Electroadhesive Web Conveying for Precise Packaging Material Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging machines face challenges in controlling the position and friction of packaging material webs during sterilization and sealing processes, leading to potential slipping and quality issues in producing sealed packages.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an electroadhesive conveying device with rollers equipped with electroadhesive elements and a control unit to manage electrostatic adhesion, ensuring precise positioning and adjustable friction control of the packaging material web.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional guiding elements (rollers) are used to convey the web of packaging material, then the device structure is simple, but the web position cannot be precisely controlled and friction cannot be adjusted, leading to slipping issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb position controlVSAvoidconveying device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical friction-based guiding rollers with an electroadhesive conveying device that uses electrostatic fields to grip and convey the web. This substitution enables precise position control through electrical means rather than mechanical friction, resolving the contradiction between control precision and device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electroadhesive device allows dynamic adjustment of the electrostatic field strength to control the gripping force on the web. By changing electrical parameters (voltage, frequency), the system can precisely control web position and friction characteristics without mechanical adjustments, achieving high precision control with a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional rollers are used for conveying, then the device is easy to manufacture, but friction control is not adjustable leading to web slipping during sterilization and sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb friction controlVSAvoidconveying device manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical friction control systems with an electroadhesive system that uses electrostatic fields to control web grip. This substitution provides reliable and adjustable friction control through electrical parameters, improving reliability while keeping the device structure relatively simple and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electroadhesive conveying device enables dynamic adjustment of friction characteristics during operation by varying the electrostatic field strength. This dynamic control capability ensures reliable web conveyance under different process conditions (sterilization, sealing) without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the web position is not precisely controlled, then the conveying device is simpler to operate, but sealing quality deteriorates due to improper web positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidweb position control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electroadhesive technology to replace manual or mechanical position control methods. The electrostatic field provides automatic, precise web positioning through electrical control, achieving high sealing quality while maintaining ease of operation through simple electrical parameter adjustment rather than complex mechanical positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively prevents slipping and ensures accurate positioning and sealing of packaging material, enhancing the quality and reliability of sealed packages by maintaining consistent contact and adjustable friction along the conveying path.

Implementation Method 1

electroadhesive conveying device with rollers equipped with electroadhesive elements and a control unit to manage electrostatic adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic adhesion: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

ensuring precise positioning and adjustable friction control of the packaging material web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4474322A1Conveying device for a web of packaging material and packaging machine for producing sealed packages provided with said conveying device
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4474322A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4474322A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4474322A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is described a conveying device (15) for a web (4) of packaging material fed along a conveying path (P), in particular for a packaging machine (1) for producing sealed packages, with a number of electroadhesive elements (18) having an outer electroadhesive gripping surface (19) configured to adhere to the web (4) of packaging material.