Fluidized Bed Container Volume Reduction Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluidized bed systems in chemical process engineering, such as those used in pharmaceutical manufacturing, face inflexibility due to fixed container sizes, leading to increased investment and operating costs as multiple containers of different sizes are required to accommodate varying product quantities.

Innovation Solution

A product container for fluidized bed systems featuring a detachable volume-reducing element that can be attached to the distributor base, allowing for adjustable effective volume, enabling treatment of different product volumes with the same container by reducing or increasing the available space, thereby enhancing system flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If product containers of different sizes are kept available to accommodate varying product quantities, then the system can handle different product volumes, but the investment volume and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct volume adaptabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The product container is segmented into a fixed basic volume and a variable volume portion. The variable volume portion is created by detachably attaching volume-reducing elements to the distributor base, allowing the container to be divided into functional sections that can be configured based on production needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The product container transitions from a static fixed-volume design to a dynamic adjustable-volume design. Volume-reducing elements can be detachably attached or removed from the distributor base, enabling the container volume to be dynamically adjusted according to the required product quantity without replacing the entire container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple product containers with different volumes are maintained to achieve flexibility, then various product volumes can be treated, but the number of containers increases investment costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct volume flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of containers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single product container is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different product volumes through the optional attachment of volume-reducing elements. This universal container can serve as a small, medium, or large container depending on production requirements, eliminating the need to maintain separate specialized containers for different volume requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The effective volume parameter of the product container is made changeable through the detachable volume-reducing elements. By adjusting the volume parameter of the container configuration rather than changing the physical container itself, the system achieves flexibility while reducing the quantity of containers needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed basic volume product container is used, then the container structure is simple, but the effective volume cannot be adapted to different product quantity requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer structure simplicityVSAvoideffective volume adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container volume is segmented into a fixed basic portion and a variable portion controlled by detachable elements. This segmentation allows the simple fixed basic structure to be enhanced with optional volume-reducing elements, providing adaptability while maintaining the simplicity of the core container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Volume-reducing elements act as intermediary components between the fixed basic container structure and the required effective volume. These intermediaries can be attached or removed to adjust the effective volume, bridging the gap between structural simplicity and volume adaptability without complicating the fundamental container design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3347123B1Product container for a fluidized bed installation and fluidized bed installation
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 HUETTLIN GMBH
  • EP3347123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3347123B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3347123B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a product container for a fluidized bed installation (1) having a product container wall (12), a product container bottom (13), a product container opening (14) opposite the product container bottom (13), a distributor bottom (20) between the product container bottom (13) and the product container opening (14), and at least one volume-reducing element (40) which can be releasably attached to the distributor bottom (20), on that side (20-1) of the distributor bottom (20) oriented toward the product container opening (14), and by means of which the free volume of the product container (10) between the distributor bottom (20) and the product container opening (14) is reduced.