Singulating Device for Small Products Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for small-sized confectionery products face inefficiencies in product separation and filling due to the 'pocket principle', which limits the filling angle and increases sorting time, and causes high sliding friction damaging sensitive products.
Innovation Solution
A separating device with a feed ring featuring vertically introduced recesses instead of carrier pockets, allowing products to fall in vertically and reducing friction, enabling a higher filling degree and direct removal by a removal head, operating according to the 'perforated plate principle'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the 'pocket principle' is used with carrier pockets on the feed ring, then products can be held and transported, but the filling angle is limited to approximately 180° and sorting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feed ring is segmented into multiple independent carrier pockets arranged circumferentially. Each pocket can be independently filled and removed, allowing parallel processing of multiple products simultaneously. This segmentation enables the filling angle to exceed 180° by distributing pockets around the entire circumference of the feed ring, thereby increasing sorting capacity without increasing sorting time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear filling approach to a circumferential distribution approach by arranging carrier pockets around the feed ring's circumference. This dimensional change allows products to be filled from multiple angular positions simultaneously, effectively utilizing the entire 360° circumference rather than being limited to a 180° filling zone, thus doubling the potential filling capacity
2Productivity
If products are pushed laterally into carrier pockets, then products can be transported, but high sliding friction damages sensitive confectionery products
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing products horizontally into pockets along the feed ring's circumference, the invention inverts the loading approach by allowing products to be deposited vertically into the pockets from above. This vertical loading method eliminates the need for lateral pushing, thereby removing the harmful sliding friction that damages sensitive confectionery products while maintaining efficient transport capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical pushing action with a gravitational dropping action. Products are allowed to fall vertically into the carrier pockets under gravity rather than being pushed by mechanical force. This substitution eliminates sliding friction and the associated product damage while maintaining the transport function, as the pockets simply receive and hold the dropped products
3Ease of operation
If the inner plate is segmented and lowered in the removal zone, then product removal is enabled, but the filling angle is reduced and sorting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the removal function from the inner plate structure itself and assigns it to a separate, dedicated removal head. The inner plate remains intact and continuous, maintaining its structural integrity and full filling capability. The removal head, equipped with removal units, independently performs the extraction of products from carrier pockets in the removal zone, eliminating the need to segment and lower the inner plate, thereby preserving the full 360° filling angle and sorting speed
4Productivity
If vertically introduced recesses are used instead of carrier pockets, then filling capacity increases and friction is reduced, but direct removal capability must be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The removal head is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both product removal from carrier pockets and product transfer to packaging stations. By consolidating these functions in a single device, the invention avoids the need for separate auxiliary removal mechanisms, thereby managing device complexity while enabling direct removal capability that complements the high filling capacity of the vertically-loaded carrier pockets
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
This design enhances the filling capacity and gently processes sensitive products by minimizing sliding friction, allowing direct removal without additional auxiliary devices, thus improving the efficiency and usability of the packaging machine.
Implementation Method 1
As a result of the centrifugal force of the rotating plate, the products reach its edge, where they are received in radially extending driver pockets
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The packaging machine has an inner separator disc (3) that is rotated about a vertical rotation axis (1). The outer circumference of the separating plate (2) is provided with a feeder ring (4) rotated around a vertical rotation axis. The feeder ring is provided with several recesses (5) through which the products (P) are entered into a removal region (6). The isolated product is removed from the respective recess of feed ring using removal device (7).