Adjustable Sealing and Cutting Device for Packaging Film Rupture Zones

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging technologies fail to easily adjust the size and position of pre-defined rupture zones in packaging films, which are crucial for various product types, sizes, and compositions, affecting the ease of opening and maintaining package integrity.

Innovation Solution

A packaging apparatus with a device for sealing and cutting the film, featuring movable members with interchangeable cutting means and a control unit to adjust the position and orientation of the cutting mechanism, allowing for customizable pre-defined rupture zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed cutting mechanism is used to create pre-defined rupture zones, then the packaging apparatus is simple in structure, but it cannot easily adjust the size and position of rupture zones for different product types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of rupture zone position and sizeVSAvoidcomplexity of cutting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting mechanism is made movable relative to the sealing bars, allowing dynamic adjustment of the rupture zone position. The cutting means can be positioned at different locations along the seal to create rupture zones at various positions (centered, offset to edges) depending on product requirements, while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the packaging apparatus is modified extensively to accommodate different product properties and rupture zone requirements, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity and cost of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different product propertiesVSAvoidextent of modifications required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing and cutting device is segmented into independent functional components: sealing bars that can be positioned at different locations and cutting means that can be adjusted relative to the sealing bars. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted to accommodate different product types and rupture zone requirements without requiring extensive modifications to the entire apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus allows adjustment of key parameters including the position of sealing bars, the position of cutting means relative to sealing bars, and the spacing between multiple sealing bars. By changing these parameters, the same basic apparatus can accommodate different product properties, package sizes, and rupture zone requirements without extensive structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sealing bars with adjustable cutting means are used, then versatility for different product types is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle different product typesVSAvoidnumber of sealing bars and cutting means

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing bars and cutting means are designed as multi-functional components that can perform multiple functions: sealing the package, creating pre-defined rupture zones, and accommodating various product types. The same basic structure of sealing bars with adjustable cutting means can handle different products (foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals) by simply adjusting the positions and spacing of the bars, reducing the need for entirely different device configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables the formation of packages with adjustable rupture zones, accommodating different product properties without extensive modifications to the packaging apparatus, facilitating easy opening and maintaining package integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The pre-cut section is designed to leave the seal intact while providing a pre-determined breaking point at which the packaging film is designed to rupture in a controlled manner upon manual interaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting:

Implementation Method 2

a lower bar and an upper bar are moved with respect to one another in order to contact each other, squeezing the packaging material in between and providing one or more seals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression sealing:

Data Source

PatentUS10577142B2Device for sealing and cutting in a packaging apparatus, a packaging process and a packaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 CRYOVAC INC

AI summary

A device for sealing and cutting a film in a packaging apparatus, a packaging apparatus including the device, and a process using the device are provided. The device includes first and second members, one or both of which are movable with respect to the other. One of the members includes an elongated blade, and one of the members includes a cutting means positionable in a plurality of positions. The process includes creating a first seal on a tubular film, thereby creating a semi-sealed package, creating a second seal on the semi-sealed package, thereby creating a sealed package, creating a substantially transversal cut in the tubular film, thereby separating the semi-sealed package from a subsequent portion of the tubular film, and creating an incision in a section of the first or second seal, the incision defining a pre-determined breaking zone in the tubular film of the sealed package.