Packing Machine Volume Flow Control for Bag Deaeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for filling open-mouth bags face challenges in efficiently filling dusty, fine-grain products due to limited filling capacity, air entrainment, and contamination issues, which affect deaeration and the reliability of the sealing process.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a volume flow control device that adjusts the filling rate over time using a filling element and control device to maintain a high filling level within the bag, preventing product from reaching the top bag wall and incorporating a compactor for efficient deaeration, while using a single dosing device for both weight measurement and volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high filling rate is used to improve productivity, then filling efficiency increases, but air entrainment increases and deaeration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The compactor is activated before filling begins to pre-compress the bag bottom area, creating a compacted zone that facilitates air escape during high-rate filling. This preliminary action prepares the bag structure to handle high filling rates without excessive air entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The compactor acts as an intermediary device between the filling spout and the bag contents, mechanically compressing the material to expel air during the filling process. This intermediary action enables both high filling rates and effective deaeration to occur simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the filling spout extends deep into the bag to improve filling efficiency, then filling rate increases, but product contamination of the top bag wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compactor pre-compresses the bag bottom area before filling reaches the top wall region, creating a density gradient that prevents product from splashing onto the top bag wall during high-rate filling. This preliminary compaction action protects the sealing area from contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Compaction force is applied locally at the bag bottom area rather than uniformly throughout the bag. This localized compaction creates a dense product zone at the bottom that prevents product migration to the top wall, while leaving the top sealing area clean and uncontaminated.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate devices are used for weight measurement and volume control, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing device is integrated directly into the filling spout assembly, combining weight measurement and volume control functions into a single unified system. This merging eliminates the need for separate measurement and control devices while maintaining measurement precision through direct weight-based filling control.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling spout assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the filling delivery mechanism and the weighing device. This multi-functional design enables precise weight measurement and volume control without requiring additional separate devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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
This solution enables efficient, reliable, and precise filling of bulk goods into open-mouth bags with reduced complexity, minimizing air entrainment and contamination, and ensuring a stable sealing process, thereby improving filling rates and reducing structural height and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one compactor which can be operated during the filling process at least temporarily
Implementation Method 2
A volume flow control device (45) cooperating with the weighing device (25) is provided to control during the filling process a strength of the volume flow into the open-mouth bag (2) in dependence on the time
Data Source
AI summary
Packaging machine and method for filling open-mouth bags comprising a filling spout, wherein by way of a motion oriented upwardly relative to the filling spout an open-mouth bag can be appended to the filling spout. A dosing device and a weighing device are provided for weighing a pre-defined quantity of a product intended for bagging. A volume flow control device is provided to control during the filling process a strength of the volume flow into the open-mouth bag in dependence on the time. The volume flow control device comprises a filling element and a control device to control during the filling process a strength of the volume flow into the open-mouth bag in dependence on the filling process so as to keep the top bag wall of the open-mouth bag substantially free of product intended for bagging. The filling element serves as a dosing device to transport the product intended for bagging from a dispensing silo into the open-mouth bag. The weighing device is configured as a gross-weighing device to determine during the filling process a measure for the weight filled into the open-mouth bag. A compactor is operated during the filling process.