Beverage Filling Element Controlled Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage bottling machines face issues with carbonated beverages bubbling up during pressure relief, leading to spillage and increased cleaning and operational costs due to uncontrolled pressure release.
Innovation Solution
A filling element with a controllable gas path and a second gas path that includes a choke or valve to regulate gas flow, allowing for controlled pressure relief after filling, minimizing bubbling and spillage by reducing pressure to ambient levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressure relief is performed quickly after filling, then productivity is improved, but uncontrolled bubbling and spillage occur increasing loss of substance and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pressure relief process through a valve that regulates the opening degree. The valve is opened to a controlled extent to allow gradual pressure equalization, preventing sudden bubbling and spillage while maintaining efficient filling operations. This controlled parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between speed and substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through a valve that responds to pressure differential between the container interior and ambient environment. The valve automatically regulates gas flow based on pressure conditions, closing when pressure equalizes and opening when pressure builds up, thereby preventing spillage while maintaining productivity through automated pressure management.
2Productivity
If pressure relief is performed quickly after filling, then productivity is improved, but cleaning frequency increases operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
By controlling the pressure relief parameter through a regulated valve opening, the system prevents excessive bubbling and spillage that would require frequent cleaning. The controlled pressure equalization maintains filling speed while minimizing beverage waste and contamination of surrounding components, thereby reducing cleaning frequency and operational costs.
3Reliability
If a controlled gas path with flow regulation is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves reliability improvement with minimal complexity increase by integrating a multi-functional valve into the existing gas path structure. The valve serves multiple purposes: pressure relief control, bubbling prevention, and spillage minimization. This universal component handles various functions within a single element, maintaining operational safety without significantly complicating the device structure.
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 controlled pressure relief minimizes bubbling and spillage, reducing waste and cleaning frequencies, and simplifies the bottling process while maintaining operational safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum duct (5), in which there is also a controlled pressure relief of the container after its filling under counterpressure
Implementation Method 2
by means of which the interior of the individual container that is attached to the filling element can be connected for an evacuation with a vacuum duct of the filling machine
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage bottling plant with a beverage bottle filling machine for filling beverage bottles, as well as the filling elements for the beverage bottle filling machine.