Fibre Container Preform Loading for Precise Blow Mould Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber-based containers are prone to softening and substance diffusion due to liquid storage, and existing methods for loading preforms into these containers risk cracking and deformation during the blow molding process.
Innovation Solution
A method and device involving a turntable for precise rotational alignment of fiber-based containers, combined with a lifting device for vertical movement and a gripper for secure preform insertion, ensuring accurate positioning and alignment with the blow molding tool to minimize defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fibre-based container is picked up by its open end using a gripper, then the container can be loaded and inserted, but the fibre structure may be damaged due to the rigidity of the gripper fingers
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper fingers are designed with variable rigidity, allowing them to be flexible during gripping to avoid damaging the fibre structure, and then become rigid for precise positioning and insertion. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the fingers can change their mechanical properties. The fingers are actuated to move between flexible and rigid states, enabling them to adapt to the soft fibre container during different phases of the loading operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the container is filled in a first processing step and then closed in a second step, then the filling process is simplified, but misalignment between the container and closing element may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-filled and pre-positioned on the gripper fingers before the closing operation. The gripper holds the container in a predetermined position, ensuring proper alignment with the closing element before the actual closing action occurs, thus preventing misalignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper acts as an intermediary device that holds and positions the container during the transition from filling to closing. It ensures the container remains properly aligned with the closing element by maintaining a fixed relationship between the container and the closing mechanism throughout the process.
3Measurement precision
If a rigid gripper is used to hold the container, then positioning is precise, but the fibre structure may be damaged during gripping
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper fingers change their rigidity parameter dynamically - being flexible during the gripping phase to protect the fibre structure, and then becoming rigid during the positioning and insertion phases to ensure precision. This resolves the contradiction between precise positioning and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper system is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing the fingers to transition between flexible and rigid states based on the operational phase. This dynamic behavior enables the system to provide both gentle gripping and precise positioning without compromising the fibre container.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for loading a fibre-based container (20) with a preform (30), comprising the following steps: - providing a container (20) on a rotary plate (40); - rotating the rotary plate (40) together with the container (20) into a predetermined position; - inserting a preform (30) into the container (20); the invention also relates to a method for inserting a fibre-based container (20), together with a preform (30) arranged therein, into a blow mould (80).