Concentric Holder with Outer Sleeve for Cup Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for holding container or cup-shaped articles during operations like cutting or forming are prone to non-concentric seating, leading to impaired seals and manufacturing defects due to limited radial clearance and potential for radial movement, which can result in incomplete cuts, uneven flanges, or defective linings.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a holder featuring a seating face and air pressure channels for suction, along with a concentric outer sleeve that moves axially to provide additional radial contact and prevent lateral movement, ensuring concentricity and secure holding, and a method involving air pressure management to maintain concentricity and secure the article.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radial clearance is provided between the container and centralising feature, then the container can seat properly on the holder, but the container becomes non-concentric and can move radially
Solution Approach 1:
The guide profile acts as an intermediary element between the container and the holder. It provides the necessary radial clearance for proper seating while simultaneously guiding the container into concentric alignment through its shaped profile, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of ease of seating and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The guide profile performs preliminary alignment action before the container fully seats on the holder. By shaping the guide profile to match the container outer profile, the system pre-establishes concentricity during the approach phase, preventing radial movement before seating occurs
2Manufacturing precision
If no radial clearance is provided between the container and centralising feature, then concentricity is maintained, but the container cannot seat properly on the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The guide profile serves as a mediator that allows clearance to exist without compromising concentricity. It translates the radial clearance into proper seating geometry, enabling the container to approach and seat smoothly while maintaining alignment throughout the process
3Manufacturing precision
If a holder of larger diameter than the container is provided, then better centralising is achieved, but machine motion limits the holder diameter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the overall holder diameter, the guide profile provides localized centralising quality where it is most needed. The profile is shaped to match the container outer profile in the critical sealing region, achieving accurate centralising without requiring a larger holder diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional centralising feature (flat face with raised feature) to a three-dimensional guide profile that engages the container outer profile. This dimensional change allows better centralising within the same radial space constraints
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 solution effectively prevents radial movement and maintains concentricity of the article, ensuring accurate and secure holding during operations, reducing manufacturing defects and improving the quality of cutting, forming, and lining processes.
Implementation Method 1
one or more channels for supplying, removing or balancing air pressure such that when suction is applied to the article, the stand is held against the seating face
Data Source
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AI summary
The apparatus comprises holder (20) with a seating face on which a container such as a cup- shaped article (1) stands. Air is supplied through channels and air pressure is balanced so as to hold the article (1) against the face. The profile of the apparatus guides a base feature, or "stand" of the article (1) into the holder (20) and onto the seating face (23), and contacts the article (1) radially outside the seating face (23). The apparatus also has a concentric outer sleeve (25) to provide the additional radial contact and resist lateral movement of the article (1) while maintaining concentricity.