Deformable Carrier Puck for Multi-Size Container Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carrier pucks require multiple designs and storage for different container sizes and shapes, leading to significant storage costs and downtime during changes in bottling lines, and they fail to provide stable and precise support for articles.
Innovation Solution
A carrier puck system with a deformable element, such as a flange, that is pressurized to securely hold articles of various sizes and shapes within an interior chamber, using a pressurizing mechanism to adjust the chamber size and ensure precise location and secure holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional carrier pucks use fixed aperture designs for specific container types, then each container type can be supported stably, but multiple carrier puck designs and storage are required for different container sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier puck incorporates a deformable support surface that can dynamically change its configuration to match different container shapes and sizes. The support surface includes movable elements that can be positioned in different locations and orientations, allowing the same carrier puck to adapt to various container types rather than requiring multiple fixed-design pucks
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the carrier puck by making the support surface deformable and adjustable. The support surface can change its shape, size, and rigidity parameters to accommodate different container characteristics, enabling one carrier puck design to replace multiple fixed designs
2Productivity
If conventional carrier pucks use fixed aperture designs, then storage requirements are reduced, but significant downtime occurs during change-over from one container type to another
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable support surface can be quickly reconfigured between container types, enabling rapid changeover without requiring physical replacement of carrier pucks. The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the same carrier puck to be reused across different container types, reducing both changeover time and the number of carrier pucks needed in inventory
3Ease of operation
If conventional carrier pucks use loose fit apertures for easy placement and removal, then articles can be loaded and unloaded easily, but the articles are not supported stably or located precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface provides different local qualities in different regions - some areas are compliant and deformable to accommodate easy placement, while other areas provide rigid support and precise location. The movable elements can be positioned to create localized support points that precisely locate the container while the overall structure remains easy to load and unload
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
Enables the use of a single carrier puck for multiple container sizes and shapes, reducing storage needs and changeover time, while providing stable and secure holding without damaging the articles, and preventing rotation during capping.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurising mechanism for pressurising a region of the interior chamber, where upon pressurization of said region of the interior chamber, the deformable element is forced to move inwardly of the interior chamber and into contact with a receptacle for securing the receptacle within the interior chamber of the carrier puck
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided, a carrier puck comprising a body having an interior chamber, into which a receptacle to be held by the carrier puck can be inserted, the carrier puck comprising a deformable element, disposed at least in part within the interior chamber; and the carrier puck comprising a pressurising mechanism configured and arranged to facilitate fluid-filling and/or pressurization of a region within the interior chamber, and in dependence upon said pressurization, the deformable element is forced to move inwardly of the interior chamber and into contact with a receptacle for securing the receptacle within the interior chamber of the carrier puck. In this way the available space within the interior chamber for accommodating a receptacle can be reduced about the receptacle, thus securing the receptacle, accurately and quickly in its location within the carrier puck.