Capsule Filling Release Unit with Controlled Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machinery for filling cup-shaped containers with beverages faces issues of accidental product escape due to improper positioning or turbulence, leading to incomplete filling, product buildup, and reduced machine reliability.
Innovation Solution
A release unit with a compacting device that compresses the product within a containing seat, ensuring stable coupling with the seat's walls, and an ejection mechanism that controls the product's escape with a reduced speed to minimize turbulence, preventing accidental release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If product is released at high speed from containing seat, then filling speed is improved, but turbulence causes accidental product escape and poor dosing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping the containing seat with a bottom closure that is opened only at the precise moment when the cup-shaped container is correctly positioned. This prevents premature product release and ensures that product is released only when the container is properly in place, thereby maintaining dosing accuracy while allowing for efficient filling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics through a movable bottom closure in the containing seat that transitions from a closed state during transport to an open state during release. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the operational phase: keeping product contained during movement and enabling controlled release when the container is correctly positioned, thus resolving the contradiction between filling speed and dosing accuracy.
2Device complexity
If product is released before container is correctly positioned, then release timing is simplified, but product escapes to unwanted positions causing waste and machine damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning verification before product release by ensuring the cup-shaped container is correctly positioned relative to the containing seat. The bottom closure remains closed during this positioning phase and only opens when positioning is confirmed, preventing premature release and ensuring product is deposited only in the intended location, thereby maintaining machine reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom closure of the containing seat acts as an intermediary mechanism between the product and the release process. It serves as a controlled barrier that prevents product escape during positioning and transport, and only allows product release when the container is correctly positioned. This intermediary control mechanism prevents product from reaching unwanted positions and damaging machine components.
3Manufacturing precision
If product settles on neck of rigid container, then filling is completed, but sealing of sheet is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by controlling the product release location through the positioned bottom closure opening. The product is released precisely into the body of the cup-shaped container, away from the neck region. This localized release ensures complete filling of the container body while preventing product from settling on the neck, thereby maintaining both filling completeness and sealing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the bottom closure opening to ensure product is released at the correct location within the container. By controlling where the product enters the container before filling occurs, the system prevents product from settling on the neck area, thus ensuring both complete filling and proper sealing conditions.
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
The solution ensures accurate dosing, reduces product waste, maintains machine reliability, and prevents damage from unwanted product contact with moving parts, while being adaptable to various products and container types.
Implementation Method 1
a compacting device (70) for compacting the dose in the containing seat, acting on the dose housed in the containing seat, for compressing the dose
Implementation Method 2
an ejection device (71) for ejecting the dose from the containing seat, acting on the dose housed in the containing seat for causing a controlled escape to the outside of the containing seat
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a unit for releasing product for extraction or infusion beverages in containers (2) forming single-use capsules (3) comprising: at least one seat (S1) for containing a predetermined dose (33) of product having side walls; a device (6) for feeding the product in the containing seat (S1) to define the dose (33); a device (70) for compressing the product in the containing seat (S1); a device (10) for moving the seat (S1) along a closed path (PS); a device (71) for ejecting the dose from the containing seat (S1); a unit (15) for controlling and operating the compacting device (70) and the ejection device (71); the control and operating unit (15) being configured for controlling the compacting device (70) with a force such as to produce a compression which causes a coupling of the dose (33) with the side walls of the containing seat (S1) which prevents, in the operating condition of the unit, the escape of the dose from the containing seat (S1) in the absence of actions mechanical for pushing on the dose.