Thermoformed Container Mouth Region Enlargement for Insert Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment for producing thermoformed and heat-sealed containers is limited by the dimensions and shape of the mouth region, which prevents the insertion of inserts with dimensions greater than the mouth diameter or non-linear longitudinal extensions, and is inefficient in material usage and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The equipment includes moulding means with movable injection nozzles that form a wide mouth region and a system for inserting inserts of any shape, including curved or asymmetrical designs, using a forming fluid injection system and a dispensing station to secure the inserts within the container flaps, allowing for efficient and reliable production with reduced material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the mouth region dimensions are reduced to improve container compactness, then container size is improved, but insert insertion capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth region is pre-formed during the thermoforming process to have enlarged dimensions before insert insertion, allowing easy insertion of various inserts. After insert placement, the mouth region is sealed to close the container, achieving both compact storage and easy insert insertion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mouth region is enlarged to improve insert insertion capability, then insert versatility is improved, but container compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth region is temporarily enlarged during the forming process to facilitate insert insertion, then sealed afterward to achieve compact container dimensions. This preliminary enlargement only during formation resolves the contradiction between large mouth for insert insertion and compact final container size.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth region dimensions are dynamically adjusted during the forming process - enlarged when inserts need to be inserted, then sealed and reduced to compact dimensions for final storage, making the container adaptable to different insert requirements.
3Strength
If material thickness is increased to improve container strength, then container strength is improved, but material usage efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are formed with locally optimized thickness distribution - thicker in regions requiring higher strength (such as base and sealing areas) and thinner in non-critical areas. This local quality variation achieves required container strength while minimizing overall material consumption.
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 the insertion of inserts with complex shapes and reduces material usage, improving the reliability and efficiency of container production while enhancing the sealing process and product filling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The injection means comprise injection nozzles whose ends, opening within the central region of the container, are connected to a fluid injection system which enables the central region of the container to be formed
Implementation Method 2
the sequence comprises a pre-heating station for softening predetermined regions of material
Implementation Method 3
a station for sealing the edges of these regions along open profiles corresponding to the edges of the containers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Equipment for producing thermoformable and heat-sealable containers, each of which comprises an object within it, has one or more thermof orming (10) and heat-sealing (25) work stations and a station (15) for dispensing objects into the containers. At least one of the thermo forming stations (10) is positioned upstream of a station (15) for dispensing objects, which in turn is positioned upstream of a heat-sealing station (25) .