Gas Cooling for Container Bottoms in Labeling Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment plants face challenges in efficiently cooling container bottoms, leading to dimensional instability and potential reshaping or bulging during filling or labeling, due to complex and high-maintenance cooling systems that also pose hygiene issues with water carryover.
Innovation Solution
A labeling device with a built-in gas cooling system, using rotating stationary plates with openings for air supply or a compressed air supply device to cool container bottoms, eliminating the need for additional cooling steps and reducing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water cooling systems with nozzles are used to cool container bottoms, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and hygiene issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cooling function from the complex water cooling system and implements it through a simple gas flow mechanism. The cooling effect is achieved by directing a gas stream (air or other gas) through openings in the stationary plate beneath the container, eliminating the need for water nozzles, pumps, and associated cooling water infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical water cooling system (pumps, nozzles, water circulation) with a gas flow-based cooling mechanism. The gas stream is directed through openings in the stationary plate, providing cooling through convection and conduction without requiring complex mechanical water delivery infrastructure.
2Temperature
If water cooling systems are used to cool container bottoms, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but hygiene problems arise from water carryover
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces water-based cooling with gas-based cooling to eliminate hygiene contamination. The gas stream (air or other inert gas) flows through openings in the stationary plate and contacts the container bottom, providing cooling without leaving moisture that could cause contamination or require additional drying steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an inert gas environment (air or other gas) instead of water for cooling. This creates a hygienic environment where no moisture can cause contamination, and the gas can be easily contained and controlled without posing hygiene risks to the container or surrounding equipment.
3Temperature
If additional cooling areas are added for future station performance, then cooling capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary plate with its integrated openings serves multiple functions: it supports the container during labeling, provides the cooling gas flow path, and can be configured for future cooling needs. The same structural element handles both current and future cooling requirements without adding separate cooling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with flexibility to adapt to future cooling needs. The gas flow rate, opening configurations, and stationary plate designs can be adjusted dynamically to meet increasing cooling demands without requiring complete system redesign or additional physical infrastructure.
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 provides efficient and reliable bottom post-cooling within the labeling device, reducing the need for subsequent water cooling and minimizing space requirements, while maintaining container stability and hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
a device for cooling the container bottoms of the containers, which is designed to the container bottoms to supply a gas (e.g. air) to the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A labeling device (2) for labeling containers to be filled, comprising a device (23-27, 44) for cooling the container bottoms, configured to supply a gas to the container bottoms, is provided. Furthermore, a method for bottom cooling of containers in a filling plant (10) is provided, comprising the steps of transporting the containers from a blow molding device (1) of the filling plant to a labeling device (2) of the filling plant and cooling the container bottoms in the labeling device (2) by supplying a gas to the container bottoms.