Dosing Assembly Valve Slider Plate for Granular Fill Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling equipment struggles to incorporate fill materials into the filling process without requiring significant modifications, especially when dealing with non-liquid materials, leading to cleaning issues and equipment durability problems.

Innovation Solution

A dosing assembly with a valve assembly and product hopper system that allows for the selective movement of a valve slider plate to direct fill materials from an inlet to an outlet, utilizing both gravity and pneumatic forces to deliver fill materials into containers during the filling process, without needing extensive changes to the equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fill material is provided to the flowable material prior to filling, then the fill material can be added to the process, but cleaning problems occur and equipment durability is negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add fill material to filling processVSAvoidequipment durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filling system is segmented into separate functional zones: a first filling region for receiving flowable material, a second filling region for receiving fill material, and a transfer region for moving fill material between zones. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific material type, preventing contamination and cleaning issues while maintaining equipment durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the first and second filling regions, selectively moving fill material from the first region to the second region during the filling process. This intermediary system enables fill material addition without direct contact between fill material and the flowable material handling systems, avoiding cleaning problems and equipment wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fill material is added before, during or after filling, then dosing flexibility is improved, but equipment modifications are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing flexibilityVSAvoidequipment modifications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filling equipment is designed with multi-functional regions that can handle different material types (flowable material and fill material) within the same filling head assembly. The first and second filling regions share common structural elements while providing independent dosing capabilities, allowing dosing flexibility without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each material type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The first filling region and second filling region are merged within a single filling head assembly, with both regions capable of receiving and processing different materials simultaneously. This merging approach integrates multiple dosing functions into one equipment unit, providing dosing flexibility while minimizing the need for extensive equipment modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If a valve slider plate with transfer dose cavity is used, then precise fill material delivery is achieved, but valve assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill material delivery precisionVSAvoidvalve assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve slider plate is designed to dynamically move between different positions (first position for receiving fill material, second position for transferring to second filling region). This dynamic positioning allows the transfer dose cavity to selectively communicate with different regions as needed, achieving precise fill material delivery while using a relatively simple sliding mechanism rather than complex multi-component valve assemblies.

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 the efficient and flexible integration of various fill materials into the filling process, maintaining equipment durability and operational efficiency by allowing fill material delivery before, during, or after filling without extensive equipment modifications.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing both gravity and pneumatic forces to deliver fill materials into containers during the filling process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

utilizing both gravity and pneumatic forces to deliver fill materials into containers during the filling process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic force: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11040787B2Dosing assembly for use with a filler, a valve for a dosing assembly and a method of providing a fill material

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 HYVIDA BRANDS INC

AI summary

A dosing assembly for a filler including a valve assembly, a product hopper, a containment system and an attachment bracket. The dosing assembly can be coupled to a filler (for example, after filling, and prior to closing, capping or covering a container) for dispensing a dose of a fill material into the container. The fill material may comprise any number of different granular materials, including, but not limited to magnesium particles.