Filling Machine Closing Element Lift Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling machines with rotating designs for closing elements are structurally complex, expensive, and prone to failure, and their design restricts operational reliability and flexibility, especially during CIP cleaning and disinfection processes.
Innovation Solution
The filling machine employs a lifting cam and inclined plane mechanism to move closing elements between parked and working positions, allowing for a simplified and reliable operation, with a protective wall that adjusts to accommodate the movement and ensure a liquid-tight seal during CIP processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent pneumatic drives are provided at each filling station for moving closing elements, then the closing elements can be moved between parking and working positions, but the structural complexity increases and the device becomes expensive and prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple independent pneumatic drives are merged into a single centralized pneumatic system that controls all closing elements simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate drive units from multiple independent drives to one shared system, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the ability to move all closing elements between parking and working positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized pneumatic system serves multiple functions: it provides lifting motion, swiveling motion, and pressing motion for all closing elements across all filling stations. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated drives at each station, reducing structural complexity while preserving operational capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable components are arranged on the orbit of treatment heads at the same radial distance, then the treatment heads can be adapted to different containers, but a minimum distance between adjacent treatment heads must be maintained which restricts design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The support ring is tilted at an angle of 5-15 degrees relative to the horizontal plane, introducing a angular dimension to the arrangement of interchangeable components. This tilting allows components to be positioned at different effective radial distances from the machine axis, enabling closer spacing of treatment heads while maintaining proper clearance and functionality for different container types.
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 design simplifies the structural complexity and enhances operational reliability by enabling efficient movement of closing elements, maintaining a liquid-tight seal during CIP operations while allowing for flexible adaptation to different container sizes and operating modes.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting cam is provided at each filling position, on which the respective swivel arm slides when swiveling from the parking position into the working position, whereby the respective flushing sleeve with this swiveling also in Direction of the machine axis MA is raised
Implementation Method 2
when the pivot arm is moved through the bearing element, the lifting movement of the pivot arm is effected by means of an inclined plane arranged inside the bearing element
Data Source
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AI summary
A filling machine for filling containers includes a rotor, a transport element, a vertical machine axis, and filling positions, each of which comprises a filling element, a container support, and a closure element, and a common actuating drive for all closure elements of the filling machine. The transport element revolves on the rotor about the machine axis. The filling positions are on the transport element. The closure element is a rinsing cap or a rinsing sleeve. Each closure element is movable by the common actuating drive between a parking position and a working position. In the parking position, the closure element is within a movement path of the filling elements. In the working position, the closure element is coaxial with the associated filling element and below the filling element.