Quick-Change Format Part for Secure Container Transport Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container transport devices with bolted format parts require frequent replacement due to wear and tear, leading to time-consuming and costly maintenance, and pose challenges in cleaning, especially when handling food and beverage containers.

Innovation Solution

A format part design featuring a base body with a guide profile and locking arms that allows tool-free, quick change and precise positioning, eliminating the need for bolts and enabling easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If format parts are bolted to the container transport device, then precise positioning and secure attachment are achieved, but replacement time increases and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The format part is divided into modular components: a base body with guide profile, locking arms, and container support areas. This segmentation allows the format part to be quickly detached and replaced without tools while maintaining secure attachment during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arms are designed to be movable between a locked position (providing secure attachment) and a released position (allowing quick removal). This dynamic mechanism enables rapid replacement without tools while maintaining reliability during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If format parts are bolted to the container transport device, then precise positioning is achieved, but cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bolted connection is completely removed from the design. Instead, the format part uses a tool-free quick change mechanism with guide profile and locking arms that allow easy detachment for cleaning, while still achieving precise positioning through the guide profile geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arms provide a dynamic connection that can be easily released for cleaning purposes. The mechanism allows the format part to be quickly removed from the container transport device, enabling thorough cleaning of previously hard-to-reach areas around fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If format parts are made replaceable, then adaptability to different container formats is improved, but component wear and tear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer format adaptabilityVSAvoidcomponent durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The format part is designed as a modular, segmented component that can be easily replaced when worn. The base body with guide profile and locking arms constitutes a self-contained unit that can be quickly swapped to accommodate different container formats or replace worn components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The format part is designed as a relatively simple, easily replaceable component rather than a permanent fixture. When wear and tear occurs, the entire format part can be quickly replaced without complex disassembly, accepting that these are shorter-lived components that prioritize adaptability and ease of replacement over long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4707228A1Format section for supporting a container during transport
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 KHS GMBH
  • EP4707228A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4707228A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4707228A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a format part (1) for supporting a container (2) during transport, in particular for supporting a PET bottle. According to the invention, the format part (1) comprises a base body (4) having a guide profile (3) for securing the format part (1) to a container transport device, a container support area (5) arranged in the region of the base body (4) for supporting the container (2), and two locking arms (9a, 9b) arranged on the base body (4) for additionally securing the format part (1) to the container transport device, wherein the guide profile (3) and the two locking arms (9a, 9b) for securing the format part (1) to the container transport device are designed and arranged in such a way that a tool-free quick change of the format part (1) is possible.