Spring-Loaded Side Guide for High-Speed Container Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container ejection systems struggle with ensuring reliable ejection of incorrectly singulated or mispositioned containers at high throughput rates, leading to production stoppages and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A device with a movable side guide section and a spring force element that automatically transitions to an open position when a counterforce exceeds the spring's force, allowing immediate ejection of misaligned containers without additional control, assisted by a blowing device and actuating element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a movable rail system is used to eject containers by pivoting the movable rail to increase the gap between rails, then containers can be diverted from the sorting device, but at high throughput rates the movable rail cannot be moved quickly enough to ensure reliable ejection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection reliabilityVSAvoidrail movement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The side guide section is made movable between a closed guiding position and an open ejection position, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its configuration based on whether containers need to be guided or ejected, enabling rapid response at high throughput rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring force element automatically pushes the side guide section into the open position when a container applies transverse force, enabling autonomous ejection action without requiring external actuation systems, thus achieving fast and reliable ejection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the second lateral guide section is held firmly in the production position to ensure precise container guidance, then guidance accuracy is improved, but the response time to eject incorrectly positioned containers is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer positioning accuracyVSAvoidejection response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spring force element provides a controlled force that maintains the side guide section in the closed position for precise guidance, but allows rapid transition to the open position when ejection is needed, dynamically changing the system state based on operational requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the container itself as the trigger for ejection - when a container is incorrectly positioned, it automatically applies force to the side guide section, which the spring force element converts into rapid opening motion, eliminating the need for separate detection and actuation systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances ejection safety and efficiency by reliably removing incorrectly positioned containers at high throughput rates, minimizing downtime and maintaining continuous production flow.

Implementation Method 1

the device further comprises at least one spring force element which is attached to the second side guide section in such a way that the at least one spring force element presses the second side guide section between the production position and the switching position transversely to the transport direction towards the first side guide section and presses the second side guide section away from the first side guide section between the open position and the switching position transversely to the transport direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the device may have at least one blowing device for blowing out at least one container to be ejected in the open position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow force: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4711311A1Device for ejecting, transport system and installation for producing and/or treating containers
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 KHS GMBH
  • EP4711311A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4711311A1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4711311A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for ejecting at least one container (12), comprising at least one guide (14) for guiding the at least one container along a transport direction (16) with a first lateral guide section (18) and a second lateral guide section (20) arranged transversely to the transport direction and spaced apart from the first lateral guide section, the second lateral guide section being movably mounted between a production position for guiding the at least one container (12) along the transport direction and an open position in which the second lateral guide section is arranged further from the first lateral guide section transversely to the transport direction than in the production position, wherein the second lateral guide section has a switching position between the production position and the open position, wherein the device further comprises at least one spring force element (28) which is attached to the second lateral guide section in such a way thatthat the at least one spring force element pushes the second side guide section between the production position and the switching position transversely to the transport direction towards the first side guide section, and pushes the second side guide section between the open position and the switching position transversely to the transport direction away from the first side guide section. The device exhibits increased ejection safety at a high throughput rate of the guided containers.