, enabling accurate transfer without stopping the conveyor, thereby improving both transfer accuracy and maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If transfer cycles are shortened to increase efficiency, then productivity improves, but goods may experience increased vibrations and impacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer cycle timeVSAvoidvibrations and impacts
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support device acts as an intermediary element between the conveyor belt and the transfer device. It provides continuous support to goods during the transfer process, absorbing and reducing vibrations and impacts that would otherwise be transmitted to the goods. This allows for faster transfer cycles without compromising goods safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is positioned to provide cushioning support before goods reach the transfer point. By having support in place in advance, the system can perform faster transfers while the support device absorbs potential shocks and vibrations, preventing harm to goods during accelerated transfer cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a stationary support structure is used, then goods are securely supported, but the transfer area is blocked and continuous conveyance is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegoods support stabilityVSAvoidcontinuous conveyance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device transitions from a stationary structure to a dynamic, movable system that travels with the conveyor belt. This allows the support function to be maintained while the support device does not block the transfer area, as it moves out of the way during transfer operations, enabling both continuous conveyance and reliable goods support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable support device serves multiple functions: it provides support stability for goods, allows continuous conveyance by moving with the belt, and does not block the transfer area during transfer operations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between support stability and continuous productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly reduces conversion cycle time, enhances performance, and ensures safer, more reliable handling of goods by minimizing shocks and impacts, while allowing for flexible adaptation to different formats and formats of goods and carriers, resulting in cost-effective and efficient packaging operations.

Implementation Method 1

the support device is designed as a roller platform that rolls up or away from under the group of goods intended for transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling motion: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP3116789B1Packing device and packing method
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 SEMOCONSULT
  • EP3116789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3116789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3116789B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a packing device (1) and to a method for packing goods (2) into and/or unpacking goods from a goods carrier (5). The packing device (1) has a goods conveyor (3) and a transferring device (6) for the goods moved in a conveying direction (4), wherein the transferring device (6) is arranged directly above the goods carrier and causes a vertical relative transferring motion between the goods (2) and the goods carrier (5). A temporarily removable, preferably length-variable supporting device (8) for the goods (2) is arranged in the transferring region (7), between the transferring device (6) and the goods carrier (5). The supporting device can be brought into and out of supporting engagement with the goods (2) in the transferring region (7) by means of a roll-on and roll-off motion during the conveying motion of the goods.