Container Treatment System With Mass-Conveyor Buffering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container treatment systems require large buffer systems to maintain operation during machine failures, leading to significant space requirements and restricted machine positioning.

Innovation Solution

A container treatment system with single-line conveying devices and a mass conveyor or buffer system that integrates buffer functionality within the treatment blocks, allowing flexible arrangement and reduced space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If large buffer systems are provided between container treatment machines, then system operation can be maintained during machine failures, but space requirements and restrictions on machine positioning increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the buffer system with the conveying device by integrating container storage positions directly into the conveying mechanism. The conveying device serves dual functions: transporting containers between treatment machines and buffering containers during machine failures. This merging eliminates the need for separate buffer systems, resolving the contradiction between maintaining operation continuity and reducing space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys containers through the treatment line, stores containers in buffer positions during normal operation, and maintains system operation during machine failures. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain reliability without requiring additional dedicated buffer space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If large buffer systems are provided between container treatment machines, then system operation can be maintained during machine failures, but positioning flexibility of treatment machines is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidmachine positioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the buffer functionality into the conveying device itself, the system gains positioning flexibility. The conveying device can be reconfigured or repositioned more easily than large dedicated buffer systems, allowing treatment machines to be positioned more flexibly while still maintaining operation continuity during failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying device incorporates dynamic buffer positions that can adapt to different machine configurations and failure scenarios. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain reliability while accommodating flexible machine positioning, as the buffer capacity can be adjusted or repositioned as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If extensive buffer systems are provided in conveying devices, then adverse effects of production interruption are avoided, but the system complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the buffer system with the conveying device, eliminating the need for separate buffer components and reducing overall system complexity. The integrating approach maintains production continuity while avoiding the added complexity that would result from having distinct buffer and conveying systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential buffering function from the complex domain of dedicated buffer systems and integrates it into the simpler conveying device. This extraction and integration reduces system complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of buffering during production interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250276886A1Container treatment system

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 KRONES AG

AI summary

A container treatment system for treating containers, comprising a first treatment block with a first single-line container exit point, further comprising a downstream second treatment block having a wet region and/or temperature control region with a mass conveyor for containers, a first single-line container feed point upstream of the mass conveyor and a second single-line container exit point downstream of the mass conveyor, and comprising a third treatment block that is located downstream of the second treatment block and has a second single-line container feed point, wherein the first single-line container exit point of the first treatment block is connected to the first single-line container feed point of the second treatment block via a first single-line conveying device, and the second single-line container exit point of the second treatment block is connected to the second single-line container feed point of the third treatment block via a second single-line conveying device.