Container Moulding Tube Separation for Low-Contamination Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing plastic containers face contamination risks due to the release of fumes and particles during cutting, limited flexibility in container size, high investment costs, and challenges in producing larger volumes, especially for medical applications, with complex apparatuses requiring multiple mould pairs and delayed quality assurance.

Innovation Solution

A novel apparatus and method that separates individual containers directly from a partially collapsed moulded tube using a separating device, allowing for low-contamination production and enabling the creation of larger containers with high productivity and format flexibility, using a handling device to ensure safe and efficient discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tube is cut immediately before filling and sealing, then the container production process can proceed, but contamination risk increases due to fumes, gases, vapours and particles released during cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer production speedVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by collapsing the parison into a compact configuration before the cutting operation. This collapse reduces the opening size and creates a protected environment for the container interior, preventing contaminants generated during cutting from entering the container. The collapse is performed as a preparatory step before filling and sealing, thereby eliminating the contamination pathway while maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the parison is kept open for insertion of filling pipes, then filling can be performed, but the long cutting path results in relatively long cutting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling pipe insertionVSAvoidcutting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamics by making the parison configuration changeable - it transitions from an open, extended state during cutting to a collapsed state during filling. This dynamic transformation allows the system to optimize for different operational phases: the collapsed state minimizes cutting path and time, while the open state enables filling pipe insertion. The parison can be dynamically adjusted between these configurations to meet different process requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If multiple mould pairs are used to produce container chains, then productivity increases, but device complexity and investment costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidnumber of mould pairs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuity of useful action by producing a continuous container chain from a single mould pair rather than producing individual containers sequentially. The container chain emerges continuously from the mould, and subsequent separation and handling operations process this continuous flow. This approach maintains high productivity through continuous production while eliminating the need for multiple mould pairs, thereby reducing device complexity and investment costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Quantity of substance

If container chains are produced and separated by punching, then large volumes can be produced, but the separating device adds to device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer volume capacityVSAvoidseparating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by producing containers as a chain that is subsequently separated into individual units. The container chain is formed as a segmented structure where individual containers are connected in sequence, allowing them to be produced efficiently in bulk and then separated as needed. This segmentation approach enables large-volume production while using a single mould pair, and the separating device becomes a simple post-processing element rather than a complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces contamination risks, enables the production of larger containers, achieves high productivity with minimal moulds, and allows for quick post-treatment, ensuring sterility and quality assurance, while being cost-effective and space-efficient.

Implementation Method 1

an extrusion device (14) which extrudes plastic material in the form of a moulded tube (24)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

a moulding device (22) which is fed with a moulded tube (24) of plasticised plastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Implementation Method 3

moulding a plurality of container products (26) from the moulded tube (24)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

the material connection (102) being severed after leaving the moulding device (22) by means of a separating device (108)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFracture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS20260084364A1Apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.26 ROMMELAG ENGINEERING GMBH DE
  • US20260084364A1 patent drawing
  • US20260084364A1 patent drawing
  • US20260084364A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an apparatus for producing container products from plastics materials. The apparatus comprises a moulding device to which a moulding tube made of plasticised material can be supplied by extrusion, and which moulding device has moulding surfaces which are movable and reproduce a specifiable container geometry, on which the moulding tube can be placed for a shaping, filling and/or sealing process. A guiding and holding device is provided, which can be controlled such that, in at least one functional position outside the moulding region of the moulding device, guiding and holding parts act on the plastics material that surrounds the finished container products, wherein the plastics material establishes a material connection between a finished container product that has already left the moulding device and an at least partly finished container product that is still in the moulding device, can be separated by a separating device.