Rotary Filling Machine Valve Self-Sanitizing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filling machines require manual and inefficient sanitizing processes, leading to incomplete cleaning of valve assemblies, fluid losses, and increased mechanical complexity, which results in higher production costs and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic sanitizing system for filling machines that uses a rotary carousel with actuator-driven rinsing containers to circulate sanitizing fluid in a countercurrent flow, effectively cleaning both the inner and outer surfaces of valve assemblies without fluid loss, and integrates a mechanism for easy replacement of parts in contact with containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual sanitizing operations are used with rinsing containers, then sanitizing can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and requires long manual operations to mount containers
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-sanitizing by circulating sanitizing fluid through the valve assemblies themselves without requiring manual intervention to mount separate rinsing containers. The valve assemblies are equipped with integrated fluid circulation paths that allow them to be sanitized in place during normal operation or maintenance cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention eliminates the need for separate rinsing containers by extracting the sanitizing function directly into the valve assembly structure. The sanitizing fluid is circulated through the valve bodies, tubular pipes, and compensation cannulas without requiring external container intervention, thereby removing the time-consuming mounting and dismounting operations.
2Reliability
If rinsing containers are mounted below each valve assembly, then sanitizing fluid can circulate, but the mechanical structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sanitizing function with the existing valve assembly structure by integrating fluid circulation paths directly into the valve bodies, tubular pipes, and compensation cannulas. This eliminates the need for separate rinsing containers and their mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining sanitizing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assemblies are designed to serve multiple functions: normal filling operations and self-sanitizing operations. The same tubular pipes and compensation cannulas used for product filling are also used for circulating sanitizing fluid, eliminating the need for dedicated sanitizing components and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional sanitizing methods are used, then cleaning can be performed, but fluid losses occur during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous circulation of sanitizing fluid through the valve assemblies during the sanitizing cycle, ensuring complete coverage of all internal surfaces. The closed-loop circulation system allows the fluid to continuously flow through the valve bodies, tubular pipes, and compensation cannulas, maximizing sanitizing effectiveness while minimizing waste through efficient fluid recovery and reuse.
4Reliability
If valve assemblies are cleaned frequently, then contamination is reduced, but production time is lost due to frequent interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assemblies perform self-sanitizing operations without requiring removal from the production line or interruption of other valve operations. The integrated circulation system allows each valve assembly to be sanitized in place, maintaining continuous production flow while ensuring contamination control through regular, automated sanitizing cycles.
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 system ensures thorough and efficient sanitizing of filling machines, reducing contamination risks, minimizing fluid waste, and simplifying operations while maintaining mechanical reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means, in particular a helical compression spring, arranged between the lower end of the second tubular body and the bottom of the first tubular body and pushing the second tubular body against the bottom of the first tubular body
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Filling machine (1) comprising: a plurality of valve assemblies (5) hydraulically connected to a tank (4) and mounted peripherally on a rotary carousel (3), each of which is equipped with a tap (44), on which a tubular pipe (6) is formed for supplying a liquid to be bottled from the tank (4) to a container (7), and with a centring cone (9) aligned with such a tubular pipe (6); moving means (11) mechanically connected to the rotary carousel (3) and suitable for adjusting the vertical position of the valve assemblies (5); a plurality of rinsing containers (13) of a sanitising fluid each able to be operatively and mechanically associated with one of said valve assemblies (5) during foreseen sanitising operations; first actuator means (76) suitable for moving each of the rinsing containers (13) between an inoperative position, in which the rinsing container (13) is outside of the working bulk of the valve assemblies (5), and an operative position, in which the rinsing container (13) is vertically aligned below one of the valve assemblies (5). Moreover, the centring cone (9) of each valve assembly (5) comprises: an outer body (14), which is supported by the same valve assembly (5), equipped with an upper portion (15) able to enter into sealed relationship with the tap (44), and with a lower portion (17) able to enter into sealed relationship with the rinsing container (13); an inner body (18), which is slidably mounted inside the outer body (14), equipped with a top wall (19) able to enter into sealed relationship with the lower wall (16) of the tap (44), and with a lower concavity (21) able to enter into sealed relationship with the mouth (20) of the container (7) to be filled.