Rotary Container Transfer Device for Flexible Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of intermittently supplied empty flexible containers to a continuously moving conveyor element in packaging systems is complicated, requiring additional space and devices for feeding and unloading, which affects productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A container transferring device with rotary clamps that synchronizes with the conveyor element, allowing for simultaneous feeding and unloading of containers along a closed trajectory, using a diverting wheel to manage container transfer and separation without interrupting conveyor movement, thus reducing the need for additional space and devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional transferring devices with clamps are used to link container forming modules with packaging modules, then container transfer is achieved, but device complexity and surface area requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the container transfer function with the conveyor system itself. The conveyor element directly receives containers from the forming module and delivers them to the packaging module without requiring separate transferring devices with clamps. This merging eliminates the need for additional transferring mechanisms while maintaining continuous container flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor element serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transport mechanism and the receiving/delivering interface for containers. By making the conveyor universal, the system eliminates dedicated transferring devices, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness.
2Productivity
If separate transferring devices are used for feeding and unloading containers from the conveyor element, then container handling is achieved, but surface area and device count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feeding and unloading functions into the single conveyor element. The conveyor both receives containers from the forming module and delivers them to the packaging module, eliminating the need for separate transferring devices and reducing the surface area required for these operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor element is designed to perform multiple functions: continuous movement, receiving containers from the forming module, and delivering containers to the packaging module. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed and minimizes the overall surface area occupation.
3Ease of manufacture
If containers are supplied intermittently from the forming module while the conveyor moves continuously, then container formation is maintained, but transfer synchronization becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic synchronization where the conveyor element's motion is coordinated with the intermittent container supply from the forming module. The system adapts the conveyor's operation to match the container formation rhythm, eliminating the need for complex mechanical synchronization devices while maintaining continuous conveyor movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor element acts as an intermediary between the intermittent container supply from the forming module and the continuous processing requirements of the packaging module. It buffers and coordinates the timing differences, simplifying the overall synchronization requirement.
4Ease of operation
If additional transferring devices are installed for container feeding and unloading, then complete container handling is achieved, but system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all container handling functions (feeding, conveying, and unloading) into the single conveyor element system. This eliminates the need for multiple separate transferring devices while maintaining complete container handling capability throughout the packaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor element is designed as a universal handling device that performs multiple operations: receiving containers from the forming module, transporting them continuously, and delivering them to the packaging module. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of devices required while maintaining operational completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a packaging method comprising the operation of transferring containers to an endless conveyor element moving forward continuously, conveying suspended containers and describing a closed trajectory imposed by a series of rotary diverting elements using to that end a container transferring device assembled on one of the diverting elements of the endless conveyor element, and rotating in a synchronized manner therewith. A device for putting the method into practice comprises a rotary body driving a plurality of clamps guided by mechanisms which can further slow down the displacement of the clamps without changing the rotating speed of the rotary body.