Linear Shuttle Carriage for Container Invertor Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gravity container conveyor systems in the beverage industry require complex and labor-intensive adjustments to accommodate varying container sizes, necessitating skilled technicians and extended downtime for equipment changes.

Innovation Solution

A linear shuttle carriage system that houses multiple container rotating devices, allowing for easy alignment and adjustment along a rail apparatus to accommodate different container sizes without the need for complex tools or skilled labor, by sliding the carriage to position the appropriate rotating device on the conveyor path.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex rotary device is used to accommodate various container sizes, then the system can handle different container sizes, but the device complexity increases and requires skilled technicians for operation and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size accommodationVSAvoidrotary device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the container rotation function into multiple independent rotating devices, each designed for specific container sizes. These segmented devices are mounted on a linear shuttle carriage that can selectively position the appropriate device on the conveyor path, eliminating the need for a single complex rotary mechanism while maintaining versatility across container sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linear shuttle carriage provides dynamic reconfiguration capability by sliding along the conveyor path to position different rotating devices at the rinse station. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to varying container sizes without requiring complex mechanical reconfiguration, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical replacement of invertors and revertors is performed to change container sizes, then the system can accommodate different container sizes, but the downtime increases and specialized tools are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size accommodationVSAvoidequipment change downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rotating devices for different container sizes are pre-mounted on the linear shuttle carriage in advance. When a container size change is required, the system simply slides the carriage to position the pre-prepared appropriate device, eliminating the need for on-site mechanical replacement and significantly reducing downtime while avoiding the need for specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of replacing physical invertors and revertors, the system uses multiple copies of rotating devices mounted on the shuttle carriage. The appropriate copy is selected and positioned based on the required container size, allowing rapid switching without mechanical replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If a fixed invertor and revertor configuration is used, then the equipment structure is simple, but the system cannot accommodate varying container sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment structure simplicityVSAvoidcontainer size accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The linear shuttle carriage serves as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple rotating devices for different container sizes. This multi-functional carriage system maintains relative structural simplicity while providing the adaptability to handle varying container sizes, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient and rapid adjustment to various container sizes, reducing downtime and the need for specialized tools, allowing for seamless operation across a range of container sizes from 7 fl. oz. to 20 fl. oz. without requiring mechanical replacement or recalibration of invertors and revertors.

Implementation Method 1

a linear shuttle carriage slidingly attached to the rail assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

sliding on the rail assembly to move from a first position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNormal force:

Implementation Method 3

A gravity container conveyor in the beverage industry uses gravity to transport containers along a downward travel path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10807806B1Linear shuttle for container invertors in a conveyor system

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 SENTRY EQUIP ERECTORS LLC

AI summary

A gravity conveyor guide including: a frame; a conveyor track attached to the frame at a downwardly angle for guiding a plurality of moving containers down the conveyor track along a travel path; a pair of opposing struts attached on either side of the conveyor track; a rail assembly attached to the pair of opposing struts above the conveyor track; a linear shuttle carriage slidingly attached to the rail assembly, the linear shuttle carriage having a bank of at least two container rotating devices disposed; wherein the linear shuttle carriage slides on the rail assembly to move from a first position in which one of the at least two container rotating devices is aligned with the travel path to a second position in which a second one of the at least two container rotating devices is aligned with the travel path.