Container Headspace Formation via Liquid Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional container manufacturing methods using liquid blow molding require complex blow molding molds with compression tabs and drive mechanisms to form a desired headspace, increasing manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A container manufacturing method involving liquid blow molding of a synthetic resin preform, where pressurized air from air holes in the mold pushes the outer surface of the container to discharge a predetermined amount of liquid, forming a headspace without the need for a complex mold configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a compression tab and drive mechanism are installed in the blow molding mold to discharge liquid and form headspace, then a desired headspace can be formed in the container, but the blow molding mold configuration becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadspace formationVSAvoidmold configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid discharge function from the blow molding mold by removing the compression tab and drive mechanism. Instead, a separate liquid discharge device is used that can discharge a predetermined amount of liquid from the container after molding, thereby simplifying the mold configuration while still achieving the desired headspace formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the manufacturing process into distinct stages: blow molding to form the container, then a separate liquid discharge operation to remove excess liquid and create headspace. This separation allows the mold to focus solely on forming the container while a dedicated discharge device handles the liquid removal, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If liquid blow molding is used to manufacture containers, then the manufacturing step and line configuration can be simplified by omitting the filling step, but the mold configuration becomes complicated requiring compression tabs and drive mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplificationVSAvoidmold configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the liquid discharge function from the blow molding mold itself and implements it through a separate, simpler liquid discharge device. This maintains the ease of manufacture achieved through liquid blow molding while eliminating the need for complex compression tabs and drive mechanisms in the mold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a separate liquid discharge device as an intermediary component between the blow molding process and the final container product. This mediator handles the liquid discharge function externally, allowing the blow molding mold to remain simple while still achieving the desired headspace formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the formation of a headspace of desired size in containers without complicating the blow molding mold configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

supplying pressurized liquid supplied to a liquid supply path from a filling nozzle into a preform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

liquid blow molding a synthetic resin preform by supplying pressurized liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

supplying pressurized air from air holes provided in the blow molding mold to the cavity and pushing an outer surface of the container after molding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

a predetermined amount of liquid in the container is discharged to the outside by supplying pressurized air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3603934B1Container manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO LTD
  • EP3603934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3603934B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3603934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container manufacturing method includes: a liquid discharge step in which a predetermined amount of liquid (L) in the container (C) is discharged to the outside by supplying pressurized air from air holes (13) provided in a blow molding mold (11) to a cavity (12) and pushing an outer surface of the container (C) after molding by the air; and a headspace forming step in which a headspace (HS) is formed in the container (C) by separating a filling nozzle (22) from a mouth portion (Ca) of the container (C) in a state in which a predetermined amount of liquid (L) is discharged to the outside.