Rotating Additive Dosing Disk for Bottling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bottling machines face challenges in efficiently introducing additive fluids into containers without requiring additional space or the limitations of static microdoser systems, which often restrict the quantity and precision of fluid addition.
Innovation Solution
A device integrated with the bottling machine's transfer wheel, featuring a support disk with fluid outlets positioned over holding sites, synchronized with the wheel's rotation, allowing independent operation of dosing valves to introduce additives during a significant portion of the rotation, and potentially using multiple systems for different additives or quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an independent microdoser machine is added upstream of the bottling machine, then the additive fluid can be introduced into bottles, but the machine occupies additional space and requires separation of the blower and bottling machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the additive fluid dosing system directly into the transfer wheel of the bottling machine. The support disk with dosing valves is mounted on the transfer wheel, allowing additive introduction to occur during bottle transfer without requiring a separate microdoser machine. This merging eliminates the need for additional space and avoids the need to separate the blower and bottling machine.
2Ease of operation
If a static microdoser is used to introduce liquid into bottles, then the device can be installed over a transfer wheel, but the quantity of liquid that may be introduced is very limited due to the very limited time available for injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotating support disk with dosing valves that rotates synchronously with the transfer wheel. This dynamic system allows dosing valves to be positioned over bottle openings for extended periods during the rotation cycle, significantly increasing the time available for additive introduction compared to static microdoser systems. The rotational motion enables continuous dosing throughout the bottle's passage, thereby increasing the quantity of additive fluid that can be introduced.
3Measurement precision
If dosing valves are synchronized with the transfer wheel rotation, then precise control of additive fluid introduction is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support disk is directly mounted on the transfer wheel, sharing the same rotation axis and synchronous motion. This mechanical integration eliminates the need for separate synchronization motors and control systems that would be required if the dosing system were independent. The dosing valves are positioned on the support disk such that they naturally align with bottle openings during rotation, achieving precise dosing control through the inherent mechanical coupling rather than complex electronic synchronization.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for introducing an additive fluid into a container such as a bottle. The device comprises a support disk (61), a plurality of fluid lines (62), each comprising a fluid outlet (63) situated on the perimeter of the support disk (61), a fluid manifold (64) fixed on the support disk (61) configured to feed the fluid lines (62) with additive fluid, and dosing valves, a dosing valve equipping each fluid line (62). The device further comprises a pairing assembly for pairing the device with a transfer wheel of a bottling machine, configured to synchronise a rotation of the support disk (61) with a rotation of the transfer wheel with which it is paired. The invention also relates to a system comprising such a device and to a bottling machine comprising such a system. The invention also relates to a method for transforming a bottling machine comprising adding a device for introducing an additive fluid into a container.