Automated Dummy Bottle Sanitizing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual application and removal of dummy bottles for sanitizing filling nozzles in liquid fillers, especially for glass bottles, significantly lengthens the sanitizing process due to the need for deep nozzle penetration, making the process inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A filler with automated lowering and rotating mechanisms for a dummy bottle, equipped with a fluid-dynamic actuator and cam system, allows for synchronized movement to position the dummy bottle vertically below the nozzle, facilitating automated and efficient sanitizing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual application and removal of dummy bottles is used for sanitizing filling nozzles, then the sanitizing process can be performed, but the process time is significantly lengthened and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy bottle is equipped with a self-activating mechanism that automatically positions itself under the nozzle and activates sanitizing mode when the nozzle approaches, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system uses the nozzle's own movement to trigger the dummy bottle's response, making the process autonomous and significantly faster.
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy bottle is pre-positioned in a ready state with its activation mechanism primed. When the nozzle approaches during the filling cycle, the dummy bottle is already prepared to immediately switch to sanitizing mode and position itself, eliminating setup time and enabling rapid sanitizing operations.
2Productivity
If the nozzle penetrates deep into the container for optimal liquid dispensing in glass bottles, then dispensing performance is improved, but it becomes particularly difficult to fit the dummy bottle to the nozzle for sanitizing
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy bottle employs a dynamically adjustable mechanism that can change its position and configuration based on the nozzle's depth and orientation. The dummy bottle can extend or retract, and adjust its angle, to match the deep penetration requirements for glass bottle dispensing while maintaining easy attachment for sanitizing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A filler for introducing a liquid into a container comprising a rotating carousel (2) comprising a plurality of filling stations (20) in turn comprising a first filling station (21); the first filling station (21) in turn comprising: - a liquid dispensing line comprising a first liquid dispensing nozzle (210) for dispensing liquid into a container; - a dummy bottle (30) for receiving a sanitising fluid dispensable from the first nozzle (210) and used for sanitising at least a part of the liquid dispensing line; - lowering/raising means (4) for lowering/raising the dummy bottle (30); - movement means (5) for moving the dummy bottle (30) around a vertical rotation axis (31) to move the dummy bottle (30) between a first configuration in which the dummy bottle (30) is not located below the first nozzle (210) and a second configuration in which the dummy bottle (30) is located below the first nozzle (210).