V-Tray for Rollable Objects on Conveyor Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tote systems struggle to handle rollable products accurately on conveyor systems, leading to uncertainty in product location and potential failure in automated handling and packaging due to rolling or rocking of products with curved surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A V-tray design with upstanding triangular structures and a base panel that restrains rollable objects by engaging their curved surfaces, ensuring accurate positioning and preventing sideways movement, even during acceleration or deceleration on conveyors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional totes with sidewalls are used to contain rollable products, then the products can be contained and transported, but the products can roll or rock out of position during handling, leading to uncertainty in product location and potential failure in automated handling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the containment function into multiple components: a base panel and multiple upstanding structures (side walls and end walls) with specific geometries. The upstanding structures are segmented to provide both containment and positioning functions, with each structure having specific orientation and configuration to restrain rolling and rocking movements in different directions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs asymmetric upstanding structures with different orientations and configurations on different sides of the tray. The side walls have different orientations than the end walls, creating an asymmetric arrangement that specifically targets and restrains rolling and rocking movements in multiple directions, preventing product displacement during automated handling
2Productivity
If rollable products are moved on conveyors without containment structures, then handling speed can be increased, but the products cannot be accurately positioned and may roll or rock during acceleration or deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The tray structure is designed in advance with upstanding structures positioned and oriented to preemptively restrain rolling and rocking movements before they can occur during conveyor acceleration or deceleration. The geometric configuration of the upstanding structures is predetermined to engage with the product and prevent displacement during dynamic handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The tray serves as an intermediary device between the conveyor system and the rollable product. It provides a stable platform with geometrically configured upstanding structures that mediate the interaction between the moving product and the conveyor system, ensuring accurate positioning while maintaining handling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A tray for restraining movement of a rollable object, such as one that can roll or rock out of position on a conveyor, is formed of a single sheet. The tray includes a base and upstanding structures.