Cap Heat-Sealing Control Using Seal Head Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-sealing technologies fail to prevent defective sealing or issues during cap opening due to inappropriate cap heating, caused by inconsistent temperature measurement and control of the seal head, leading to insufficient adhesion or excessive heating of metal caps on containers.
Innovation Solution
A heat-seal device with a temperature measuring device and control unit that adjusts the container's moving speed and heating time based on the seal head's temperature, using a non-contact infrared thermometer to ensure proper cap bonding by controlling the induction heating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the induction heating amount is increased to ensure adequate cap heating, then the cap temperature rises sufficiently for proper adhesion, but when the elastic material temperature is already high, the sealing becomes too strong and container flange portions may melt
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the temperature of the elastic material with a temperature measuring device and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the induction heating amount. When the elastic material temperature is low, higher induction heating is applied; when it is already high, induction heating is reduced or stopped, preventing over-heating and container damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating parameter (induction heating amount) based on the measured temperature of the elastic material. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures optimal cap heating while preventing excessive temperature that could damage the container flange portion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the induction heating amount is decreased to prevent overheating, then container damage is avoided, but the cap temperature may not rise sufficiently for proper adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature measuring device continuously monitors the elastic material temperature and provides feedback to the control device, which adjusts the induction heating amount accordingly. This ensures the heating amount is sufficient for cap adhesion while preventing container damage from excessive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static heating (fixed induction heating amount) to dynamic heating (variable induction heating amount based on real-time temperature measurements). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both adhesion quality and prevent container damage.
3Device complexity
If the temperature of the elastic material is not measured and fixed induction heating is applied, then the process is simple, but defective sealing occurs when the elastic material temperature is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces temperature measurement feedback of the elastic material to the control process. This feedback enables the control device to adjust the induction heating amount based on actual temperature conditions, preventing defective sealing while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the elastic material itself to provide temperature information through the temperature measuring device, which then self-adjusts the heating process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual temperature monitoring and adjustment while ensuring reliable sealing.
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 device effectively prevents defective sealing by ensuring the cap temperature is maintained within a predetermined range, preventing insufficient adhesion or excessive heating, thus ensuring reliable sealing without container damage.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature measuring device (non-contact type infrared thermometer, for example) which measures a temperature of the seal head
Implementation Method 2
in a case that the cap made of metal (aluminum or the like), for example, an eddy current is generated by electromagnetic induction so as to cause the cap itself to be heated
Implementation Method 3
an eddy current is generated by electromagnetic induction so as to cause the cap itself to be heated
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat-sealing device capable of preventing problems associated with cap sealing performance and/or sensation of the cap being open due to an inappropriate cap temperature. For this purpose, this heat-sealing device (10), which is used in a manufacturing apparatus (100) for manufacturing a product for which an opening part (1A: mouth part) of a container (1) is sealed with a cap (2), is provided with: a pressing plate (5) which is disposed on a path along which the containers (1) move; a heating unit (3) and sealing heads (4) for pressing the caps (2) sealing the container (1), the heating unit (3) and sealing heads (4) being arranged on the pressing plate (5); a temperature measurement device (7) for measuring the temperatures of the sealing heads (4); and a control device (8: control unit) for transmitting control signals to a container conveyance drive source (for example, inverter) in accordance with the measurement results from the temperature measurement device (7).