Retractable Carrier Wheel for Container Closure Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supplying container closures, such as crown caps, to closing devices face challenges including difficulty in access and cleaning, particularly with certain filler types, and a high fault probability due to collisions with chamber fillers or their seals.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a rotatable carrier wheel that is displaceable between an operating position and a retracted position, allowing for improved accessibility and ease of maintenance, as well as precise adaptation to different treatment pitch circles. The carrier wheel can retract suddenly to prevent collisions with closing units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a carrier wheel is used to supply container closures individually to the closing device, then the supply precision is improved, but the accessibility and ease of cleaning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier wheel is made displaceable between an operating position (for precise supply) and a retracted position (for accessibility). This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between precision mode and maintenance mode, resolving the contradiction between supply precision and ease of cleaning.
2Manufacturing precision
If the carrier wheel is positioned close to the transfer position for precise supply, then the supply precision is improved, but the risk of collision with closing units worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier wheel can be dynamically retracted from the transfer position when collision risk is detected, and positioned precisely when safe. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance precision and safety based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by retracting the carrier wheel before a collision can occur, based on predictive detection of potential hazards. This prevents the harmful effect of collision while maintaining precision during normal operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier wheel is fixed in position for stable operation, then the operational stability is improved, but the adaptability to different pitch circles worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier wheel is made adjustable and displaceable, allowing it to adapt to different pitch circles while maintaining operational stability during each operation cycle. The system switches between stable operation modes for different configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for supplying a container closure to a closing device for closing a container with a container closure, includes a rotatable carrier wheel for transporting a container closure from a supply position, at which the container closure to be supplied is supplied from a closure supply, to a transfer position, at which the transported container closure is received by a closing device, wherein the carrier wheel is configured so as to be displaceable between an operating position corresponding to the transfer position, and a retracted position in which the carrier wheel is spaced from the transfer position. The device also includes a scraping unit configured to remove the container closure held by the closing device. The scraping unit is mounted upstream of the rotatable carrier wheel with respect to a movement direction of the closing device. A closing device including the device is also described.