Filling Device Reservoir Valve and Discharge Plunger for Viscous Solids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing piston fillers for viscous foodstuffs and beverages face issues with elaborate cleaning processes, wear, and inefficient handling of solids due to rotary valves, leading to squashed or trapped particles and residue problems.

Innovation Solution

A device with a valve at the base of the fill product reservoir and a discharge plunger in the discharge channel allows for precise and gentle filling of viscous products, including those with solids, by enabling clean separation and division of particles, and simplifies cleaning by eliminating the need for disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If rotary valves are used to control fill product flow, then the filling speed and dosing precision are improved, but the cleaning complexity and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidcleaning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the valve mechanism from the discharge channel and relocates it to the fill product reservoir base. This separation allows the discharge channel to be simplified and easier to clean, while the valve remains in a position where it can be effectively cleaned in situ without disassembly requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the valve at the discharge point where it complicates cleaning, the patent inverts the valve position to the reservoir base. This inversion allows the valve to control flow effectively while being accessible for cleaning from the reservoir side, eliminating the need to disassemble the discharge channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If rotary valves are used to control fill product flow, then the filling speed is improved, but the wear and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidwear

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a wear-resistant valve design that can be easily replaced if needed. The valve is positioned in the reservoir base where it can be accessed for replacement without affecting the discharge channel, allowing for quick replacement of worn components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By inverting the valve position to the reservoir base, the patent reduces wear on the discharge channel components. The valve operates in a position where it can be easily maintained and replaced, improving overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If seat valves are used to control fill product flow, then the filling precision is improved, but the particle handling quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling precisionVSAvoidparticle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flow control function into two distinct locations: the valve at the reservoir base for precise flow control, and the discharge channel for gentle particle handling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge plunger acts as an intermediary element between the dosing cylinder and the discharge channel. It provides a controlled transition that protects particles from damage while maintaining filling precision, serving as a mediator that combines the benefits of precise control with gentle handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If passages are located in the frame of the product hopper, then the structure is simplified, but the product residue and cleaning efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidproduct residue

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the valve mechanism from the discharge channel structure and relocates it to the reservoir base. This extraction simplifies the discharge channel structure while improving cleaning efficiency, as the valve can be cleaned in situ without requiring disassembly of the discharge channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10427811B2Device for filling a container

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 KRONES AG

AI summary

A device for filling a container with a fill product, for example a fill product that is viscous and contains particles, is described. The device includes a fill product reservoir for accommodating the fill product that is to be filled, a dosing cylinder within which a dosing piston is displaceably accommodated for dosing the fill product, and a discharge channel with an outlet end for discharging the fill product into the container that is to be filled. The discharge plunger is disposed in the discharge channel for expelling a product residue at the end of the filling process, and the fill product reservoir, the dosing cylinder, and the discharge channel are in communication with each other via a common product channel. A valve for opening and closing the connection between the fill product reservoir and the product channel is disposed in the base of the fill product reservoir.