Forwarding Turret Layout for Compact Can Filling and Seaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional can filling/seaming devices require a long linear intermediate conveyance path, leading to a non-compact arrangement, complex installation processes, and increased costs due to the need for positional and timing adjustments, as well as the use of special driving devices to prevent liquid content spilling during conveyance.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a filler and seamer through a forwarding turret that provides a circular conveyance path, eliminating the need for linear intermediate conveyance and special driving devices, while using a lid supply part and nitrogen filling to maintain positive pressure and prevent spilling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a linear intermediate conveyance path is used between filler and seamer, then the can content is protected from spilling during conveyance, but the device arrangement becomes non-compact and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of content spillingVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the linear intermediate conveyance path with a circular conveyance path implemented through a forwarding turret. The circular motion allows cans to be conveyed from the filler to the seamer while maintaining controlled acceleration and centrifugal forces that prevent liquid content spilling, while simultaneously achieving a compact integrated arrangement that eliminates complex positional and timing adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If a linear intermediate conveyance path is used, then content spilling is prevented, but the distance between filler and seamer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of content spillingVSAvoiddistance between filler and seamer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circular conveyance path through the forwarding turret enables the filler and seamer to be positioned closer together spatially while still providing sufficient conveyance distance and time for content stabilization. The curved motion path effectively compacts the overall device footprint while maintaining the functional requirements for preventing content spilling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If special driving devices are used for timing adjustment, then timing deviation is corrected, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The forwarding turret is designed with pre-set geometric relationships between its conveyance path and the filler/seamer positions. The circular motion geometry inherently determines the timing and synchronization of can transfer operations, eliminating the need for complex special driving devices and expensive timing adjustment mechanisms while maintaining reliable timing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3246258B1Can filling/seaming device and can filling/seaming method
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA LTD
  • EP3246258B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3246258B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3246258B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A can filling/seaming device that fills a can with a liquid content and seals the can with a lid by double-seaming allows a filler and a seamer to be integrated in a compact arrangement. A can filling/seaming device 1 includes a filler 2 that fills a can with a liquid content while conveying the can by rotation of a filling turret 20, a seamer 3 that attaches a lid to the can filled with the content by double-seaming, and a forwarding turret 4 provided between a carrying-out position 20B of the filling turret 20 and a carrying-in position 3A to the seamer 3 to circularly convey the can filled with the content, wherein a lid supply part 40 is provided on the forwarding turret 4.