Blow Molding Device Suckback Mechanism Headspace Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing blow molding methods using pressurized liquids face challenges in accurately adjusting the headspace of containers, leading to variations that affect the merchantability of products like beverages and cosmetics, as the liquid used for molding can scatter during the process, making it difficult to maintain a constant headspace.

Innovation Solution

A blow molding device and method that utilize a suckback mechanism to draw back the liquid inside the container, followed by the introduction of a gas to restore the volume, allowing precise adjustment of the headspace by controlling the volume reduction deformation caused by the suckback process, using a plunger pump with a servo mechanism for precise control and a valve mechanism to manage the gas introduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a pressurized liquid is used for blow molding to eliminate the filling process, then productivity is improved, but the liquid scatters from the mouth tube portion to the peripheral outside when disengaging the blow nozzle, making it difficult to adjust the headspace to a constant value

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidheadspace adjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blow nozzle is designed with a liquid retaining structure (liquid retaining portion) that preliminarily captures and holds the liquid after the molding process. This preliminary action prevents the liquid from scattering outside the mouth tube portion, enabling subsequent precise control of the headspace volume through the retained liquid amount.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If the liquid is used as pressurized fluid for blow molding, then the filling process is simplified, but the headspace varies depending on the product, leading to problems in merchantability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidheadspace consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the liquid retaining structure captures the liquid that would otherwise scatter, and the headspace is adjusted based on the retained liquid amount. This feedback loop ensures that the headspace remains consistent across different products, maintaining reliability and merchantability while preserving the ease of manufacture benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If a suckback mechanism is introduced to draw back the liquid, then headspace adjustment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadspace adjustment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid retaining structure is merged with the blow nozzle assembly, integrating the headspace adjustment function into the existing molding device. By combining the liquid retention and headspace adjustment functions in a unified structure, the device complexity is minimized while achieving precise headspace control through the suckback mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables high-precision and productive adjustment of the headspace within the container, ensuring consistent product quality and merchantability by accurately restoring the container's original shape and volume, even after volume reduction deformation.

Implementation Method 1

drawing back the liquid inside the container to a pressurized liquid feeding unit side by means of a suckback mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

introducing a gas into the container so as to restore, to its original shape, the volume reduction deformation of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

feeding a liquid into the preform from a pressurized liquid feeding unit through the blow nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2902169B1Blow molding device and method for producing container
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 DISCMA AG
  • EP2902169B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2902169B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2902169B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for manufacturing a synthetic resin container, comprising: after the shaping of a container (41), drawing back a liquid (L) inside the container (41) to a pressurized liquid feeding unit (21) side by means of a suckback mechanism (SB) disposed at a predetermined position in a feeding channel (F) of the liquid (L) from the pressurized liquid feeding unit (21) to a mouth tube portion (32) of a preform (31); closing the feeding channel (F) by means of a valve mechanism (Vm) disposed on the downstream side of the suckback mechanism; introducing a gas into the container (41) so that the volume reduction deformation of the container (41) resulting from the drawing back of the liquid (L) is restored to its original shape; and adjusting a headspace (HS) inside the container (41) with the amount of volume change associated with the volume reduction deformation.