Filling Device Can Positioning via Underpressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can filling devices face design complexity and contamination risks due to centering bells, which can contaminate both the cans and the fill when used for filling liquids.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a pressureless, free-jet filling method with temporary mechanical or underpressure fixation of cans on the rotor and filling element support, avoiding direct contact between the filling element and the can opening to prevent contamination, and employing clamping mechanisms or underpressure to secure the can in place during filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If centering bells are used to fix and center the can on the filling element, then the can position is accurately fixed, but the design complexity increases and contamination risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the centering bell component entirely from the system. Instead of using a centering bell to fix and center the can, the patent employs a different approach where the can is guided into position by the filling nozzle geometry itself and the can's own rim structure, eliminating the problematic centering bell that caused both design complexity and contamination issues
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary guiding structure in the form of a guide ring or guide element that is integrated into the filling nozzle assembly. This guide element mediates between the can and the filling element, providing the necessary positioning function without requiring direct contact between the filling element and the can opening, thus avoiding contamination while maintaining positioning accuracy
2Manufacturing precision
If centering bells touch the can opening to fix the can position, then the can is centered accurately, but contamination of the can and fill occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the centering bell component that causes contamination. The positioning function is achieved through alternative means that do not involve contact between the filling element and the can opening, thereby eliminating the contamination source while preserving centering accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact-based centering system (centering bell touching the can) with a non-contact or minimal-contact positioning system. The can is centered through geometric guidance and positioning features that do not require the filling element to touch the can opening, substituting the contaminated mechanical contact system with a clean positioning mechanism
3Reliability
If the can bears against the filling element during filling, then the can is securely positioned, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a guide ring or positioning element as an intermediary between the can and the filling element. This intermediary provides the necessary mechanical support and positioning stability while preventing direct contact between the filling element and the can opening, thus maintaining positioning reliability without the contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the positioning function from the filling function. The guide ring or positioning element handles the can positioning and support, while the filling element is dedicated solely to dispensing the fill. This segmentation allows the can to be securely positioned without the filling element needing to bear against the can opening, eliminating contamination while maintaining positioning stability
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 solution simplifies the design, reduces contamination risks, and ensures accurate positioning of cans relative to the filling element, maintaining high operational reliability and preventing contamination of the cans and the fill.
Implementation Method 1
free-jet filling is to be understood to mean a method in which the liquid fill flows in a free jet of fill towards a can that is to be filled
Implementation Method 2
the can is fixed at least temporarily with respect to the rotor by an underpressure acting on the can bottom
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for filling cans with an uncarbonated liquid fill includes a rotatable rotor, can holders, filling elements, a can-pickup station, a can set-down station, and either a movable clamping element or an underpressure acting on a can's bottom. The filling operation is either pressureless filling, free-jet filling, or hot free-jet filling. During a filling operation, the rotor moves a can from the pick-up station to the set-down station. Either the clamping element or the underpressure then fixes the can to either a circumferential side with respect to the rotor or a filling-element support.