3D Printed Sealing Mask with Localized Heating for Packaging Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of sealing masks and goggles for packaging machines is complex due to the need for new molds and machining, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The sealing masks and goggles are designed as 3D printed components, constructed in layers with materials like plastic, silicone, or metal, allowing for localized heat control, non-stick surfaces, and channels for gas exchange, and can be thermally post-treated for enhanced properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sealing masks and goggles are manufactured using traditional casting and machining methods, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to requiring new molds for each sealing mask
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies 3D printing technology to manufacture sealing masks and goggles, fundamentally changing the manufacturing method from traditional casting and machining. This additive manufacturing approach eliminates the need for complex molds and multiple machining steps, directly creating components with required precision through digital model slicing and layer-by-layer construction, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical molding and machining system with a 3D printing system that uses computer-controlled material deposition. The application device moves in a plane under computer control, building components layer by layer through adhesive bonding, melting/solidifying, or chemical processes like polymerization, substituting complex mechanical tooling with a more flexible digital manufacturing approach
2Ease of manufacture
If sealing masks are made with uniform material properties, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability decreases because different sealing areas require different thermal properties for peelable versus solid seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by incorporating resistance heaters in specific layers at different locations within the sealing mask. These heaters can be selectively activated to create localized temperature variations, enabling different thermal properties in different sealing areas. This allows the same sealing mask to produce both peelable seals in certain areas and solid seals in others, achieving adaptability without requiring multiple different mask designs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material construction by combining different materials within the sealing mask and goggles. The sealing components can be made of one or different materials including plastic, silicone, metal, or mixtures thereof. Different grain size distributions can be applied in different layers or within layers, and non-stick materials like PTFE can be applied to specific surfaces, creating composite structures with tailored properties for different functional requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If channels are added to sealing frame for gassing and degassing, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gassing and degassing channel functionality directly into the sealing frame structure during the 3D printing process. The channels are integrated as internal voids or passages within the printed frame geometry, combining the support function with the gas management function in a single unified component. This integration approach adds functionality without requiring separate external channel systems or additional assembly steps
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 approach simplifies the manufacturing process, enables customizable sealing seams with varying strengths and ease of removal, and improves the efficiency and adaptability of packaging machine operations.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing mask is heated. The sealing mask presses the outer web, for example, a plastic film, against the packaging tray, thereby bonding it to the tray under the influence of heat.
Implementation Method 2
A structure that acts as a resistance heater is constructed in one or more layers... The side of the sealing mask facing the web of material has locally different temperatures
Implementation Method 3
The last layer(s) applied is/are bonded to the previously provided material of the sealing mask and the sealing goggles by adhesive bonding. This bonding can be achieved by gluing, melting/solidifying, and/or a chemical process, such as polymerization.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a packaging machine having a sealing mask (26) and/or a sealing frame (10).