Linear-Motor Packaging Carriages for Reduced Filling Foaming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional packaging machines face issues with heavy foaming and sloshing of products during filling due to short residence times, leading to poor seal quality and fill volume fluctuations, and existing solutions like dual transport chains are mechanically complex and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A packaging machine using transport carriages controlled by a linear motor, allowing independent control of each carriage's speed, acceleration, and position, enabling variable dwell and feed times to optimize filling processes, reducing foaming and improving fill quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional transport chains are used with short residence times to achieve high throughput, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to heavy foaming and sloshing during jerky transport

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidfill volume consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from conventional mechanical transport chains to individually controllable transport carriages with variable indices. Each carriage can be dynamically adjusted to have different dwell times and feed rates, allowing smooth acceleration and deceleration profiles that eliminate jerky transport movements. This dynamic control prevents product sloshing and foaming while maintaining high throughput, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the index (ratio of dwell time to feed time) of individual transport carriages. By adjusting parameters such as dwell time, feed rate, and acceleration profiles for each carriage independently, the system optimizes filling conditions to minimize foaming and sloshing. This parameter optimization ensures consistent fill volumes while maintaining high productivity through coordinated multi-carriage operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If dual independent transport chains are used to increase dwell time, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefill qualityVSAvoidtransport mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transport system into multiple independently controllable carriages instead of using complex dual transport chains. Each carriage operates autonomously with its own adjustable index, allowing simplified mechanical design while achieving precise control over dwell times and feed rates. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex chain decoupling and recoupling mechanisms, reducing device complexity and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical dual-chain system with an electromagnetic linear motor system. The linear motor provides direct electromagnetic propulsion without mechanical transmission elements, eliminating chains, gears, and coupling mechanisms. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity and improves reliability while enabling precise control of carriage movements and indices through electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If packages are moved with high index on secondary chain, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to decoupling and recoupling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedwell time controlVSAvoidchain transfer mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling each transport carriage to independently vary its index (dwell time to feed time ratio) without requiring transfer between chains. The linear motor system allows dynamic adjustment of carriage speed and dwell time directly at the filling station, eliminating the need for decoupling and recoupling mechanisms. This dynamic control achieves precise dwell time management while simplifying the overall transport mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution allows for consistent fill quantities and reduced foaming by varying the index along the production area, enhancing filling quality and throughput without mechanical complexity or increased maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The transport rail and the transport carriages together form an electric drive, particularly in the form of a linear motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear motor: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

The transport rail and the transport carriages together form an electric drive, particularly in the form of a linear motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic propulsion: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3583037B1Packaging machine and method for operating a packaging machine
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SIG SERVICES AG
  • EP3583037B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3583037B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3583037B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Disclosed is a packaging machine, especially a filling machine, comprising at least one transport rail (2) and at least two transport carriages (4) movable along the transport rail (2) and mounted on said transport rail (2), wherein the transport carriages (4) are designed to transport at least one packaging (18) and are moved synchronously along a production zone (10) of the transport rail (2). Processing is made more flexible when the transport rail (2) and the transport carriages (4) are operatively connected to each other in an electromotive manner such that the transport carriages (4) are moved along a production zone (10) with two different indices.