High-Viscosity Product Bag Unloading with External Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high pressure processing (HPP) systems are limited in processing high viscosity products due to insufficient suction pressure from pumps, which cannot overcome the viscous forces of products with viscosities greater than about 500 centiPoise (cP), such as dips and hummus, leading to reduced throughput and increased processing costs.

Innovation Solution

A bulk HPP processing system using a carrier with a flexible product bag and an emptying system that applies external pressure to the bag, such as a plunger, expandable bladder, or tension sheet, to force high viscosity products out through a fitment, including a tiltable support and control system to manage the emptying process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If suction pumps are used to extract high viscosity products from HPP bags, then the extraction process can be automated, but the negative pressure suction is insufficient to overcome the viscous forces of products with viscosity greater than 500 cP

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of product extractionVSAvoidextraction effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using suction to pull product out of the bag, the system applies positive pressure from the opposite direction (pushing the product out). The emptying system includes a plunger or piston that pushes against the product bag, forcing high viscosity products out through the fitment. This inversion of the suction approach overcomes the limitation of negative pressure being insufficient to overcome viscous forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter from negative pressure (suction) to positive pressure (pushing). By applying positive pressure through the emptying system, the product flow is driven outward against the viscous forces, enabling effective extraction of high viscosity products that cannot be removed by suction alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If bulk HPP processing is used to increase processing capacity, then throughput is improved, but high viscosity products cannot be effectively unloaded from the bags

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidunloading of high viscosity products

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by applying pressure to the product bag before and during the unloading process. The emptying system is activated to press against the bag, pre-compressing the product and preparing it for efficient discharge. This preliminary pressurization ensures that high viscosity products are ready for extraction before the unloading operation begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The emptying system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the HPP processing system and the product discharge point. It includes components such as a plunger, piston, or pressure application device that mediates the transfer of high viscosity products from the bag to the discharge point, overcoming the viscous forces that would otherwise prevent efficient unloading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible bags are used to accommodate various container sizes, then adaptability is improved, but high viscosity products do not flow out readily when the bag opening is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size flexibilityVSAvoidproduct flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the passive mechanical approach of tilting the bag (relying on gravity) with an active pressurization system. Instead of depending on gravitational force to move high viscosity products, the emptying system applies mechanical pressure directly to the bag, substituting the gravity-based mechanism with a pressure-based mechanism that works effectively regardless of bag orientation or product viscosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively processes high viscosity products by increasing pressure within the bag, overcoming viscous forces and allowing for efficient unloading without the need for suction, thereby enhancing processing capacity and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an emptying system cooperating with the carrier to press against the product bag while within the carrier to increase the pressure imposed on the high viscosity product in the product bag to assist in forcing the high viscosity product out of the product bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20250230030A1Unloading high viscous fluid product from bag containers

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 JBT MAREL CORPORATION

AI summary

A system for high pressure processing of bulk, high viscosity flowable product includes a carrier having openings therein for receiving high pressure fluid into the carrier. A flexible product bag is disposed in the product carrier, the bag having a fitment for filling and emptying the bag with high viscosity, flowable product. An opening in the product carrier for access to the fitment. An emptying system cooperates with the carrier to act on the filled product bag to increase the pressure on the product in the product bag to assist in forcing the high viscosity product out of the product bag. A control system controls the operation of the emptying system.