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
Engineering 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
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.
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
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.
3Productivity
If multiple mould pairs are used to produce container chains, then productivity increases, but device complexity and investment costs increase
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.
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
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.
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)
Implementation Method 2
a moulding device (22) which is fed with a moulded tube (24) of plasticised plastic material
Implementation Method 3
moulding a plurality of container products (26) from the moulded tube (24)
Implementation Method 4
the material connection (102) being severed after leaving the moulding device (22) by means of a separating device (108)
Data Source
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.


