Tobacco Unloader Using Bottom Insertion Support Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unloading methods for rod-like articles in the tobacco industry require complex container turning mechanisms, which can lead to physical damage and inefficiency, especially when handling containers with large volumes.
Innovation Solution
An unloader system featuring a movable intermediate storage hopper with support surfaces that insert into the container's oblong openings from below, allowing for efficient unloading without turning the container, using blocking means to align and support the articles, and a conveyor for continuous emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If container turning mechanisms are used to empty containers, then unloading can be achieved, but physical damage to rod-like articles occurs and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of turning the container to empty it (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by keeping the container stationary and using a support means that inserts through the bottom openings to push articles upward into the hopper. This eliminates the need for turning mechanisms and prevents physical damage to the articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary support means (support surfaces) that acts as a mediator between the container and the hopper. This support means inserts through the bottom openings to transfer articles from the container to the hopper without requiring container turning, thus avoiding physical damage while maintaining unloading efficiency.
2Productivity
If container turning mechanisms are used to empty containers, then unloading can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex turning mechanisms from the unloading system. By removing the need for container turning, the design achieves unloading functionality through a simpler support means that inserts through bottom openings, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional unloading approach by avoiding container turning entirely. Instead, it uses a support means that pushes articles upward through the bottom openings directly into the hopper, eliminating the need for complex turning mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If support surfaces are inserted through bottom openings to push articles upward, then physical damage is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing blocking means at specific locations within the hopper to guide and align the rod-like articles. This localized blocking structure ensures proper alignment and prevents tilting of the articles during the upward pushing process, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements for the support surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the support surfaces and the rod-like articles. It provides local guidance and alignment functionality, reducing the precision requirements for the support surfaces by taking over the alignment function at a localized level within the hopper.
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
Enables fast and efficient unloading of rod-like articles with reduced risk of physical damage, eliminating the need for complex turning mechanisms and ensuring proper alignment, thus improving the unloading process for containers of various sizes.
Implementation Method 1
support means adapted to insert support surfaces for supporting rod-like articles (R) from below into the chamber of the container through the oblong openings in the bottom of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The apparatus disclosed in the European application is provided with a handling module adapted to turn the tray and to allow a gravitational discharge of the rod-like articles through the tray's open side
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The object of the invention is an unloader (30, 60, 70) of a container (1, 41, 51) for rod-like articles (R) for the tobacco industry comprising: a movable intermediate storage hopper (31, 31'), an unloading region (38) for unloading of the filled container (1, 41, 51) located below the intermediate storage hopper, characterized in that movable support means (24, 48, 58), located below the unloading region (38) of the filled container (1, 41, 51), is adapted to insert support surfaces (11) for supporting rod-like articles (R) from below into the chamber (5, 42, 52) of the container (1, 41, 51) through the oblong openings (10, 47, 57) in the bottom (4, 46, 56) of the chamber (5, 42, 52) of the container (1, 41, 51), the intermediate storage (31, 31') is movable in such a way that it moves from the space above the unloading region (38) into a space beyond the unloading region (38), the intermediate storage hoper (31, 31'), having at least two vertical side walls, is adapted to be loaded with rod-like articles (R) from below of the tobacco industry, further the intermediate storage (31, 31') is provided with blocking means (35, 35') adapted to support the rod -like articles (R) inside the intermediate storage hopper (31, 31'). The object of the invention is also a method of unloading the container.