Oval Plastic Container Temperature Control via Radial Mandrel Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing non-circular plastic containers face challenges such as high vertical forces during temperature control, alignment issues, and inconsistent treatment times due to the use of pneumatic cylinders, leading to deviations in the temperature profile application and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device with a temperature control unit on a rotatable carrier, featuring contacting devices that move tangentially and pivotally to apply a specific temperature profile to the plastic preforms, reducing vertical forces and enabling precise alignment, and a feed device that maintains constant vertical height during transfer, coupled with an actuator device for synchronized movement of contacting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a mandrel moves vertically into the plastic preform opening for temperature control, then the preform can be tempered, but high vertical forces are generated that exceed the clamp's holding capacity and may cause preform damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insertion direction from vertical (longitudinal axis) to horizontal (radial direction). The mandrel is inserted laterally through the carrier's opening perpendicular to the preform's longitudinal axis, transforming the force direction and eliminating excessive vertical loads on the clamp while achieving the same temperature control function
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed support assemblies are used to counteract vertical forces, then the preform can be held stable, but the preform twists during insertion which compromises alignment precision
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the insertion direction to horizontal, the patent eliminates the twisting moment that occurs with vertical insertion. The lateral approach allows the mandrel to enter the preform opening without inducing rotational forces, maintaining both stability and alignment precision simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If pneumatic cylinders are used for opening and closing embossing plates, then the contacting devices can be actuated, but switching time varies between stations leading to inconsistent treatment times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pneumatic cylinders with a mechanical cam-based actuation system. The cam profile mechanically controls the opening and closing motion of embossing plates, providing deterministic and consistent switching times across all stations without the variability inherent in pneumatic systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism provides periodic, rhythmically controlled motion to the embossing plates. Each cam station follows a predetermined cyclic pattern of opening and closing, ensuring uniform treatment time at every station through mechanically enforced periodicity
4Length of moving object
If a large vertical stroke is used for inserting preforms between embossing plates, then the preform can be positioned, but the traversing carriage becomes complex and expensive with high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical insertion motion to horizontal radial insertion motion. The mandrel travels horizontally along the carrier's radius rather than vertically, dramatically reducing the stroke length requirements and simplifying the traversing mechanism while achieving the same positioning function
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 simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces deviations between treatment stations, and ensures a consistent temperature profile, improving the quality of the shaped containers by minimizing vertical movements and using a more precise and efficient temperature control mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device 2 which heats plastic preforms
Implementation Method 2
a temperature control device 4 for (in particular partial and in particular in the circumferential direction of the plastic preform partial) temperature control of the plastic preforms heated by the heating device 2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Device (1) for manufacturing plastic containers with a heating device (2) which heats plastic preforms (10) and with a forming device (6) arranged downstream of this heating device (2) in a transport direction of the plastic preforms (10), which forms the plastic preforms into the plastic containers, wherein a temperature control device (4) for temperature control of the plastic preforms (10) heated by the heating device (2) is provided in the transport direction of the plastic preforms between the heating device and the forming device (6), wherein this temperature control device (4) has at least one temperature control unit (40) arranged on a carrier (42) rotatable about a predetermined axis of rotation (D) and this temperature control unit (4) has at least two contact devices (44, 46) between which at least one section of the plastic preform can be received, wherein these contact devices (44,46) are movable relative to each other along a predetermined direction (B). According to the invention, the predetermined direction (B) runs at an angle other than 0° relative to a radial direction (R) of the support (42).