Dual Operative Units for Precision Package Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging machines for pourable food products face challenges in improving the precision and stability of package formation, leading to potential defects and variations in sealed packages.

Innovation Solution

A package forming apparatus with a dual operative unit system, supported by guides and coupling assemblies, uses electromagnetic control to advance and manipulate packaging material, ensuring precise shaping, sealing, and cutting of packages, minimizing unwanted movement and enhancing control over the packaging process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single operative unit is used to manipulate the tube for package formation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and stability of package formation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of package formationVSAvoidcomplexity of operative units
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging machine is divided into multiple operative units (first operative unit and second operative unit), each equipped with its own cart and operative group. This segmentation allows each unit to specialize in specific manipulation tasks, improving overall manufacturing precision while distributing the complexity across modular components rather than concentrating it in a single complex unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple operative units are used to manipulate the tube, then the manufacturing precision of package formation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of package formationVSAvoidcomplexity of operative units
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each operative unit is designed as a universal module capable of performing multiple functions (manipulation, shaping, sealing, cutting) through its operative group. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high manufacturing precision through coordinated action of standardized units, rather than requiring each unit to be highly specialized, thus controlling device complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If carts are moved along an endless advancement path for package formation, then the productivity of the packaging machine is improved, but the stability of cart advancement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity of package formationVSAvoidstability of cart advancement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Support structures act as intermediaries between the carts and the ground, providing stable guidance and support during cart movement. These support structures include guide rails or tracks that constrain cart motion to the desired endless advancement path, ensuring stable and controlled movement while maintaining high productivity through continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If the tube is manipulated continuously for package formation, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of package quality deteriorates due to unwanted movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity of package formationVSAvoidreliability of package quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structures and coupling assemblies are designed to preemptively counteract unwanted movements of the tube during manipulation. By providing continuous support and guidance throughout the endless advancement path, the system prevents deviations in tube position before they can affect package quality, thus maintaining reliability while enabling continuous high-speed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4474299A1Package forming apparatus and packaging machine for forming packages
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4474299A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4474299A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4474299A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a package forming apparatus (1) comprising a first operative unit (4) and a second operative unit (5) spaced apart from one another and defining an advancement space (6) within which, in use, a tube (3) advances. Each one of the first operative unit (4) and the second operative unit (5) comprises a plurality of respective operative devices (7), a respective conveyor device (8) configured to advance the respective plurality of operative devices (7). Each operative device (7) comprises a respective cart (12) moveably coupled to the conveyor device (8) and an operative group (13) connected to and being laterally spaced apart from the respective cart (12) such that the respective operative group (13) is adapted to move within the advancement space (6). Each conveyor device (8) comprises a control unit (14) configured to advance the respective carts (12) and a support structure (15) spaced apart from the control unit (14) and moveably supporting the respective operative groups (13). Each support structure (15) comprises a first guide (16) and a second guide (17) spaced apart from the first guide (16).