Friction Device Aligning Non-Symmetrical Beverage Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In beverage bottling plants, non-rotationally symmetrical containers require precise alignment to prevent tilting and ensure proper processing, but existing solutions are complex and inefficient, often resulting in container misalignment and product loss due to centrifugal forces during transport.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a transport star with a friction device that includes individually driven friction wheels and a rotational orientation detector, allowing for precise alignment of each container by applying the smallest necessary angle of rotation, ensuring full contact with guide fittings and preventing tilting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If containers are transported on a circular segment path using a transport star, then transport efficiency is improved, but centrifugal forces cause container tilting and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The friction device applies preliminary rotational action to containers before they reach the guide fittings, pre-aligning them to the correct orientation. This preliminary alignment prevents tilting caused by centrifugal forces during circular transport, allowing containers to maintain proper orientation throughout the transport path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a friction-based rotational device. Instead of using elaborate guide mechanisms or multiple adjustment devices, a simple friction wheel system applies controlled rotational force to align containers, reducing mechanical complexity while improving alignment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If separate electric servomotors are assigned to each turntable for alignment, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer alignment precisionVSAvoiddrive system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate drive functions into a single friction device that serves all containers. Instead of having individual servomotors for each turntable, one friction device performs the alignment function for all containers passing through it, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The friction device is designed as a universal alignment mechanism that handles all containers regardless of their initial orientation. This single multi-functional device replaces multiple specialized drive systems, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving the required alignment precision for different container types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If containers are guided only by neck guides, then device simplicity is maintained, but container stability deteriorates under centrifugal forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveguide system simplicityVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The friction device performs preliminary alignment of containers before they enter the neck guide section. By pre-aligning containers to the correct orientation, the neck guides can effectively maintain stability during circular transport without requiring complex additional support structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables efficient and reliable alignment of non-rotationally symmetrical containers, reducing container tilting and product loss by ensuring consistent engagement with guide fittings, thus improving processing accuracy and reducing rejects.

Implementation Method 1

a friction device (3) is provided, which comes into frictional contact with each container (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a rotational orientation detector (5) is provided for detecting the rotational orientation of each container (1)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Implementation Method 3

Containers are often transported in rotating transport devices along circular segment paths, for example with transport stars. The centrifugal forces arise which can only be counteracted with difficulty by a neck guide alone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2842878B1Device and method for transporting containers in a beverage dispensing machine

Publication Date: 2018.03.07 KRONES AG

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (100) for transporting containers (1) in a beverage filling plant, preferably for transporting non-rotationally symmetrical containers, comprising a friction device (3) that can be brought into frictional contact with a container (1), wherein the friction device (3) is designed for controlled alignment of each container.