Continuous Film Transport for Stand-Up Pouch Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for producing stand-up pouches subject the film to high tensile forces due to intermittent acceleration and deceleration, leading to film stretch and increased wear of the device components.

Innovation Solution

A device with an electromagnetically driven punching system that accelerates punches in a pulsed manner, allowing continuous film processing without stopping, and a synchronized sealing station moving at the film's speed to prevent mechanical stress and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If intermittent film feed is used for processing, then the film can be processed during standstill phases, but the film is subjected to high tensile forces causing stretching and plastic deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm processing capabilityVSAvoidfilm dimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The film is pre-fed continuously at a controlled speed before processing, and the punching operation is performed during this continuous motion. The continuous feed ensures the film is already in position and moving smoothly before the punch engages, eliminating the need for acceleration from standstill and preventing tensile forces that cause stretching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of stopping the film to perform punching operations (intermittent feed), the invention inverts the approach by performing the punching operation while the film is in continuous motion. This reversal of the processing sequence eliminates the harmful acceleration-deceleration cycles while maintaining manufacturing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If intermittent film feed with frequent acceleration and deceleration is used, then processing can be performed during standstill, but the device experiences high wear due to acceleration forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice component lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The film feed is maintained continuously throughout the processing operation rather than being interrupted. The punching system operates during the continuous motion of the film, eliminating repeated acceleration and deceleration cycles. This continuous action reduces mechanical stress on drive components and extends device lifespan while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The film is fed continuously at the required speed before the punching operation begins. This preliminary continuous feeding ensures that when the punch engages, the film is already moving smoothly, eliminating the need for rapid acceleration that causes high wear on mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the punching machine accelerates quickly through electromagnetic pulses, then the interaction time with the film is short, but the film must still be stopped for processing in conventional systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunch acceleration speedVSAvoidfilm stopping time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The film is pre-fed continuously at the appropriate speed before the electromagnetic punch engages. This preliminary action ensures the film is already in position and moving smoothly, allowing the punch to complete its operation during continuous motion without requiring the film to stop, thereby eliminating loss of time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional approach of stopping the film for punching is inverted. The electromagnetic punch is designed to operate during continuous film motion, using rapid acceleration to complete the punching action in a short time window while the film keeps moving, thus eliminating stopping time entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Prevents film stretch and reduces device wear by maintaining continuous film transport throughout processing, ensuring the film meets mechanical and optical requirements while minimizing mechanical stress and extending equipment lifespan.

Implementation Method 1

the punches are preferably pulsed, and the at least one punch is configured to be accelerated by a first electromagnetic pulse in the vertical or horizontal direction downwards or to the side through the film into a first position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic acceleration: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentEP3599074B1Device for producing standing bags
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SN MASCHENBAU
  • EP3599074B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599074B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the production of stand-up pouches, which has a film feeder (1) with which a film (13) is fed to a punching system (6), a folding unit (5) and a sealing station (4), characterized in that the film (13) is transported continuously, in particular without acceleration, by the film feeder (1).