A dosing apparatus, and machine and method for producing unit dose articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing detergent pods face inefficiencies due to the need for nozzles to return to a start position after filling one set of cavities before starting another, limiting speed and number of filled cavities, and the issue of fluid splashing during dispensing, which can lead to poor sealing and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with independent first and second nozzle support bodies moving along a closed-loop path with adjustable nozzle positions to maintain constant distance from cavity walls, reducing splashing and enabling simultaneous operation of nozzles for increased efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nozzles move along a closed-loop path and return to start position after filling one set of cavities, then the filling process can be continuous, but the speed of the filling process is limited and the number of cavities that can be filled in a given time period is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing unit is divided into multiple independent nozzle support bodies (first nozzle support body, second nozzle support body, etc.), each capable of independently moving along the closed-loop path and filling different sets of cavities. This segmentation allows parallel operation of multiple nozzles, increasing the number of cavities filled per time period while distributing the return time across multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nozzle support bodies operate simultaneously on the closed-loop path, ensuring that while one set of nozzles is returning to the start position, other nozzles are actively filling cavities. This continuous operation eliminates idle time and maximizes productivity by maintaining constant filling action throughout the cycle.
2Productivity
If fluid compositions are dispensed quickly into cavities, then filling efficiency is improved, but the fluid may splash out of the cavities leading to poor sealing and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle support bodies and nozzles are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic control of nozzle position and movement characteristics. The nozzles can be positioned at optimal distances from cavity walls and adjusted to match different fluid viscosities, enabling high-speed dispensing without splashing by adapting the dispensing parameters to each specific situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of dispensing parameters including nozzle-to-cavity distance, dispensing speed, and nozzle positioning based on fluid viscosity and other characteristics. By dynamically changing these parameters, the system achieves both high filling speed and precise control to prevent splashing, resolving the contradiction between productivity and sealing quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dosing apparatus for a machine for producing unit dose articles, comprising a first dosing unit (50) and a second dosing unit (52), each dosing unit (50, 52) comprising: - a nozzle support body (54, 56) carrying a plurality of nozzles (58, 60) and - a movement control unit (66, 68) configured for moving the respective nozzle support body (54, 56) along a closed-loop path (70), wherein the movement control units (66, 68) of the first and second dosing unit (50, 52) are configured for moving the respective nozzle support bodies (54, 56) independently of each other along the closed-loop path (70).