Cold Sealing Packaging Device for Fruit and Vegetable Shells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for packaging fruits and vegetables are costly and inefficient, particularly due to the high expense of resealable films and labeling processes, which often result in non-gas-tight packaging that leads to premature spoilage.
Innovation Solution
A device that applies encrypted labels mechanically to the peripheral edge of plastic or alternative material shells using a motor-driven extractor roller with a carrier film, allowing for cold sealing and reusability of the carrier film, reducing costs and enabling efficient, automated closure of shells without the need for expensive traysealers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat-sealed film closures are used to seal plastic trays, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly due to expensive resealable films and specialized tray sealers
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, specialized heat-sealed film closures with inexpensive, disposable adhesive labels. These labels are applied to the tray rim and provide sufficient sealing functionality without requiring costly resealable films or specialized tray sealer equipment, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate sealing reliability for fruit and vegetable packaging
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical heat-sealing process with a simpler adhesive bonding process. Instead of using heat and pressure to seal films to the tray rim, the system applies labels with adhesive layers that bond to the tray edge, eliminating the need for expensive tray sealer equipment and reducing manufacturing complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive labels are applied to seal trays instead of heat-sealed films, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the sealing strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies adhesive labels specifically to the circumferential edge or rim of the tray where sealing is most critical. The label's adhesive layer is positioned to create a strong bond at the tray opening, providing sufficient sealing strength for fruit and vegetable packaging without requiring expensive heat-sealed films throughout the entire tray structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If expensive resealable films are used to enable resealability, then the resealability function is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inexpensive adhesive labels that can be easily removed and reapplied multiple times, providing resealability functionality without the cost of specialized resealable films. The label's adhesive properties allow it to be peeled off and reattached, enabling consumers to reseal trays of fruit and vegetables without requiring expensive proprietary film materials
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 provides a cost-effective, automated method for closing food shells with a stable adhesive bond, enabling resealability and reducing energy consumption, while allowing for air exchange to prevent premature spoilage, thus extending the shelf life of packaged goods.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive layer at least in the region of the circumferential edge is applied to the outer edge of the tray to seal the open side
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for sealing plastic shells, cardboard shells, paper shells or shells made from bamboo fibre and/or maize that are open on a half side, hereinafter 'shells' for short, by means of cold sealing. The device according to the invention comprises a control and drive unit (2), with the aid of which a carrier film (6) held on an unwinding roller (5) with sealing labels adhered thereto is supplied to a dispensing edge (10) in order to remove the sealing labels, wherein, at the same time, shells that are open at the top and contain foodstuffs are brought to said dispensing edge (10) and the shells, by means of an adhesive layer applied in the region of the circumferential border of the sealing labels, are glued to the circumferential edge of the shells at the open side by cold sealing and, as a result, are sealed, optionally in a resealable manner.