Rotary Filter Bag Forming Machine with Adjustable Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for producing filter bags for infusion products lack operational flexibility, as they are limited to forming a single type of filter bag with fixed dimensions and geometrical shape, and have complex kinematic units that require frequent maintenance and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A machine that forms filter bags of various sizes and shapes using a rotary wheel with adjustable feed stations and ultrasonic sealing, featuring interchangeable components and a polygonal work surface to simplify operations and maintain high production quality and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a machine is designed with fixed dimensions and geometry for filter bag formation, then manufacturing precision and production speed are maintained at high levels, but adaptability to produce different sizes and shapes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The machine employs a polygonal wheel with adjustable work surfaces that can be dynamically repositioned to accommodate different filter bag geometries. The feed stations and sealing means are configured to move along the wheel's circumference, allowing the same machine to produce various bag types by adjusting the positioning and configuration of these components rather than requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes a universal machine design where a single polygonal wheel structure serves multiple functions by accommodating different work surface configurations. The same wheel can produce tetrahedral bags, pyramidal bags, and other geometries by adjusting the positioning of feed stations and sealing means, eliminating the need for separate machines for different bag types.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex kinematic units are used to connect wheel rotation to sonotrode movements, then sealing precision is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent sonotrodes positioned at different locations around the polygonal wheel. Each sonotrode can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing precise sealing control without requiring complex interconnected kinematic mechanisms. This segmentation simplifies maintenance as individual sonotrodes can be replaced or adjusted independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with a more straightforward configuration where sonotrodes are positioned on the polygonal wheel and act directly on the filter material. The ultrasonic sealing mechanism itself provides the necessary precision through controlled vibration and pressure, eliminating the need for complex mechanical transmission systems to achieve precise sealing movements.
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 machine increases production flexibility, simplifies operational components, and maintains high-speed execution while ensuring high-quality filter bag formation without altering the machine's dimensions, reducing maintenance needs and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first group of sonotrodes, interposed between the second and the third feed station, configured for making a first series of seals between the thread and the tag
Implementation Method 2
the second group of sonotrodes is configured to form both a plurality of seals between the stretch of thread... and the strip, and between the strip and the tag
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a machine for making filter bags of different geometrical shapes for infusion products comprising: a wheel (4) defining a work surface and rotating about a relative axis (4X); a series of feed stations (5, 5 6, 7) for placing on the work surface of the wheel (4), in sequence, tags (3), a continuous thread (2), along a weave path, and a continuous strip (1) of filter material superposing the weave of thread (2) and the tag (3); sealing means (8, 9), located downstream of the feed stations configured for making seals between the thread (2), the tag (3) and the strip (1) of filter material; a first feed device (11) for moving the strip (1) of filter material along a feed line (L1) and positioned downstream of the operating wheel (4) with reference to the feed direction (L1) of the strip (1) of filter material; a station (10) for completing the filter bag equipped with the tag (3) and 15 the thread (3) and configured for geometrically forming the filter bag, for introducing a dose of infusion product in the filter bag formed and closing the filter bag in its final shape; the first feed device (11) has two first feed rollers (12, 13) for unwinding in a controlled manner, that is, variable, the quantity of strip (1) of filter material to be placed on the work surface of the wheel (4); the two first feed rollers (12, 13) being controlled by a control system configured for adjusting, by means of a motor, the speed of rotation of the two first feed rollers (12, 13) as a function of the length of the piece of filter material needed to form a filter bag of desired size.