Mandrel Tip Cooling for Preform Neck Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mandrels used in heating units for shaping plastic preforms fail to adequately protect the necks from excessive heating, leading to potential deformation and rendering the containers unsuitable for market due to inability to fit caps, and the cooling mechanisms are insufficient for rapid production throughputs.

Innovation Solution

A mandrel with a tip that includes a cooling part with raised portions for thermal exchange with air, allowing for effective cooling by conduction and ventilation, and is mobile to facilitate handling and contact with a heatsink for additional cooling, while maintaining a reflective surface to prevent direct radiation heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If mandrels with reflective surfaces are used to protect necks from direct radiation, then neck protection is improved, but the mandrels and tips are still heated by reflected radiation and require cooling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck heatingVSAvoidcooling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tip is divided into two functional segments: a penetrating part that enters the neck and a cooling part with raised portions that expose surface area to cooling air. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while working together to protect the neck from heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling part with raised portions acts as an intermediary between the heated tip and the cooling air. It increases the thermal exchange surface area, facilitating more efficient heat dissipation from the tip to the surrounding air, thereby preventing neck deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If production throughput is increased to meet demand, then productivity is improved, but the cooling time for mandrels is reduced leading to potential neck deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction throughputVSAvoidneck integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling part with raised portions is designed to maximize cooling efficiency during the brief intervals between preform heating cycles. The increased surface area prepares the tip to dissipate heat rapidly, ensuring it is sufficiently cooled before the next preform is processed, thus maintaining neck integrity even at high production speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the thermal exchange parameters by increasing the surface area of the cooling part. This parameter change enables more effective heat dissipation during the reduced cooling intervals, allowing the system to maintain reliability at higher production throughputs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If continuous cooling of mandrels is implemented to prevent neck deformation, then neck protection is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck deformationVSAvoidcooling energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling mechanism operates periodically during the intervals between preform heating cycles rather than continuously. The raised portions on the cooling part enable rapid heat dissipation during these brief periods, achieving adequate cooling without requiring continuous energy input, thus balancing neck protection with energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 ensures reliable handling and cooling of preforms, preventing neck deformation and maintaining a lower operating temperature, thus ensuring the integrity of the containers and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

the cooling part including at least one thermal exchange raised portion in contact with the surrounding air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the cooling part including at least one thermal exchange raised portion in contact with the surrounding air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the heatsink is attached to the shaft and intended to come into contact with the tip to enable a dissipation of calories by thermal conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a reflective surface to prevent direct radiation heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11633900B2Device for handling preforms for heating units

Publication Date: 2023.04.25 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS

AI summary

The invention concerns a device for handling preforms for heating units. The device includes a mandrel that defines a rotation axis of the preforms; a tip mounted at an end of the mandrel and having a part penetrating into the neck of the preforms; a rubbing contact rigidly connected to the tip; and a heatsink rigidly connected to the mandrel and intended to come into contact with the tip. The tip also includes a cooling part axially in line with the penetrating part. The cooling part includes at least one thermal exchange raised portion in contact with the surrounding air. Furthermore, the tip is mounted such that it can be mobile on the mandrel.