Container Inlet Locking for Precise Sawtooth Star Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling machines face issues with container abrasion and damage during high-speed transport, particularly when containers become jammed, as the transfer to the sawtooth star is not always precise.

Innovation Solution

A container handling machine with a locking device featuring two locking elements, such as pawls or locking stars, arranged upstream of the sawtooth star, evenly distributes forces on containers, reducing the risk of deformation or damage by ensuring precise control of the locking elements, which can be driven pneumatically or electrically, and are designed to match the container's contour for positive locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If containers are transported at high speeds on conveyor belts to the sawtooth star, then productivity is improved, but containers can be damaged if the transfer is not carried out correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport speedVSAvoidcontainer damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is activated before the container reaches the sawtooth star inlet, pre-positioning the locking elements to engage with the container. This preliminary action ensures that when the transfer occurs at high speed, the container is already secured and will not be damaged by improper transfer timing or positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements act as intermediary components between the conveyor belt and the sawtooth star. They provide a controlled interface that mediates the transfer process, ensuring that containers are released at the correct moment and position, thereby preventing damage while maintaining high transport speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a locking device blocks the inlet area of the sawtooth star, then container abrasion is reduced, but containers can become jammed causing damage during backup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer abrasionVSAvoidcontainer damage during jamming

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is divided into two separate locking elements positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor belt. This segmentation allows each locking element to independently engage and lock the container, distributing the locking forces evenly. If one locking element fails or malfunctions, the other can still provide protection, and the segmented design prevents complete jamming that would occur with a single centralized locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are designed to change their position and engagement parameters dynamically. They can adjust their locking force and engagement depth based on container characteristics and transport conditions, allowing them to provide sufficient locking to prevent abrasion while maintaining enough flexibility to release smoothly and prevent jamming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If locking elements are designed to match container contour for positive locking, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlocking element design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking elements are designed with a universal contour that can accommodate multiple container types and sizes. Rather than creating unique locking elements for each container specification, the design uses a standardized form factor that provides positive locking across different container varieties, thereby maintaining high locking reliability while avoiding the complexity of customized designs for each container type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution effectively reduces container abrasion and damage by ensuring controlled and precise transfer of containers to the sawtooth star, even at high speeds, using interchangeable locking elements that adapt to different container shapes.

Implementation Method 1

each pawl can be equipped with a pneumatic or electric drive to move it between a locking position and a release position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic drive:

Implementation Method 2

each pawl can be equipped with a pneumatic or electric drive to move it between a locking position and a release position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric drive:

Data Source

PatentEP3480144B1Container treatment machine and transport device for containers

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 KRONES AG

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Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

Container treatment machine for treating containers such as bottles, with a machine inlet comprising at least one conveyor belt, wherein a sawtooth star is arranged in the machine inlet to increase the distance between the containers, wherein a locking device for containers is arranged upstream of the sawtooth star for locking and releasing the inlet area, characterized in that the locking device comprises two locking elements which are arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor belt.