Nested Outlet Opening for Multi-Component Mass Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-component mass packaging systems, such as foil packs, require high mixing energy and extrusion forces due to parallel component flow along the mixer connection's partition wall, leading to inadequate mixing and inefficient use of squeezing devices.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement of at least one further outlet opening coaxially within the first outlet opening ensures complete flushing of mixing stages with the mixer element, eliminating irregular mixing and reducing squeezing forces by allowing components to mix uniformly, even with different viscosities and non-radially symmetrical mixer elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a partition wall is used in the mixer connection to create side-by-side feed outlets, then two outlet openings for feeding components are provided, but the component flows run parallel along the inner wall requiring high mixing energy and long mixing sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one outlet opening inside another outlet opening in the mixer connection. The inner outlet opening is positioned within the cross-section of the outer outlet opening, creating a nested configuration. This allows components to flow concentrically rather than parallel, enabling complete flushing of mixing stages and achieving uniform mixing with reduced mixing energy and shorter mixing sections.
2Productivity
If outlet openings are arranged side-by-side in the mixer connection, then components can be fed simultaneously, but high extrusion forces are required to eject the multi-component mass
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of outlet openings allows simultaneous feeding of multiple components while optimizing flow patterns. The concentric configuration enables both components to be extruded at the same time through the nested outlets, achieving productive simultaneous feeding while reducing the required extrusion forces compared to side-by-side arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a side-by-side (planar) arrangement of outlet openings to a nested (concentric) arrangement. This dimensional reconfiguration changes the spatial relationship between outlets from parallel to concentric, allowing simultaneous component feeding while optimizing flow dynamics and reducing extrusion force requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If a long mixing section with a correspondingly designed mixer element is used to achieve adequate mixing, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nested outlet opening configuration optimizes flow patterns so that components completely flush through the mixing stages. This nested arrangement achieves thorough mixing in a compact mixer element by concentrating the mixing action in a shorter section, eliminating the need for long mixing sections and complex mixer element designs.
4Ease of operation
If parallel component flow along the partition wall is used, then side-by-side feed is achieved, but irregular mixing results or fluctuations in mixing degree occur during the squeezing process
Solution Approach 1:
The nested outlet configuration replaces the partition wall-based side-by-side feed with a concentric arrangement. This eliminates the parallel flow along partition walls that causes irregular mixing. Instead, components flow concentrically through the nested outlets, ensuring complete flushing of mixing stages and producing consistent, uniform mixing results throughout the squeezing process.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The barrel has a retainer section (24) for an end of foil bag chambers (12, 16) provided at a base plate (22) of a head part (21). An outlet opening (33) is provided for components of multi-component masses. An outlet opening (34) is provided in a mixer connection (31), and is coaxially arranged to the outlet opening (33). The outlet opening (34) is arranged at a distance to a wall of the outlet opening (33) and is surrounded completely by the outlet opening (33).