Bottle Sealing Machine Neck Oscillation for Wax Capsule Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for sealing bottle necks with sealing wax or shellac often result in uneven, aesthetically imperfect capsules due to excess material accumulation and subsequent droplet formation along the neck, especially when bottles are returned to an upright position after dripping.

Innovation Solution

A method involving sequential rotation and translation of bottles around a horizontal axis to alternate the inclination of the neck during dripping phases, redistributing excess sealing material uniformly across the capsule head surface, preventing droplet formation when returning to an upright position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If bottles are kept inclined during dripping phase, then excess sealing material can drain away, but material accumulates at the drop formation zone causing unsightly droplets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcess sealing materialVSAvoidcapsule homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bottle undergoes periodic oscillation during the dripping phase, alternating between inclining towards the drop formation zone and away from it. This periodic action prevents material accumulation at any single location by continuously redistributing the excess sealing material along the capsule surface, thereby eliminating unsightly droplets while maintaining effective drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If bottles are immediately returned to upright position after immersion, then production time is reduced, but excess material forms unsightly droplets along the neck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing cycle timeVSAvoidcapsule appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A preliminary dripping phase is introduced before returning the bottle to its upright position. During this phase, the bottle is oscillated to distribute excess sealing material uniformly across the capsule surface. This preliminary action ensures that when the bottle is subsequently returned to upright position, no unsightly droplets form along the neck, thus maintaining high appearance quality without significantly extending the sealing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach ensures a homogeneously distributed sealing material, eliminating unsightly droplets along the neck and achieving an aesthetically perfect capsule, suitable for subsequent stamping without lateral material flow.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of sealing wax or shellac remains adhered to the top of the bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the molten material tends to flow from the entire capsule towards the drop formation zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3733587B1Machine and method for sealing the mouth of a bottle
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 SINCERA SISTEMI SRL
  • EP3733587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3733587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3733587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for sealing the mouth of at least one bottle (2) by creating a capsule of sealing material around at least the neck (20) of the bottle (2), comprising the following steps: a) rotation or rototranslation of the bottle (2) around a horizontal axis (R) from an initial position to an immersion position, in which immersion position the bottle (2) has the neck (20) facing downwards and immersed at least partially in a bath of said sealing material in a molten state; b) rototranslation of the bottle (2) up to a first dripping position, in which first dripping position the bottle (2) is completely extracted from the sealing material bath and has the neck (20) facing downwards and has its longitudinal axis inclined compared to a vertical plane; c) rotation or rototranslation of the bottle (2) in a second dripping position, in which second dripping position the bottle (2) is completely extracted from the bath of sealing material and has the neck (20) facing downwards and has its longitudinal axis inclined with respect to said vertical plane in opposite direction with respect to said first dripping position; d) rotation or rototranslation of the bottle (2) to a final position.