Container Base Inversion Device with Centering and Retaining Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container base inversion devices risk damaging containers, especially large ones with curved shoulders, due to non-axial reactive forces during the inversion process, which compromises the structural integrity and stability needed for palletization.

Innovation Solution

A container base inversion device with a retaining member and centering member, featuring a concave frustoconical shape for secure bearing and centering, and damping means for gradual pressure application, ensures the base is inverted without damage by distributing forces uniformly across the container's structural zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing inversion devices exert counter pressure on the cap to hold the container during base inversion, then small containers can be inverted, but large containers with curved shoulders are damaged because the reactive force is not exclusively axial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size rangeVSAvoidcontainer damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holding tool is divided into two distinct functional components: a centering member (22) that contacts the cap and a retaining member (21) that contacts the shoulder. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, preventing the mixing of centering and retaining forces that causes damage in conventional single-component designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering member acts as an intermediary element between the holding tool and the container cap. It provides a dedicated interface for axial alignment before the retaining member engages the shoulder, ensuring that the reactive force remains axial and preventing lateral deformation of curved shoulders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the bell of the holding means has an open contour to enable cooperation with the container, then the container can be centered, but the reactive force becomes partially lateral which deforms the container during base inversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer centeringVSAvoidcontainer shape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The holding tool segments the centering function (performed by the centering member on the cap) from the retaining function (performed by the retaining member on the shoulder). This allows the centering member to have an open contour for easy container acceptance while the retaining member provides axial support to prevent lateral deformation during inversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single bell-shaped component that tries to perform both centering and retaining functions (which leads to lateral forces), the invention inverts the approach by using two separate components with inverted functional roles: the centering member contacts the cap (top) while the retaining member contacts the shoulder (middle), ensuring axial force distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If the retaining member bears against the shoulder of the container, then the container can be held securely, but without proper centering the inversion forces are not opposed and the container buckles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding forceVSAvoidcontainer buckling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The centering member performs preliminary centering action by contacting the cap before the retaining member fully engages the shoulder during base inversion. This preliminary centering ensures that the container is properly aligned and positioned, so that when the retaining member applies holding force, the inversion forces are correctly opposed and buckling is prevented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the centering function and the retaining function into a single integrated holding tool assembly, where the centering member (22) and retaining member (21) work together in coordination. This combination ensures that centering and force application occur simultaneously and cooperatively, preventing buckling while maintaining secure holding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12139345B2Container bottom inversion device

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS

AI summary

Described is a device for inverting the base of a container, comprising means for inverting the base, and at least one tool for holding the container, each holding tool having a retaining member, characterized in that the retaining member has a bearing end that is brought to bear against a container, and in that each holding tool also comprises a centering member mounted inside the retaining member, the centering member being moveable inside the retaining member.