Pivotable Gripping Devices for Container Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing plastic containers with non-circular cross-sections face alignment issues during filling, leading to costly undercuts and machine damage, especially in aseptic applications where traditional alignment modules are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A device with pivotable gripping devices in transport units allows for gradual rotation of plastic containers, eliminating the need for a separate alignment module and enabling precise angular alignment without mechanical intervention at the mold parting line, using existing materials and mechanisms suitable for aseptic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate alignment module is used to rotate containers after blow molding, then the desired alignment in the filling device is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and expensive with additional mechanical intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is merged with the existing transport star mechanism. The gripping devices on the transport star are made pivotable, allowing them to perform both transportation and alignment functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate alignment module.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport star is designed with universal functionality by enabling its gripping devices to perform multiple tasks: transporting containers from the blow molding machine and simultaneously rotating them to the correct orientation for the filling device.
2Manufacturing precision
If an alignment module is retrofitted to existing systems, then alignment capability is added, but the retrofitting requires considerable effort and intervention in the neck finish
Solution Approach 1:
The transport star system is designed to perform alignment automatically as part of its normal operation. The pivotable gripping devices self-adjust to rotate containers to the correct orientation without requiring external alignment modules or complex retrofitting procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mold parting line is adjusted to achieve angular alignment, then alignment is possible, but severe undercuts are created causing removal problems and machine damage
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment action is performed preliminarily during the transport phase before the containers reach the filling device. The pivotable gripping devices rotate the containers to the correct orientation during transportation, eliminating the need to modify the mold parting line and avoiding undercut creation.
4Manufacturing precision
If traditional alignment modules are used in aseptic applications, then alignment is achieved, but the system becomes contaminated and requires non-sterile components
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable gripping devices on the transport star serve as an intermediary mechanism that performs alignment within the sterile environment. Since the transport star and its gripping devices are already part of the aseptic system, they can perform rotation without introducing contamination, unlike external alignment modules.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Device (1) for manufacturing plastic containers, and in particular beverage containers, comprising a forming device (2) which forms plastic preforms (10) into plastic containers, wherein the forming device (2) has a first transport device which transports the plastic preforms during their forming and a filling device (6) arranged in the transport direction (T) of the plastic containers after the forming device (2), which fills the plastic containers with a liquid, wherein the device has a further second transport device (4) which transports the containers from the forming device (2) to the filling device (6), wherein the second transport device has at least a first transport unit (42) and a second transport unit (44) which transport the plastic containers (25), wherein these two transport units (42, 44) each have a movable carrier (52,54) having a plurality of gripping devices arranged on each of which are suitable and intended for gripping the plastic containers, characterized in that these gripping devices (42a, 44a) are each pivotably arranged relative to these supports (52, 54) such that a gripping device (42a, 44a) with a plastic container (25) held by this gripping device can be pivoted about a predetermined pivot angle (a).