Filling Unit Separate Fluidic Lines Prevent Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices risk contaminating food products during the pressurization process of carbonated products, as impurities from the return gas mix with the pressurized gas intended for the articles, and there is a need to de-pressurize articles safely to prevent gas from contaminating the environment.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a carousel system and separate fluidic lines for pressurization and de-pressurization, where the pressurization gas flows from an upper tank portion to the articles and the return gas is directed through a distinct path to prevent mixing, ensuring asepticity and safe de-pressurization by maintaining a pressure difference using throttling elements and control valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single fluidic line is used for both pressurization and return gas, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases as impurities from return gas mix with pressurized gas
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic line is segmented into two separate lines: a first fluidic line for delivering pressurized gas from the upper tank portion to the articles, and a second fluidic line for removing return gas from the articles. This segmentation prevents mixing of clean pressurized gas with contaminated return gas, eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining device functionality.
2Productivity
If pressurized gas is continuously supplied to articles, then filling efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to constant pressurization maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized gas supply is implemented as a periodic action rather than continuous supply. The system supplies pressurized gas to articles during the filling operation, then stops supply when filling is complete. The return gas removal also operates periodically, extracting gas only when needed. This periodic operation maintains filling efficiency while significantly reducing energy consumption by avoiding continuous pressurization.
3Loss of time
If articles are de-pressurized rapidly, then processing time is reduced, but gas escape may cause contamination or safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
A controlled de-pressurization mechanism acts as an intermediary between the pressurized articles and the environment. The system uses a controlled opening or valve that allows gradual gas escape from articles during de-pressurization, preventing rapid uncontrolled release. This intermediary control mechanism reduces de-pressurization time compared to natural slow release while preventing gas contamination and safety hazards associated with rapid uncontrolled escape.
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 solution effectively prevents contamination of food products during pressurization and ensures safe de-pressurization of articles, enhancing the asepticity and reducing the risk of gas contamination, thereby improving the filling process efficiency and product quality.
Implementation Method 1
the empty articles are filled with a pressurized gas, so as to render the pressure inside the articles equal to the pressure of the pourable product
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a pressure difference using throttling elements and control valves
Data Source
AI summary
A filling unit for contact or contactless filling an article is disclosed. The filling unit includes a tank comprising: a first valve, which may allow or prevent the fluidic connection between a first region of the tank and the article; a first fluidic line which extends from the tank to the article in case of contact filling; a second valve, which may allow or prevent the flow along the first fluidic line; and a control unit configured to set the first valve in a first closed configuration and the second valve in a second open configuration in case of contact filling. The filling unit further includes a second fluidic line distinct from the first fluidic line and extends from the inner volume of the article to a discharge area distinct from the tank; and a third valve, which may allow or prevent the flow along the second fluidic line.