Blow-moulding Plant Flexible Conveyor Parison Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blow-moulding plants for plastic containers are complex and expensive due to the presence of multiple transfer wheels or ovens, which increases the risk of faults and complicates parison spacing optimization.

Innovation Solution

A blow-moulding plant with a flexible feed conveyor and integrated pick-up and transport members that allow direct transfer of parisons from a thermal conditioning device to moulding units, eliminating the need for additional transfer wheels and ovens, and enabling adjustable spacing through cantilever-mounted pick-up and transport members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple transfer wheels or ovens are used to transfer parisons, then the parison transfer function is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparison transfer reliabilityVSAvoidplant structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple transfer wheels and ovens into a single integrated flexible feed conveyor system. The conveyor directly transfers parisons from the extrusion zone to the moulding cavities, eliminating the need for separate transfer mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining transfer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible feed conveyor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the thermal conditioning path and the transfer mechanism. The conveyor belt itself provides the transfer function while guiding parisons through the heating zone, combining what were previously separate functions into one universal component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If gripping elements are used to transfer parisons, then parison transfer is achieved, but the risk of faults and malfunctioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparison handling capabilityVSAvoidsystem malfunction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gripping elements entirely from the system. Instead of using mechanical grippers to hold and transfer parisons, the flexible conveyor belt directly supports and transports the parisons through the thermal conditioning zone and into the moulding cavities, eliminating the intermediary component that caused faults.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The parisons are transferred passively by being supported on the flexible conveyor belt rather than being actively gripped and manipulated by mechanical elements. The conveyor belt's flexibility allows it to conform to the parison shape and transport it naturally, reducing mechanical complexity and failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If gripping elements are interposed between parisons and conveyor, then parison transfer is achieved, but the optimization of parison spacing inside the oven is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparison spacing controlVSAvoidconveyor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible feed conveyor can dynamically adjust its configuration to optimize parison spacing. The flexibility of the conveyor belt allows it to be positioned and shaped to maintain optimal spacing between parisons as they move through the thermal conditioning zone, enabling precise spacing control without rigid mechanical guides.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes parison spacing by changing the physical parameters of the conveyor system - specifically the flexibility and positioning of the feed conveyor. By adjusting the conveyor's configuration rather than using fixed mechanical spacing elements, the system can adapt spacing parameters to optimize thermal conditioning and transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution simplifies the plant design, reduces the risk of malfunctions, and optimizes parison spacing, making it more efficient and cost-effective to produce plastic containers of varying sizes.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible feed conveyor which is equipped with a plurality of members for picking up and transporting respective parisons and which extends through a thermal conditioning device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conditioning: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8684724B2Plant for blow-moulding plastic containers, particularly bottles

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL

AI summary

A plant for blow-molding plastic containers (2), particularly bottles, from respective parisons (3) is equipped with a plurality of molding units (15), each having at least two respective cavities (19) for blow-molding respective containers (2), and with a transfer device (39) for transferring the parisons (3) from a flexible feed conveyor (41) to the respective molding cavities (19). The transfer device (39) is connected to the flexible feed conveyor (41) at a transfer station (40), where the spacing (P1) of the parisons (3) is equal to the distance (D2) between the longitudinal axes (19a) of the molding cavities (19) of one molding unit (15).