Removable Support Ring for Preform Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing stretch blow molding process for plastic bottles is limited by the need for a support ring that is injection molded with the preform, which restricts the dimensions of the preform and bottle, increases material usage, and lacks flexibility for data storage and recycling.
Innovation Solution
A removable support ring with a data carrier, such as an RFID transponder, is used that can be separately attached to the preform, allowing for larger bottle diameters and enabling efficient material use and data storage for tracking purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the support ring is injection molded together with the preform, then the preform structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the cross-sectional diameter of the preform is limited and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The preform is divided into two separate components: the preform body and the support ring. The support ring is separately manufactured and then attached to the preform body, allowing independent optimization of each component's dimensions and material usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The separately manufactured support ring and preform body are combined through attachment (e.g., ultrasonic welding, adhesive bonding, or mechanical interlocking) to form the complete preform assembly, achieving both manufacturing flexibility and structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support ring is injection molded together with the preform, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but material usage increases by approximately 20% of the preform neck weight
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is segmented from the preform body, allowing it to be manufactured separately from optimized material quantities and attached only where needed, reducing overall material consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring can be designed as a removable component that can be discarded after its function is fulfilled, or recovered and reused in subsequent production cycles, reducing material waste.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the support ring is injection molded together with the preform, then the preform structure is more stable, but design possibilities of the bottle are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the support ring from the preform body, each component can be independently designed and optimized for its specific function, allowing greater versatility in bottle designs while maintaining structural stability through proper attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring can be designed with adjustable or flexible attachment mechanisms that allow adaptation to different bottle designs and configurations, providing both stability and design flexibility.
4Length of moving object
If a separate gripping ring is attached to the preform, then the outer diameter can be increased for better gripping, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring serves dual functions: it provides the necessary outer diameter for gripping and handling, while also acting as a structural support element for the preform, thereby reducing overall device complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The support ring is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides gripping surfaces, structural support, and potential attachment points for other components, eliminating the need for separate gripping mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a preform (11) for producing plastic containers, in particular plastic bottles, in a two-stage stretch blow moulding method, the preform comprising an elongate body (13), a base (15) formed on a first longitudinal end of the body (13), a neck portion (17) formed on a second longitudinal end of the body (13) and lying opposite the first longitudinal end, a pouring opening (19) provided on the neck portion (17), and a support ring (21) projecting radially from the body and separating the neck portion from the body. The support ring (21) is a separate support element which can be interlockingly fixed on the preform (11).