Sachet Sorting Device with Vertically Mobile Support Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sachet handling systems fail to maintain the correct orientation and compactness of sachets during transfer, leading to instability and inefficiency in packaging, especially when sachets have been affected by shocks or manipulations.

Innovation Solution

A unit with a sorting device featuring vertically mobile support and contrast means that abut sachets to maintain orientation and compactness, allowing sachets to be stacked and transferred in orderly, homogeneous rows, preventing displacement and ensuring minimal bulk for packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sachets are moved and stacked during transfer from primary to secondary packaging, then productivity is improved, but the sachets lose correct orientation and compactness, leading to instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidsachet orientation and compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically adjustable support means that can change their vertical position during the sachet stacking process. The support means rise to receive sachets in an initial position, then progressively lower as sachets are stacked, maintaining optimal support throughout the accumulation process. This dynamic adjustment allows efficient stacking while preserving sachet orientation and compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces support means as an intermediary element between the sachets and the feed plane. These support means actively manage the sachets during transfer, providing controlled support and containment. The support means act as a mediator that enables efficient sachet handling while maintaining their structural integrity and correct orientation throughout the packaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If sachets are transferred without support means, then device complexity is reduced, but sachets become unstable and lose orientation during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesorting device structureVSAvoidsachet stacking stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support means are designed to be vertically mobile rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt their position during the sachet stacking process. This dynamic capability provides the necessary support for stable sachet accumulation without requiring a complex fixed structure. The mobile support means simplify the overall device design while effectively maintaining sachet stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If vertically mobile support means are used to maintain sachet orientation, then sachet compactness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesachet compactnessVSAvoidsupport means mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vertically mobile support means provide dynamic adjustment capability that optimizes sachet compactness during stacking. The support means rise to receive sachets and progressively lower as stacking progresses, maintaining optimal contact and compression. This dynamic mechanism achieves superior sachet compactness and orientation maintenance while keeping the device structure relatively simple through the use of straightforward vertical movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3858769B1Unit and method for moving and accumulating sachets
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 UNIVERSAL PACK SRL
  • EP3858769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3858769B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A unit (10) for moving and accumulating sachets (S), comprising a feed plane (11) on which a plurality of groups of sachets (S) is fed, by means of a feed device (12), from an entry zone (I) to an exit zone (O) parallel to a direction of feed (Z), and a sorting device (17) disposed in such a position as to receive the sachets (S) from the exit zone (O) of the feed plane (11) and provided with support means (20) and contrast means (21), both vertically mobile in a reciprocally coordinated manner, in order to form a plurality of stacks of sorted sachets (S).