Recirculation Pump Moisture Regulation for Packaging Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems are inadequate for efficiently separating packaging units containing agricultural or horticultural products into separate waste streams for packaging materials and organic pulp, often leading to clogging issues due to varying moisture content.

Innovation Solution

A method and device with a processing chamber, decomposition mechanism, and pump system that includes a curved sieve and recirculation conduit to regulate moisture content, allowing for efficient separation and processing of packaging units regardless of moisture levels, using a screw conveyor and drainage system to manage excess moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing separation systems are used to process packaging units with varying moisture content, then separation of packaging materials and organic pulp can be achieved, but the system becomes clogged and requires manual intervention and sieve changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidmanual intervention frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-wetting dry organic material before it enters the decomposition mechanism, and by pre-adjusting the recirculation pump to regulate moisture content. This prevents clogging before it occurs, allowing continuous operation without manual intervention or sieve changes regardless of the initial moisture content of the packaged products.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If existing separation systems process packaging units without moisture regulation, then processing can be simplified, but clogging occurs requiring sieve changes and manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture regulation system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the moisture content parameter of the organic material dynamically during processing. A recirculation conduit returns processed material to the processing chamber, and a recirculation pump regulates the moisture content by controlling the recirculation flow. This maintains optimal processing conditions and prevents clogging, enabling continuous high-speed operation without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual processing is used for rejected packaging units, then flexibility in handling varying moisture content is achieved, but productivity decreases and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the processing line self-service by automatically regulating moisture content through the recirculation pump and conduit. The system adapts to varying moisture content of different packaged products without requiring manual intervention, maintaining both flexibility and high productivity. The decomposition mechanism automatically adjusts to process different types of organic material at high speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Use of energy by moving object

If decomposition mechanism processes dry organic material without moisture addition, then energy consumption is reduced, but clogging occurs requiring system downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by continuously recirculating processed organic material through the recirculation conduit to maintain optimal moisture content. This prevents clogging and ensures uninterrupted operation of the decomposition mechanism, eliminating system downtime while maintaining energy-efficient processing of dry organic material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables continuous operation with minimal downtime, effective separation of packaging materials and organic pulp, and consistent pulp consistency for fermentation, reducing manual intervention and sieve changes.

Implementation Method 1

a decomposition mechanism (3) accommodated in the processing chamber (5), which is configured to open the packaging units and to transform the agricultural/pasture/horticultural products into the organic pulp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical breakdown: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

a removal assembly that is provided with a pump system and having a first conduit for transporting the organic pulp out of the processing chamber (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

the first conduit (23) is connected to a branch (24) where the first conduit (23) splits into a removal conduit (25) and a recirculation conduit (26)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid recirculation: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3842590A1Method, separation system and unpacking device for processing packaging units
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 RENES AGF SERVICES
  • EP3842590A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3842590A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3842590A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A method for processing packaging units (8) formed of a package (14) and the included agricultural or horticultural products (15) using a separation system with an unpacking device (2). The unpacking device (2) includes a processing chamber (5) with a decomposition mechanism (3, 42, 43) and a removal assembly (21) with an output conduit (25) and a recirculation conduit (26). According to the method, the decomposition mechanism is actuated to open packaging units (8) within the processing chamber (5) and to press the released products (15) through a sieve (13a) to form an organic pulp (44), the organic pulp is transported via an output hopper (16) from the processing chamber (5), and a circulation stream (18) with organic pulp is transported via the recirculation conduit (26) back to the processing chamber (5), and is supplied in a regulated manner to the processing chamber to increase the moisture content of the organic pulp that is moving from the processing chamber through the sieve (13a) and the output hopper (16).