Epicyclic Transverse Seal System for Packaging Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transverse sealing systems in automatic flow wrapper machines face mechanical vibrations and structural limitations, leading to reduced productivity, increased complexity, and higher costs due to the need for oversized structures and complex control systems, which restrict the machines' ability to adapt to varying product sizes and maintain tight seals under high production rates.
Innovation Solution
A transverse seal system featuring a continuous epicyclic movement of jaws with controlled compliance, utilizing springs to maintain seal pressure and temperature for an extended period, allowing a rectilinear trajectory and reducing mechanical vibrations, enabling a more compact and efficient electromechanical unit with improved adaptability and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional transverse sealing systems (rotary or box-motion type) are used, then sealing function is achieved, but mechanical vibrations increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sealing system where the jaws perform a continuous epicyclic movement combining rotation and translation. This dynamic motion allows the sealing point to trace a rectilinear path while the jaws themselves rotate, maintaining continuous contact and sealing pressure without the mechanical vibrations inherent in traditional rotary or box-motion systems. The epicyclic gear mechanism enables this complex motion pattern, achieving high productivity (150-200 packages per minute) while minimizing vibrations.
2Reliability
If traditional transverse sealing systems are used, then sealing is achieved, but device complexity and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing, cutting, and positioning functions into a single integrated jaw assembly. The epicyclic motion combines rotation and translation in one mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control systems for different jaw movements. The spring-loaded design integrates pressure control and compliance adjustment into the mechanical structure itself, reducing electronic control complexity while maintaining reliable seal tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded jaw system provides self-regulating pressure control, where the springs automatically adjust to maintain optimal sealing pressure without external control intervention. The continuous epicyclic motion self-regulates the sealing duration and pressure distribution, reducing the need for complex electronic control systems while ensuring consistent seal quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional transverse sealing systems are used, then sealing function is achieved, but adaptability to varying product sizes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic epicyclic motion system allows the sealing jaws to adapt to different product sizes through continuous adjustment of the motion parameters. The rotating and translating motion enables the sealing point to accommodate varying product dimensions without requiring mechanical reconfiguration of the entire sealing station, enhancing versatility while maintaining ease of manufacture.
4Reliability
If traditional transverse sealing systems are used, then sealing is achieved, but maintenance and cleaning complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from complex mechanical structures and concentrates it in the simplified epicyclic jaw assembly. This extraction allows for easier maintenance and cleaning, as the sealing components are more accessible and the overall structure is less complex, while still maintaining consistent seal quality through the continuous epicyclic motion and spring-loaded pressure control.
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 significantly reduces mechanical vibrations, increases productivity to 150-200 packages per minute, simplifies construction and control, reduces material costs, and enhances flexibility and maintenance ease while ensuring tight seals.
Implementation Method 1
A suitable combination of pressure, temperature and sealing time enables a correct melting process of the adhesive surface of which the film used for packaging is composed
Implementation Method 2
The transverse welding station (consisting of one or more pairs of jaws closed cyclically under pressure and heated to a predetermined temperature) for the second welding of the film
Implementation Method 3
a correct melting process of the adhesive surface of which the film used for packaging is composed
Implementation Method 4
The main criticalities of transverse sealing solutions are largely related to the effect of the mechanical vibrations that derive therefrom
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Tight seal system for the packaging of products comprising a transverse welding station (14) of packaging sheets comprising: a first pair of discs (100) connected centrally to a first axis (101); said first pair of discs (100) rotating about said first axis (101); at least one first bar (102, 103) is positioned peripherally between said first pair of discs (100); a first welding jaw (111) is associated with said at least one first bar (102, 103); said first bar (102, 103) rotating so that said first jaw (111 ) is always facing in the same direction; a second pair of discs (130) connected centrally to a second axis (131); said second pair of discs (130) rotating about said second axis (131); at least one second bar (132, 133) is positioned peripherally between said second pair of discs (130); a second welding jaw (136) is associated with said at least one second bar (132, 133); said second bar (132, 133) rotating so that said second jaw (136) is always facing in the same direction; said first jaw (111) and said second jaw (136) are facing each other so that, rotating said first pair of discs (100) and said second pair of discs (130), said first jaw (111) and said second jaw (136) come into contact with each other and can perform welding of said packaging sheets; said first welding jaw (111) is associated with said at least one first bar (102, 103) by means of a plurality of pins (112) passing through said first bar (102, 103); two pins (120) secured inferiorly to said first bar (102, 103) support a third bar (121) parallel to said first bar (102, 103); a plurality of springs (122) are placed between said plurality of pins (112) and the inner surface of said third bar (121).