Removable-Cover Clean Room for Plastic Preform Blow Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for shaping plastic preforms into containers face challenges with complex and time-consuming assembly and maintenance of modules within limited clean rooms, particularly transport devices, due to their size and the need for in-situ assembly.
Innovation Solution
A transport device with rotatable carriers and removable cover for a clean room, allowing pre-assembled modules like transport starwheels to be easily inserted or removed, and a sealing device with a detachable cover for simplified assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If transport devices are assembled inside the clean room, then the apparatus can be set up with all components in place, but the assembly process becomes exceptionally time-consuming and laborious due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into modular components (clean room, transport devices, shaping stations) that can be pre-assembled separately and then integrated. The removable cover allows the clean room to be opened into sections, enabling modular assembly outside the clean room environment.
Solution Approach 2:
Transport devices and other modules are pre-assembled outside the clean room before being installed into the final configuration. This preliminary assembly work can be performed in a more spacious environment, reducing the time and labor required during final installation.
2Area of stationary object
If the clean room size is limited, then the apparatus fits in available space, but installation and replacement of modules becomes complicated and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The cover device is designed to be movable and removable, transforming the static clean room into a dynamic structure that can be opened for module installation and closed for operation. This allows flexible access to the interior space without requiring permanent openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The clean room is segmented by the removable cover into accessible and protected zones, allowing modules to be installed or replaced without compromising the integrity of the entire clean room environment.
3Loss of time
If transport devices are pre-assembled outside the clean room, then assembly time is reduced, but the clean room must be opened for module installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover device provides dynamic access control to the clean room, allowing it to be opened for module installation and securely closed for sterile operation. This maintains the sterile environment while enabling efficient module replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover device is extracted or removed from the clean room structure during installation phases, allowing pre-assembled modules to be introduced, and then reattached to restore the clean room's sealed environment.
4Reliability
If the cover device is permanently fixed, then the clean room maintains its sealed environment, but module replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cover device transitions from a fixed state during operation to a removable state during maintenance, providing both seal integrity and ease of repair without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cover design is prepared in advance, allowing quick access for module replacement while maintaining seal integrity during normal operation. The cover can be rapidly detached and reattached without complex procedures.
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
Facilitates efficient and time-saving installation and removal of pre-assembled modules, reducing cycle times and operational complexity in clean room environments.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing device in order to seal the clean room from a non-sterile environment. Furthermore, this sealing device has at least one and preferably at least two circumferential channels which can be filled or are filled with a liquid.
Implementation Method 2
heated plastic preforms are shaped into plastic containers by applying a flowable medium—in particular, compressed air
Implementation Method 3
the shaping stations each have stretching devices for stretching the plastic preforms in their longitudinal direction. These stretching devices each have at least one stretching rod which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the plastic preforms and which can be inserted into the plastic preforms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into containers, having a transport device, which transports the plastic preforms to be shaped along a transport path, wherein the transport device has a rotatable transport carrier wherein a plurality of shaping stations are arranged. The shaping stations each have blow-molding devices which the preforms are shaped by applying a flowable medium. The shaping stations have application devices which apply the flowable medium to the preforms, wherein the shaping stations have stretching devices for stretching the preforms in a longitudinal direction. The stretching devices have at least one stretching rod which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the preforms and can be inserted into the plastic preforms. The device has a clean room, which the plastic preforms are expanded into the plastic containers, and a sealing device to seal the clean room from a non-sterile environment, and closed with a cover device.