Preform Injection Point Removal via Cooling Apparatus Stamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preforms for stretch blowing methods often have an undesirable injection point that can lead to contamination, stress cracks, uneven material distribution, and visual imperfections in bottles, and current removal methods are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
The injection point on the preform is pushed onto a stamp during the cooling process using negative pressure, allowing for deformation and elimination without additional machinery, utilizing a screw head or similar stamp integrated into the cooling apparatus to minimize dimensions to less than 1 mm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the injection point is removed by cutting, burning or brushing, then the injection point is eliminated, but the process becomes time-consuming and cost-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The stamp is positioned in the cooling apparatus before the preform is inserted, so that when the preform is cooled under negative pressure, the injection point is automatically pressed onto the stamp and removed without requiring additional removal steps
Solution Approach 2:
The injection point removal function is merged with the existing cooling apparatus by integrating a stamp into the cooling chamber, allowing both cooling and injection point removal to occur simultaneously in the same device without requiring separate removal equipment
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the injection point is removed by additional machining steps, then the injection point is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: cooling the preform and simultaneously removing the injection point through the stamp mechanism, eliminating the need for separate dedicated removal equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The preform itself facilitates the removal process by being inserted into the cooling apparatus under negative pressure, which automatically presses the injection point onto the stamp without requiring external intervention or complex removal mechanisms
3Productivity
If the injection point is not removed, then production time is reduced, but contamination and stress cracks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The injection point is removed during the cooling process itself, which is a necessary step anyway, so the removal occurs at no additional time cost to the production cycle while eliminating contamination and stress crack risks
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling process is combined with the injection point removal function, so that one operational step achieves both thermal processing and defect elimination without requiring separate operations
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 method effectively eliminates the injection point, preventing contamination and stress-related issues in the bottle, while reducing production time and costs by integrating the process into the cooling step, resulting in a smoother, stronger, and more visually appealing container.
Implementation Method 1
the injection point formed on the preform during injection molding is pushed by the negative pressure onto a stamp
Implementation Method 2
a preform is produced by injection molding, which has no or a very small injection point. Further, no material fibers or sharp edges are present on the injection-molded preform
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a preform includes inserting the preform, while still hot after having been injection molded, into a cooling apparatus, which cooling apparatus has an internal space, the inner contours of which conform to the outer contours of the preform. A negative pressure is generated between the inner contours of the internal space (29) and the outer contours of the preform. The injection point created on the preform during injection molding is pushed by the negative pressure to a stamp present on the inner contour and pressed to the stamp.