Rotating Platform Orienting Apparatus for Stable Bottle Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orienting apparatuses for containers are limited in handling diverse sizes and shapes, as they typically contact the container's sides or features, requiring modifications to accommodate different sizes and shapes, leading to downtime and instability during transportation and orientation.
Innovation Solution
An orienting apparatus that uses platforms and a rotation mechanism to orient articles without direct contact, allowing for the handling of various shapes and sizes by adjusting the distance between platforms and using a detection mechanism to ensure proper orientation and maintain a fixed pitch, with belts rotating the platforms to achieve desired orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the orienting apparatus contacts the container sides or features to rotate it, then the rotation can be applied directly to the container, but the apparatus can only handle a single or limited number of sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces platforms as intermediary elements between the orienting mechanism and the containers. The platforms rotate while supporting the containers, eliminating the need for the orienting mechanism to directly contact the containers. This allows the same apparatus to handle various container sizes and shapes without modification, as the platforms can accommodate different dimensions while maintaining the rotation function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the orienting apparatus modifies or changes parts to handle different container sizes and shapes, then versatility is improved, but downtime increases during modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The platforms are designed as universal components that can accommodate multiple container sizes and shapes without requiring apparatus modification. The same platform structure serves all container types, eliminating the need for time-consuming modifications and ensuring continuous operation while maintaining versatility.
3Force
If direct contact mechanism is used for rotation, then the rotation force can be applied effectively, but the stability of articles during transportation and orientation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The platforms serve as stable intermediary carriers that support containers throughout the transportation and orientation process. By rotating the platforms rather than directly contacting the containers, the system maintains container stability while still achieving effective rotation through the platform's rotational motion.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
Apparatus and method for orienting bottles (22). The orienting apparatus includes a conveyor comprising at least a portion extending in the direction for assisting in conveying the bottles (22) in a spaced apart relationship. At least one rotatable platform (42) is joined to the conveyor. The rotatable platform (42) is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveyor. A drive device, for instance belts (72, 74) rotates at least one platform. The device (72, 74) for rotating the platform (42) does not directly contact the bottle (22). Optionally, a second conveyor with second rotating platform (58) and second drive device (76, 78) is in contact with the upper part of the bottle (22).