Dual Bottle Holder Layout for Fast Container Size Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container handling devices, such as bottle processing machines and conveyors, are limited to processing only one bottle size due to holders designed for specific sizes, requiring lengthy and costly retooling for different sizes, and existing grippers for multiple sizes are either complex or inadequate.
Innovation Solution
The provision of two distinct holders with overlapping size ranges allows for the handling of containers of different sizes without retooling, with the holders being designed to accommodate specific sizes or size ranges and arranged to optimize space usage, enabling flexible loading and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single holder design is used for all containers, then the device structure is simple, but the device can process only one bottle size and requires retooling for different sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into a holder body and a separate holder element that can be exchanged. The holder body remains fixed while the holder element (which contacts the container) can be swapped to accommodate different container sizes, thus providing adaptability without requiring complete retooling of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The holder body is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple container sizes through the exchange of different holder elements. This multi-functional design allows a single holder structure to serve multiple purposes for different bottle dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If holders are replaced to process different bottle sizes, then different container sizes can be accommodated, but retooling takes considerable time and incurs costs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the holder into a permanent holder body and interchangeable holder elements, the retooling process is reduced to replacing only the small holder element rather than the entire holder assembly, significantly reducing retooling time
Solution Approach 2:
The holder element can be adjusted or replaced to change specific parameters such as gripping force, contact point position, and holder geometry to match different container sizes, enabling quick adaptation without complete retooling
3Adaptability or versatility
If grippers are designed to hold bottles of different sizes, then versatility is improved, but the grippers become very complex mechanically or can secure bottles inadequately
Solution Approach 1:
The complex adaptation functions are isolated to the replaceable holder element rather than the entire gripper mechanism. The main gripper structure remains simple and fixed, while the holder element contains the size-specific adaptation features
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a single complex gripper that can adapt to all sizes, multiple simple holder elements are created, each optimized for specific size ranges. These elements are copied and exchanged based on the container size requirement
Data Source
AI summary
A device having a holder for holding a container such as a bottle of a size and with a second other holder for holding a container such as a bottle of another size. In addition, a method for loading a device with containers such as bottles, whereby the containers of one size are placed in a first holder and the containers of another size are placed in a second other holder to allow easy adjustment to a different size of container without requiring any time-consuming retooling work.