Bottle Stabilizer with Merged Transport and Pressing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle return and sorting systems are inefficient and prone to errors due to the complexity of handling different types of empty containers, requiring multiple components and increased manufacturing, maintenance, and assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A bottle display device with a transport element that serves as both a stabilizer and a conveyor, using a horizontal, linearly movable pressing part to stabilize and transport empty containers into compartments, allowing for efficient sorting and processing of various container types, including bottles, cans, and cups, with optional conveyor belts for further transport and sorting based on detected features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for stabilizing and transporting bottles, then the stabilization and transport functions can be performed independently, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport element is designed to serve dual functions: it acts as both the stabilizing surface for wobbling bottles and the transport mechanism for moving stabilized bottles. By combining these two previously separate functions into a single component, the system reduces the number of parts while maintaining reliable stabilization and transport capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The transport element is designed as a multi-functional component that can stabilize bottles during the transition from horizontal to vertical position and subsequently transport the stabilized bottles to storage locations. This universal component handles multiple operations in the bottle return process, reducing overall system complexity
2Device complexity
If a compact design with integrated functions is used, then manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced, but the system must handle various container types and sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The transport element is designed with movable and adjustable components that can adapt to different bottle types, sizes, and weights. The element can dynamically adjust its position and configuration to accommodate various container characteristics while maintaining a compact overall system design
Solution Approach 2:
The transport element features locally optimized surfaces and structures at different positions to handle specific container types. Different sections of the transport element can be configured with appropriate friction characteristics, geometries, or forces to stabilize and transport various bottle shapes and sizes effectively
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
The solution enables a compact, simple, and error-reduced system for efficiently processing and sorting a large number of empty containers, reducing costs and improving reliability by integrating stabilization, transport, and sorting functions into a single component, capable of handling various container types and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a stabilizer (6) designed as a horizontally, linearly movable pressure element to push the fed empty container (4) in the feed area (5) from the feed chute (3) into the at least one empty container compartment (7) against the transport element (2) in order to bring the empty container (4) into a vertically stabilized rest position
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 2e~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bottle stand with a transport element, with a feed chute for feeding empty containers, in particular bottles, into a feed area at the transport element, and with a stabilizer which is designed to push the fed empty container in the feed area against the transport element in order to bring the empty container into a static rest position, wherein the transport element is designed to transport the stabilized empty container further.