Rotatable Terminal Cutting Compacted Powders for Precise Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for compacted powders face challenges in achieving precise dosing due to the high degree of compaction and air incorporation, leading to errors in dosage and organoleptic property degradation.
Innovation Solution
A system with a rotatable terminal and cutting means positioned internally within the first tube to cut compacted powders at the outlet, ensuring precise dosing and avoiding external cutting mechanisms that occupy more space, while maintaining high compaction and preventing powder dispersion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If deaerators are used to remove air from powders, then the volume of product is reduced and organoleptic properties are preserved, but the powders become compacted and remain anchored at the outlet causing dosing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting means divide the compacted powder column into separate segments, allowing precise portioning of the powder at the outlet. The rotating blade cuts the continuous powder stream into discrete doses, resolving the anchoring problem while maintaining dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the powder by applying vacuum/depression to compact it for efficient packaging, then uses cutting means to restore dosing precision. The parameter change from loose to compacted state is reversible through the cutting action.
2Manufacturing precision
If the degree of compaction of powders is limited, then dosing precision is improved, but the volume reduction and air removal benefits are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The powder is compacted in advance within the tube before reaching the outlet, achieving volume reduction and air removal. The cutting means then act on this pre-compacted powder to ensure precise dosing without requiring the powder to remain loose throughout the entire system.
3Reliability
If external cutting means are positioned away from the tube outlet, then vibrations during rotation are avoided, but powder loss occurs through the space between outlet and cutting means
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting means are nested within the tube structure itself, with the rotating blade positioned inside the tube at the outlet. This eliminates the need for external cutting mechanisms and prevents powder loss through external spaces, while the tube structure provides inherent vibration damping.
4Ease of operation
If cutting means are positioned externally to the tube, then space for vibration clearance is provided, but the system occupies more space and powder dispersion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning cutting means externally in a radial direction, the solution moves the cutting action into the axial dimension by placing the blade at the tube outlet. This eliminates the need for radial clearance space while maintaining vibration tolerance through the tube's structural support.
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 precise control over the dosage of compacted powders, reduces powder loss, and maintains the organoleptic properties by eliminating air and preventing oxidation, thus enhancing packaging efficiency and product longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a first tube (102) comprising a screw conveyor (C) configured to rotate about an axis inside the first tube (102) so as to convey the powders towards an outlet of the first tube
Implementation Method 2
the rotatable terminal internally comprises cutting means (F) configured so as to cut the compacted powders exiting from the first tube when the rotatable terminal rotates
Implementation Method 3
The deaeration process allows the elimination of the air incorporated in the powder and therefore allows packages with the same volume to become heavier. The operating principle is based on the continuous extraction of the air existing, under normal conditions, between the particles of product through the creation of vacuum inside the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for packaging compacted powders are provided, wherein the system comprises a first tube (TC), wherein a screw conveyor (C) is positioned inside the first tube (TC) which is configured so as to rotate around an axis (ac) inside the first tube (TC) in order to convey the powders towards an outlet (UT) of the first tube (TC); the system (100) comprises a rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) in the proximity of the output (UT); the rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) comprises in its inside cutting means (F) which are configured so as to cut the compacted powders leaving the first tube (TC) when the rotatable terminal (TI) rotates, wherein the rotatable terminal (TI, TIC) is positioned so as to contact the end of the first tube (TC) which defines the output (UT).