Integrated Sack Treatment Device for Residual Air Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating open sacks filled with bulk materials are inefficient, as they require separate devices for suction and cleaning, leading to excessive effort and risk of moisture and product loss during the venting and sealing process.
Innovation Solution
A treatment device with a common unit housing a suction device and a cleaning device, which can be moved between treatment and rest positions, allows for simultaneous air suction and cleaning of the sack opening without dipping into the product level, reducing residual air and eliminating the need for separate ventilation ducts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If air ducts are provided in the bag wall to allow air to escape during compression, then air can be vented from the sack, but moisture can enter the sack and product can escape
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device removes air from the sack headspace before the closing operation, so that when the sack is compressed later, no significant air remains to escape through ducts and potentially carry moisture or product with it. This preliminary deaeration eliminates the need for air ducts during compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts air from the sack headspace using a suction device with suction openings that communicate with the headspace. By removing air before closing, the harmful effect of residual air is eliminated without requiring air ducts that would create pathways for moisture and product loss.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a suction device dips into the sack to remove air, then air can be extracted, but filling material can also be discharged through the suction device
Solution Approach 1:
The suction openings are positioned specifically in the headspace region above the filling material, not in contact with the material itself. This localized positioning allows air to be extracted while the filling material remains undisturbed, preventing discharge of product through the suction device.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device acts as an intermediary that removes air from the headspace without directly contacting the filling material. By positioning the suction openings in the air space above the material and using the cleaning device to maintain separation, air can be removed without discharging filling material.
3Reliability
If separate suction device and cleaning device are used, then air can be removed and sack opening cleaned, but considerable effort and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device and cleaning device are combined into a single integrated device. The suction openings and cleaning openings are provided in the same sack-opening-side wall, allowing both air removal and cleaning to be performed simultaneously or sequentially by one device, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: it has suction openings for removing air from the headspace and cleaning openings for cleaning the inner sack wall. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate devices while ensuring both deaeration and cleaning are accomplished reliably.
4Reliability
If cleaning device moves back and forth along the sack opening, then inner upper edge can be cleaned, but additional effort and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning openings are positioned to clean the inner sack wall in the closing region before the closing operation takes place. By performing cleaning preliminarily and positioning the cleaning openings strategically, the cleaning device does not need to move extensively, reducing time and effort while ensuring the closing region is clean.
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 significantly reduces residual air in sacks, eliminates the need for post-venting, and enhances palletizing ability while minimizing the risk of moisture entry and product loss, resulting in a more efficient and reliable closing process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suction device for sucking air out of the headspace of the open sack
Implementation Method 2
a movable cleaning device is moved back and forth along the top opening of the sack from side to side to clean the inner upper edge of the sack by an air jet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
The device (10) has a suction mechanism (4) for sucking air from a head area of an open sack, and a cleaning device (5) for cleaning a sack opening of the sack. The suction mechanism and the cleaning device are arranged on a common treatment body (7), which is moved between a treatment position and a stationary position. The mechanism is immersed into a sack interior of the sack in the treatment position, while the cleaning device remains outside. The treatment body comprises a longitudinally extended base plate (12), and an immersion unit (13) is provided on the plate. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a packaging machine comprising a filling component for filling bulk material in an open sack (2) a method for treating a open sack filled with bulk material.