Rotary Thermoplastic Preform Conveying With Vacuum Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary-type transport devices for thermoplastic preforms lack the ability to precisely and reliably maintain the angular position of preforms during transport, especially for applications requiring preferential heating, leading to issues such as random angular variation, marking of preforms, and inefficient format changes, which affect the quality and production rate of containers.

Innovation Solution

A rotary-type transport device with support means that cooperate with the preform's neck collar and immobilization means using vacuum suction to maintain the preform's position, combined with an optical detection system to ensure precise angular orientation and immobilization, allowing for rapid customization to different preform formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If preforms are supported axially by an annular collar without immobilization, then the transport device is simple in structure, but the angular position of preforms varies randomly during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position maintenanceVSAvoidimmobilization system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a pneumatic immobilization system using a movable plate with radial notches that receive the preform neck, combined with axial support from an annular collar. The movable plate can be positioned to immobilize the preform angularly while maintaining axial support, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable angular position maintenance through pneumatic/mechanical interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The immobilization function is segmented into two independent components: axial support by the annular collar and angular immobilization by the movable plate with radial notches. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without complicating the overall structure, as the collar handles axial positioning while the plate handles angular stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If clamp jaws are used to grip preforms, then preforms are immobilized during transport, but the clamping force leaves marks on the preform surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreform immobilizationVSAvoidsurface marking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical clamping jaws with a pneumatic immobilization system using a movable plate that receives the preform neck in radial notches. This pneumatic/mechanical system immobilizes the preform through geometric constraint rather than clamping force, eliminating surface marking while maintaining reliable immobilization during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable plate with radial notches acts as an intermediary between the preform and the immobilization system. Instead of direct contact between clamp jaws and preform body, the neck and notches serve as the interaction interface, distributing forces and eliminating concentrated clamping marks on the preform surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If format changes are implemented in gripper transport devices, then different preform types can be handled, but the change process requires significant downtime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreform format flexibilityVSAvoidformat change downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transport device uses segmented, modular components including the movable plate with notches and the annular collar that can be independently adjusted or replaced. This modularity enables rapid format changes by simply reconfiguring the notched plate positions or collar dimensions without requiring extensive dismantling, thus reducing downtime while maintaining adaptability to different preform formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures precise and reliable angular positioning of preforms during transport, enabling efficient preferential heating and reducing downtime for format changes, thereby improving container quality and production rates.

Implementation Method 1

immobilization means using vacuum suction to maintain the preform's position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3781381B2Process and device for rotationally conveying preforms made of thermoplastic materials

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a process and device (100) for rotationally conveying preforms (10) made of thermoplastic materials comprising at least one body (12) and a neck (14), the conveying device (100) comprising at least: - holding means (130, 132, 136) designed to cooperate with a collar (20) on the neck (14) of the preform(10) in order to retain the preform (10) axially during its conveyance; and - immobilising means apart from the holding means (130, 132, 136) and designed to apply selectively an immobilisation force on a portion (26) of the body (12) of the preform (10) in order to immobilise the preform (10) in a given position.