Rotating Bottle Closure Device with Pivoting Support Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating closing devices for containers, such as bottles, face challenges in securely holding and centering bottles during the closing process, particularly with screw cap closures, due to limited torque absorption and potential tilting, which leads to incorrect closures and increased friction and grinding issues.
Innovation Solution
A rotating closing device with pivoting support segments that encompass a larger circumference of the bottle neck, providing enhanced stability and centering, eliminating the need for external guides and precise height adjustments, and incorporating anti-rotation devices to prevent bottle rotation during screwing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If spike elements or spike carriers are used to secure bottles against rotation, then torque absorption is improved, but the circumferential coverage is limited to a small area and cannot sufficiently hold bottles against tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into multiple support segments (first support segment, second support segment, etc.) that can be distributed around the bottle circumference. Each segment independently provides torque absorption and support, collectively achieving 360-degree circumferential coverage while maintaining the torque absorption capability of individual spike elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed outer guide is added to support the bottle neck area, then bottle centering is improved, but friction losses and grinding effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support segments are designed to be rotatable about vertical axes, allowing them to dynamically adapt to the bottle position and maintain optimal support without creating fixed friction points. This dynamic adjustment enables precise bottle centering while minimizing friction and grinding effects compared to fixed outer guides.
3Loss of energy
If the support surface of the outer guide is minimized to reduce friction, then friction losses are reduced, but the support and guidance effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each support segment is equipped with anti-twist devices (spikes, protrusions, or gripping elements) that provide localized high-friction contact points for reliable torque absorption and bottle holding. The combination of multiple localized support points around the circumference achieves both low overall friction and high support reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If precise height alignment of the outer guide support surface is performed, then bottle vertical orientation is improved, but adjustment time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable support segments automatically self-align to the bottle neck as the bottle is placed on them, eliminating the need for manual height adjustment by operators. The segments' rotational freedom allows them to adapt to slight variations in bottle position and achieve proper vertical orientation automatically, significantly reducing adjustment time and operational complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a circumferential closure device (1) for closing containers (20). The closure device (1) comprises several closure stations (3) for closing the containers (20). Each closure station (3) has at least one closure element (4) that can be lowered and raised, as well as at least one support device (5) provided below the respective closure element (4) for suspending a container (20) by its neck ring (21) or opening. Each support device (5) comprises at least a first and a second support segment (6, 7), wherein the two support segments (6, 7) are pivotable from at least an open position (P1) to a closed position (P2) for supporting the container (20). The first support segment (6) is pivotable about a first vertical axis of rotation (DA1), and the second support segment (7) is pivotable about a second vertical axis of rotation (DA2).Each support segment (6, 7) has a support section (8, 8') equipped with a respective anti-rotation device (9) for the support of the neck ring (21) or the mouth of the respective container (20), wherein the support sections (8, 8') of the support segments (6, 7) together form a support surface supporting the container (20) in the closed position (P2).