Filling Nozzle Additive Injection for Space-Constrained Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container-filling production lines require significant floor space for additive-dispensing systems, limiting capacity and making adaptations to existing operations infeasible due to the need for additional space and separate dosing apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that utilizes a pre-existing auxiliary line to inject additive fluids into the product fluid, integrating additive-dosing capability without additional equipment and allowing for flexible production of various product variations without requiring extra floor space, with features like dosing valves and flow meters for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate dosing machine is added to dispense additives into containers, then the production line can produce various product variations by adding different additives, but the floor space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the additive dosing function with the existing container filling apparatus by integrating an additive dispensing nozzle into the filling nozzle assembly. The additive line is merged with the filling line, allowing both base fluid and additive to be dispensed through a single integrated nozzle system, thereby eliminating the need for a separate dosing machine and reducing floor space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The filling nozzle is designed to serve multiple functions: it can dispense base fluid alone, additive alone, or both simultaneously by controlling the respective valves. This multi-functional design allows a single apparatus to handle various product variations without requiring additional specialized equipment for each product type
2Manufacturing precision
If a separate dosing machine is installed to provide precise additive dosing, then tight control over additive proportion is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additive dosing system is merged with the existing filling system by integrating the additive line and dosing valve into the filling nozzle assembly. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating separate dosing machinery while maintaining precise dosing capability through the controlled additive dispensing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary additive line with a dosing valve is introduced to connect the additive source to the filling nozzle. This intermediary component enables precise additive dosing control without requiring a complex separate dosing machine, as the dosing valve acts as a simple flow control element within the integrated system
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing production lines are adapted to include additive dispensing, then product versatility is improved, but the floor space commitment renders adaptation infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The additive dispensing system is merged with the existing filling apparatus structure, utilizing the same nozzle assembly and support infrastructure. This integration means that existing production lines can be adapted by adding only the necessary valves and additive line connections, rather than installing entirely separate dosing equipment, thereby making adaptation feasible
Solution Approach 2:
The filling nozzle is redesigned to serve multiple functions including base fluid dispensing, additive dispensing, and combined dispensing. This universal design allows existing production lines to gain additive dispensing capability through minor modifications to the nozzle system, making adaptation practical and feasible
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for filling containers comprises a nozzle for establishing fluid communication with a container, a filling line extending between the nozzle and a source of a product fluid, a filling valve in the filling line, an auxiliary line extending from the nozzle to a drain, and a drain isolation valve in the auxiliary line; further comprising at least one additive line which extends from a junction with the auxiliary line between the nozzle and the drain valve to an additive fluid source; and a dosing valve in the auxiliary line between the nozzle and the at least one additive line, which permits a predetermined volume of additive fluid to flow through the auxiliary line to the nozzle.