Infeed Star Wheel Can Transfer Without Format-Specific Guide Stars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling machines require high precision and additional components for can handling, leading to increased costs and complexity due to the need for format-specific guide stars and assemblies, which are costly and time-consuming to replace.
Innovation Solution
The method involves guiding cans in star-shaped pockets using tooth flanks of an infeed star wheel that carry and push the cans from an inlet-side transition point to a filler carousel, eliminating the need for format-specific guide wheels and allowing continuous conveyance along the filler pitch circle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guide stars with outwardly semicircularly open star pockets are used to center cans on the filler carousel, then correct can centering is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the can centering function from the guide star transport pockets and relocates it to the tooth flanks of the infeed star wheel. The transport pockets are simplified to basic star-shaped configurations without requiring precise semicircular contours, while the tooth flanks are given the centering function through their geometric design that guides cans to the correct position on the filler carousel.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the inner surface of transport pockets to center cans (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using the outer tooth flanks of the star wheel to perform the centering function. This reversal eliminates the need for precision-machined pocket contours while achieving the same centering effect.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sets of guide stars are produced for different can diameters, then adaptability to various formats is achieved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infeed star wheel is designed with universal tooth flank geometry that can accommodate multiple can diameters and formats. The tooth flanks perform both the transport function and the centering function simultaneously, eliminating the need for format-specific guide star assemblies. The system achieves multi-functionality by making the infeed star wheel adaptable to different can sizes through its geometric design rather than requiring multiple specialized components.
3Reliability
If format-specific guide stars are replaced on the filler carousel, then can handling accuracy is maintained, but production interruptions and personnel costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the infeed star wheel and guide star functions into a single integrated component. The infeed star wheel not only transports cans from the infeed section but also performs the centering function that previously required a separate guide star assembly on the filler carousel. This consolidation eliminates the need for format changes and assembly operations, ensuring continuous production while maintaining can centering accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes a method for handling cans or similar containers in a filling machine and a corresponding operating filling machine. According to the description, the cans are first guided into star-shaped pockets of an infeed star wheel at least as far as a transition point located on the pitch circle of a filler carousel. The cans are then pushed further by tooth flanks of the infeed star wheel, which adjoin the star-shaped pockets, at least as far as the point where filling valves circulating along the pitch circle are positioned. This allows for the cans to be transported while maintaining the transport pitch and thus ensures reliable positioning of the filling valves that center the cans, without the need for additional stabilization of the cans by guide pockets circulating on the filler carousel. This facilitates format changes on the filling machine.