Powder Packaging Machine Vacuum Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for powder products, such as coffee, are complex and inefficient due to the need for multiple product release stations, vibrating elements, and a vacuum chamber that requires precise sealing to prevent powder dispersion and ensure a sealed atmosphere, leading to increased operational complexity and potential loss of vacuum seal.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a compacting unit that uses a rotating drum with radially extending compacting chambers and presser elements to compact powder doses, followed by a filling unit that further compacts and seals the product in a deformable container within a vacuum chamber, reducing the time in the vacuum chamber and minimizing powder dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a plurality of product release stations and vibrating elements are used to optimize product distribution and homogenization, then the homogeneity of product density is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibrating function from the vacuum chamber environment and relocates it to the dosing unit, where it operates in atmospheric conditions. This allows the vibrating elements to be simpler and more effective at preventing powder bridging during dosing, while the vacuum chamber only needs to provide sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packaging process into distinct functional units: a dosing unit with integrated vibrating elements for product distribution, and a vacuum chamber for sealing. This separation allows each unit to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining product homogeneity.
2Reliability
If the vacuum chamber is designed to maintain a sealed atmosphere to prevent powder dispersion, then the reliability of the vacuum seal is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for precise sealing and position control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by compacting the powder dose before it enters the vacuum chamber. This pre-compaction prevents powder dispersion and makes the subsequent sealing operation simpler and more reliable, as the powder is already in a stable, compact form that is less prone to movement during sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary compaction step that transforms loose powder into a compact dose before vacuum sealing. This intermediary state makes the powder easier to handle and seal, reducing the complexity of position control and sealing operations while maintaining vacuum integrity.
3Productivity
If the vacuum chamber operates at high vacuum levels to create brick shape, then the productivity is improved by reducing packaging time, but the loss of substance increases due to potential powder escape and deposition inside the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary compaction to the powder dose before it enters the vacuum chamber. This pre-compaction ensures the powder is densely packed and less prone to dispersion during the vacuum sealing process, thereby reducing powder loss while maintaining high packaging speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of powder dispersion into a benefit by using the vacuum itself to hold the compacted powder in place. The vacuum pressure differential actually helps maintain the compacted state of the powder, preventing dispersion while enabling high-speed packaging.
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 simplifies the packaging process, reduces operational complexity, and achieves high-quality, densely packed powder products with reduced operating times and minimal powder dispersion, ensuring a reliable and efficient packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum chamber (10) designed to receive the package being processed coming from the filling unit (6) and to extract air from the package being processed
Implementation Method 2
a compacting unit (2) configured to receive a dose of product in powder (3) at a first loading station (4), and compact it in order to obtain a compacted dose of product in powder (5)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine (1) for packaging products in powder, for example coffee powder, inside a container made of deformable material, comprising a compacting unit (2) and a filling unit (6). The compacting unit (2) comprises a compacting chamber (13) configured to receive a dose of product in powder (3), at a first loading station (4). A presser element (17) is configured to compact the dose of product in powder (3) inside the compacting chamber (13) and subsequently transfers the compacted dose of product in powder (5) into a container (9) arranged inside a filling chamber (21) of the filling unit (6). The compacted dose of product in powder (5) can be further compacted inside the filling chamber (21). The container (9) filled with the compacted dose of product in powder (5) and defining a package being processed (8), is inserted into a vacuum chamber (10) where sealing means (11) close and seal the package being processed (8) during a step of activating vacuum in the vacuum chamber (10).