Dual-Station Holding Device for Simultaneous Container Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current container treatment devices have limitations in increasing machine output without expanding the machine's base area, as they typically handle one container at a time, which restricts throughput and efficiency in processes like printing.
Innovation Solution
A holding and centering device with two opposing sections that can securely hold and position two containers simultaneously, allowing for synchronized treatment at a single station, featuring a fixing section for attachment to a transport element and rotatable holding sections with clamping mechanisms for precise alignment and rotation, enabling simultaneous treatment of two containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If one container is treated at a time using a single holding and centering device, then the treatment precision and stability are maintained, but the machine output and throughput are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two holding sections into a single holding and centering device, allowing two containers to be held and treated simultaneously. This merging of functions directly increases machine output without requiring separate treatment stations, thereby improving productivity while maintaining controlled device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges two holding sections in opposite directions (180 degrees apart) around a central axis, utilizing spatial dimensionality to accommodate multiple containers. This dimensional arrangement allows simultaneous treatment of two containers at the same treatment station, effectively doubling throughput without expanding the machine's footprint.
2Productivity
If two containers are held simultaneously at one treatment station, then the machine output increases, but the positioning precision and treatment quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is segmented into two independent holding sections, each capable of independently holding and positioning a container. This segmentation allows each container to be precisely positioned and treated independently, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling simultaneous processing of two containers for increased throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding sections are arranged asymmetrically in opposite directions (180 degrees apart) around the central axis, creating a balanced yet distinct positioning for each container. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that each container has its own optimized positioning zone, maintaining treatment quality while allowing dual-container processing.
3Productivity
If the holding device is expanded to accommodate multiple containers, then the machine footprint increases, but the space efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear container arrangement to radial arrangement around a central axis, utilizing angular space instead of linear space. By positioning two holding sections 180 degrees apart in a circular configuration, the device accommodates two containers within the same footprint area, effectively doubling capacity without increasing the machine's external dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The two holding sections and their containers are nested within a common rotational system around a shared central axis. This nested configuration allows both containers to occupy the same spatial envelope, maximizing space utilization and maintaining a compact machine footprint while increasing treatment capacity.
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
This design significantly increases machine output by allowing two containers to be treated simultaneously without expanding the machine's footprint, ensuring precise positioning and high-quality treatment, particularly in printing processes, while maintaining space efficiency and improving container stability through internal pressurization.
Implementation Method 1
The holding sections are each designed to receive and hold a container to be treated, for example by clamping, clamping, gripping, or suction using a vacuum.
Data Source
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AI summary
A holding-and-centering device for holding and centering a container has fixing section and holding-sections on opposite sides of the fixing section. The fixing section fixes the holding-and-centering device to a structure of a container-treatment machine but is also detachable from that structure. Each holding section picks up and holds a corresponding container.