Container Neck Gripper With Anti-Rotation Teeth for Stable Capping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capping station devices require complex structures and are not adaptable to containers with varying neck lengths or shapes, necessitating changeovers for different formats, and fail to maintain vertical alignment during capping.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with pliers comprising gripping arms and an engaging member with teeth that securely grip containers under an annular protuberance, allowing for compact design and universal application across container formats, including square cross-sections, by using rotatable gripping arms and teeth configurations to maintain vertical alignment during capping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centering member with teeth is used to prevent container rotation, then container stability during capping is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the centering member and clamp gripping assembly into a single integrated handling device. The centering member includes both the plate element with side opening and the teeth structure, while the clamp gripping assembly integrates the gripping arms with the engaging member. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining container stability during capping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device is designed to perform multiple functions: the centering member provides both centering and anti-rotation functionality through its teeth, while the clamp gripping assembly provides both gripping and engagement functions. The device can handle various container formats without changeover, making it universally applicable. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
2Reliability
If the clamp gripping assembly is positioned distanced from the centering member, then container gripping capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamp gripping assembly and centering member into a single integrated unit that works together seamlessly. The gripping arms are hinged to the pliers support and can rotate to engage the container, while the engaging member with teeth provides additional securing. This integration allows the device to maintain gripping capability without requiring excessive distance between components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and space requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If the handling device is designed for specific container formats, then gripping precision is improved, but adaptability to different container formats decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device is designed with universal features that allow it to accommodate various container formats without changeover. The centering member's plate element with side opening can receive different neck regions, and the teeth structure can engage with collars of varying sizes. The clamp gripping assembly's rotating gripping arms can adapt to different container shapes, including square cross-sections. This universality maintains gripping precision across different container types while enhancing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping arms are designed to be rotatable about hinge axes, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation to match different container shapes. This dynamic capability enables the same device to maintain optimal gripping precision for various container formats without requiring physical reconfiguration or changeover of handling parts.
4Device complexity
If containers with long necks are required, then device structure can be simplified, but adaptability to different container neck lengths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handling device achieves structural simplicity through integration while maintaining adaptability to different neck lengths. The centering member's plate element with side opening can accommodate various neck regions, and the teeth structure can engage with collars of different sizes. The clamp gripping assembly's rotating gripping arms can adapt to different neck lengths without requiring changeover. This universal design allows the device to remain structurally simple while being adaptable to various container neck lengths.
Data Source
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AI summary
A handling device (1) for handling a container (100) in a capping station (200), the handling device (1) comprising: - pliers (2) comprising two gripping arms (21, 22), each gripping arm (21, 22) having a free end (21a, 22a) for gripping a neck (100b) of the container (100) under an annular protuberance or bague (100c); - a pliers support (3) to which each gripping arm (21, 22) is hinged; - an engaging member (5) comprising an arcuate element (6) with at least one first group of teeth (7), the arcuate element (6) delimiting a pocket (8) for receiving the neck (100b) of the container (100) so that a lower surface of the bague (100c) leans against the teeth (7) of the first group of teeth (7), the arcuate element (6) being arranged below the gripping arms (21, 22) and the teeth (7) of the first group of teeth (7) being arranged within recesses (9) obtained in the free ends (21a, 22a) of the gripping arms (21, 22).