Tabbed Lid Opening Hand With Hook And Claw Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in automating the opening of tabbed lids on wide-mouth containers due to the tab's disposition along the outer side surface, making it difficult for opening hands to grip and remove the lid.

Innovation Solution

A tabbed lid opening hand system comprising a robot arm, claw sections, and a hook is designed to automate the opening of tabbed lids. The system includes a base section attached to the robot arm, two claw sections that approach and separate, and a hook that engages with the tab to securely hold and remove the lid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tab is disposed along the outer side surface of the container, then the lid can be securely sealed, but the opening hand cannot grip the tab for automation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidautomation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening hand is divided into two functional parts: claw sections for gripping the container and a hook for engaging the tab. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling automation while maintaining the tab's outer side surface disposition for reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hook acts as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the opening hand and the tab. It extends from the claw sections and specifically engages with the tab along the outer side surface, enabling the opening hand to grip and pull the tab for automated opening while the tab remains in its sealing position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a simple claw structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to engage with the tab disposed along the outer side surface is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidtab engagement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening hand merges two functional elements: the claw sections for gripping the container and the hook for engaging the tab. This combination creates a unified structure that can simultaneously perform both functions, maintaining relatively simple device complexity while achieving effective tab engagement along the outer side surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250026623A1Tabbed Lid Opening Hand, Tabbed Lid Opening System, And Method Of Opening Tabbed Lid

Publication Date: 2025.01.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A tabbed lid opening hand for use in an opening lid operation for removing a tabbed lid, which has a lid main body that closes a circular shaped opening section of a container and a tab that is connected to the lid main body and that is disposed along the outer side surface of the container, from the opening section, the tabbed lid opening hand includes a base section that is attached to a robot arm; two claw sections that are supported by the base section and that approach and separate from each other; and a hook that is disposed with its tip end section facing in a direction intersecting the approach and separation directions and that is configured to engage with the tab.