Beverage Capsule Machine Vertical Transport Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage capsule machines have low productivity per unit time and are cumbersome due to the need for multiple operating stations, which increases costs and reduces operating speed.
Innovation Solution
A beverage capsule machine with a compact structure featuring a transport element with sequential pockets and a closing station that uses a cutting unit or magazine to form and apply sealing sheets from a continuous web, ensuring high-speed and accurate sealing of capsules with reduced waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the belt is made wider to form two or more juxtaposed rows of pockets, then productivity per unit time is increased, but the machine becomes more cumbersome and expensive with increased device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple pockets in a single row to a vertical arrangement with multiple rows of pockets stacked above each other. This dimensional change allows multiple capsules to be processed simultaneously without increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing machine width and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing operation is divided into multiple sequential sealing lines (first sealing line, second sealing line, etc.) that operate in sequence along the vertical path of the pockets. Each sealing line handles one row of pockets, allowing the machine to process multiple rows without requiring all sealing devices to operate simultaneously in parallel, thus reducing complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple operating stations are installed to increase productivity, then output per unit time is improved, but operating speed is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transport belt operates continuously, moving pockets through all sealing lines without stopping between operations. The sealing stations operate in continuous sequence as pockets pass by, eliminating idle time and maintaining high operating speed while processing multiple capsules simultaneously through the vertical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pockets are pre-positioned and aligned on the transport belt before reaching the sealing stations. The sealing sheets are pre-cut and ready for application. This preliminary preparation ensures that when pockets arrive at each sealing line, the sealing operation can proceed immediately at high speed without additional setup or positioning time.
3Device complexity
If a single production line with step by step operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity per unit time is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the production line by stacking multiple rows of pockets vertically. This allows multiple sealing operations to occur simultaneously in different vertical levels while maintaining a single continuous transport path, thereby increasing productivity without adding horizontal complexity or multiple separate production lines.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for making single use capsules (1) for extract or infusion beverages includes: a transport element (8) for transporting rigid containers (2) and being closed in a loop around movement apparatus (9); a feeding station (11) for feeding the rigid containers (2) into respective pockets (10) of the transport element (8); a dosing station (12) for dosing the product into the rigid container (2); a closing station (13) for closing the rigid container (2) with a piece of sheet (7); an outfeed station (14). The closing station (13) includes a unit (500) for preparing and feeding single pieces of sealing sheet (7) correlated with the shape of the upper aperture (4) of the rigid container (2); transfer apparatus (17) by which individual pieces of sealing sheet (7) are withdrawn sequentially and continuously from the preparing and feeding unit (500) and by which the selfsame pieces (7) are transported and delivered to a sealing wheel (19) adapted to seal the piece of sealing sheet (7) to the rigid container (2).