Heated Preform Trimming for Large-Opening Container Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stretch blow molding machines face challenges in efficiently forming large and non-round container openings, and the trimming process for creating these openings is slow and causes significant wear on cutting tools, especially for hot-fill containers with high crystallinity.
Innovation Solution
The trimming process is performed on heated container preforms, maintaining residual heat from the forming process to reduce mechanical resistance and wear on cutting tools, and integrating a plasma coating system to enhance throughput and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the trimming process is performed on cooled container preforms, then the cutting tools experience significant wear and the process speed is slow, but if the trimming is performed on heated container preforms, then the cutting tool wear is reduced and process speed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by performing the trimming process on heated container preforms (at temperatures of at least 35°C, preferably at least 50°C) rather than on cooled preforms. This temperature parameter change reduces the mechanical resistance of the preform material, enabling faster cutting speeds and reducing wear on cutting tools, thereby simultaneously improving productivity and tool service life.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional mechanical blades are used for trimming, then the cutting process is simple, but the process speed is slow and places considerable stress on the cutting tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simplicity of mechanical blade trimming but changes the temperature parameter of the container preform to at least 35°C (preferably at least 50°C) before trimming. This temperature parameter change reduces the mechanical resistance of the preform material, allowing standard mechanical blades to operate at higher speeds with reduced stress, thereby improving productivity without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container preform is allowed to acclimate to ambient temperature, then the trimming process is more difficult with higher mechanical resistance, but maintaining heat requires additional energy input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the trimming process immediately after the forming process while the container preform still retains heat from forming (at temperatures of at least 35°C, preferably at least 50°C). This eliminates the need for additional heating energy input, as the heat is already present from the preceding forming operation, while simultaneously making the trimming process easier by reducing mechanical resistance.
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 approach increases trimming process speed, extends cutting tool life, and ensures a cleaner cut while maintaining container quality, with reduced energy consumption and improved recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
a silicon oxide coating produced by a plasma deposition process (a so-called plasma coating)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1, 1') for producing a container (2) from a preform (3) which has an interior (3b) enclosed by a wall (3a) and accessible via a handling opening (13), comprising a forming machine (5) which is configured to heat the preform and to form it into a container preform (4) with a container interior (4a) and a neck section (4b) connecting the container interior (4a) to the handling opening (3c) and which has a container preform output (5d), and with at least one trimming unit (8, 8') having a container preform input (8a, 8a') for cutting through the neck section (4b), so that a container (2) is formed with a container opening (2a) formed in or on the neck section (4b) and connected to the container interior (4a).According to the invention, the trimming unit (8) is arranged such that the container pre-stage (4) can be transferred to the container pre-stage input (8a, 8a') of the trimming unit (8, 8') in a heated state, in particular at a temperature of at least 50 °C.