Hook-Based Neck Support for Thin-Walled Bottle Capping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capping machines face difficulties in securely supporting thinner, more flexible beverage containers during the capping process due to inadequate horizontal and vertical support, leading to buckling issues and complex, costly components.
Innovation Solution
A capping system with a hook-based neck support providing both vertical and lateral stability, combined with a conveying assembly and adjustable spring-biased toothed fingers to ensure proper cap engagement and tightening, utilizing rollers and toothed fingers to apply controlled forces, and a bottle neck groove for enhanced support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If bottle walls are made thinner to reduce plastic usage, then cost and environmental impact are improved, but bottle stability and control during capping deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A support hook is introduced as an intermediary element between the capping machine and the bottle. The hook engages with the bottle neck groove to provide mechanical support during the capping operation, enabling thin-walled bottles to be processed without buckling while maintaining the reduced plastic usage benefits
2Ease of operation
If complex capping stations with multiple rotary capping heads are used, then capping capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the complex capping station system and implemented as a separate, simple support hook mechanism. This allows the use of simpler capping stations while maintaining effective bottle support through the dedicated hook-component that engages the neck groove
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle neck groove and support hook work together in a self-supporting manner during capping. The groove is formed into the bottle neck during molding, and the support hook automatically engages it during the capping operation, providing stable support without requiring complex external positioning systems
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 enables a simple, effective, and adjustable capping operation that prevents bottle buckling and ensures secure cap engagement, even with thinner containers, by providing comprehensive support and controlled force application.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biased toothed finger that engages the peripheral edge of the caps
Implementation Method 2
the rotational movement of the bottle during installation of the threaded cap is generally prevented by either weight of the bottle applying a frictional force to a conveyor
Implementation Method 3
as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller
Implementation Method 4
A capping station in a bottle-filling line further includes a spring biased toothed finger that engages the peripheral edge of the caps
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relate generally to a tightening mechanism for a bottle filling and capping system, and a bottle neck configuration. More specifically, the invention includes a machine for tightening plastic caps onto the threaded necks of plastic bottles, and bottle neck configuration that facilitates the capping process, both of which result in a simple and effective capping operation. A conveying assembly moves the bottle in a circular path where the neck of the bottle and the cap are brought together by moving the bottle under a cap that is loosely held at a particular elevation and angle by a feeder mechanism. The conveying system constricts the rotational movement of the bottle, and a neck support stabilizes the neck of the bottle vertically, as the cap is pressed onto the neck initially by a roller. A capping station in a bottle filling line is comprised of a spring biased toothed finger that engage the peripheral edge of the caps as the bottles are conveyed through the machine. Depending on various factors such as the number and circumferential length of the threads on the cap and bottle a second roller and second toothed finger will be used to complete the tightening process. When a capped bottle exits the capping station, the cap is fully engaged with the bottle in that it is tightened and in its final position relative to the bottle.