Foil Bag Sieve Change Mechanism for Dust Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for changing screens in devices that handle free-flowing substances are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to contamination, as they require complex and insecure sealing processes that allow dust particles to escape into the environment.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing and connection element that uses a foil bag and pressurizable seals to facilitate contamination-free screen changes, where a second bag is placed over the first bag and sealed using a pressing device with screw bolts and adjustable seals to ensure complete containment of dust particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex sealing processes are used for screen changes, then sealing reliability may improve, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidscreen change time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent sealing elements (first sealing element at the opening, second sealing element at the end of the sieve assembly). This allows each sealing element to be independently installed and sealed, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high sealing reliability at each interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foil bag is preliminarily sealed at the opening with a first sealing element before the screen assembly is inserted. This preliminary sealing action prepares the containment system in advance, allowing the screen to be loaded without compromising the seal, and the second sealing element is then applied to complete the sealing process efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complex sealing processes are used for screen changes, then sealing reliability may improve, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The foil bag is designed as a disposable component that is sealed at both ends and then discarded after use. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex reusable sealing mechanisms while ensuring reliable containment during the screen change process. The low cost of the disposable bag offsets the simplicity of the sealing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If screens are changed without proper sealing, then the process becomes simpler and faster, but dust particles escape into the ambient air

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen change speedVSAvoiddust particle emission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible foil bag is used to create a temporary containment enclosure around the screen assembly during the change process. This thin film structure easily conforms to the screen components, allowing rapid assembly and disassembly while providing effective dust containment. The flexibility enables quick deployment without complex rigid sealing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor (dust particles) is extracted from the work environment by enclosing the entire screen change process within a sealed foil bag. This isolates the potentially contaminating activity from the ambient air, allowing fast screen changes without dust emission. The bag is sealed at both ends to completely contain the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If single sealing methods are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing is not sufficiently reliable allowing particles to escape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing system complexityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into two separate sealing operations: a first sealing element seals the opening of the foil bag, and a second sealing element seals the end of the sieve assembly. This segmentation provides redundant sealing at critical interfaces, ensuring that even if one seal fails, the other maintains containment, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables rapid, cost-effective, and secure screen changes that prevent dust particles from entering the ambient air, ensuring a reliable and efficient process for screening bulk materials.

Implementation Method 1

the inlet opening can be closed by means of a foil bag or first bag, one end of which can be secured in a recess provided in the connection element and sealed on the connection element by means of a volume-changing or pressurizable seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurisation: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

the pressure device is formed from two screw bolts which are attached to the connecting element to which the cover is connected and with the help of which the cover can be pressed against at least one first seal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3971096A1Device for contamination-free discharge of free-flowing or pourable substances with the help of a sieve
Publication Date: 2022.03.23 J ENGELSMANN
  • EP3971096A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3971096A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3971096A1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the contamination-free discharge of free-flowing substances using a sieve. The invention is based on the objective of designing a sieve change mechanism in a device for the contamination-free discharge of free-flowing substances using a sieve, particularly in a shaking device, such that even the smallest dust particles of the material to be sieved are retained during the sieve change. This objective is achieved according to the invention by the following features: a) a housing (2) is equipped with a connecting element (5); b) the connecting element (5) has an inlet opening (31) through which a sieve or sieve frame (3) with a sieve can be inserted;c) the inlet opening (31) can be closed by means of a foil bag or first bag (9), one end of which can be attached in a recess (49) provided in the connecting element (5) and sealed on the connecting element (5) by means of a volume-changing or pressurizable seal (37); d) for changing the screen, a second bag (23) connected to an assembly aid (21a) can be placed on the first bag (9) and sealed on the connecting element (5) by means of at least one volume-changing or pressurizable seal (38); e) at the end of the screen assembly, the inlet opening (31) is additionally sealed by means of a second sealing element (15) or with a sealing element (15) arranged on a cover (14); f) for this purpose, the second sealing element (15) is pressed against the first bag (9) by means of a pressure device (40).