Plastic Preform Batch Separation With Independent Transport Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively separate and manage plastic preforms with different properties during handling and transport, leading to inconsistent container quality due to mixing and unsynchronized transport processes, particularly when dealing with recycled materials.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with independent control of multiple transport devices, including conveyor belts and starwheels, allows for precise batch separation and alignment of plastic preforms, using detection and control systems to maintain consistent quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If batches of plastic preforms are mixed during handling and transport, then all preforms are treated uniformly in the production process, but the quality of resulting containers becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform treatment of preformsVSAvoidcontainer quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is divided into multiple independently controllable transport devices (first transport device, second transport device, third transport device) that can handle different batches of preforms separately. Each transport device can be controlled independently to maintain batch separation, allowing uniform treatment within each batch while preventing mixing between batches with different material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the system is emptied and refilled to separate batches, then batch separation is achieved, but the process becomes very time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch separationVSAvoidbatch change time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous transport and processing of preforms through multiple parallel transport devices. Different batches can be transported and processed simultaneously without requiring complete system emptying and refilling, enabling continuous production while maintaining batch separation through independent control of each transport device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If batches with different material properties are mixed and supplied into the blow molding machine, then the machine can operate continuously, but container specifications are not met and bottle bursting occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine continuous operationVSAvoidcontainer quality and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple independently controllable transport devices serve as intermediaries between preform storage and the blow molding machine. These transport devices can be controlled to supply only one batch at a time to the machine, acting as a buffer that enables continuous machine operation while preventing mixing of batches with different material properties, thus maintaining both productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260008631A1Apparatus and method for separating batches of transported plastic preforms

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 KRONES AG

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for treating plastic preforms (10) with a receiving device (2), which is suitable and intended for receiving a plurality of plastic preforms (10), with a first transport device (4), which removes the plastic preforms from the receiving device (2) and transports them in a specified transport direction, and with a second transport device (6), which is arranged after 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) can be controlled independently of the transport of the plastic preforms (10) by the second transport device (6).