Capsule Sealing System Integrating Heating Unit With Filling Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capsule sealing techniques require separate machines and apparatuses, which are costly, require extensive space, and need expert operation and maintenance, making them inconvenient and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A capsule sealing system integrated with the capsule filling machine that uses a heating unit with heat-conductive plates and an engaging mechanism to heat-fuse capsules, eliminating the need for external sealing machines by directly sealing capsules within the filling machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional separate sealing machines are used, then sealing function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidseparate machines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device integrates the sealing mechanism directly into the capsule filling machine by mounting the heating unit on the filling machine. The heating unit comprises a first plate and a second plate with grooves that form circular holes, and an engaging mechanism with pneumatic cylinders that abuts the plates together. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing machines while maintaining reliable sealing function through heat fusion of the capsule cap to its body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate sealing machines are used, then sealing is achieved, but floor space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidfloor space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is mounted on the capsule filling machine, integrating two functions (filling and sealing) into one machine. This eliminates the need for separate sealing machines that would require additional floor space, while the heating unit with its compact plate structure and pneumatic engaging mechanism maintains effective sealing capability within the existing machine footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional sealing machines are used, then sealing operation is achieved, but operation and maintenance difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidexpert operation required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing means automatically maintains pressure between the first and second plates during the sealing operation, and the pneumatic engaging mechanism automatically positions and secures the plates. This self-regulating mechanism reduces the need for expert operation and manual adjustment, making the system easier to operate and maintain while ensuring consistent sealing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution provides efficient, tamper-proof sealing of capsules, reducing the need for external equipment, ensuring positive retention of ingredients, and enhancing handling capacity while being versatile for various types of capsules.

Implementation Method 1

heating unit for mounting on the capsule filling machine and receiving therein a plurality of filled capsules from a capsule holder of the capsule filling machine, the heating unit comprising a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from each other by at least one biasing means, each plate having a plurality of grooves forming a plurality of circular holes between the plates when abutted to each other against the biasing means, to capture and heat seal each capsule at one or more places by heat fusion of at least a cap of the capsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat fusion: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12138227B2Capsule sealing system and method therefor

Publication Date: 2024.11.12 SCITECH CENT

AI summary

A capsule sealing system comprising: a heating unit for mounting on a capsule filling machine and receiving therein a plurality of filled capsules (FC) from the capsule filling machine, the heating unit comprising a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from each other by at least one biasing means, each plate having a plurality of grooves forming a plurality of circular holes between the plates when abutted to each other against the biasing means, to capture and heat seal each capsule; and an engaging mechanism for abutting the first and second plates against the biasing means.