Movable Transfer Segments for Container Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment devices face inefficiencies in throughput and compactness due to dead times and additional kinematic requirements, limiting their performance and expandability in bottling and packaging systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple movable transfer segments along a transport path, allowing for continuous and sequential movement to a container handling device, utilizing a linear drive and modular design for enhanced efficiency and compactness, with optional movement curves for handling various container types, including carbonated beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single transport track segment is used to move containers to the treatment device, then the device structure is simple, but dead time occurs when the segment returns and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transport track is divided into multiple segments (first transport track segment, second transport track segment, third transport track segment) that can operate independently and sequentially. This segmentation allows continuous operation where one segment can be returning while another is delivering containers, eliminating dead time and increasing throughput.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional kinematics are added to moving parts to achieve necessary movement for container handling, then handling capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical movement (lifting and lowering) of transport track segments as a new dimension of motion. Instead of complex horizontal repositioning mechanisms, segments are lifted to elevated positions for container transfer and then lowered for return travel, achieving versatile container handling through vertical dimensionality rather than complex horizontal kinematics.
3Productivity
If the transport device is designed for high performance and throughput, then productivity increases, but the device size and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested configuration where transport track segments are arranged in vertical layers (elevated positions and ground level). The first segment operates at an elevated position while the second and third segments operate at ground level, creating a compact three-dimensional structure that achieves high throughput without proportionally increasing horizontal footprint.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10A-10F) for treating containers (12), comprising a container treatment device (20), several movement devices (16) configured to each hold at least one container (12), and a transport track (14) along which the several movement devices (16) are movable. Several transfer segments (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) of the transport track (14) are sequentially movable to the container treatment device (20) for treating the containers (12) held by the respective group of movement devices (16). Advantageously, the use of the several movable transfer segments (28, 29, 30, 31, 32) enables only minimal dead times to occur at the container treatment device (20).