Magnetic Holder for Container Handling Machine Pipes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Container treatment machines face hygienic issues and complexity in changing media-carrying pipes and flow guide bodies due to fixed grooves and latches, which hinder quick and easy adaptation to different container types or filling products.

Innovation Solution

The use of magnetic holders with full-circumferential or partial-circumferential ring segments made of permanent or magnetizable material to define and adjust the holding position of media-carrying tubes and flow guide bodies, allowing for easy exchange and repositioning without undercuts, ensuring hygienic and reproducible mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed grooves and latches are used to secure media-carrying pipes and flow guide bodies, then the components can be securely held in position, but hygiene problems arise due to difficult-to-clean grooves and latches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding positionVSAvoidhygiene problems
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical groove-and-latch securing system with a magnetic field-based holding system. Magnets embedded in the pipe or flow guide body interact with corresponding magnetic elements in the holder to secure components without requiring grooves, latches, or other mechanical fastening features that create hygiene problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the problematic grooves and latches from the design entirely. By extracting these mechanical securing features and replacing them with magnetic holding, the design eliminates the sources of hygiene contamination while maintaining secure component positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If fixed grooves and latches are used to secure media-carrying pipes and flow guide bodies, then the components can be securely held in position, but the complexity of changing components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding positionVSAvoidcomplexity of changing components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic holding system replaces complex mechanical fastening mechanisms with a simpler magnetic attraction system. Components are secured by magnetic force and can be released and repositioned by simply overcoming the magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for tools or complex disassembly procedures required by mechanical latches and grooves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic holding system allows for dynamic repositioning of components. The magnetic force can be easily overcome to release components for repositioning, and the components can be quickly resecured at new positions without requiring mechanical disassembly or reconfiguration of fixed grooves and latches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If fixed grooves and latches are used to secure media-carrying pipes and flow guide bodies, then the components can be securely held in position, but the time required for changeover increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding positionVSAvoidchangeover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic holding system enables rapid component changeover by replacing time-consuming mechanical fastening and unfastening operations with simple magnetic attraction and release. Components can be quickly removed by overcoming the magnetic force and resecured at new positions without requiring tool use or complex mechanical procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic holding system allows components to be pre-positioned and quickly secured in the correct holding positions. The magnetic attraction automatically secures components when they are placed in the holder, eliminating the need for time-consuming mechanical fastening operations after positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed holding positions are provided with grooves and latches, then the media-carrying pipe can be adjusted to different positions, but hygiene problems and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability to different positionsVSAvoidhygiene problems
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces multiple sets of mechanical grooves and latches for different holding positions with a magnetic holding system. The magnetic field provides continuous or discrete holding positions without requiring physical grooves or latches at each position, maintaining adaptability while eliminating hygiene problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic holding system serves multiple functions: it provides secure holding at various positions, enables easy repositioning, and maintains hygiene by eliminating mechanical fastening features. A single magnetic holder design can accommodate multiple holding positions without requiring separate mechanical fastening mechanisms for each position.

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

This solution eliminates hygiene problems by providing a smooth, easy, and quick changeover of media-carrying pipes and flow guide bodies, enabling optimal positioning for different container types and products, enhancing operational efficiency and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic holders with full-circumferential or partial-circumferential ring segments made of permanent or magnetizable material to define and adjust the holding position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2520539B1Container handling machine
Publication Date: 2013.10.30 KRONES AG
  • EP2520539B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2520539B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP2520539B1 patent drawingFigure 8

AI summary

The invention provides a container handling machine especially for filling, washing, cleaning or sterilizing bottles or preforms. The container handling machine comprises a valve-shaped outlet element and/or inlet element (V) and a pipe (R) with a guide medium, wherein an opening of a container to be handled is axially positioned on the outlet element and/or inlet element and the pipe with the guide medium is at least removably kept relative to the outlet element and/or the inlet element (V) and a pipe end (7) settles into the opening. The container handling machine is characterized in that: for the pipe itself (R) with the guide medium and/or at least one diversion body (K) externally arranged on the pipe (R) with the guide medium, at least one releasable magnetic holding device (M1, M2) for at least one holding positioning (P1 to Pn) defined by magnetic force is arranged. The container handling machine is improved in sanitation holding aspect of the pipe with the guide medium and the diversion body on the pipe if necessary, and simple and quick change is possible when the container types are changed or the filling products are changed.