Undergripper Mechanism for Thin Product Support Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems face challenges in handling thin product supports, such as slices of meat or cheese, as air-flow processes can contaminate or suck in product particles, making it difficult to lift and move them without manual workload.
Innovation Solution
A packaging assembly with a feed conveyor and an undergripper that includes a support strip with an inner edge, allowing the product support to be bent upwards, enabling the undergripper to grip from below and lift the product support, which is designed to handle thin product supports efficiently without contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If air-flow processes are used to lift the separating paper, then manual workload is reduced, but product particles are sucked in or the product is contaminated with foreign particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic air-flow system with a mechanical undergripper system. The undergripper consists of a gripping element that moves horizontally to position itself beneath the product support, then a lifting element vertically displaces the gripping element to lift the product support. This mechanical substitution eliminates particle contamination while achieving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The undergripper acts as an intermediary mechanism between the feed conveyor and the product support. It includes a gripping element that contacts the product support from below and a lifting element that transfers the lifting motion to the gripping element, enabling controlled, contamination-free handling of thin product supports.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the product support lies flat on the conveying surface, then conveying is stable, but the undergripper cannot reliably grip the product support from below
Solution Approach 1:
The undergripper performs preliminary horizontal movement to position the gripping element directly beneath the product support before vertical lifting occurs. This preliminary positioning action ensures the gripping element is correctly placed to engage the product support from below, enabling reliable gripping while maintaining stability during conveying.
Solution Approach 2:
The undergripper employs dynamic motion with two distinct phases: a horizontal movement phase to position the gripping element beneath the product support, followed by a vertical lifting phase. This dynamic, multi-stage approach allows the system to adapt to the thin product support while ensuring reliable gripping and stable conveying.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging assembly comprising a feed conveyor, a gripping area and an undergripper, wherein the feed conveyor has a conveying surface and is suitable for conveying on the conveying surface a product support into the gripping area. The undergripper is configured to grip the product support in the gripping area from below. The packaging assembly has, in the gripping area, a support strip for the product support with an inner edge and an upper surface, the upper surface being raised in comparison with the conveying surface of the feed conveyor.