Rotatable Gripping Head for Nested Coffee Capsule Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cartoning machines face difficulties in efficiently nesting tapered articles, such as coffee capsules, into carton boxes, especially at high speeds and with varying formats, due to the complexity of achieving complementary arrangements across multiple layers without damaging the articles.
Innovation Solution
A gripping head for a robot or manipulator equipped with rotatable and tiltable gripping members, allowing for independent axial rotation and inclination, enables efficient nesting and complementary arrangement of articles by selectively inverting and spacing them to optimize packing density and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional transport systems are used to deliver articles in parallel rows, then articles can be delivered at high speed, but nesting within single rows cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are made rotatable around their axes, allowing them to dynamically change orientation. This enables the system to maintain high-speed parallel row delivery while simultaneously achieving nesting within single rows by rotating gripping members to invert articles during transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping head with rotatable gripping members serves multiple functions: it can deliver articles in parallel rows at high speed, invert individual articles for nesting, and create complementary arrangements. This single device replaces the need for separate nesting operations
2Volume of moving object
If articles are arranged in nested arrangement to save space, then transport and logistics costs are reduced, but the arrangement is costly and difficult to obtain
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping head is divided into multiple independent rotatable gripping members, each capable of individual rotation. This segmentation allows selective inversion of specific articles to create nested arrangements without requiring complex overall system reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members can invert articles by rotating 180 degrees around their axes. This inversion capability directly creates the nested arrangement where articles are positioned head-to-bottom, achieving space savings through a simple rotational mechanism rather than complex positioning systems
3Reliability
If multiple layers of articles are produced with complementary arrangements, then sealing protection is improved, but the complexity of creating complementary layers increases
Solution Approach 1:
By rotating gripping members, the system inverts articles to create complementary arrangements between layers. This ensures sealing contact between overlaying capsules while using a simple rotational mechanism rather than complex multi-axis positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members perform inversion and arrangement actions during the transfer process itself, before articles are placed in the carton. This preliminary action creates complementary layer arrangements without requiring additional post-placement adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping head for a loading robot or manipulator of a cartoning machine capable of nesting articles arranged on two substantially parallel rows, the gripping head comprising a row of gripping members, wherein each of the gripping members comprises a gripping section adapted to receive two adjacent articles and on opposite sides with respect to a centerline plane, and wherein at least the gripping members having even index position or odd index position in the row rotate by about 180 degrees around an axis.