PET Container Cooling and Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing and filling PET containers do not adequately cool the containers, leading to stress cracks and leaks, especially when filled with CO2-containing products.
Innovation Solution
A method involving blow molding followed by precise cooling of PET containers using a liquid cooling medium, with temperature measurement on the inner wall of the container bottom to ensure sufficient stability before filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If containers are cooled externally with liquid cooling medium, then cooling effect is achieved, but sufficient cooling is not achieved and stress cracks still develop
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling process is divided into multiple sequential cooling zones along the transport path, with each zone applying cooling to different sections of the container. This segmented approach ensures thorough cooling of the entire container surface, including areas that external spraying might miss, thereby preventing stress cracks while achieving sufficient temperature reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature measurement is performed before cooling to determine the initial container temperature, allowing the cooling process to be optimized in advance. This preliminary measurement enables the system to adjust cooling parameters to achieve the required temperature reduction while preventing stress cracks.
2Measurement precision
If temperature measurement is performed on inner wall of container bottom, then accurate temperature assessment is achieved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature sensor is introduced as an intermediary element that contacts the inner wall of the container bottom to measure temperature directly. This intermediary measurement approach provides accurate temperature data from the critical location without requiring complex non-contact measurement systems, thereby achieving precision while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex external cooling monitoring systems with a simple internal temperature sensor that directly measures the container bottom temperature. This substitution of measurement approach provides accurate temperature assessment at the critical location with minimal added complexity.
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
The method effectively prevents stress cracks in PET containers by ensuring they are cooled to a stable temperature before filling, thereby reducing leaks and maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
During cooling, the containers, in particular on their outer sides, are exposed to a cooling medium. The cooling medium is in particular a liquid cooling medium, preferably in the form of water.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing and preferably filling containers (2), in particular bottles, made of thermoplastic material, the method comprising the following steps: producing the containers (2) by blow molding; cooling the containers (2), in particular by applying a cooling medium (16), in particular a liquid one, to their outer surface, the method comprising the following steps: measuring the temperature of the containers (2), in particular the temperature on an inner wall of the container base (2.2), after the containers (2) have cooled. The invention further relates to an apparatus for producing and preferably filling containers (2).