Vent tube apparatus, system and methods with traceable cap for vent tube intrusion detection
a technology of intrusion detection and vent tube tips, which is applied in the direction of packaging goods, liquid handling, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of product waste, inability to detect plastic foreign objects through aluminum, and use of expensive x-ray systems
Inactive Publication Date: 2015-07-09
ENPRO INC
View PDF15 Cites 10 Cited by
- Summary
- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
This patent aims to solve the problem of vent tube intrusion during the filling process of containers in the beverage manufacturing industry. The solution is to incorporate a replaceable vent tube cap with a traceable material, such as a magnet or RFID tag, into each vent tube or replaceable vent tube cap, and utilize an associated monitoring system. This allows for consistent detection of any vent tube or vent tube cap that becomes detached from the filling machine during the high-speed operations. The monitoring system can have immediate information that the vent tube has detached from the filling system and precisely which container the vent tube or vent tube cap is located. This technology helps improve operational efficiency and prevents contamination during production.
Problems solved by technology
As described above, when a plastic vent tube falls into aluminum can as it is being filled, the inductive and capacitive technologies normally used to detect metal vent tube, cannot detect the plastic foreign object through the aluminum can.
As a result expensive X-ray systems are used or product is considered waste.
Method used
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View moreImage
Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Smart ImageViewing Examples
Examples
Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test
Embodiment Construction
[0038]As described herein, product, such as cola or beer, is transferred from the production, brewing or fabrication stage to the packaging stage to be individually packaged for sale. This transfer process is known as the fill or filling process and utilizes automatic high-speed filling equipment to fill and seal thousands of containers each minute. Often, these automatic filling machines are of the rotary filler type, which may vary in size from 40, 60, 72, 100, 120 or 180 fill valves and vent tubes per machine, allowing for the filling of thousands of containers each minute that the machine is in use.
[0039]FIG. 1 shows a typical rotary bottle or can filler 10, such as one manufactured by KHS AG, which incorporates vent tubes 12 in the filling (and venting) process. In general terms and as described in more detail herein, a vent tube 12 come in contact or near contact with a container 14 prior to filling the container 14 with the product (not shown). Once a container 14 is in the c...
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More PUM
Login to View More Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a non-traceable vent tube and a traceable vent tube cap apparatus, system and methods incorporating a traceable material such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or a magnet for use in conjunction with a filling machine during container filling operations for a quicker and more accurate detection of the location of the non-traceable vent tube or the traceable vent tube cap after becoming detached from a filling machine during filling operations, and to increase the safety of the filling operation and reduce costs and time when a malfunction occurs.
Description
PRIORITY STATEMENT[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 335,258 filed Jan. 4, 2010, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 984,414, filed Jan. 4, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,739,841, issued Jun. 3, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 268,769, filed May 2, 2014.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]The present disclosure relates to traceable vent tubes and removable vent tube tips or caps incorporating one or more detectors or indicators for use in conjunction with a filling machine during container filling operations to increase the safety of the filling operation and reduce the associated cost and time when a malfunction occurs. In particular, the present disclosure relates to food or beverage vent tubes and removable vent tube tips incorporating a magnet or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and can incorporate other types of tags or traceable material allowing for a quicker and more accurate detection of an intrusion (and the location) ...
Claims
the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More Application Information
Patent Timeline
Login to View More IPC IPC(8): B65B3/18B65B57/00
CPCB65B57/00B65B3/18B67C3/007B67C2003/2602
Inventor COOK, GRANTNAMIE, DANIEL
Owner ENPRO INC