Compact Bottle Processing Line for Hygienic Local Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottle processing systems are either large and require extensive transport networks, leading to high ecological impact, or manual solutions that compromise hygiene and productivity, lacking the efficiency and cleanliness of industrial-scale operations.
Innovation Solution
A compact bottle processing device with an automated conveyor system, gripper arms, and integrated cleaning, filling, and encapsulation stations, allowing for hygienic, efficient, and cost-effective reuse of bottles within a small footprint, suitable for integration into establishments like hotels and restaurants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If manual bottle washing and filling units are integrated into establishments, then transport costs are reduced, but hygiene risks increase due to manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated conveyor system that mechanically transports bottles through cleaning, filling, and sealing stations. This substitution eliminates direct human contact with bottles during processing, thereby reducing hygiene risks while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables bottles to be processed automatically through the entire workflow without human intervention. The conveyor unit self-transports bottles, and the integrated stations perform cleaning, filling, and sealing autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself and eliminating manual handling requirements.
2Productivity
If industrial-scale bottling lines are used, then productivity and hygiene standards are improved, but floor area requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate industrial functions (bottle cleaning, filling, and encapsulation) into a single integrated compact device. By merging these functions into one unified system with a closed-loop conveyor, the device achieves industrial-scale productivity while occupying minimal floor space suitable for establishment integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system nests multiple processing stations along a compact closed-loop conveyor path, allowing bottles to pass through cleaning, filling, and sealing operations in sequence within a confined space. This nesting arrangement enables industrial-level processing efficiency while maintaining a small footprint.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If glass bottles are transported from production to consumption locations, then local production is avoided, but ecological impact increases due to transport requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal compact bottle processing device that can be integrated into various establishment types (hotels, restaurants, etc.). This multi-functional system performs complete bottle processing locally, eliminating the need for long-distance glass bottle transport and reducing ecological impact while adapting to different local consumption needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a compact bottle processing device comprising:an automatic bottle conveyor unit for moving a plurality of bottles along a closed circuit,a gripping area enabling an operator to place a bottle from the plurality of bottles on the conveyor unit and/or to pick up a bottle from the plurality of bottles on the conveyor unit,a bottle cleaning station,a bottle filling station,a bottle encapsulation station,each of these stations being arranged along the closed circuit, so that a bottle passes successively through the cleaning station, the filling station and the encapsulation station as it is moved by the conveyor unit, wherein a length of the closed circuit is less than or equal to 20 m, preferably less than 15 m.The invention also relates to a method of processing bottles using the device described above.