Brim-Forming Machine for Drink Cups with Sealing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container brim-forming machines fail to create a rolled brim that effectively seals with lids, leading to leaks and inadequate sealing due to limited engagement between the brim and the lid.
Innovation Solution
A brim-forming machine with a set of rotating brim formers, a hot-air manifold for heating, a cold-water supply for cooling, and an alignment system to adjust positioning, which heats and forms a rolled brim on containers by using a combination of hot and cold screw sections to shape and stiffen the plastic material, ensuring maximum engagement with the lid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional brim-forming machines are used, then the brim formation process is simple, but the brim does not seal effectively with lids leading to leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The brim former is divided into multiple independent heating zones with separate temperature control, allowing different sections to be optimized for specific forming requirements. This segmentation enables precise thermal management to achieve proper brim sealing without excessive overall machine complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements variable temperature control across different zones of the brim former, adjusting thermal parameters to optimize the sealing effectiveness of the brim while maintaining manageable machine complexity through programmable temperature profiles
2Shape
If hot air heating is applied to the brim former, then the plastic material becomes formable, but the brim may become too soft or deform excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The brim receives preliminary heating and forming before final setting, allowing the plastic material to be shaped while maintaining controlled softness. This preliminary action ensures the brim achieves the desired form without excessive deformation or loss of structural stability
Solution Approach 2:
The heating process operates in periodic cycles with controlled duration and temperature intervals, allowing the plastic material to be heated to formable states temporarily, then cooled to set the shape. This periodic action balances formability with structural stability
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple heating zones are implemented, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each heating zone operates with independently adjustable temperature parameters, allowing precise control of thermal conditions in different sections of the brim former. This parameter control achieves manufacturing precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design
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 machine produces containers with rolled brims that maximize sealing with lids, minimizing leaks by creating a robust and well-formed brim through controlled heating and cooling processes, accommodating various container sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The hot air heats a portion of each brim former and, in turn, heats the brim of the container
Implementation Method 2
The hot-air manifold coupled to the plurality of brim formers and configured to provide hot air to the set of brim formers
Implementation Method 3
The cooling water cools a downstream portion of each brim former and, in turn, cools the brim of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A drink cup includes a body formed to include an interior fluid-storage region and a brim. The brim is coupled to the body to surround an opening into the interior fluid-storage region. The brim is formed by a brim-forming machine.