Bag Melter Ring Constriction Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bag melting devices face contamination and incomplete material extraction due to bulging undersized packaging bags, leading to adhesive residue on the inner cylinder wall and environmental hazards from non-recyclable waste.

Innovation Solution

A bag melter design featuring a ring-like constriction at the outlet end with a conical sealing surface for self-centering the bag, a squeezing piston with a smaller head plate for complete extraction, and compression springs for safe operation, along with a scraper plate for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If packaging bags are filled to full capacity, then material utilization is improved, but the bag cannot be pressed tightly against the inner cylinder wall in the heating zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling capacityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the packaging bag and the inner cylinder wall. The sealing ring has a sealing bead that contacts the bag's edge zone, providing the necessary sealing function without requiring the bag to be tightly pressed against the cylinder wall, thus resolving the contradiction between full filling and sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is segmented from the cylinder wall and assigned to a separate sealing ring component. This allows the sealing mechanism to be independent of the bag's fit against the wall, enabling full filling while maintaining reliable sealing through the dedicated sealing ring structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a squeezing piston with large cross section is used, then complete emptying of the bag is improved, but the piston cannot penetrate into the constricted area at the outlet end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemptying completenessVSAvoidpiston insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The squeezing piston is designed with a dynamic cross-sectional area that changes along its length. The head plate has a smaller cross section than the main piston body, allowing it to penetrate the constricted outlet area first, after which the larger cross section engages to provide complete emptying force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The piston design transitions from a uniform cross-section to a variable cross-section along the axial dimension. The head plate's reduced cross-section enables passage through the constricted outlet zone, while the main body's larger cross-section provides sufficient squeezing force for complete emptying

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If packaging bags are allowed to wrinkle for sealing, then sealing is improved, but complete emptying is prevented and material is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing ring acts as an intermediary that provides sealing through its sealing bead contacting the bag edge, eliminating the need for wrinkles. This allows the bag to be fully filled without wrinkles while maintaining effective sealing, thereby preventing material loss in folds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism changes from relying on geometric deformation (wrinkles) to relying on a dedicated sealing component (sealing bead). This parameter change in the sealing approach allows full filling without wrinkles while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 thorough emptying of packaging bags without frequent cleaning and reduces environmental impact by preventing adhesive residue and enabling recycling.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heating element is provided in the area of the at least one outlet opening of the receiving space and is used to melt the working material at the front end of the packaging bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

compression springs are provided between a squeezing piston and a scraper or stripper plate, the scraper or stripper plate is extended in a depressurized rest state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2214839B1Melting system for bags
Publication Date: 2016.09.28 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP2214839B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2214839B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP2214839B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for successively melting a solid working material, such as a hot melt adhesive (16), packed in a packaging bag (18), and for pressing the molten working material out of the packaging bag, comprising a cylindrical receiving chamber (12) provided with at least one outlet opening (14A) at the end for receiving the packaging bag (18) filled with the working material and having a front end (18b) and a back end (18A). The invention further comprises at least one heating element (30) in the region of the at least one outlet opening (14A) for melting the working material at the front-end of the packaging bag (18) having a discharge opening (18C) for the molten working material, and further comprises a pressing device (20) with a pressing plunger (22) that can be displaced within the receiving chamber (12) and acts on the back end (18A) of the packaging bag (18). The device is protected from contaminations by molten working material when used with undersized packaging bags that are extremely filled in that the receiving chamber (12) at the outlet end (12D) thereof facing the at least one outlet opening (14A) comprises a ring-like constriction (40) with a peripherally sealing contact surface (40A) for the packaging bag (18) at least at the edge zone (18D) thereof surrounding the discharge opening (18C).