Open-Bag Filling Spout With Free-Hanging Bottom Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags are complex and require significant power due to the use of separate drives for height-adjustable vibrators and thrust flaps, which complicates the filling process and increases operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that suspends the open-mouth bag's bottom end freely during filling, allowing it to unfold wrinkle-free, and uses a conveyor device for support during filling, eliminating the need for separate drives and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a bottom vibrator is elevated and lowered by a separate drive to support the open-mouth bag during filling, then compaction efficiency is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bag support function and compaction function into a single integrated system. The conveyor belt serves dual purposes: transporting the bag and providing the compaction force through its vibration during the filling process, eliminating the need for a separate bottom vibrator drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it conveys the open-mouth bag through the filling station, supports the bag during filling, and provides compaction through vibrational motion. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
2Ease of operation
If thrust flaps are employed to pull the filled open-mouth bag onto the conveyor belt, then bag transfer is achieved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the thrust flap mechanism from the system entirely. Instead of using flaps to pull the bag onto the conveyor, the bag is allowed to fall freely onto the conveyor belt under gravity, and the conveyor belt's motion itself provides the necessary transfer force, eliminating the complex flap guide mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt performs the bag transfer function autonomously through its own motion. The belt's movement and the gravity-assisted drop of the filled bag onto the belt eliminate the need for external thrust flaps or guide mechanisms to facilitate the transfer.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended during filling, then wrinkle-free unfolding is achieved, but support and compaction during filling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic vibration of the conveyor belt during the filling process. The belt transitions from a static support surface to a dynamically vibrating one, allowing the bag bottom to unfold wrinkle-free while the vibration simultaneously provides compaction force on the bulk material inside the bag.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt is equipped with a vibration mechanism that activates during filling. This mechanical vibration serves dual functions: it prevents wrinkles by allowing the flexible bag bottom to move freely with the material flow, and it compacts the bulk material through repeated vibrational冲击.
4Ease of operation
If a drop-down conveyor belt section is used to pivot the bag bottom, then bag support during filling is achieved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the conveyor belt at a constant elevation level throughout, eliminating the need for pivoting or dropping sections. The bag support function is achieved through the belt's continuous presence and vibration rather than through vertical movement, simplifying the mechanism while maintaining effectiveness.
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 method and apparatus achieve efficient filling of up to 2600 bags per hour with reduced complexity and operational costs, utilizing a single spout lift mechanism and integrated compacting, while maintaining high acceleration and compaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported
Implementation Method 2
a conveyor device (7) for supporting the open-mouth bags (2) and for transporting and in particular discharging the filled open-mouth bags (2)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags, including the following steps:a) an open-mouth bag is appended from beneath to a filling spout of a filling station by way of an at least partially upwardly motion, so that the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended;b) the filling process is started and bulk material is introduced into the open-mouth bag so that the freely suspended bottom end of the open-mouth bag unfolds; andc) the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported.