Container Centering with an Inflatable Seal for Shape Variations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container centering methods in beverage filling plants are prone to inaccuracies due to manufacturing and use-related deviations in container shapes, leading to inadequate sealing and processing issues, particularly when using neck clamps and inflatable seals.

Innovation Solution

A centering device with a receiving section, guiding section, and inflatable seal that synergistically centers and seals the container during travel, using a control device to activate the seal for precise alignment, independent of container shape deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a neck clamp is used to center the container during upward movement, then the container can be held and moved into the processing chamber, but manufacturing and use-related deviations in container shapes cause radial forces that lead to inaccurate centering and inadequate sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer handlingVSAvoidcontainer shape consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable seal changes its physical state from deflated to inflated, altering its diameter and positioning characteristics. This dynamic parameter change allows the seal to adapt to container shape variations and achieve accurate centering and sealing regardless of manufacturing deviations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable seal is activated before the container reaches the final processing position, allowing the container to be centered in advance during its travel into the processing chamber. This preliminary centering action ensures proper alignment is achieved while the container is still moving, compensating for shape variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the clamp does not completely surround the container section outside the processing chamber, then the design and process requirements are met, but precise and reliable handling becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidcentering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable seal acts as an intermediary element between the container and the processing chamber environment. It provides the necessary centering and sealing function without requiring the clamp to completely surround the container, thus maintaining design flexibility while ensuring reliable handling through the seal's adaptive positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If an inflatable seal is used for centering, then sealing can be improved, but inadequate centering can still leave a gap between the seal and the container section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidcentering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable seal is designed to be dynamically adjustable during the container's travel into the processing chamber. By controlling the inflation timing and pressure, the seal can adapt its diameter to match the container's actual dimensions, ensuring contact and centering even with manufacturing variations, thus eliminating gaps while maintaining reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures reliable and repeatable centering and sealing, reducing construction complexity, maintenance costs, and format change times, while maintaining quality parameters like O2 absorption and CO2 consumption.

Implementation Method 1

at least partial inflation of an inflatable seal, which is arranged in the opening, during the translational movement of the container from the receiving position into the processing position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Data Source

PatentUS12351445B2Centering a container for the processing thereof

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 KRONES AG

AI summary

A device and method for centering a container during travel into a processing region, wherein the device has: a receiving section configured to receive the container; a guiding section configured to guide a translational movement along a defined trajectory between a receiving position and a processing position; a chamber wall having an opening, wherein the receiving section and the guiding section are configured to insert at least some section of the container into the processing region; a sealing device having an inflatable seal, which is arranged in the opening and configured to adopt a sealing position around a container section in the processing position; and a control device, which is in communication with the sealing device and is configured to at least partially inflate the inflatable seal during the translational movement of the container from the receiving position into the processing position.