Control Ring Arrangement for Liquid Filling Machine Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling machines face challenges in effectively and safely removing glass breakage residues from clamping zones, leading to health risks and operational inefficiencies, particularly in high-output beverage filling machines.

Innovation Solution

A media-carrying control ring arrangement that guides a fluid medium along the rotor circumference, eliminating the need for additional piping and allowing for adjustable and targeted cleaning, equipped with nozzle units and a height-adjustable design to ensure reliable residue removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional piping assemblies are installed to supply cleaning medium to protective covers, then cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoidpiping assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control ring is designed to serve dual functions: it provides mechanical support/control for the filling machine and simultaneously acts as a fluid conduit for delivering cleaning medium to protective covers. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate piping assemblies while maintaining effective cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the control ring structure with the fluid delivery system by integrating fluid conduits directly into the control ring. This combination consolidates two separate systems (mechanical control and fluid supply) into a single integrated component, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If cleaning assemblies with additional piping are installed, then residue removal is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue removal effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control ring serves multiple purposes including structural support, control element mounting, and fluid delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, simplifying production while maintaining effective residue removal capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conventional piping assemblies are used for cleaning, then cleaning function is provided, but the system becomes less adaptable to different cleaning needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidcleaning configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid delivery system integrated into the control ring allows for flexible configuration and adaptation of cleaning medium delivery to different protective covers and cleaning requirements. The system can be dynamically adjusted to suit various cleaning needs without requiring rigid pre-installed piping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient, individual, and needs-based removal of glass breakage residues, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by providing effective cleaning and sanitization without the complexity of additional piping assemblies.

Implementation Method 1

the control ring (6) is designed to guide a fluid medium, in particular a cleaning medium or a sanitizing medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through conduit:

Implementation Method 2

at least several nozzle units (10), in particular spray nozzle units, for dispensing the fluid medium guided in the control ring (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4054971B1Control ring arrangement for use in an apparatus for filling containers with liquid contents, and apparatus for filling containers with liquid contents
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 KHS GMBH
  • EP4054971B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4054971B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054971B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for filling containers with liquid contents. The apparatus (1) has a rotor (2) which is drivable circumferentially about a vertical machine axis (MA) and which has a plurality of filling elements (4) arranged in a distributed manner along the circumference of the rotor for filling the containers with the liquid contents. Furthermore, there is a stationary control ring arrangement (5) which concentrically encloses the vertical machine axis (MA) and the rotor (2) and comprises a plurality of columnar supporting and carrying units (5.1-5.6) arranged in a distributed manner about the rotor circumference and a circumferential, open control ring (6) borne by said supporting and carrying units and having two free control ring ends (6.1, 6.2) which are opposite each other. The control ring (6) is particularly advantageously designed to guide a liquid medium.