Elastic Container Discharge Roller Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for emptying viscous substances from elastic containers, such as drums and sacks, face challenges including impractical size and cost issues, contamination from air and impurities, variable flow rates, and inefficiencies in maintaining even discharge, especially when dealing with large containers.

Innovation Solution

A discharge device featuring a cylindrical winding roller and counter pressure roller, where the container is attached to the hollow inner part of the winding roller and rotated to wind the shell material around it, with an actuator to control the torque and maintain a constant flow rate, and a control curve to adjust operations based on container size, substance properties, and desired flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fixed-structure drum containers are used to store and transport viscous substances, then the substances can be stored and transported, but the container size is relatively small requiring frequent changes and the emptying apparatus becomes impractically large and expensive when package size is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer sizeVSAvoidemptying apparatus size and cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an elastic sack container that can dynamically change shape and deform during the emptying process, allowing the container to adapt to the emptying apparatus rather than requiring a rigid, oversized apparatus. The elastic material enables the container to be compressed and manipulated by the rollers effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs an elastic sack container with a flexible shell instead of a rigid drum. This flexible shell can be deformed by the emptying apparatus, allowing efficient emptying with a compact device. The elastic material enables the container to conform to the apparatus and be effectively compressed to discharge contents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If fixed-structure drum containers are used, then substances can be stored, but air and impurities may end up in the substance during container changes, adversely affecting substance properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance purityVSAvoidcontainer changing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous emptying operation where the elastic sack can be continuously fed through the apparatus and emptied without interruption. The flexible container can be continuously supplied from storage and emptied in a continuous process, avoiding the interruption and air exposure that occurs during discrete container changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic sack acts as an intermediary that can be sealed and protected during storage, then continuously fed through the emptying apparatus. This intermediary container type allows for better sealing and protection of the substance, preventing air and impurity contamination during the transfer and emptying process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If air enters the system during container changes, then container handling is simplified, but the air impedes administration of the substance, preventing even and controlled discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer handlingVSAvoidsubstance administration evenness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a controlled environment by using an elastic sack that can be sealed and handled in a way that minimizes air contact. The continuous feeding mechanism maintains a more controlled atmosphere around the substance, reducing air entrapment and ensuring more even discharge during administration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Quantity of substance

If sack-like containers with elastic shells are used to transport and store substances, then larger package sizes are possible, but the emptying is difficult and the flow speed of discharged substance varies, making use difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer sizeVSAvoidemptying control and flow consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses the dynamic elasticity of the sack material to enable controlled emptying. The elastic shell can be dynamically deformed by the rollers, allowing the flow rate to be controlled by the mechanical action on the elastic material rather than being unpredictable as in static sack emptying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual or uncontrolled mechanical emptying methods with a controlled roller system. The rollers apply controlled mechanical pressure to the elastic sack, substituting uncontrolled gravity-driven emptying with a controlled mechanical system that regulates flow speed and consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Adaptability or versatility

If sack-like containers are used, then storage flexibility is improved, but significant substance is left inside the container as waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidresidue waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous feeding and emptying process ensures that the elastic sack is completely emptied as it passes through the apparatus. The continuous action allows the rollers to progressively compress and empty the entire contents, leaving minimal residue compared to discontinuous emptying methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention effectively recovers nearly all of the substance from the container through the continuous roller compression process. The elastic sack can be completely emptied and then discarded, maximizing substance recovery and minimizing waste compared to traditional sack emptying that leaves significant residue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 enables efficient, controlled emptying of high viscosity substances from large elastic containers, reducing waste and contamination, improving work safety, and allowing for automation, while maintaining a consistent flow rate and adapting to different container sizes and processes.

Implementation Method 1

a container (108) attached to the discharge device (100), the shell material (108a) of which is elastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the rollers are arranged so that friction keeps the sack in place if the emptying is stopped for a while

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2750986B1Discharge device for an elastic packing container and method for discharging an elastic container
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 PRO HYDRO
  • EP2750986B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750986B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2750986B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention has a discharge device (100) for discharging a container (108) containing a viscous substance and having an elastic shell material. The discharge device has a winding roller (105) and a counter pressure roller (114) and an actuator (102) for rotating the winding roller and a control part (101) for controlling the actuator. The inner part (111) of the winding roller is hollow, a there is therein an attaching arrangement (106), where the shell material of the container to be discharged is attached. Additionally the shell of the winding roller has an opening, in which opening there is a lid part (110) which can be opened, and the lid part has a shape (112) for the shell material of the container attached to the attaching arrangement. The winding roller is rotated so that the shell material of the container attached to the attaching arrangement is wound around the winding roller. The winding roller and counter pressure roller are pressed against each other so that the shell material of the container winding around the winding roller passes between the rollers. The emptying is adjusted so that the flow of content discharged from the container remains at a set constant. This adjustment is controlled with a control curve stored in the control part, which curve has at least the torque of the winding roller as a function of the turning angle.