Transfer Device With Movable Wall For Product Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collecting solutions in industrial processing lines face challenges in maintaining continuous throughput while minimizing footprint and cost, particularly when handling fragile products like empty glass bottles, as they generate accelerations, jolts, and decelerations during transitions between continuous and discontinuous streams.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device utilizing a single tool with at least three longitudinal vertical walls, where one wall is mounted to move transversely, allowing for efficient transfer between a transit zone and a collecting surface without extending beyond the transit zone, thereby reducing floor space and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate tools are used for transfer operations, then transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transfer tools into a single integrated tool that performs both longitudinal and transverse transfer operations. This single tool includes a longitudinal element for pushing products along the conveyor and transverse elements for moving products between conveyors, eliminating the need for separate tools while maintaining transfer reliability through coordinated operation of its integrated components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer tool extends beyond the transit zone, then transfer capability is improved, but floor space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by moving the transverse transfer elements vertically above the transit zone rather than extending horizontally beyond it. The transverse elements can deploy downward to push products between conveyors and then retract upward, enabling full transfer capability within the vertical boundaries of the transit zone and minimizing floor space occupation
3Productivity
If products are transferred between continuous and discontinuous streams, then collecting function is improved, but product damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by gently guiding and positioning products into the discontinuous stream before the main transfer acceleration occurs. The longitudinal element first aligns products along the conveyor, and transverse elements gradually move them between conveyors, preventing sudden jolts and decelerations that would damage fragile products during the transition between continuous and discontinuous flow regimes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a transfer device for transferring products in an industrial processing line for the in-line processing of products, between a collecting surface and a transit zone running alongside the collecting surface, said transit zone comprising at least two longitudinal conveyors spaced away from a slider bed and each intended to transport a file of products, said device comprising said collecting surface, said transit zone, and a transfer tool transferring between the collecting surface and the transit zone, equipped with at least three longitudinal vertical walls, and intended to push, transversely, longitudinal rows of products which rows are each positioned between two walls. This device is wherein at least one wall of the transfer tool is mounted with the ability to move translationally on said tool in a transverse direction, for a movement of pushing said products. Other subjects of the invention are corresponding methods.