Blow-Molding Bottom with Adjustable Internal Body for Air Evacuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blow-molding apparatuses for plastic containers face inefficiencies in air evacuation and inflexibility in adjusting internal volume, as the number of air evacuation ducts is limited by the need to avoid obstructing the cooling circuit and require redesigning the bottom for volume changes.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features an adjustable internal body within an annular external body, allowing for a movable air evacuation opening that increases the vent surface area and adjusts the container volume without requiring bottom redesign, with radially extending evacuation channels and a petaloid bottom shape for enhanced air removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of air evacuation ducts is increased to improve air evacuation efficiency, then the total vent cross-section area increases and air evacuation speed improves, but the cooling circuit becomes blocked and construction becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair evacuation speedVSAvoidconstruction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar bottom to a three-dimensional structured bottom with radial ridges and annular grooves. The evacuation openings are positioned in the grooves between ridges, creating a multi-level structure that increases vent surface area without adding more ducts in the traditional sense, thus avoiding cooling circuit obstruction while improving evacuation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom is segmented into multiple radial ridges that divide the evacuation function into multiple zones. Each ridge creates separation between cooling circuits while providing evacuation openings in the grooves, allowing air evacuation throughout the bottom surface without consolidating all vents in one location, thereby preventing cooling circuit blockage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the internal volume of the container is changed, then the container capacity is adjusted, but the bottom requires redesign and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer volume adjustmentVSAvoidbottom redesign requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces adjustable elements (such as movable rings or adjustable ridge positions) that allow the internal volume to be modified without replacing the entire bottom. The radial ridges and evacuation structures can be repositioned or adjusted to accommodate different container volumes, transforming a static bottom design into a dynamic, adaptable system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom structure with radial ridges and annular grooves serves multiple functions: it provides air evacuation, defines container volume, and allows for volume adjustment. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate redesign of evacuation systems when volume changes are required, as the same structural elements serve both evacuation and volume definition purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 evacuates air during blow-molding, reduces pressure requirements, and allows for flexible adjustment of container volume and vent surface area without compromising the molding process or cooling circuit integrity.

Implementation Method 1

During blow-molding operations, it is necessary to evacuate the air from the mold, as this air hampers the correct forming of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir evacuation:

Data Source

PatentEP3419806B1Apparatus for blow-molding plastic containers
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL
  • EP3419806B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3419806B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

An apparatus for blow-molding plastic containers, which comprises at least one blow-molding station that defines at least one molding cavity for forming plastic containers, the blow-molding station comprising two lateral bodies and, for each forming cavity defined by the blow-molding station, a bottom (1); the bottom (1) comprises an external body (2) of the bottom that defines an annular portion that extends around the axis of extension (100) of the respective forming cavity, and an internal body (3) that can be accommodated at least partially inside the annular portion, between the external lateral surface (3a) of the internal body (3) and the internal surface (2b) of the annular portion there being at least one air evacuation opening (4) that extends around the axis of extension (100) and is connected to first air evacuation means, the internal body (3) being adjustably movable on command with respect to the annular portion along the axis of extension (100).