Deformable Filling Duct Suction for Powder Residue Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for filling bags with powdery particles face issues with powdery particle accumulation inside the supply duct and in the working area, leading to hygiene problems and complicating cleaning, especially in industries like food, pharma, and chemicals, where cleanliness is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A device with a deformable supply duct and suction mechanism where the duct cross-section is reduced after filling, combined with suction, to minimize particle adhesion and enhance suction efficiency, ensuring minimal particle release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If the supply duct is cleaned frequently to remove powdery particle accumulation, then hygiene standards are maintained, but production time is lost and cross-contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowdery particle accumulationVSAvoidcleaning frequency and production time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs suction at the end of each filling cycle as a preliminary cleaning action before the next product batch. This eliminates the need for frequent separate cleaning operations during production, maintaining hygiene standards while minimizing production time loss and cross-contamination risk between batches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If suction is applied continuously to remove powdery particles, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but product loss from the supply duct increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspended powdery particlesVSAvoidproduct loss from supply duct
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delays suction until the end of filling when the bag is full, allowing the product to settle at the bottom of the supply duct first. This preliminary settling action creates a stable product layer that is not disturbed by suction, removing only suspended particles while preventing product loss that would occur with continuous suction during filling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device effectively reduces powdery particle accumulation, maintaining a cleaner environment and improving suction power, thus enhancing hygiene and simplifying cleaning processes.

Implementation Method 1

suction means (18) arranged in fluid communication with said inner volume of said supply duct and being operable for removing the powdery particles contained in said inner volume at least when the closing means are in said first closing position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

an elastically deformable second section (14) arranged between said first and second ends, said second section being arranged with respect to said closing means such that it is deformable by said closing means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4458686B1A device for removing powdery particles of a machine for filling a bag and corresponding machine and method
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 TECNICAS MECANICAS ILERDENSES
  • EP4458686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4458686B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4458686B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A device (2) for removing powdery particles of a machine (1) for filling a bag (100) with a product (104) comprising at least powdery particles is disclosed. The device (2) comprises a supply duct (4) with an inlet and outlet ends (6, 8) for receiving a filling mouth (102) of said bag (100). The supply duct (4) further comprises a first bellows section (12) and an elastically deformable second section (14), closing means (10), movable between: an open position, and a first closing position to reduce the inner cross section of said second section (14). Also, one first linear actuator (16) is arranged to deform said first bellows section (12) in length and suction means (18) are arranged in fluid communication with the supply duct (4), operable for removing said powdery particles contained in the supply duct (4). The invention further relates to a machine and a method for removing powdery particles in the machine.