Rotating Disk Preform Alignment with Tapered Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing preform alignment apparatuses, such as roller and vibration bowl types, struggle to effectively align and supply wide-mouthed preforms for food preservation containers due to their diverse shapes and heavy weight, often resulting in instability and surface flaws.
Innovation Solution
A rotating disk-type preform alignment apparatus with pockets that hold preforms upright, utilizing gas jetting units and a rotating blade system to ensure preforms are aligned and discharged in a normal posture, accommodating various shapes and preventing alignment issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If roller type aligning machine is used, then narrowmouthed preforms can be aligned, but wide-mouthed preforms cannot be sufficiently dealt with due to diverse shapes and inability to support on rollers in a single direction
Solution Approach 1:
The pocket structure is designed with a tapered inner peripheral surface that can accommodate various preform shapes (wide-mouthed, narrowmouthed, different neck shapes) while maintaining stable support. The pocket serves multiple functions: guiding preform insertion, supporting diverse geometries, and enabling upright positioning through its conical surface geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal roller support to vertical pocket insertion. Preforms are inserted upright into pockets rather than being supported horizontally on rollers, changing the dimensional orientation of support from lateral to vertical, which stabilizes diverse preform shapes.
2Productivity
If vibration bowl type aligning machine is used, then preforms can be aligned, but the capacity to align and supply preforms is relatively low and surface flaws are apt to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the vibration bowl's mechanical vibration and tumbling mechanism with a direct vertical insertion system. Preforms are fed upright into pockets without vibration-induced tumbling, eliminating surface flaws while maintaining high alignment capacity through continuous vertical feeding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Preforms are guided into pockets in a predetermined upright orientation before alignment occurs. The tapered pocket surface performs the alignment action as the preform is inserted, eliminating the need for subsequent vibration-based repositioning and reducing cycle time.
3Manufacturing precision
If preforms are laid down in a groove for alignment, then beverage bottle preforms can be aligned, but wide-mouthed preforms are not stable in a laid-down state and alignment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of laying preforms down horizontally in grooves, the invention inverts the approach by having preforms stand upright vertically in pockets. This inversion provides inherent stability for wide-mouthed preforms with low centers of gravity, as the tapered pocket surface naturally supports them in an upright position.
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
The apparatus efficiently aligns and supplies preforms in a stable upright position, preventing surface flaws and ensuring reliable alignment and supply capabilities for diverse preform shapes, enhancing the alignment and supply capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a gas jetting unit (40) for jetting gas from outside the pocket and from below the pocket
Data Source
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AI summary
A rotating disk-type preform alignment apparatus 1 including a disk 10, which is rotationally driven about a rotation axis tilted from a vertical direction, and a partition wall 28 erected outwardly of the disk, the apparatus being adapted to align preforms 100, which have been supplied onto the disk, at the peripheral edge of the disk and discharge the aligned preforms from a discharge section, the apparatus comprising: pockets 30 arranged side by side in a circumferential direction at the peripheral edge of the disk, each pocket having an opening portion into which the preform is dropped, and each pocket having a holding portion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion for holding the preform in an upright state; and a gas jetting unit 40, provided outwardly of the disk between a region where the preforms are supplied onto the disk and the discharge section, for jetting a gas from outside the pocket and from below the pocket, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the opening portion of the pocket has a tapered shape imitating the trunk shape of the preform.