Star-Segment Syringe Extraction for Damage-Free Tray Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting glass containers, such as syringes, from trays often cause damage or scratching due to friction with plastic trays or require high-maintenance robotic devices, and struggle with transferring syringes between different spatial arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A device using wheel sectors or star segments with extraction pincers that rotate around a common axis to gently extract syringes from trays, followed by a robot head that adjusts the spacing for transfer to a linear conveyor, ensuring continuous and damage-free handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plastic hooks are used to detach syringes from trays, then extraction is achieved, but syringes are damaged and stained by plastic friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary extraction device with gripping elements that transfer syringes from trays to conveyors without direct contact between syringes and plastic trays. The gripping elements act as a mediator, holding syringes during transfer and releasing them onto the conveyor surface, thereby eliminating plastic friction and staining while maintaining extraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical plastic hook detachment system with a controlled gripping and release mechanism. Instead of relying on plastic friction to detach syringes, the system uses precisely controlled gripping elements that can pick up and release syringes without damage, substituting a harmful mechanical interaction with a controlled one
2Ease of operation
If scissors are used to open slots in trays, then syringe extraction is enabled, but container slots are damaged and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the syringes from the tray slots without modifying the tray structure. Instead of using scissors to open or alter the slots, the gripping elements directly access and remove syringes from their positions, preserving the integrity of the container slots and eliminating the need for repeated opening/closing operations that require maintenance
3Stability of the object's composition
If trays with fixed negative impressions are used, then syringe arrangement is maintained, but transfer to different spacing conveyors is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic spacing adjustment mechanism in the conveyor system. The conveyor can modify the spacing between gripping elements or the release positions dynamically, allowing syringes to be transferred from fixed-tray spacing to variable conveyor spacing. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to handle different tray configurations and conveyor requirements while maintaining stable syringe handling
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for extracting glass containers for pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic use from trays, wherein the trays (11) are provided with a series of recesses or impressions (13) which house a series of glass containers (12) or the like arranged consecutively, the device comprising at least one wheel sector or star segment, (16,17 and 18) which is caused to rotate around a common horizontal axis (X) according to a circular path and which is brought above a tray which is moved forwards at the same peripheral speed as the sector, wherein said at least one wheel sector or star segment (16,17 and 18) carries on an outer peripheral surface formed as an arc of circumference, a series of extraction pincers (23) of the single glass container (12) arranged between each other at a first reciprocal distance (k) equal to that between said recesses or impressions (13) of the tray, wherein each of said extraction pincers (23) provides a pair of yielding arms (53,54) which house a single glass container (12).