Segmented Gripper Assembly for Mixed Sanitary Product Kits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated packaging systems for sanitary napkins face inefficiencies in assembling kits with differently sized and performing products, leading to sub-optimal packaging rates and issues like jamming and package rupture due to cramped spaces and technical difficulties in handling varied product sizes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a gripper system featuring multiple independently adjustable gripping sections and a manipulator unit that allows for the assembly of kits with different sanitary products, enabling efficient packaging and preventing jams or ruptures by varying gripping spans and orientations to accommodate various product sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single end effector is used to pick and place sanitary products into the package, then the device complexity is reduced, but the packaging rate decreases and jamming occurs due to cramped space
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is divided into multiple independently controllable gripping sections (first gripping section, second gripping section, third gripping section) that can operate simultaneously to handle multiple products. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple sanitary napkins, increasing packaging rate while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple gripping sections are merged into a single integrated end effector assembly that can handle multiple products in one operation. The gripping sections work together to pick and place multiple sanitary napkins simultaneously into the package, achieving higher productivity without requiring multiple separate end effectors
2Adaptability or versatility
If differently sized sanitary napkins are packaged together, then customer needs are better met, but the available space in the package becomes cramped causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
Each gripping section has independently adjustable gripping spans that can be dynamically modified to accommodate differently sized sanitary napkins. The gripping sections can expand or contract their span to match the size of the specific product being handled, allowing versatile packaging of mixed-size kits while maintaining reliable operation through adaptive positioning
Solution Approach 2:
Different gripping sections are configured with different gripping spans and orientations tailored to specific product types. The first gripping section may have a larger span for bulkier products while the second and third sections have smaller spans for compact products, optimizing each section's local capability to its specific task
3Quantity of substance
If the gripping span is reduced to fit more products, then package space utilization improves, but the gripper may rupture the package or jam
Solution Approach 1:
The load of multiple products is segmented across multiple independent gripping sections rather than concentrating all products in one gripper. This distribution reduces the stress on any single gripping mechanism, allowing the use of larger gripping spans that are gentler on the package while still accommodating multiple products through the combined capacity of all sections
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping spans are dynamically adjustable to optimize the balance between product capacity and package safety. The system can expand gripping spans when handling fewer, larger products and contract when handling more, smaller products, adapting in real-time to prevent package rupture while maximizing the number of products packaged
Data Source
AI summary
A gripper, an apparatus, and a method for assembling kits of sanitary products in an automated fashion are disclosed. The sanitary products are pre-loaded into containers including a plurality of independent housings for the sanitary products, each of the housings being configured to allow loading of a sanitary product therein and withdrawal of the sanitary product therefrom independently of the other housings, and the kit is assembled in batches on the gripper, and released by the latter into a package.