Rotating Transfer System with Configurable Partition for Container Handling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer systems for containers or parisons in bottling plants are structurally complex due to the need for moving parts, such as star-wheels, which complicates the separation and cleaning of adjacent environments, particularly in nonaseptic conditions where prevention of microbiological contamination is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A transfer system comprising a first and second rotating unit with pick-up elements and a configurable separation element that can switch between positions to enable or prevent communication between the environments, allowing for simplified structure and operation in two conditions: container exchange and sanitization/cleaning, using a control unit and movement means like a cam sector and elastic member to facilitate these transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a transfer star-wheel with moving parts is used to transfer containers between adjacent units, then the transfer function is achieved, but the structural complexity increases and the cleaning/sanitization process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the transfer mechanism into two separate rotating units, each positioned in its own adjacent environment. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex star-wheel structure that moves between environments, allowing each unit to rotate independently and simplifying the overall device structure while facilitating easier cleaning and sanitization of each environment separately.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall with an opening acts as an intermediary element between the two adjacent environments. The opening allows containers to pass from one rotating unit to the other without requiring the rotating units themselves to move between environments. This mediator approach simplifies the structure by keeping the rotating units stationary in their respective environments while still enabling transfer functionality.
2Reliability
If the transfer star-wheel is manually or automatically reversed to free the opening for closure, then the separation of environments is achieved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall with the opening is designed to be movable between a closed position (separating environments) and an open position (allowing transfer). This dynamic element allows the system to switch between separation and transfer modes without requiring complex reversing mechanisms for the entire star-wheel, reducing structural complexity while maintaining environmental separation reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If detergents are used for cleaning cycles in nonaseptic conditions, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of corroding and damaging components increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the system into two separate environments with the partition wall, the cleaning process can be applied to one environment at a time while the other environment remains operational. This segmentation allows for effective use of detergents in the isolated environment being cleaned, minimizing the risk of corrosion and damage to components in the operational environment while still achieving thorough cleaning when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
A transfer system (1) for transferring containers or parisons, comprising: - a first rotating unit (2) and a second rotating unit (3), respectively arranged in two adjacent environments (200, 300), pick-up elements (4) for picking up the containers or the parisons being installed on each of said rotating units (2, 3); - a separation element (5) of the environments (200, 300), which is configurable in at least a first position in which it separates the two environments (200, 300) so that the transfer of the containers or the parisons from one environment to the other is prevented, and a second position in which it enables communication between the two environments (200, 300) so that the rotating units (2, 3) are facing at an exchange zone (6) of containers or parisons. at least one of the pick-up elements (4a) of the first rotating unit (2) being movable between a position of maximum distance and a position of minimum distance from the centre (C) of the first rotating unit (2).