Sealed Lid Feed Structure for Hygienic Can Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can seamers lack effective delimitation of the working space from the environment, compromising hygiene and cleanliness during the lid feeding process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a seal between the first and second sections of the lid feed, which can be sealed relative to each other, and utilizing a housing that surrounds the working space to create a hygienic zone, along with a lid clamp that can be expanded to hold the lid stack, ensuring the working space is sealed and hygienic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lid feed passes through an opening in the housing to allow format change, then the adaptability is improved, but the working space cannot be sealed off from the environment, compromising hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The lid feed is divided into two distinct sections: a first section arranged inside the housing (within the working space) and a second section arranged outside the housing. This segmentation allows the opening in the housing to be sealed while maintaining the lid feed's functionality, as each section operates in its designated zone. The seal at the interface between sections prevents contamination while preserving format change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second sections of the lid feed. This seal acts as a barrier that prevents unwanted substances from entering the working space through the opening, while still allowing the lid feed mechanism to function. The seal mediates between the need for an open lid feed path and the requirement for a sealed, hygienic working environment.
2Ease of operation
If the opening in the housing is made large enough to allow format change, then the ease of operation is improved, but the working space becomes more vulnerable to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lid feed into internal and external sections, the system maintains a large enough opening for format change operations while confining the potential contamination pathway to the external section. The internal section remains protected within the sealed housing, ensuring ease of operation without compromising hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal serves as an intermediary that allows the housing opening to remain sufficiently large for operational flexibility while blocking the entry of unwanted substances. This intermediary element enables the system to simultaneously achieve ease of operation and protection against contamination.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the working space is well insulated and separated from the environment, then the hygiene is improved, but the lid feed cannot pass through the housing
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the lid feed into two sections arranged in different locations (inside and outside the housing) allows the working space to be fully sealed for hygiene purposes. The complexity is managed by creating a modular structure where each section performs its function in its appropriate zone, with the seal providing a clean interface between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary that enables the working space to be completely separated from the environment while still allowing the lid feed to function. This intermediary solution achieves superior hygiene without requiring complex alternative feed mechanisms, as the sealed design with intermediary seal is relatively simple to implement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a closure device (1000) for closing a container (100) comprising a working chamber (2) in which the container (100) is closed with a lid (101); and a housing (20) surrounding the working chamber (2); a lid feeder (1) for feeding a plurality of lids (101) in a lid stack (121) to the working chamber (2); wherein the lid feeder (1) comprises a first section (11) arranged in the working chamber (5) such that the first section (11) is surrounded by the housing (20), and a second section (12) arranged outside the housing (20). The lid feeder (1) further comprises a seal (5) arranged between the first section (11) and the second section (12) such that the first section (11) can be sealed against the second section (12).