Self-adjusting Centring Device for Bottle Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centring devices for packaging bottles in cardboard containers with dividers are inefficient as they often cause bottles to catch on the upper edge of the divider, requiring manual modification or substitution when different carton types are used, leading to increased time and costs.
Innovation Solution
A centring device with a frame and sliding cross members, controlled by motors and pulleys, adjusts to match the configuration of the cardboard insert, featuring oscillating leads that guide bottles into cells, preventing contact with the divider edge and allowing adaptability to various carton types without manual modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed grid centring device is used for a specific carton type, then the bottle placement is reliable for that configuration, but the device cannot adapt to different carton types without manual modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic centring device where the grid can be automatically adjusted to match different carton configurations. The cross members can move along the frame to reposition the grid cells, allowing the same device to adapt to various carton types without manual modification, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability for a specific configuration and adaptability to different types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal centring device that can handle multiple carton types through its adjustable grid system. The frame and cross member mechanism allows the grid to be reconfigured for different carton configurations, enabling one device to perform the centring function for various carton types reliably, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices or manual reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual modification or substitution of the grid is performed for different carton types, then the device can adapt to new configurations, but time is wasted and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic adjustment mechanism where cross members can be automatically repositioned along the frame to match different carton configurations. This eliminates the need for manual modification or substitution of the grid, as the system can self-adjust to accommodate various carton types, thereby reducing time loss and operational costs while maintaining adaptability.
3Device complexity
If the grid is lowered onto the carton with fixed leads, then the structure is simple, but the leads cannot adapt to different cell configurations of various cartons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed grid structure into a dynamic system where cross members can move along the frame to reposition the leads and grid cells. This maintains relative structural simplicity while enabling adaptation to different carton configurations, as the leads can be automatically repositioned to match the cell layout of various carton types without requiring complex reconfiguration procedures.
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 device ensures reliable and efficient bottle placement into cardboard containers of different configurations, reducing operational difficulties and costs by automatically adjusting to match the carton layout, thus enhancing the packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
the leads are elastically retained so as to converge towards a centre of each cell, so that when the grid is lowered onto the to underlying carton, the leads easily enter a corresponding cell of the insert below
Data Source
AI summary
A device for centring objects, comprising a supporting frame (10) which supports an overall flat grid, the individual cells of which are each suitable for downwardly guiding an object to be centred, the device comprising a plurality of parallel rows of distinct centring members (400) which define nodes of the grid, each single row of the centring members (400) being supported by a single straight guide (202, 204, 224 ) of a series of coplanar, parallel straight guides (202, 204, 224), the straight guides (202, 204, 224) being mobile on the supporting frame (10), and being connected to one another by a second mechanism (211) which is configured such as to allow a reciprocal nearing and distancing of the straight guides (202, 204, 224) by second moving means (210, 210′ 202′, 204′) provided for activating said second mechanism (211), the centring members (400) of each row being slidingly coupled to their relative straight guide (202, 204, 224) characterized in that each centring member (400) of each straight guide is directly connected to the adjacent ones by a single mechanism (311) configured in such a way as to allow the centring members 400) of each straight guide to near and distance reciprocally while remaining equidistant to one another, all the single mechanisms (311) being simultaneously activated by first means for moving (201, 203).