Container Closure Head Pressure Auto-Adjustment for Fast Changeovers

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container closure systems require manual adjustment of head pressure, which is time-consuming, prone to human error, and increases contamination risk, especially in high-throughput systems.

Innovation Solution

A device with an automatic adjustment mechanism for setting head pressure, including a lifting unit, guide unit, pre-tensioning device, and adjustment device, allowing precise and hygienic adjustment without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of head pressure is used, then the device can be adjusted for different closure types, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and increases downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment for different closure typesVSAvoidadjustment time and downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of head pressure automatically based on detected closure type, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The control unit autonomously selects and applies the appropriate head pressure settings for different closure types (screw caps, crown caps, roll-on caps) based on information detected during the closing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detectors that identify the type of closure being applied to automatically adjust the pre-tensioning device. The control unit receives information about the closure type and automatically modifies the head pressure settings accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to different closure types without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of head pressure is used, then the device can be adapted to different closure types, but human error increases and precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment for different closure typesVSAvoidhead pressure precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of head pressure automatically based on detected closure type, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The control unit autonomously selects and applies the appropriate head pressure settings for different closure types (screw caps, crown caps, roll-on caps) based on information detected during the closing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detectors that identify the type of closure being applied to automatically adjust the pre-tensioning device. The control unit receives information about the closure type and automatically modifies the head pressure settings accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to different closure types without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of head pressure is used, then the device can be reconfigured for different closure types, but the complexity of manual retooling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration for different closure typesVSAvoidmanual retooling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-adjustment of head pressure automatically based on detected closure type, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The control unit autonomously selects and applies the appropriate head pressure settings for different closure types (screw caps, crown caps, roll-on caps) based on information detected during the closing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from detectors that identify the type of closure being applied to automatically adjust the pre-tensioning device. The control unit receives information about the closure type and automatically modifies the head pressure settings accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to different closure types without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4197962B1Device for closing a container with a container closure

Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KRONES AG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (1) for closing a container with a container closure, preferably for closing a beverage container with a roll-on closure, a screw cap, a push-on closure, a crown cap and/or a push-in closure, comprising a lifting unit (3) displaceable along a longitudinal direction (2) with a guide unit (4) for specifying a position of the lifting unit (3) in the longitudinal direction (2) and a closure receptacle (7) connected to the lifting unit (3) via a pre-tensioning device (8) for holding a container closure and for applying the container closure to a container opening of a container to be closed with a head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device (8), and an adjusting device (10) for automatically adjusting the head pressure specified by the pre-tensioning device (8);It further relates to a closure device comprising one of the aforementioned devices (100).