Blow Molding Stripping Element for Container Transfer Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

In blow molding systems, particularly in the beverage industry, containers or preforms often fail to be removed from transport elements in the transfer section due to asynchrony between the container transport device and the transfer device, leading to potential blockages and collisions, resulting in downtime and damage.

Innovation Solution

A stripping element is introduced behind the transfer section to reliably remove containers that were not removed by the transfer device, allowing continued operation even with faulty or asynchronous systems, and a lifting device with adjustable stroke ensures containers are released without colliding with other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the transfer device is used to remove containers from transport elements, then the containers can be transferred to the blow molding machine, but asynchrony between the container transport device and transfer device causes containers to fail removal, leading to blockages and collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer transfer efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping element is positioned downstream of the transfer section to perform a preliminary removal action. Even if the transfer device fails to remove containers due to asynchrony, the stripping element ensures containers are removed in a subsequent action, preventing blockages and collisions with other system components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stripping element acts as a protective measure against the harmful effects of asynchrony. By providing a backup removal mechanism, it cushions the system against the negative consequences of synchronization failures, preventing damage to the partition wall and other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Adaptability or versatility

If containers are not removed from transport elements in the transfer section, then asynchrony occurs between devices, but this leads to containers blocking intake and colliding with blow molding system components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem tolerance to asynchronyVSAvoidcontainer collision damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping element converts the potentially harmful situation of asynchrony into a manageable condition. Instead of allowing containers to collide with components causing damage, the stripping element provides a controlled removal mechanism that transforms the asynchrony problem into a simple downstream stripping action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The stripping element serves as an intermediary between the transfer device and the blow molding system components. It provides a buffer zone where containers can be safely removed even if the transfer device fails, preventing direct collision with critical components like the partition wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the lifting device moves transport elements to the transfer position, then containers can be accessed by the transfer device, but without a stripping element, containers may collide with the partition wall during return movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer access for transferVSAvoidcontainer positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stripping element performs a preliminary removal action during the return movement of transport elements. As transport elements move from the transfer position back to the operating position, the stripping element ensures containers are already removed and positioned safely, preventing collision with the partition wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4378659A1Blow molding installation arrangement and blow molding installation
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 KHS GMBH
  • EP4378659A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4378659A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378659A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a blow molding machine arrangement for a blow molding machine with at least one container transport device, which has a plurality of circumferentially arranged transport elements (10) for receiving containers (2) which are movably arranged in a transport direction (T) along a transport track (9) and wherein a transfer section (8) connects to the transport track (9) in the transport direction (T), wherein a transfer device (7) is configured to remove the containers (2) from the transport elements (10) in the transfer section (8), and wherein the container transport device (7) has a lifting device which is configured to move the transport elements (10) in the transfer section (8) from an operating position in a lifting direction (H) arranged perpendicular to the transport direction (T). According to the invention, a stripping element (14) is arranged behind the transfer section (8) in the transport direction (T).