Transfer Star Design for Simultaneous Container Supply and Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment machines experience a loss angle due to separate transfer stars for supply and discharge, which impairs throughput by creating a gap where no treatment can occur.
Innovation Solution
The machine design includes a transport element with two transfer stars that rotate about a vertical axis, allowing simultaneous supply and discharge of two containers each, with overlapping paths to minimize the loss angle and increase throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate transfer stars are used for supply and discharge of containers, then the machine structure is simple and easy to operate, but a loss angle is created where no container treatment can take place, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the supply and discharge functions into a single transfer star mechanism. The transfer star is configured with container receptacles that can simultaneously receive untreated containers from the supply star and transfer treated containers to the discharge star, merging what were previously separate operations into one integrated system. This eliminates the loss angle between separate transfer stars while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by arranging container receptacles at different height levels on the transfer star. Untreated containers are transferred at a first height level while treated containers are transferred at a second height level, allowing simultaneous supply and discharge operations without interference. This vertical separation resolves the spatial conflict that would otherwise create a loss angle.
2Productivity
If two containers are supplied and discharged simultaneously at successive treatment stations, then throughput increases and loss angle is minimized, but the transfer star configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer star is segmented into multiple container receptacles arranged at different angular positions and height levels. Each receptacle is independently configured to hold and transfer containers, allowing the system to handle multiple containers simultaneously at different treatment stations. This segmentation enables parallel operations without requiring a completely new transfer mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer star is designed as a universal mechanism that performs multiple functions: it supplies untreated containers to treatment stations, receives treated containers from treatment stations, and manages both supply and discharge operations in a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms while maintaining operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A container-treatment machine having plural treatment stations for treating containers includes a transport element that rotates about a vertical machine axis, thereby moving the treatment stations circumferentially. A first transfer star supplies untreated containers simultaneously to corresponding treatment stations that are next to each other in the circumferential direction. A second transfer star removes treated containers simultaneously from corresponding treatment stations.