Filling Device Flow Regulation Rod for Foam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filling machines struggle to accurately fill containers with products that tend to foam or contain particles, as existing solutions either promote foam formation or are unsuitable for hygiene and particle-containing products.
Innovation Solution
A flow control system using a simple rod within the supply duct to restrict the passage section, allowing the flow to stabilize before exiting, which can be adjusted for different viscosities and product types, and is compact and easy to implement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a valve is used to reduce flow rate at the discharge orifice, then dosing accuracy is improved, but jet stability deteriorates causing splashes and foam formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the flow control function into two separate locations: a first flow control element at the discharge orifice for dosing accuracy, and a second flow control element (the rod) in the supply duct for flow rate reduction. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, maintaining both dosing accuracy and jet stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod acts as an intermediary flow control element placed upstream in the supply duct. It mediates the flow before it reaches the discharge orifice, reducing the flow rate and stabilizing the jet in advance, so that the subsequent dosing operation can proceed with accuracy and without foam formation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stacked grids are added at the discharge orifice to stabilize the jet, then jet stability is improved, but hygiene is compromised for sensitive products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow stabilization function from the discharge orifice area (where grids would be placed) and relocates it to the supply duct upstream. The rod in the supply duct performs the flow stabilization and jet conditioning, eliminating the need for grids at the discharge orifice and thus maintaining hygiene for sensitive products.
3Productivity
If a second seat is provided in the filling spout to limit flow rate upstream of the valve, then flow rate control is improved, but the solution cannot be used for products with pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The rod in the supply duct serves as a universal flow control element that can handle all product types including those with pieces, particles, or high viscosity. Unlike the second seat solution that is restricted to certain products, the rod configuration is universally applicable and can be adjusted for different products, enhancing the system's adaptability.
4Measurement precision
If the valve opening is reduced to achieve low flow rate, then dosing accuracy is improved, but the jet becomes unstable and turbulent
Solution Approach 1:
The rod performs preliminary flow control and jet stabilization upstream in the supply duct before the product reaches the discharge orifice. By pre-conditioning the flow and reducing turbulence in advance, the subsequent dosing operation can achieve accuracy without generating foam or instability at the discharge point.
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 effectively reduces foam formation and allows for precise filling of various products, including viscous and particle-containing ones, while maintaining hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
a flow control system, arranged upstream of the filling spout, formed of a simple rod that it is made to enter the supply duct, in order to reduce the passage section of the supply duct
Implementation Method 2
This passage restriction creates turbulence in the flow
Implementation Method 3
By installing the flow control upstream of the nozzle, the flow has time to stabilize in a more laminar flow, before leaving the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a filling device for a machine for filling containers, comprising a spout (1) having an outlet orifice (13) and a feed orifice (15), and a feed duct (2) connected to the feed orifice. A first actuating system (4) is able to move a valve (31), which is mounted in the spout, between a closed position for closing the outlet orifice (13) and at least one open position. A flow-regulating rod (51) is mounted in a sliding manner in a hole (27) in the feed duct and is able to be moved by a second actuating system (6) between a high flow-rate position, in which said rod is located substantially outside the internal passage (21) in the feed duct, and a low flow-rate position, in which said rod extends into said internal passage in order to reduce the passage cross section of the feed duct.