Pivotable Locking Lever for Reusable Bottle Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable plastic bottles in beverage bottling plants often shift during cleaning, disrupting the alignment of the spray nozzle and bottle mouth, leading to inconsistent interior cleaning due to existing holding devices that apply mechanical stress and require manual intervention for opening and closing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivotable locking lever that can transition between locking and removal positions, allowing for secure and gentle container handling without manual access into the container cell, utilizing a locking mechanism with complementary elements for reliable and low-maintenance operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring-loaded bottle holders are used to hold plastic bottles in the container cell, then the bottles can be secured in position, but mechanical stress is applied to the bottles and manual intervention is required to open and close the holders
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to be movable between a locked position (where it engages with the bottle) and an unlocked position (where it releases the bottle). This dynamic mechanism allows automatic locking during insertion and easy unlocking by moving the lever, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining holding stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever automatically engages with the bottle when it is inserted into the container cell, providing self-locking functionality. The lever's design allows it to snap into place without requiring manual operation, and it can be easily disengaged by simple lever movement, making the system self-servicing.
2Reliability
If resilient locking devices are used to secure plastic bottles, then the bottles can be held firmly, but mechanical stress is placed on the bottle mouth area during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever transitions from a retracted position during insertion to an engaged position after insertion is complete. This dynamic sequence ensures the bottle is not stressed during insertion, and only after the bottle is safely in place does the lever engage to provide secure locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle is first inserted into the container cell in a state where the locking lever is not engaged, avoiding mechanical stress during insertion. Only after the bottle is properly positioned does the locking lever engage to secure it, separating the insertion and locking actions.
3Extent of automation
If the locking device requires manual access into the container cell to open and close, then the locking mechanism can be directly controlled, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever automatically engages with the bottle during insertion without requiring manual intervention. The design allows the lever to snap into the locked position automatically, and unlocking can be achieved by simple external manipulation of the lever, eliminating the need for manual access into the container cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever is positioned and operated from outside the container cell, extracting the control mechanism from the interior space. This allows operators to lock and unlock bottles without reaching into the container cell, simplifying operation and reducing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for transporting a container (100) in a container cleaning system, preferably for transporting a reusable plastic bottle in a bottle cleaning system of a beverage bottling plant, comprising a container cell, preferably with a container cell insert (10), for receiving the container (100) and a locking device (2) for locking the container (100) in the container cell, wherein the locking device (2) comprises at least one locking lever (20) pivotable between a locking position and a removal position.