Beverage Capsule Assembly Machine with Dual-Side Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for assembling, filling, and sealing capsules for portioned beverages have a large footprint, are difficult to inspect and maintain, lack versatility, and have reduced productivity due to offline sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
A machine design with a longitudinal layout featuring adjustable processing stations and a synchronized sealing device that moves with the conveyor, allowing for flexible configuration and in-line sealing, reducing the need for machine downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the processing stations are mounted at fixed positions on the machine base, then the machine structure is simple, but the machine lacks versatility and cannot be easily adapted to different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the processing stations movable rather than fixed. The stations can be repositioned along the feed path using adjusting means, allowing the machine to adapt to different applications and processing requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If the loading and unloading stations are located at opposite ends of the machine, then the processing layout is straightforward, but the machine has a large footprint and is difficult to inspect and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging processing stations along both lateral longitudinal sides of the machine rather than concentrating them on one side. This distributes the machine's functional elements across multiple dimensions of space, reducing the footprint while improving accessibility for inspection and maintenance.
3Productivity
If the sealing process is performed off-line, then the sealing equipment can be simpler, but machine productivity is reduced due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by integrating the sealing station into the continuous feed path of the machine. The sealing process occurs in-line with other processing operations, eliminating downtime between filling and sealing operations, thereby maintaining continuous productive action throughout the machine.
4Area of stationary object
If the processing stations are distributed along one side only, then the machine layout is simple, but the machine has a large footprint and reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes processing stations along both lateral longitudinal sides of the machine, utilizing the third dimension (lateral distribution) to reduce the machine's footprint. This spatial arrangement improves accessibility while maintaining operational simplicity through symmetric design.
Data Source
AI summary
The machine for assembling, filling and sealing capsules for portioned beverages comprises a station for loading the capsules to be assembled, a station for unloading the assembled, filled and sealed capsules, a plurality of processing stations comprising at least one station for metering a product into the capsules and at least one station for sealing the capsules filled with the product, and an intermittent conveyor for conveying the capsules sequentially along a feed path to the unloading station to the unloading station through the processing stations, the feed path having at least a first stretch which extends along a first lateral longitudinal side of the machine and at least a second stretch which extends along a second lateral longitudinal side of the machine opposite the first lateral side.