Weight-Based Seamer Controller for Canning Waste Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial canning systems face inefficiencies due to waste from underfilled or overfilled containers, where insufficient product leads to unsellable containers and excessive product causes spillage, highlighting the need for a system to weigh containers before seaming and decide whether to seam based on weight criteria.
Innovation Solution
A canning system incorporating a seamer assembly with a load cell assembly and seamer controller that weighs filled containers and determines whether to seam based on predetermined weight criteria, allowing for the rejection of underfilled containers and preventing spillage from overfilled ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If containers are filled without weight verification, then the canning process is faster and simpler, but significant waste of product and containers occurs when underfilled containers are seamed and cannot be sold
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs weight measurement of filled containers before the seaming operation. The load cell assembly measures the weight of each container, and the controller determines whether to proceed with seaming based on predetermined weight criteria. This preliminary weight verification prevents underfilled containers from being sealed, eliminating waste of both product and containers while maintaining efficient production flow.
2Loss of substance
If weight measurement and selection system is implemented, then product waste is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional load cell assembly and controller logic
Solution Approach 1:
The weight measurement function is integrated into the existing seaming system by positioning the load cell assembly within the seamer assembly structure. The controller that manages the seaming operation is the same controller that receives weight measurements and makes the go/no-go decision. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate measurement and control systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining waste reduction capabilities.
3Productivity
If all containers are seamed without weight checking, then the seaming process is continuous and efficient, but underfilled containers are sealed and cannot be sold, resulting in loss of time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs weight verification and makes the decision to seam or reject each container without requiring manual inspection or intervention. The load cell assembly continuously monitors container weights, and the controller automatically compares measurements against predetermined criteria, seamlessly integrating quality control into the production flow. This self-service approach eliminates time loss while maintaining high throughput.
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 system effectively reduces waste by ensuring containers are filled to the correct weight before seaming, optimizing the canning process and minimizing product loss.
Implementation Method 1
A canning system incorporating a seamer assembly with a load cell assembly and seamer controller that weighs filled containers
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems for seaming containers are described herein. The canning system can include a seamer assembly and a seamer controller. The seamer assembly includes a load cell assembly which weighs the containers and communicates with the seamer controller to determine if the container is to have a lid seamed onto the container based on the satisfaction of a predetermined weight criteria. The seamer controller is designed to receive weight measurements of the container, determine a weight criteria and whether the container has satisfied the weight criteria, command the seamer assembly whether to seam a lid to the container based on the satisfaction of the weight criteria, and send a command to the reject station to remove the container if the weight criteria is not satisfied.