Preform Heat Treatment Blocking Element for Neck Heating Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat treatment units for preforms in container manufacturing heat the necks of preforms unintentionally due to radiation dispersion, which can lead to unwanted deformation and require inefficient ventilation to cool the necks.
Innovation Solution
A blocking element is interposed between the rows of preforms to absorb and reflect radiation from heating elements, preventing neck heating while maintaining effective heating of the preform bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If preforms are moved in two rows between heating walls, then heat treatment efficiency is improved and unit size is reduced, but radiation dispersion causes unwanted heating of preform necks
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into wall-mounted heating elements and localized blocking elements positioned between rows. This segmentation allows selective blocking of radiation paths to necks while maintaining heating of preform bodies, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and unwanted neck heating.
Solution Approach 2:
Blocking elements are introduced as intermediary components between the heating walls and the preform necks. These intermediaries absorb or reflect radiation, preventing it from reaching the necks while allowing the heating process to continue efficiently for the preform bodies.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation is used to cool preform necks, then neck heating is reduced, but the body area requiring deformation heating is also cooled
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful heating effect is extracted and blocked specifically at the neck region using blocking elements, while the body region continues to receive full heating. This selective extraction avoids the problem of ventilation cooling the body area needed for deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thermal conditions are applied to different parts of the preform: the neck region is protected from excessive heating by blocking elements, while the body region receives full heating radiation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between protecting necks and heating bodies.
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
Effectively prevents neck heating without reducing body heating, ensuring uniform and efficient preform heating for deformation, and avoiding the need for targeted cooling.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking element extending between the first row and the second row so as to block radiation emitted by the first heating element towards the second gripping and moving system and to block radiation emitted by the second heating element towards the first gripping and moving system
Implementation Method 2
at least one blocking element extending between the first row and the second row so as to block radiation emitted by the first heating element towards the second gripping and moving system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Preform heat treatment unit comprising an element for blocking radiation towards the neck of the preforms The heat treatment unit comprises: - a first wall (26), comprising a first heating element (28), and a second wall (30), comprising a second heating element (32), - a first system for gripping and moving (34) a first plurality of preforms (1) on a first row (R1), - a second system for gripping and moving (36) a second plurality of preforms (1) on a second row (R2). The heat treatment unit comprises a blocking element (37) extending between the first and second rows (R1, R2) in order to block radiation emitted by the first heating element (28), respectively the second heating element (32), towards the second gripping and moving system (36), respectively towards the first gripping and moving system (34).