Eccentric Pressure Rollers for Gentle Container Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional carrousel apparatuses for rotary labelling machines are not suitable for containers with dosing caps, irregular caps, or delicate surfaces, as they require axial pressure that can damage these containers and cannot manage containers with fixed oriented positions or high-quality finishes.
Innovation Solution
A carrousel apparatus with a retaining head featuring eccentrically distributed pressure rollers that apply thrust to a perimetric zone of the container, allowing for secure positioning and rotation without axial pressure, and a C-shaped supporting portion to accommodate caps, enabling the handling of containers with cylindrical symmetry and delicate surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a retaining head applies axial pressure on the container to keep it locked on the plate, then the container stability is improved, but containers with dosing caps, irregular caps, or delicate surfaces are damaged or cannot be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining head applies force radially from the side rather than axially from the top, changing the dimension of force application. This allows the container to be retained on the plate without pressing down on the cap, thus stabilizing the container while avoiding damage to delicate surfaces or dosing caps.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining head applies localized radial force to a specific region of the container body rather than distributed axial force on the cap. This localized side pressure is sufficient to prevent container movement while avoiding contact with and damage to the cap structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a retaining head is used to secure containers on the plate, then container retention is improved, but containers with fixed oriented positions cannot be loaded correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The plate performs preliminary rotational action to orient the container in the correct position before the retaining head engages to secure it. This sequence allows containers with fixed orientation requirements to be properly positioned and then retained without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static retaining structure to a dynamic one where the plate can rotate independently to adjust container orientation. This dynamic capability allows the container to be oriented correctly during loading while the retaining head maintains secure retention.
3Speed
If traditional carrousel apparatuses are used for containers with delicate surface finishes, then the container can be moved, but the surface finish is ruined by the retaining head
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining head acts as an intermediary that applies force through a mechanism (radial side pressure) that does not directly contact or damage the delicate surface. The force is applied to the container body in a way that secures the container during movement while protecting the surface finish from ruin.
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 management of a wide range of containers, including those with dosing caps and high-quality finishes, by providing stable and gentle container retention during rotation, overcoming the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure rollers (19) are configured for pushing with their lateral surface the container (2) against the plate (5), in particular during the rotation of the plate (5) on itself
Implementation Method 2
the rotation of the pressure rollers (19) occurs about a third axis of rotation (20), which is inclined relative to the secondary axis of rotation (17)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4
AI summary
A carrousel apparatus for moving containers comprising a supporting structure and a rotatable carrousel (13) mounted on the supporting structure, wherein a plurality of operating units (16) are associated with the carrousel (13), for rotating with it about a main axis of rotation (14), each operating unit (16) comprising a plate (5) rotatable about its own secondary axis of rotation (17), and a retaining head (4) vertically aligned with the relative plate (5) along the secondary axis of rotation (17), rotating with the carrousel (13) in the rotation about the main axis of rotation (14) and fixed relative to the secondary axis of rotation (17) of the relative plate (5), during the rotation of the plate (5) on itself; wherein each retaining head (4) comprises three or more pressure rollers (19) distributed eccentrically relative to the respective secondary axis of rotation (17), and configured for pushing a container (2) towards the plate (5) during the rotation of the plate (5) on itself.