Rotating Disk Feeding System for Fragile Beverage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing used beverage containers (UBCs) face challenges in efficiently handling and sorting glass bottles due to their fragility, leading to reduced throughput and requiring manual intervention, which is labor-intensive and costly.
Innovation Solution
An automated feeding system utilizing a receiving table with rotating disks and conveyor means to align and orient UBCs correctly on a feeding conveyor, allowing for gentle handling of various materials and optimizing throughput by adjusting disk diameter and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high capacity system with carriers applying force to packages is used, then processing speed and throughput are improved, but glass bottles may break due to the applied force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical carrier-based force application system with a gravity-based passive conveying system. Bottles move along the conveyor solely due to gravity without external forces being applied, eliminating the risk of force-induced breakage while maintaining continuous flow and high throughput capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of force application from active (carriers applying force) to passive (gravity-driven movement). This parameter change allows the system to handle fragile glass bottles at high speeds without the harmful effects of mechanical force application
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual feeding and orienting of UBCs is used, then handling of fragile bottles is improved, but labor costs and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where bottles automatically orient themselves through gravity and passive mechanical guidance structures. The bottles feed themselves onto the conveyor and self-orient without manual intervention, achieving both gentle handling and high automated processing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gravity-based passive conveying where bottles move along the conveyor solely due to gravity, creating an equipotential flow system that requires no active force application. This enables automated gentle handling of fragile bottles at high speeds
3Device complexity
If a system designed for upright identical bottles is used, then simple conveyor design is achieved, but handling of horizontal bottles of different shapes is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal passive gravity-based conveyor system that can handle multiple types of bottles (different shapes, sizes, materials) in various orientations (horizontal and upright). The simple gravity-driven mechanism provides adaptability to different bottle characteristics without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from active force-based positioning to passive gravity-based positioning, allowing the system to naturally accommodate different bottle shapes and orientations. The gravity-driven approach inherently provides versatility without increasing system complexity
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
The system enables high-capacity, cost-effective, and efficient processing of UBCs, including glass, plastic, and metal containers, with a compact design that can handle mixed materials and prevent overlapping errors, enhancing processing speed and reducing labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
the objects are rotated on at least one rotating disk and thereby aligned along a barrier circumscribing at least a portion of said at least one delivery disk
Data Source
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Figure 4a~4c
Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The present invention concerns an apparatus for feeding objects, such as used beverage containers, to a recording and/or sorting unit, wherein the objects are supplied on receiving means and forwarded one by one with a predetermined orientation on at least one feeding conveyor (2), the receiving means comprises at least one receiving table (3) comprising at least one rotating disk (4, 5) with at least one feeding conveyor provided tangential relative to at least one rotating disk, and with a peripheral barrier essentially circumscribing at least a portion of said receiving table (s). Accordingly, there is provided a simple and efficient feeding system for use in a deposit return system for UBC's, such as bottles or cans. The apparatus according to the invention allows for a high speed and gentle handling of the UBC's, which makes the feeding system according to the invention suitable for both glass, plastic or metal packages and any mixture thereof.