Guide Rail Cover Element for Container Contamination Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing guide rail systems fail to effectively prevent foreign matter, such as dust particles, from entering container interiors during the filling process without interfering with conveyor operations.

Innovation Solution

A guide rail system with a cover assembly featuring adjustable cover elements and central contact portions that engage containers to stabilize their position and direct gases under pressure to impede foreign matter ingress, ensuring the containers are positioned in predetermined locations on the conveyor to minimize contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If cover elements are added to impede foreign matter ingress, then protection against contamination is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforeign matter ingressVSAvoidcover assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover assembly is divided into multiple independent cover elements (first cover element, second cover element) that can be separately positioned and adjusted. Each cover element can be independently located relative to the container openings, allowing flexible configuration to protect against foreign matter ingress while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Guide rails serve as intermediary structures that facilitate the positioning and movement of cover elements relative to containers. The guide rails provide a mechanical framework that enables precise localization of cover elements without requiring complex direct coupling mechanisms between covers and containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cover elements are positioned to protect container openings, then foreign matter ingress is reduced, but container movement on conveyor is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedust particle entryVSAvoidcontainer conveyor movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover elements are designed to be movable along the guide rails, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions. During conveyor operation, the cover elements can be positioned to protect container openings, and their movable nature ensures they do not create excessive friction or interference with container movement, maintaining smooth operational flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cover elements are designed as simple, lightweight components that can be easily replaced or repositioned if worn or misaligned. This approach uses simple mechanical elements rather than complex permanent structures, reducing interference with conveyor operations while maintaining protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If central contact portions are added to locate containers, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer location precisionVSAvoidcover element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The central contact portion is integrated directly into the cover element structure, merging the positioning function with the protective cover function. This eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms, achieving precise container location through the cover element itself while avoiding additional complexity from separate positioning devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the container opening from foreign matter ingress and provides positioning functionality through its central contact portion. This multi-functionality achieves precise container location without requiring dedicated positioning equipment, thereby avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system effectively prevents foreign matter from entering container interiors while allowing smooth conveyor operation, maintaining product quality by ensuring a controlled environment during filling.

Implementation Method 1

The cover element includes a number of apertures through which one or more gases are directed under a preselected pressure onto at least predetermined portions of the containers, to impede ingress of the foreign matter into the respective interior portions of the containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9481524B2Guide rail system with cover element

Publication Date: 2016.11.01 SEPTIMATECH GROUP

AI summary

A guide rail system for guiding containers moved by one or more conveyors, each container having an interior portion defined therein for receiving a product and an opening in fluid communication with the interior portion. The guide rail system includes a cover assembly including one or more cover elements, and one or more structural elements to which the cover element is secured. The structural element locates the cover element in a preselected location relative to the openings of the containers, for at least partially impeding ingress of foreign matter to the interior portions of the containers.