Multicomponent Liquid Filling Valve Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for filling containers with multicomponent liquids, such as fruit juices, face issues with undesired splashes and soiling due to fruit pieces, and often require costly modifications to prevent pulp crushing and splashing, while also needing to accommodate standard filling devices.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs separate supply lines for clear and pulp-containing liquids, with the clear liquid used at the start and end of the filling process and the pulp liquid introduced in the middle, ensuring pulp is not crushed and allowing for the use of standard valves, along with a measuring device and diaphragm valves for precise dosing and rinsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fruit pieces are present in the liquid supply line, then the filling process can handle real fruit juices, but undesired lateral splashes and soiling occur at the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The supply line is segmented into a first supply line for clear liquid and a second supply line for pulp-containing liquid. The pulp supply line opens into the clear liquid supply line downstream of the valve, separating the pulp-containing flow from the valve area to prevent splashing and soiling while maintaining the ability to handle fruit juices.
2Device complexity
If standard filling devices with valves are used, then device complexity is reduced and costs are lowered, but pulp pieces may be crushed by the valve cone
Solution Approach 1:
The clear liquid acts as an intermediary medium that carries the pulp pieces through the valve area. By positioning the pulp supply line to open into the clear liquid supply line downstream of the valve, the valve only handles clear liquid while the pulp is transported through the already-open flow path, preventing direct contact between the valve cone and pulp pieces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the second liquid (pulp-containing) is supplied continuously throughout the filling process, then complete mixing is achieved, but the valve may be soiled and splashing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clear liquid is supplied first to establish a clean flow path through the valve and supply lines before the pulp-containing liquid is introduced. This preliminary action ensures the valve remains free of pulp residue during operation, preventing soiling and splashing while still achieving complete mixing when the second liquid is added.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If separate supply lines are used for clear and pulp-containing liquids, then valve soiling is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second supply line (for pulp-containing liquid) opens into the first supply line (for clear liquid) downstream of the valve. This merging approach allows the use of standard single-valve filling devices while preventing valve soiling, as the pulp-containing liquid joins the clear liquid flow after the valve area, eliminating the need for completely separate supply systems.
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 approach prevents splashes, allows for the use of standard filling devices, and ensures complete rinsing of pulp, reducing production costs and maintaining product integrity by positioning the pulp dose centrally within the filled liquid, thereby avoiding valve-induced crushing.
Implementation Method 1
a first supply line (12) for supplying a first liquid (F1) to the filling device (2)
Implementation Method 2
a second supply line (14) for supplying a second liquid (F2) to the filling device (2), said second liquid in particular being different from the first liquid (F1), wherein the first supply line (12) and the second supply line (14) are separate from one another at least in some sections
Implementation Method 3
the dosing of the second liquid may advantageously also be started here at the same point in time as the filling process
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for filling containers with liquids and in particular with beverages may include a filling device, which fills the liquid into the container. The filling device has a valve device for controlling the liquid flow into the container including a first supply line for supplying a first liquid to the filling device and comprising a second supply line for supplying a second liquid to the filling device, wherein the first supply line and the second supply line are separate from one another at least in some sections. The apparatus may have a control device configured in such a way that, at the start and at the end of a filling process for a container, this container is filled only with the first liquid.