Spheroidal Container Orientation Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bottling plants face challenges in handling and orienting spheroidal containers due to the lack of longitudinal sides, leading to difficulties in processing when they are introduced in varying orientations.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a container feeder, a channel with a longitudinal gap for orienting spheroidal containers upside down, and a twister for inverting them to a right-side up position, assisted by rotatable rods to ensure proper orientation for further processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional bottle transport apparatus are used for spheroidal containers, then the existing infrastructure can be utilized, but the spheroidal containers cannot be properly oriented due to the lack of longitudinal sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with existing bottling infrastructureVSAvoidorientation control of spheroidal containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transport apparatus is divided into distinct functional sections: a feeding mechanism that introduces containers, a channel with longitudinal gaps that receives and orients containers upside-down, and a twister mechanism that inverts them to the correct orientation. This segmentation allows each component to address specific orientation challenges of spheroidal containers without requiring complete redesign of the entire bottling infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The channel is designed to orient spheroidal containers in an upside-down position with the body supported by the channel and the neck portion extending below into the longitudinal gap. This inverted orientation approach allows the containers to be stabilized and oriented despite their spherical shape lacking traditional longitudinal sides for gripping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If spheroidal containers are introduced in different orientations from mass production, then mass production efficiency is maintained, but processing becomes difficult due to varying orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass production efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer orientation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus performs preliminary orientation actions on spheroidal containers before they enter the main filling and processing line. The channel and twister mechanism pre-orient all containers to a consistent right-side-up position, eliminating orientation variations that would otherwise cause processing difficulties downstream while maintaining mass production throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The channel with longitudinal gaps acts as an intermediary device between the mass production input (where containers arrive in various orientations) and the processing line (which requires consistent orientation). This intermediary structure receives containers in any orientation and transforms them into a standardized orientation suitable for subsequent processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a channel with longitudinal gap is used to orient spheroidal containers, then proper orientation is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer orientation controlVSAvoidstructure of handling apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel structure with longitudinal gaps is designed to utilize the container's own weight and geometry to achieve orientation. The spheroidal containers self-align as they move through the channel, with the neck portion naturally extending into the gap, reducing the need for complex external manipulation mechanisms while still achieving reliable orientation control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7753192B2Apparatus and method for orienting spheroidal containers and packaging beverages in spheroidal containers

Publication Date: 2010.07.13 THE COCA COLA CO

AI summary

An apparatus for orienting a spheroidal container comprising a spheroidal body and a neck portion and the method for using the same, the apparatus comprising a container feeder, a channel having a longitudinal gap and arranged for receiving the spheroidal containers from the container feeder and operative to orient the spheroidal containers in an upside down orientation with the body supported by the channel and the neck portion extending below the spheroidal body and into the longitudinal gap; and a twister for receiving the spheroidal containers in the upside down orientation and inverting the spheroidal containers. An apparatus for packaging a beverage in a spheroidal container and the method for using the same, comprising the apparatus for orienting a spherical container and further comprising a filler for receiving the spheroidal containers and filling the spheroidal containers with the beverage, and a sealer for sealing the beverage in the spheroidal containers.