Blow Molding Container Filling and Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing large-volume plastic containers for beverages, such as mineral or table water, are complex and inefficient, particularly in filling and fitting processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves blow molding plastic containers immediately before use, filling them with liquid, and then fitting disposable fittings with a plastic body and stainless steel valve insert, ensuring fittings are only used for dispensing and allowing for high-performance filling by maintaining container orientation throughout the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are filled before fittings are attached, then filling speed increases and construction of fittings is simplified, but the risk of contamination or damage to the liquid filling material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is filled with liquid filling material before the fitting is attached to the container mouth. This preliminary filling action allows the entire cross-section of the container mouth to be utilized for filling, thereby increasing filling speed while the fitting is subsequently attached to seal the filled container
Solution Approach 2:
The process is segmented into distinct steps: filling the container first, then separately attaching the fitting. This segmentation allows the filling operation to use the full container mouth cross-section without being constrained by the presence of a pre-attached fitting, thereby improving filling speed
2Reliability
If fittings are attached before filling, then the liquid filling material is protected from contamination, but filling speed decreases due to reduced container mouth cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The container is filled with liquid filling material before the fitting is attached to the container mouth. This preliminary filling action allows the entire cross-section of the container mouth to be utilized for filling, thereby increasing filling speed while the fitting is subsequently attached to seal the filled container
3Ease of manufacture
If containers are held hanging during fitting attachment, then the process is simplified and thin-walled containers can be used, but additional handling equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The container is held in a hanging state throughout the filling and fitting attachment processes, maintaining a consistent gravitational orientation. This equipotential positioning simplifies the fitting attachment operation and enables the use of thin-walled containers, while the handling equipment required is integrated into the overall system
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 construction of fittings and enables high-speed filling by using the entire container cross-section, ensuring efficient filling and secure sealing, even with thin-walled containers.
Implementation Method 1
containers made of plastic, preferably PET, are provided by blow molding the containers using plastic preforms
Implementation Method 2
a sealing element for sealing the fitting, in particular by pressing or latching
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for forming packaging units, each of which is composed of a container that is filled with a liquid filling material and is closed by means of a keg fitting.