Bent Chute with Perforated Plate for Preform Dust Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for feeding preforms to blow molding machines often result in inferior quality bottles due to contamination from dust and dirt particles, which are carried along from storage containers and silos to the machines, affecting the production process.
Innovation Solution
An inclined chute with through openings is introduced on the transport path to separate dirt and preform grade, allowing early removal of contaminants, and a suction device and vibrating mechanism can be used to enhance dirt removal, with the chute optionally designed as a grid or featuring rotatable rollers to actively move preforms and reduce static charge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preforms are transported from storage container to blow molding machine via conventional means, then preforms are delivered to the machine, but dust and dirt particles contaminate the preforms during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined chute with through openings extracts and removes dust and dirt particles from the preform transport stream by allowing contaminants to fall through the openings while preforms continue on their transport path to the blow molding machine
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined chute acts as an intermediary device between the storage container and blow molding machine, providing a controlled transport path that separates contaminants from preforms through its perforated structure
2Reliability
If an inclined chute with through openings is added to the transport path, then dirt and contaminants are removed from preforms, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined chute is designed with through openings creating a porous structure that allows dust and dirt particles to pass through while supporting and transporting preforms, achieving contamination removal through the inherent properties of the perforated material
3Reliability
If rotatable rollers are used in the chute to actively move preforms and reduce static charge, then dirt removal is enhanced, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable rollers are designed to be driven by the weight and movement of the preforms themselves, allowing the system to self-propel the rollers without external power sources, thus enhancing dirt removal through active preform movement while avoiding additional energy consumption
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
This solution effectively prevents quality-reducing dirt and contaminants from reaching the blow molding machine, ensuring higher-quality bottle production by removing impurities early in the process, and can be implemented at various stages from production to manufacturing, improving product quality and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Dirt and preform grade can fall down through the openings in the inclined chute
Implementation Method 2
a suction device is advantageously arranged below the chute. The suction improves the removal of the contamination
Implementation Method 3
a vibrating device can be provided which vibrates the chute, i.e. mechanically moves it back and forth and/or up and down. Thus, the dirt adhering to the preforms is more easily detached from the preforms
Implementation Method 4
The suction improves the removal of the contamination by overcoming the adhesion of the contamination particles induced by the static charge of the preforms
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (1) has a bent chute (2) provided on a transport path and including passages. The bent chute is provided between a supply container (5) and a discharge conveyor (3). The chute is partially formed as a perforated plate or slit sheet metal. An exhaust (7) is arranged underneath the chute, and the passages are formed between rotatable rollers. The bent chute is provided between a feed conveyor and another supply container, where the feed conveyor and the latter supply container are provided for a preform. The discharge conveyor is formed as an upward conveyor. An independent claim is also included for a method for supplying a preform toward a blowing machine.