Preform Handling With Mouth-Down Feeding and Overturning Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blow molding machines face issues such as preform damage during manipulation, especially with non-standardized shapes and large mouths, requiring multiple manipulator devices upstream and downstream of the conditioning oven.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a feeding line and setdown device that supports preforms with downward mouths, using overturning elements to change orientation to upward, and a pickup device to handle preforms efficiently, allowing for various diameters and shapes without engaging the external surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If clamping manipulator devices are used to handle preforms, then the preforms can be transferred between conveyor and blow molding apparatus, but the preforms may be damaged during manipulation especially when heated or have non-standardized shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreform handling capabilityVSAvoidpreform integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical clamping manipulator system with a gravity-based passive transfer system. Preforms are oriented vertically and transferred through gravitational force and controlled release mechanisms, eliminating the need for active clamping that damages preforms. The supporting elements guide preforms through the heating zone and transfer points without mechanical gripping forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional handling approach by orienting preforms vertically with mouths upward instead of horizontal positioning. This inversion allows gravity to assist in the transfer process and enables handling at the base rather than the mouth, eliminating clamping damage while maintaining transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If multiple manipulator devices are used upstream and downstream of the conditioning oven, then preform transfer is possible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreform transfer functionVSAvoidnumber of manipulator devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple manipulator devices into a single integrated supporting element system. The same supporting element that holds the preform through the conditioning oven also facilitates transfer at both entry and exit points, eliminating the need for separate manipulator devices upstream and downstream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting elements are designed to perform multiple functions: holding preforms during conveyance, guiding them through the conditioning oven, and facilitating transfer at both entry and exit points. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized manipulator devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If clamping devices are used on preforms with large mouth dimensions, then transfer is possible, but the handling becomes problematic and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer efficiencyVSAvoidhandling reliability for large mouth preforms

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the handling interaction from the preform mouth area to the base area. By supporting and transferring preforms at their bases rather than clamping the mouths, the system eliminates the problematic interaction with large mouth dimensions while maintaining efficient transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4440812B1Apparatus for handling preforms

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ACMI BEVERAGE SPA

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AI summary

An apparatus (1) for handling plastic preforms, which comprises a feeding line (10) for preforms (50) that comprise a preform body (51) and a preform mouth (52), the feeding line (10) being arranged upstream of a conditioning oven (2) for the preforms (50), a setdown device (20) for the preforms (50) being provided which is located downstream of the conditioning oven (2) and is designed to feed the preforms (50) to a transfer or blow-molding carousel, the conditioning oven (2) being associated with a closed conveyance circuit (3) which comprises a plurality of supporting elements (4) which are configured to support respective preforms (50); the feeding line (10) is provided with a feeding device (11) designed to feed the preforms (50), the respective mouths (52) of which are directed downward, to respective supporting elements (4), and in that the setdown device (20) comprises an overturning element (21) which is adapted to pick up the preforms (50), the respective mouths (52) of which are directed downward, and to move them in order to bring them to a pickup condition in which the respective mouths (52) are directed upward, the setdown device further comprising a pickup device (40) designed to pick up the preforms (50) in the pickup condition from the overturning element (21) in order to feed them to the transfer or blow molding carousel.