Variable Immersion Stirring Element for Filling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filling and dosing machines face issues with permanent mixing of fill products leading to bubble formation, mechanical stressing, and temperature control challenges, which affect the accuracy and quality of filled products, particularly in handling viscous and multi-phase fluids.
Innovation Solution
A device with a stirring element whose depth of immersion in the product reservoir can be varied, allowing for controlled mixing and temperature management, optimizing energy consumption and reducing mechanical stress on the fill product, and enabling precise temperature control without the need for elaborate heating or cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a permanent stirring device is used to mix the fill product and prevent separation, then product homogeneity is improved, but bubble formation and mechanical stress increase leading to reduced filling accuracy and product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring device is operated periodically rather than continuously. During filling operations, stirring is activated only when particle separation is detected or anticipated, and deactivated during actual filling to prevent bubble formation and mechanical stress on the fill product, thus maintaining both homogeneity and filling accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect particle separation in the fill product and automatically activates the stirring device in response. This feedback-based control ensures stirring occurs only when necessary to maintain homogeneity, avoiding unnecessary mechanical stress and bubble formation during filling operations
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanent mechanical mixing is applied to the fill product, then product separation is prevented, but foam formation and quality deterioration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring device operates periodically based on detected needs rather than continuously. By activating stirring only when particle separation is detected and deactivating it during filling operations, the system prevents foam formation while maintaining product homogeneity when required
3Ease of operation
If operation is interrupted for any reason, then maintenance or troubleshooting can be performed, but the fill product temperature changes outside the required range
Solution Approach 1:
The stirring device serves dual functions: mixing the fill product to prevent separation and agitating the product to maintain its temperature during operational interruptions. This self-service approach allows the same mechanism to address both homogeneity and temperature control needs without requiring separate heating or cooling systems
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
The solution improves the accuracy and quality of filling by minimizing mechanical stress and optimizing energy use, while maintaining product temperature within required ranges, reducing waste and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a stirring element (13) for stirring the fill product (11) accommodated in the product reservoir (1)
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (32) for heating the fill product (11) accommodated in the product reservoir (1)
Implementation Method 3
a cooling element (33) for cooling the fill product (11) accommodated in the product reservoir (1)
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for filling at least one container with fill product are described. The device includes a product reservoir for accommodating the fill product and a stirring element (for stirring the fill product accommodated in the product reservoir. The depth of immersion of the stirring element in the product reservoir can be varied.