Dome Sealing Tool Holding Element for Crease-Free Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines with dome sealing tools face challenges in creating crease-free skin packs for tall products, as the skin film may not be stretchable enough or adhere properly to the inner surfaces, leading to inefficiencies in the sealing process and machine performance.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a dome sealing tool featuring a heatable holding element, made of materials like silicone or PEEK, that is arranged circumferentially and parallel to the sealing surface to gently guide the skin film into the dome, preventing wrinkles and ensuring thermal insulation to avoid cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the skin film is rapidly stretched into the dome to achieve sufficient stretchability, then the sealing process time is reduced, but wrinkles form on the tray rim and the skin film may tear
Solution Approach 1:
A holding element (retaining element) is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealing surface and the dome surface. This holding element temporarily holds the skin film during the deep-drawing process, controlling the stretching rate and preventing both wrinkles and tears. The holding element acts as a mediator that manages the skin film's transition into the dome, allowing rapid processing while maintaining packaging quality.
2Volume of moving object
If the skin film is heavily stretched into the dome to accommodate tall products, then the available surface area is充分利用, but the skin film becomes too thin and may tear
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element serves as a mediator that supports the skin film during the deep-drawing process into the dome. By providing temporary holding, it prevents the skin film from becoming excessively thin and vulnerable to tearing, while still allowing sufficient stretching to accommodate tall products. The holding element distributes the mechanical stress, maintaining skin film integrity throughout the process.
3Reliability
If the skin film is held too close to the heated dome surface, then adhesion is improved, but the skin film may overheat and crack in the transition area
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element acts as a thermal intermediary, positioned between the heated dome surface and the skin film. It allows the skin film to be held close enough to the dome for adhesion while preventing direct contact with the hottest zone, thus avoiding overheating and cracking in the transition area. The holding element manages the thermal exposure, ensuring reliable adhesion without heat-induced damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding element creates a localized thermal gradient, where the skin film is exposed to different temperature zones at different locations. The area near the holding element experiences reduced heat exposure, preventing cracking, while other areas maintain sufficient heat for adhesion. This local differentiation of thermal conditions resolves the contradiction between adhesion and heat protection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the dome sealing tool is designed with a large dome volume to accommodate various product heights, then versatility is improved, but the sealing surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holding element extends the functional capability into a new dimensional space by providing vertical holding support. This allows the dome to maintain a large volume for accommodating various product heights without compromising the sealing surface area. The holding element operates in the vertical dimension, freeing the sealing surface to maintain its horizontal area for effective 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 solution allows for crease-free packaging of tall products without compromising machine performance by minimizing film stretching and heat exposure, thereby enhancing the sealing process efficiency and reducing the likelihood of film cracking.
Implementation Method 1
the heated inner surface of the dome can reach the temperature required for the skin film to adhere tightly to the product and the tray lining
Implementation Method 2
the thermal insulation function of the retaining element prevents cracking in the transition area between the sealing surface and the dome surface, even during a sudden deep-drawing process of the skin film into the dome
Data Source
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AI summary
Packaging machine (1), in particular a tray sealing machine, with a sealing station (20), wherein the sealing station (20) comprises a sealing tool upper part (2) with at least one dome sealing tool (30), wherein the dome sealing tool (3) has a circumferential sealing surface (9) and a dome (7) pointing upwards into the interior of the dome sealing tool (3), wherein both the sealing surface (9) and a dome surface (10) can be heated by means of heating elements (11) provided in the dome sealing tool (30). The packaging machine (1) is characterized in that a holding element (12) is provided between the sealing surface (9) and the dome surface (10), which is configured to hold a skin film (5) into the dome (7) before and/or during the deep drawing of the skin film (5).