Tubular Bag Machine Gas Adjustment Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tubular bagging machines face challenges in efficiently managing air trapped in packages, leading to bloated products, and require complex and labor-intensive adjustments for gas supply and suction, especially at higher machine speeds and for sensitive products that require protective atmospheres.

Innovation Solution

A tubular bag machine with a compact gas adjustment device featuring an insertion head with multiple gas passage openings for both air extraction and gas supply, allowing for flexible and precise control of gas flow, minimizing space usage and leakage, and enabling efficient operation at high speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a lance protrudes into the packaging tube to extract air, then air extraction is effective, but the device occupies large space and increases packaging material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair extraction effectivenessVSAvoidspace occupied in packaging tube
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The gas adjustment device is divided into multiple gas passage openings distributed along the insertion head, allowing air extraction to occur at multiple locations simultaneously rather than requiring a single large lance protruding into the tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion head with multiple gas passage openings serves dual functions: extracting air from the packaging tube and supplying protective gas, replacing the need for separate lances for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flat nozzles and pairs of rollers are arranged to supply gas and extract air, then gas control is improved, but the construction becomes complex and occupies large space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas control capabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple gas passage openings for air extraction and protective gas supply are integrated into a single insertion head structure, eliminating the need for separate nozzles and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion head performs multiple functions (air extraction and gas supply) through its multiple gas passage openings, replacing the complex arrangement of separate nozzles and rollers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of gas supply and suction is used, then flexibility is achieved, but the adjustment process becomes laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gas passage openings allow for adjustment of gas flow parameters (supply and extraction rates) to optimize protective atmosphere composition and package filling, enabling flexible control without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple gas passage openings enable the system to automatically regulate gas flow and atmosphere composition based on packaging requirements, eliminating the need for manual adjustment by operating personnel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If separate suction devices and gas supply devices are used, then precise atmosphere control is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveatmosphere control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Air extraction and gas supply functions are merged into a single insertion head with multiple gas passage openings, maintaining precise atmosphere control while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion head serves as a universal device for both air extraction and protective gas supply, eliminating the need for separate suction devices and gas supply devices

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

The solution allows for optimal regulation of air suction and gas supply, reducing package bloating, improving product shelf life, and simplifying the adjustment process, ensuring efficient and flexible operation, even at high production rates.

Implementation Method 1

a first gas passage opening for discharging a gas from the packaging tube, which is connected to a vacuum source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2920078B1Tubular bag machine with a gas controlling device
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2920078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2920078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2920078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention specifies an in particular horizontal tubular-bag machine (5) in which objects (2) which are provided for packaging are conveyed along a conveying direction (6) by means of a conveying apparatus (51). The tubular-bag machine (5) has an apparatus (50, 43) for producing from a packaging sheet material (12) a packaging tube (13) extending in the conveying direction (6), and also has a longitudinal-connection device (53, 54) and a transverse-connection device (44) for producing longitudinal and transverse connections in the packaging tube (13). Also provided is a gas-adjusting device (8) with an introduction head (80) for engaging in the packaging tube (13) in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, wherein the introduction head (80) has a first gas-passage opening (802, 804, 805, 807, 808) and at least one second gas-passage opening (802, 804, 805, 807, 808) by way of which a gas is fed into the packaging tube (13) or removed therefrom.