Integrated Injection Assembly for Container Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container forming stations using hydraulic blow molding face challenges in cleaning dynamic sealing means, which are difficult to clean and time-consuming, leading to reduced throughput and potential contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A station with an injection assembly where the injection nozzle and housing form a single unit, eliminating the need for dynamic sealing elements, allowing for easy cleaning with static sealing means and enabling high-pressure liquid injection by using a valve system and actuator to move the assembly between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic sealing means are used to allow movement of the injection housing, then the injection device can operate between retracted and injection positions, but the cleaning of the sealing means becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the injection housing with the injection nozzle into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the dynamic sealing interface between separate moving parts, allowing the entire injection assembly to be moved as one piece. The sealing function is transferred to static seals at fixed interfaces, which are much easier to clean and maintain while preserving the movement capability between retracted and injection positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the dynamic sealing means from the system by eliminating the movable housing interface. Instead of having a housing that moves relative to the body with dynamic seals, the design removes this intermediate moving component entirely, allowing the injection nozzle to be directly coupled to the actuator mechanism without requiring complex dynamic sealing arrangements.
2Reliability
If dynamic sealing means are used to enable housing movement, then the injection device can function properly, but cleaning requires dismantlement and multiple cleaning inlets
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the injection housing and nozzle into one integrated assembly, the patent eliminates multiple separate components that would require individual cleaning. The unified structure allows cleaning fluid to reach all internal surfaces through a single inlet, while static seals at fixed interfaces maintain fluid tightness without creating hard-to-reach crevices.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated injection assembly is designed so that cleaning fluid can naturally flow through all channels and contact all sealing surfaces without requiring manual dismantlement. The self-draining design allows the assembly to be cleaned in place, reducing the need for complex disassembly procedures while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Ease of operation
If the injection housing is movable relative to the main body, then easy placing and retrieving of preforms is enabled, but the cleaning process becomes time-consuming and reduces throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the injection housing with the nozzle and actuator mechanism into a single movable assembly. This unified structure can be quickly repositioned between retracted and injection positions without requiring cleaning or maintenance interruptions. The static seal design allows for rapid cleaning cycles, thereby maintaining high throughput while preserving ease of preform handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated movable assembly enables continuous operation by eliminating cleaning downtime. Since the static seals require minimal cleaning time compared to dynamic seals, the injection device can maintain a steady rhythm of preform processing without frequent interruptions for maintenance, thus sustaining high productivity while ensuring easy preform placement and retrieval.
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
Simplifies the cleaning process, reduces contamination risks, and allows for high-pressure liquid injection without relative movement, enhancing the efficiency and hygiene of the container forming process.
Implementation Method 1
the valve system is in the closed state, the closed volume is filled with liquid and the actuator moves the closing element, causing the housing and the injection nozzle to move accordingly
Implementation Method 2
an injection device arranged to inject liquid from a liquid source to the inlet of the injection nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A station for forming a container from a preform. The station having a main body including a preform seat adapted to receive a preform and an injection assembly. The injection assembly including an injection nozzle, comprising an inlet and an outlet, that is movable between a retracted position and an injection position. An injection device arranged to inject liquid to the inlet of the injection nozzle. The injection device includes a housing, defining a main chamber having an actuation aperture, and a closing element movable relative to the housing and closing the actuation aperture. The injection nozzle and the housing of the injection device are rigidly fixed to each other so as to form a single unit.