Plastic Preform Batch Separation with Independent Transport Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current manufacturing processes for plastic preforms fail to maintain consistent container quality due to mixing of preforms with different compositions, leading to non-compliance with specifications and issues like bottle bursting, especially when using recycled materials with varying properties.

Innovation Solution

A device and method involving independent control of transport devices to segregate plastic preforms based on their properties, using detection systems and sorting units to ensure batch purity, and incorporating heating and forming units to achieve uniform treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If batches of plastic preforms are completely emptied and refilled to ensure separation, then batch separation quality is improved, but production time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebatch separation qualityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by creating a gap between batches before they are fully mixed. The transport device is controlled to stop or slow down, allowing a separation gap to form between different batches of preforms. This preliminary separation action prevents complete mixing while avoiding the need to empty and refill entire batches, thus maintaining batch separation quality without significant production time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If transport devices are synchronized and coupled, then system coordination is improved, but batch separation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem coordinationVSAvoidbatch separation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies dynamics by making the transport device controllable and adjustable during operation. The transport device can change its speed or stop temporarily to create gaps between batches, then resume transport. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain coordination when needed while enabling batch separation when required, resolving the contradiction between system coordination and batch separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If preforms with different material properties are mixed, then handling efficiency is improved, but container quality consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies segmentation by dividing the preform stream into separate batches based on material properties. The transport device creates and maintains gaps between different batches, effectively segmenting the continuous flow. This allows efficient handling of large volumes while preventing mixing of different material types, thus maintaining both handling efficiency and container quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4674595A1Device and method for batch separation of transported plastic preforms
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 KRONES AG
  • EP4674595A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4674595A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4674595A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Device (1) for treating plastic preforms (10) comprising a receiving device (2) which is suitable and intended for receiving a plurality of plastic preforms (10), a first transport device (4) which removes the plastic preforms from the receiving device (2) and transports them in a predetermined transport direction, and a second transport device (6) which is arranged downstream of the first transport device (4) in the transport direction and which is suitable and intended for transporting the plastic preforms (10) in the transport direction, characterized in that the transport of the plastic preforms (10) by the first transport device (4) is controllable independently of the transport of the plastic preforms (10) by the second transport device (6).