Bag Compression Mechanism for Air Removal in Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines do not effectively remove excess air from pre-formed side connected bags before sealing, leading to inefficient use of space and increased risk of bag damage during storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine equipped with a compressing arrangement that supports the bags from below and compresses their sides to expel excess air, using mechanisms such as clamps, rams, or narrowing guides, and provides varying support surfaces along the machine's path to prevent bag damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If bags are sealed without removing excess air, then sealing process is simple and fast, but storage efficiency is poor and bag damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by removing excess air from bags before sealing. The compression mechanism is positioned upstream in the packaging line, compressing bags prior to the sealing operation. This preliminary air removal reduces bag volume and improves storage efficiency without creating a bottleneck at the sealing station, maintaining high sealing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging process is segmented into distinct zones: a compression zone with support surface and compression mechanism, and a sealing zone with sealing belts. This segmentation allows air removal to occur in parallel with bag transport, so that by the time bags reach the sealing station, excess air has already been removed but the sealing operation itself remains fast and uninterrupted.
2Volume of moving object
If compression mechanism is added to remove air, then storage efficiency improves, but machine complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface serves multiple functions: it supports bags during compression to prevent deformation, provides a reference plane for the compression mechanism, and maintains bag position during transport between compression and sealing zones. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, limiting the increase in machine complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible compression belts that can adapt to different bag sizes and shapes. These thin-film belts provide the necessary compression force while remaining simple in structure and easy to replace, avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanical compression systems.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If bags are compressed from sides only, then air removal is achieved, but bag deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface acts as a counterbalancing element that provides upward support force to counteract the downward compression force applied by the compression mechanism. This anti-weight action prevents bag deformation by ensuring the bag is supported from below while being compressed from the sides, maintaining bag shape integrity while still removing excess air.
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 reduces the volume of sealed bags, enhancing storage and transportation efficiency and impact resistance, allowing for the use of thinner bag materials, which can lead to cost savings in high-volume applications.
Implementation Method 1
a bag compressing arrangement (18) that compresses sides of the bag to remove excess air from the bag
Implementation Method 2
A packaging machine may include a support surface that provides support during compression of the bag to remove excess air
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a packaging machine includes a mechanism for compressing one or more sides of the bag to expel excess air from an open top end of the bag. In one embodiment, a packaging machine supports a top portion of a bag and a bottom portion of the bag, such that the bottom portion of the bag is moved closer to the top portion of the bag as the bag is moved from a first location to a second location. The bags may be supported from below such that additional support is provided during compression of the bag to remove excess air.