Preform Orienting and Feeding via Air Stream Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for orienting and feeding elongated objects, such as preforms, face challenges in achieving rapid and accurate processing, particularly at higher throughput rates, where interlocked assemblages form downstream, leading to increased recycling yields and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating agitating means, like a directed air stream, to disperse interlocked preform assemblages closer to the input end of the conveying belts, ensuring they are processed individually and reducing the formation of locked assemblages that prevent proper seating in the gap between belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher throughput feed rates are used, then productivity increases, but interlocked assemblages form downstream causing increased recycling yields
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream source directs an air stream at the assemblages of preforms before they can interlock downstream, dispersing them into individual preforms that can be properly oriented and fed. This preliminary action prevents the formation of interlocked assemblages that would otherwise cause recycling and reduce reliability at higher throughput rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical agitation or manipulation of preforms with a pneumatic system (air stream source). The air stream provides a contactless mechanism to disperse interlocked assemblages, avoiding mechanical complexity while maintaining effectiveness at high throughput rates
2Productivity
If belt speeds are increased to maintain throughput, then productivity increases, but operational acceptability decreases due to high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream acts as an intermediary mechanism between the preform supply and the conveying belts. Instead of relying solely on high belt speeds to maintain throughput, the air stream mediates by dispersing assemblages and ensuring proper preform orientation, allowing the system to operate at acceptable belt speeds while maintaining high productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If complex rotating tables with deflecting surfaces are used, then object orientation is achieved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical rotating tables with a simpler pneumatic system. The air stream disperses preform assemblages and allows preforms to be oriented by the conveying belts themselves, eliminating the need for complex rotating mechanisms while maintaining orientation accuracy and enabling faster processing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the orientation function from the complex rotating table system and transfers it to the conveying belts. The air stream removes the interfering assemblages, allowing the belts to directly orient and convey preforms, simplifying the overall system while improving speed
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 approach significantly reduces the recycling yield, allowing for increased throughput feed rates without unacceptably high belt speeds, improving the apparatus's efficiency and operational acceptability by ensuring preforms are properly oriented and fed.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating agitating means, like a directed air stream, to disperse interlocked preform assemblages
Implementation Method 2
ensuring they are processed individually and reducing the formation of locked assemblages that prevent proper seating in the gap between belts
Data Source
AI summary
The present improvement is useful for orienting and feeding blow molded preforms. Cylindrical preforms have larger threaded necks with larger encircling discs below the necks. A pair of belts is provided for conveying objects downstream. The gap between these belts is less than the disc diameter of the preforms. An output means is provided for receiving the oriented objects and directing them downstream. A means is provided at the output of the belts for deflecting any improperly oriented preforms back for recirculation. An increase in the feed rate of the preforms is achieved by an agitation means such as a blower positioned to disperse the interlocked assemblages and help move the preforms down into the belts.