Servo infeed system for transferring preforms in a container manufacturing facility
First Claim
1. A system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility, comprising:
- a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member;
first sensing means for sensing a transport speed of an oven starwheel in a blowmolding manufacturing facility; and
controller means for controlling movement of said transport mechanism, said controller means being provided input from said first sensing means, whereby said controller means may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel.
21 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member, a first sensor for sensing a transport speed of the oven starwheel, and a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism The controller receives input from the first sensor so that it may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel. The controller is also programmed to instruct the transport mechanism to receive preforms from a supply of preforms at a speed that is less than the speed of the oven starwheel. This reduces the potential for jamming at the interface between the preform supply and the transport mechanism.
22 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility, comprising:
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a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member;
first sensing means for sensing a transport speed of an oven starwheel in a blowmolding manufacturing facility; and
controller means for controlling movement of said transport mechanism, said controller means being provided input from said first sensing means, whereby said controller means may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of retrofitting an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility with an automated feed system, comprising steps of:
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(a) installing a first sensor for sensing a transport speed of an oven starwheel in a blowmolding manufacturing facility;
(b) installing a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member;
(c) installing a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism, the controller being connected so as to be able to receive input from the first sensor; and
(d) testing the system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification