Blow Molding Device Inversion and Pitch Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-stage blow molding devices face challenges in cost efficiency and structural complexity, particularly when handling preforms with tapered bodies, and require complex transfer mechanisms that increase costs and safety risks during the heating and blow molding processes.
Innovation Solution
A blow molding device that continuously heats preforms in an inverted state using a heating section with transfer members, then intermittently transfers them to a blow molding section where they are inverted and blow-molded upright, utilizing a pitch conversion section to adjust transfer pitches and simplify the structure, allowing for a more compact and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If preforms are transferred in an upright state through the heating section, then the heating process can be maintained, but the device structure becomes complex and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the preform from its conventional upright position during heating. By transferring preforms in an inverted state (opening facing downward) through the heating section and then inverting them at the blow molding section, the patent eliminates the need for complex upright transfer mechanisms while achieving uniform heating through the heating elements positioned above the transfer path.
2Temperature
If preforms with tapered bodies are heated in an upright state, then heating can proceed, but safety risks increase due to potential falls and contact with heaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses safety concerns by inverting the preform during heating. The tapered body, which naturally narrows toward the bottom in an upright position, is instead positioned with its opening downward. This inversion prevents the preform from falling and contacting the heating elements, as the narrowed end now faces upward, providing inherent stability during the heating process.
3Productivity
If pitch conversion is performed between heating section and blow molding section, then transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pitch conversion function with the existing transfer mechanism between the heating section and blow molding section. By integrating the pitch adjustment capability into the transfer path rather than adding a separate conversion mechanism, the patent achieves efficient pitch conversion (from heating pitch to blow molding pitch) while minimizing structural complexity.
4Device complexity
If heavy clamping mechanism is placed outside the device, then structural simplicity is maintained, but device footprint and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the heavy clamping mechanism from an external location to an internal position within the device structure. By utilizing the vertical space and internal arrangement of the blow molding section, the clamping mechanism is integrated into the device footprint, thereby reducing the overall area occupied while maintaining structural organization and operational efficiency.
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 configuration simplifies the transfer mechanism, reduces costs, and enables the placement of a heavy clamping mechanism inside the device, while ensuring uniform heating and stable transfer operations, even for preforms with tapered bodies, thereby improving the overall efficiency and safety of the blow molding process.
Implementation Method 1
the supplied preform is heated to the optimum blow temperature using a heating section
Data Source
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AI summary
A blow molding device and a blow molding method can implement a compact device, and can reduce cost. The blow molding device includes a heating section (20) that continuously transfers and heats a plurality of preforms (10) that respectively include a neck (11) along a heating transfer path (200) while supporting the plurality of preforms using a plurality of transfer members (210) in an inverted state in which the neck is positioned on the lower side, a blow molding section (40) that simultaneously blow-molds N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) preforms that have been heated by the heating section in an upright state in which the neck is positioned on the upper side to form N containers, and an intermittent transfer section (30) that intermittently transfers the N preforms from the heating section to the blow molding section. The intermittent transfer section includes a pitch conversion section (370) that converts the arrangement pitch of the N preforms from a first pitch P1 to a second pitch P2 (P2>P1), and an inversion section (340) that includes N inversion arms (343) that respectively invert the N preforms from the inverted state to the upright state.