Rotatable Portioning Belt for Multi-Row Packaging Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems face challenges in aligning products correctly for multi-row packaging lines, often resulting in misalignment of products and portions when transferring from a single-lane conveyor to a multi-row packaging line.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a line-up belt and a portioning belt, where the transfer edge's position is adjusted relative to the portioning belt, and the portioning belt is rotatable and pivotable, ensuring precise alignment and format maintenance through servo motor control and lever kinematics, allowing for flexible and precise positioning of products on packaging trays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If products are transferred from a single-lane conveyor belt to a multi-row packaging line using conventional methods, then the transfer process is simple, but the products and portions become misaligned for the packaging machine format
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the transfer edge position adjustable relative to the portioning belt and enabling the portioning belt to move and rotate. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different packaging formats and maintain precise alignment, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and system complexity by introducing controlled movability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters by allowing position adjustment in at least one direction and enabling rotation of the portioning belt. These parameter changes (position and orientation) enable the system to achieve precise alignment for various packaging formats while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through targeted adjustability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer edge position is fixed relative to the portioning belt, then the system structure is simple, but the flexibility to produce different portions and formats is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the transfer edge position adjustable relative to the portioning belt and enables the portioning belt to move and rotate, transforming a static system into a dynamic one. This provides the flexibility to produce different portions and formats while keeping the positioning mechanism relatively simple through controlled degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable transfer edge and rotatable portioning belt create a universal system that can handle multiple packaging formats and portion configurations. This multi-functionality is achieved through relatively simple position and orientation adjustments rather than requiring completely different mechanisms for each format.
3Productivity
If products are quickly transferred at the transfer edge, then the productivity is improved, but the products may tip over during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the transfer edge position adjustable and the portioning belt movable and rotatable. This dynamic adjustment allows optimization of the transfer process to achieve both high speed and product stability, resolving the contradiction by enabling fine-tuning of transfer parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the position parameter of the transfer edge relative to the portioning belt and enables orientation changes through rotation. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain product stability during rapid transfer by optimizing the transfer geometry and timing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing arbitrary portions and formats of products, comprising a conveyor belt that conveys the products and transfers them at a transfer edge to a portioning belt, on which the portions and/or formats are produced and with which the products are preferably conveyed further as the corresponding portion and in the respective format, wherein: - the position of the transfer edge relative to the portioning belt is changed in at least one direction and/or - the position of the portioning belt is moved in at least one direction relative to the transfer edge and - the position of the transfer edge and the movement of the portioning belt are coordinated so that arbitrary portions and/or formats are produced with the products, - and the produced formats are placed into a corresponding format of packaging trays that are transported along a packaging machine.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding device.