Cap Conveyance Channel With Side-Air Injection to Prevent Jams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing capping element conveyance systems face issues with reliability and energy efficiency due to blockages and the need for continuous high-pressure air to move caps, leading to inefficiencies and orientation changes.

Innovation Solution

A capping element conveyance device that uses an aeraulic circuit to inject air towards the sides of caps, rather than against the bottom, within a channel with a rectangular section to maintain orientation and reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air is injected against the bottom of caps to move them forward, then the caps are propelled in the forward direction, but the caps may rear up or become blocked in the channel causing blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance reliabilityVSAvoidblockages
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air injection is localized to specific zones (edge faces) rather than applied uniformly against the bottom of caps. This creates different airflow characteristics at different locations, pushing caps forward without causing them to rear up or block

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of injecting air against the bottom of caps (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by injecting air towards the side edge faces of the caps, fundamentally changing the force application point and direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If eyes are provided along the entire movement path to push caps continuously, then the caps are moved forward, but a large energy source is required to feed pressurized air continuously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air injection is segmented into specific zones (edge faces) rather than continuous injection along the entire path. This reduces the total volume of pressurized air required while maintaining effective cap conveyance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air injection is applied partially at critical zones (edge faces) rather than excessively along the entire conveyance path, achieving effective cap movement with reduced energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The device prevents cap orientation changes and reduces energy requirements by ensuring caps move in a straight line with minimal friction, enhancing reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an aeraulic circuit to convey the gaseous fluid from the plenum to the channel to push the capping elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAeraulic propulsion: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12486154B2Conveying of a capping element
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
  • US12486154B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A device for conveying a cap-type capping elements, which are pushed aeraulically to circulate the capping elements in a forward direction. In example embodiments, the device includes firstly an elongate plenum in which a gaseous fluid circulates, and secondly a channel in which the capping elements circulate in a forward direction and that has a front face, a rear face, and two edge faces. In example embodiments, the device comprises an aeraulic circuit to convey the gaseous fluid from the plenum to the channel to push the capping elements, the rear face of said channel being arranged against the plenum and the front face thereof being at least partially closed by a back-plate of the device. In example embodiments, the back-plate may be removable.