Filling Head Vibration Ejects Residue

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling elements, such as free-jet fillers and piston fillers, face issues with uncontrolled dripping of viscous and liquid food products, which can lead to contamination and hygienic concerns during and after the filling process.

Innovation Solution

A filling element with a repelling device on the actuating element, utilizing a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane or vibration means, to actively eject residual filling product into the container, preventing uncontrolled dripping and ensuring a clean container surface for sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a valve cone is used to control the filling process, then the filling product flow is controlled, but filling product adheres to the underside of the valve cone and drips uncontrollably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling process controlVSAvoiduncontrolled dripping
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vibration device is provided on the actuating element (valve cone or plunger) that activates after the filling process to vibrate the surface, dislodging adhering filling product and preventing uncontrolled dripping while maintaining filling control during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Productivity

If a plunger is used to empty the outlet bore, then the filling product is ejected, but residues adhere to the end face and drip uncontrollably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutlet bore emptyingVSAvoiduncontrolled dripping
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration device on the plunger activates after ejection to vibrate the end face, removing adhering residues and preventing uncontrolled dripping while maintaining efficient outlet bore emptying during the filling process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Object-generated harmful factors

If filling product is sucked back by pulling back the filling piston, then dripping is reduced, but the filling liquid is held firmly on the net

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedripping reductionVSAvoidfilling liquid retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration device actively shakes off adhering filling product from the actuating element surface, providing more effective dripping prevention than passive suction while allowing the filling liquid to remain in the container

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

4Reliability

If the mouth area of the filled container is not completely clean, then sealing processes are affected, but cleaning requires additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing process qualityVSAvoidcleaning steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration device automatically dislodges all adhering filling product from the actuating element, ensuring the container mouth area is completely clean for reliable sealing without requiring additional manual cleaning steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 effectively reduces or eliminates dripping, maintaining hygiene by ensuring filling product residues are ejected in a controlled manner, preventing contamination and enabling clean sealing of filled containers.

Implementation Method 1

The repelling device comprises a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane for applying a gas flow directed in the outlet direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas-permeable membrane separation: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

a gas flow directed in the outlet direction is applied to the membrane and through it in the outlet direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the repelling device comprises vibration means for vibrating a region of the actuating element which can be brought into contact with the filling product

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2738135B1Filling head for filling a container with a product
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 KRONES AG
  • EP2738135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2738135B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2738135B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to a filling device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably a free-jet filling valve, metering unit or piston filler in a filling plant for liquid, pasty or viscous foodstuffs, wherein the filling device (1) has a filling product outlet (200) and an actuating element (2, 7) in direct contact with the filling product outlet (200) for influencing the discharge of the filling product from the filling product outlet (200), wherein a push-off device (5) for pushing off a filling product residue in the discharge direction (A) is provided on the actuating element (2, 7).