Universal Transporter for Multi-Shape Product Stamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labeling and stamping systems are inefficient and costly when applied to products of different shapes and sizes, such as cylindrical smokeless tobacco pucks, as they require manual and individual application, and specialized systems that are not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a stamping device and transporter devices that hold products with differently shaped target surfaces in a way that allows for efficient exposure to the stamping device, enabling the application of stamps to both rectangular and cylindrical products within the same system, with transporter devices having specific cavities and surfaces to maintain product orientation and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual and individual stamp application is used for differently shaped products, then stamp application can be performed on various product shapes, but labor costs and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transporter device is designed with a universal product cavity that can accommodate multiple product shapes (rectangular cigarette packs and cylindrical smokeless tobacco pucks) through a single automated stamping system. The cavity includes positioning features like side walls and bottom surfaces that adapt to different product geometries, enabling one system to perform multiple stamping functions without manual intervention for each product type.
2Productivity
If specialized systems are designed for applying stamps to differently shaped products, then stamp application efficiency improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating specialized transporter devices for each product shape, the invention uses a single universal transporter design with adjustable positioning features. The product cavity includes side walls and bottom surfaces that can accommodate both rectangular and cylindrical products, eliminating the need for multiple specialized systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transporter device incorporates dynamic positioning elements such as movable side walls and adjustable bottom surfaces that can adapt their configuration based on the product being stamped. This dynamic adaptability allows the same physical structure to efficiently handle different product geometries without requiring separate specialized systems for each product type.
3Productivity
If products are grouped together for automated stamping, then processing efficiency improves, but products with different shapes and sizes cannot be grouped effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The product cavity incorporates localized positioning features tailored to specific product shapes. For rectangular cigarette packs, the cavity provides flat bottom surfaces and side wall positioning. For cylindrical smokeless tobacco pucks, the cavity includes curved bottom surfaces and circular positioning features. This local customization within a universal structure enables effective grouping of differently shaped products for automated stamping.
Data Source
AI summary
System including a stamping device configured to apply stamps to first and second products having target surfaces. The stamping device applies the stamps when the target surfaces are moved into a stamp-application region. The system also includes a first transporter device having a receiving side. The first transporter device is configured to hold the first products such that the target surfaces of the first products are exposed along the receiving side. The system also includes a second transporter device having a receiving side. The second transporter device is configured to hold the second products such that the target surfaces of the second products are exposed along the receiving side of the second transporter device. The first and second transporter devices are configured to hold the respective first and second products such that the target surfaces of the first and second products face in a generally common direction.