Treatment Machine Movable Format Change Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatment machines for containers, particularly bottles, face inefficiencies and high downtimes during format changes due to the need for extensive modifications when switching between container types of different sizes, leading to increased structural complexity and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The treatment machine incorporates movable format change elements that can be positioned radially or perpendicularly to the rotor's direction of movement, allowing for compact design and efficient adaptation to various container sizes without occupying space between treatment stations, utilizing interchangeable disks and cam mechanisms for seamless container size changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If format change elements are added to adapt to different container sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container carrier is divided into modular format change elements that can be independently positioned. Each element can be individually adjusted radially or perpendicularly to accommodate different container sizes, allowing the system to adapt without requiring complete redesign of the entire carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The format change elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic adjustment between different container formats. The elements can shift positions radially or perpendicularly to the rotor's movement direction, providing flexibility while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If format change elements are positioned to accommodate different container sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the distance between treatment stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the format change elements in the tangential direction (which would increase the distance between treatment stations), the invention positions them radially or perpendicularly to the rotor's movement direction. This dimensional shift allows format adaptation without compromising the compact circular arrangement of treatment stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The format change elements are positioned locally at specific radial or perpendicular locations on the container carrier, rather than uniformly distributing them tangentially. This localized positioning allows for format adaptation while preserving the optimal spacing between treatment stations in the tangential direction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive modifications are made during format changes, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable format change elements enable quick reconfiguration from one container format to another without requiring extensive manual modifications. The elements can be rapidly repositioned radially or perpendicularly, significantly reducing the time required for format changes and minimizing production downtime.
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
This design enables high-performance treatment machines with minimal downtime and reduced structural complexity by allowing format changes without altering the distance between treatment stations, accommodating multiple container sizes efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing interchangeable disks and cam mechanisms for seamless container size changes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a novel treatment machine for bottles or the like containers, comprising at least one transport element (1), a plurality of treatment stations (15, 21) provided on the transport element, said treatment stations carrying respective container supports (3, 3a, 3b). Said container supports can be adapted to different container sizes and/or shapes by virtue of at least one mobile format changing element (5, 5a, 23) when changing the format.