Displaceable Forming Roller for Flexible Packaging Tube Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face challenges in reforming flexible material into tube form with projecting opening devices, leading to undesirable stresses and deformations, particularly at the lower forming apparatus where maintaining cross-sectional configuration is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a displacable forming roller that pivots out of the way when an opening device passes through, using an elastic element to ensure minimal disruption to the tube's cross-section, reducing the risk of deformation and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the lower forming apparatus is dimensioned to the desired final diameter of the material tube for longitudinal sealing, then the sealing operation can be performed, but the tube is forced to bulge inwards and the opening device is compressed, causing undesirable stresses and deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The lower forming roller is made displaceable from a first position (contacting the material web) to a second position (retracted), allowing dynamic adaptation to the presence of opening devices. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the roller to maintain proper sealing contact when needed while avoiding compression and deformation when opening devices are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the lower forming roller is changed from fixed to variable/displaceable. By adjusting the roller's position parameter, the system can adapt to different conditions (presence or absence of opening devices) and maintain both sealing precision and prevent harmful stresses.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower forming roller is permanently removed to allow opening devices to pass through, then the opening device can pass without compression, but outward flexing of the tube occurs in the gap
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently removing the roller, the system uses a movable roller that can be retracted when needed. This dynamic approach allows the roller to be absent from the critical path when opening devices pass through (preventing compression) while returning to its sealing position afterward (maintaining cross-sectional stability).
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable forming roller is positioned in advance to be in contact with the material web, ready to perform sealing. When an opening device approaches, the roller is displaced beforehand to make way, preventing interference. This preliminary positioning and displacement resolves both contradictions.
3Shape
If forming rollers are used to force the packaging material into tube form, then the material can be reformed into the desired shape, but the opening device projecting from the web causes deformation and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The lower forming roller is designed to be displaceable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When opening devices are present, the roller retracts to avoid deforming the projecting opening device, while still enabling the material web to be formed into tube shape when the roller is in its contact position.
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
This solution allows for uniform longitudinal sealing while minimizing the risk of deformation and damage to the packaging material, ensuring the tube maintains its cross-sectional configuration and preventing leakage.
Implementation Method 1
using an elastic element to ensure minimal disruption to the tube's cross-section
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for reforming of a web of flexible packaging material into tube form by rotatable forming rollers which define a material opening. The apparatus is at least one of the forming rollers is displaceable in relation to the material web when an opening device disposed on the material web passes through the material opening.