Container Group Alignment and Adhesive Bonding for Visual Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing container groups, such as multipacks of bottles or cans, often result in visually unappealing arrangements due to random container orientation, which can deter consumers, and are not simplified enough in the production process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves aligning containers using opto-electrical sensors and prominent alignment features, followed by applying adhesive or adhesive tapes to connect them in a targeted orientation, ensuring a harmonious and visually appealing appearance by rotating the containers about their axis and applying adhesive to both surfaces for secure bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are grouped together in a mass transport with arbitrary orientation, then productivity is improved, but the visual appearance becomes unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by aligning containers along the conveyor before they are grouped into bundles. Alignment features on the containers interact with sensors to rotate and position each container in the correct orientation before adhesive application, ensuring that when containers are grouped together, they present a harmonious visual appearance with labels and equipment features aligned in a specific direction.
2Shape
If containers are aligned and glued together, then visual appearance is improved, but the production process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing alignment features as prominent markers on the containers and corresponding sensors as intermediaries to detect and control the alignment process. These intermediaries (alignment features and sensors) mediate between the conveyor system and the adhesive application system, enabling precise orientation control without requiring complex mechanical alignment mechanisms throughout the entire production line.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive is applied to connect containers, then the container group becomes stable, but the production process requires additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning adhesive application points on the containers before they are grouped together. The adhesive is applied at specific locations where containers will make contact, and the containers are then guided into the correct position and pressed together. This preliminary preparation of adhesive application points simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex real-time adhesive positioning systems.
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
This approach simplifies the production of container groups while enhancing their visual appeal, making them more attractive to consumers by ensuring all equipment features are aligned in a specific direction, resulting in a stable and compact container.
Implementation Method 1
the containers forming the respective bundle or the corresponding container group are at least partially provided with an adhesive or adhesive application on at least a partial area of their container surface or outer surface and then brought together and pressed together are connected to each other via this adhesive or adhesive orders
Implementation Method 2
The alignment or the respective angle of rotation is controlled by detecting alignment features on the containers with opto-electrical sensors
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for producing a cluster pack forming containers received in a container stream into lanes of single-track container streams, then for each lane, separating containers from neighboring containers by a pre-determined separation distance, for a subset of containers in the lane, applying adhesive to selected regions of the containers, rotating the containers in the subset such that adhesive regions of containers in the subset that are to be joined face each other, dividing off a pre-determined number of containers from the single-track container stream to form a container group. The method then includes pressing the container group against at least one other container group to form the cluster pack. The adhesive is selected such that a container is separable from the cluster pack by hand without damaging the container.