Preform Storage with Temperature Control for Blow Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for producing containers from preforms face challenges in ensuring reliable operation and high-quality container production due to variability in preform feeding, which can lead to inconsistent temperatures and potential waste.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a production machine, a blow molding machine, a transport device, and a storage device with a temperature-control device, allowing for synchronized throughput, accurate temperature control of preforms, and efficient handling to minimize waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If preforms are transported directly from production machine to blow molding machine, then transport time is minimized, but temperature consistency deteriorates due to variability in feeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport timeVSAvoidtemperature consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A storage device is introduced as an intermediary between the production machine and blow molding machine. This storage device temporarily holds preforms and allows controlled retrieval, decoupling the direct transport connection while maintaining temperature consistency through the temperature-control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature-control device performs preliminary temperature adjustment on preforms in the storage device before they are fed to the blow molding machine. This ensures that temperature consistency is established in advance, compensating for any variations that occurred during production and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If production machine and blow molding machine are synchronized, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates when preform feeding variability causes backup or idle operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput synchronizationVSAvoidoperational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device acts as a buffer that decouples the production machine and blow molding machine operations. Preforms can accumulate in the storage device when production exceeds consumption, or be retrieved at controlled rates when consumption exceeds production, preventing both backup and idle operation while maintaining synchronized throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the retrieval rate from the storage device based on operational conditions. When the blow molding machine runs fast, preforms are retrieved quickly; when it slows down, retrieval is reduced. This parameter adjustment maintains reliability while preserving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If preforms are stored in storage device, then temperature control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device serves as a dedicated intermediary space equipped with temperature-control capabilities. By isolating preforms in this controlled environment, temperature accuracy is improved without requiring complex temperature control on the entire production line, as the storage device handles thermal management independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Loss of substance

If preforms are fed intermittently from storage device, then waste is reduced by matching demand, but loss of time increases due to intermittent feeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreform wasteVSAvoidfeeding time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding system operates dynamically, adjusting the frequency and quantity of preform retrieval from the storage device based on real-time demand from the blow molding machine. This dynamic operation minimizes waste by feeding only what is needed while optimizing the timing to reduce idle time, balancing both objectives through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system ensures reliable production of high-quality containers by maintaining consistent preform temperatures, reducing waste, and improving operational efficiency through synchronized machine operation and intelligent temperature control.

Implementation Method 1

the storage device comprises a temperature-control device for temperature-control of the preforms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature control: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250135709A1System for producing containers from preforms

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 KRONES AG

AI summary

A system for producing containers from preforms, the system comprising a production machine for producing preforms, a blow molding machine for producing containers from preforms, a transport device for feeding preforms from the production machine to the blow molding machine and a storage device to which preforms can be fed from the transport device at a removal point and transferred to the transport device at a transfer point, wherein the storage device comprises a temperature-control device for temperature-control of the preforms.