Slip-on Container Stacking for Bottles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stacking methods for goods, particularly bottles, are inefficient and require complex grippers, leading to instability and increased costs due to the need for elaborate handling and protection against environmental influences.

Innovation Solution

A stacking method using slip-on containers with side walls and a container bottom that allows for secure lateral guidance and protection, enabling efficient stacking and unstacking with minimal handling effort, and allowing for the use of lightweight materials to reduce costs and enhance hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex grippers are used to handle and protect goods during stacking, then the protection and handling capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling capabilityVSAvoidgripper complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective layer (container or packaging structure) between the gripper and the goods. Instead of using complex grippers to directly handle and protect the goods, the system uses a simple intermediary container that can be easily grasped and manipulated, while the goods remain protected within this container throughout the stacking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If elaborate handling and protection measures are implemented, then the protection against environmental influences is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against environmental influencesVSAvoidhandling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-packaging goods in protective containers before stacking. The protective function is built into the container design itself, so that environmental protection is achieved through the pre-prepared packaging structure rather than through complex handling systems during the stacking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If stable and secure handling of goods is ensured, then the operational reliability is improved, but the material costs and construction effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable or single-use protective containers that are inexpensive to manufacture and can be easily discarded or replaced. These simple containers provide sufficient protection for the stacking operation without requiring durable, complex, or expensive handling systems, thereby achieving operational reliability at low construction cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If complex individual grippers are used for palletizing bottles, then the gripping capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegripping capabilityVSAvoidgripper system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a simple intermediary container (such as a tray or box) that can be easily grasped by basic grippers. Instead of designing complex individual grippers to directly manipulate each bottle, the system grasps the simple container holding the bottles, thereby achieving effective gripping capability with much simpler and less expensive equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3110731B1Stacking method
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 AUTEFA SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3110731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3110731B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3110731B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and device for stacking layers of goods (2). The stacking device (1) comprises a handling mechanism (15) which handles, laterally moves, and stacks loose slip-on receptacles (3) that are open on the bottom, accommodate a layer of goods (2) in the interior (11) thereof, and carry said layer of goods (2) along as the receptacles (3) are slidingly conveyed. The upward-facing bottom (7) of the slip-on receptacles (3) forms the supporting surface (8) for the subsequent layer of goods (2).