Side Surface Treatment Machine for Glass Articles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for treating the side surfaces of glass articles, such as bottles, face issues like uneven treatment, waste of treatment product, risk of contamination, and difficulty in integrating with continuous production lines, particularly due to the low sliding coefficient of glass and challenges in applying treatments uniformly and preventing product entry into containers.

Innovation Solution

A machine that rotates glass articles around a vertical axis while conveying them, using staggered spray nozzles to apply treatment substances, with adjustable conveyor spacing and air flow to prevent product deposition on drive mechanisms, allowing for targeted and uniform treatment of the peripheral surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spray nozzles are arranged above bottles to spray treatment product, then adhesion between bottles is reduced, but treatment product is wasted on upper parts and may enter open containers causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduction of adhesion between bottlesVSAvoidcontamination of container contents
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies treatment product locally only to the peripheral lateral surface of bottles using side-directed spray nozzles, rather than spraying from above. This ensures the treatment is applied precisely where needed (the side surface that contacts other bottles) without wasting product on upper parts or risking contamination of open containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a film of air as an intermediary barrier between the spray nozzles and the bottles. The air flow directs the treatment product onto the bottle surface while preventing excess product from entering open containers, thus mediating between the spraying action and the bottle contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bottles are treated in a chamber, then treatment can be applied, but the method is difficult to integrate into continuously operating treatment lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidcontinuous operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous treatment by integrating spray nozzles directly into the conveyor system. Bottles are treated while moving along the conveyor belt, allowing the treatment process to continue without interruption as bottles pass through, rather than requiring batch processing in a separate chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the treatment system dynamic by positioning spray nozzles along the moving conveyor path. The treatment application point moves with the bottles, allowing continuous treatment to be applied at different positions along the conveyor, thus integrating seamlessly with continuous production lines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If spray nozzles are positioned to treat the lower body of bottles, then adhesion reduction is achieved, but treatment is not uniform around the circumference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion reductionVSAvoiduniformity of treatment application
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spray nozzles positioned at different locations and angles along the conveyor path. This arrangement ensures that the peripheral lateral surface of each bottle receives treatment from multiple directions, achieving uniform coverage around the entire circumference as bottles move through the treatment zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates smooth handling and reduces the risk of jamming and contamination by ensuring consistent treatment application, optimizing product usage, and enabling seamless integration into continuous production lines.

Implementation Method 1

spray nozzles arranged above the bottles or bottles placed in a chamber, in order to spray a treatment product reducing adhesion between bottles or bottles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 2

A flow of air coming from the same side as the spray is directed towards the hangers to prevent the sprayed product from reaching the drive means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2845651B1Machine for treating the side surface of items, especially glass items
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 TECADIS SYST
  • EP2845651B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2845651B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP2845651B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

Two conveyors (50) arranged parallel to each other on either side of the processing path enclose the articles (80) between two belts that advance at different speeds, simultaneously moving the articles forward and rotating them in front of the processing means, particularly the spray nozzles. This is used to better target the treatment evenly across the surface to be treated.