Filling Machine Platform Brackets to Prevent Door Misalignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling machines face safety hazards and manufacturing inefficiencies due to large, welded load-carrying structures that can deform and cause doors to become stuck, requiring time-consuming corrective actions.

Innovation Solution

A filling machine design featuring individually connected brackets and platform plates, with machined planar surfaces for precise alignment, reduces deformation risks and simplifies manufacturing by allowing accurate and safe assembly without large, integrated load-supporting structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a large load-carrying frame-like structure with multiple welded parts is used to support the walking platform, then structural robustness and support capability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and deformation risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural robustnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the load-carrying structure into multiple separate brackets instead of one large welded frame. Each bracket is individually manufactured and then mounted to the enclosed structure, eliminating the need for complex welding operations and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces machined planar surfaces as intermediaries between the brackets and the enclosed structure. These precisely machined surfaces ensure accurate alignment and positioning during assembly, eliminating the gaps and misalignments that would otherwise require complex welding and fitting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple parts are welded together into one large load-carrying structure, then structural integrity is improved, but deformation risks and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the load-carrying structure into multiple separate brackets that are individually manufactured with precise dimensions. This eliminates the welding process that causes thermal deformation and dimensional inaccuracies, while each bracket maintains its structural integrity as a separate component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brackets are pre-manufactured with machined planar surfaces that ensure precise alignment before mounting. This preliminary preparation of accurate mating surfaces eliminates the need for post-assembly adjustments and prevents deformation issues that would arise from welding multiple parts together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a large walking platform extending beyond the enclosed structure is provided, then operator safety and accessibility are improved, but structural complexity and deformation risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator accessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent supports the large walking platform using multiple separate brackets distributed around the enclosed structure rather than one large integrated frame. This segmentation reduces the complexity of each individual structural component while collectively providing the necessary support for the extended platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brackets are pre-manufactured with precise machined surfaces that ensure accurate positioning and alignment before installation. This preliminary precision work eliminates the need for complex field adjustments and prevents deformation issues that would compromise the platform's safety and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If bolts are tightened to fasten the load-carrying structure to the enclosed structure, then connection strength is improved, but deformation of mating structures occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidinterface accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates machined planar surfaces directly into the bracket design as preliminary precision features. These pre-machined surfaces ensure accurate alignment and positioning before the bolts are tightened, so that the connection strength can be achieved without causing deformation of the mating structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4674771A1A filling machine for filling food products in a package
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4674771A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4674771A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674771A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A filling machine for filling food products in a package, comprising a forming and filing unit configured to produce packages filled with food product, an enclosed structure which at least partly encloses the forming and filing unit, the enclosed structure comprising a door for providing access from the outside of the enclosed structure to the forming and filing unit on the inside of the enclosed structure, and a walking platform arranged at an upper section of the enclosed structure and projecting laterally beyond an outer perimeter of the enclosed structure such that said at least one door is openable and closable underneath the walking platform, wherein the walking platform comprises brackets, each bracket being individually connected to the upper section of the enclosed structure and projecting laterally from the enclosed structure, and platform plates arranged on top of, and supported by, said brackets.