Manual Capping Machine with Adjustable Frame for Bottle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capping machines for bottles with crown caps face challenges in stability, especially when dealing with bottles of different heights and sizes, due to design limitations that lead to tilting and wear, making them unsuitable for compact spaces like beer kits.
Innovation Solution
A manual capping machine with a fixed frame and a movable frame that can be vertically translated to adapt to different bottle heights, featuring locking means that engage simultaneously with both frames to secure the movable frame in position, ensuring stability and compatibility with various bottle sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plate with grooves is used to position bottles of different heights, then the machine can accommodate various bottle sizes, but the clearance between the plate and groove causes the bottle to tilt and reduces stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the static plate-with-grooves support system with a dynamic adjustable support mechanism. The support jaw can be positioned at multiple heights along the uprights and adjusted to match different bottle heights, eliminating the clearance and tilt problems while maintaining versatility for various bottle sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of a single plate serving all bottles, the invention provides localized support at the specific height where the bottle makes contact. The support jaw is positioned locally at the correct height for each bottle type, ensuring optimal contact and stability for each specific bottle size rather than using a universal plate design.
2Strength
If the machine is made with several metal parts for durability, then the machine is more robust, but the assembly and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from metal to plastic for the frame and support components. This substitution maintains the structural robustness and durability needed for the machine while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, as plastic components can be molded in single pieces rather than assembled from multiple metal parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into integrated plastic components. The uprights integrate both structural support and guide functions, while the support jaw integrates positioning and stabilization functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying assembly and reducing production costs while maintaining machine robustness.
3Ease of operation
If the movable frame is made large to accommodate the capping mechanism, then the capping function is effective, but the machine dimensions become incompatible with compact spaces like fermenters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the machine into a fixed frame and a movable frame that can be independently positioned. The movable frame containing the capping mechanism can be translated vertically to the correct height and locked in place, allowing effective capping operation while keeping the overall machine footprint compact for use in confined spaces like fermenters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension for the movable frame's translation along the uprights, rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. This allows the capping mechanism to reach different bottle heights effectively while maintaining a compact horizontal profile that fits within confined spaces such as beer kit fermenters.
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 provides reliable capping for bottles of different heights and sizes, ensuring stability and reducing wear, while being compact and cost-effective, making it suitable for small productions and spaces like beer kits.
Implementation Method 1
locking means of a removable type, configured to engage/disengage simultaneously with the movable frame and with the fixed frame to lock said movable frame in the working position
Implementation Method 2
a manoeuvring lever adapted to operate a head to which it imparts a vertical motion and a pressure force which is transferred to the crown cap
Implementation Method 3
the two uprights are configured to slidably receive two columns of the movable frame
Data Source
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AI summary
Capping machine (100) for closing bottles (200) with crown caps (250), comprising a base (15), on which a bottom (203) of the bottle (200) rests, a fixed frame (10) comprising two uprights (11, 12) inside which the bottle (200) to be capped is positioned, and a movable frame (20) at the top of which a capping mechanism (50) is integrated comprising a control lever (51) adapted to operate a head (55) by imparting to said head (55) a vertical motion and a pressure force which is transferred to the crown cap (250) arranged on the mouth (201) of the bottle (200) to be capped, characterised in that said movable frame (20) is configured to be manually translated in a vertical direction along the fixed frame (10) so as to bring the capping mechanism (50) to the correct working height according to the height of the bottle (200) to be capped, and wherein said capping machine (100) comprises locking means (30) of a removable type, configured to engage/disengage simultaneously with the movable frame (20) and with the fixed frame (10) to lock said movable frame (20) in the working position.