Form-Fill-Seal Machine Longitudinal Seal Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing form-fill-seal machines face issues with the longitudinal overlapping portions of cylindrical packaging materials opening horizontally due to external forces, leading to inadequate sealing and potential problems within the cylindrical part, such as lubricant contact and loose components.
Innovation Solution
A form-fill-seal machine design incorporating a sailor-collar-shaped part and a longitudinal sealing unit with an oscillator and roller, where the roller holds down the packaging material after ultrasonic sealing to prevent horizontal opening, and an immobile anvil is used to minimize internal issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anvil is used together with an oscillator to sandwich the overlapping portions of the packaging material, then ultrasonic sealing is achieved, but the overlapping portions may open horizontally due to friction and external forces during conveyance
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is positioned downstream from the oscillator to apply holding force after ultrasonic sealing has been completed. This preliminary action of holding down the packaging material prevents the overlapping portions from opening horizontally due to friction or external forces during conveyance, while not interfering with the ultrasonic sealing process itself.
2Reliability
If a movable anvil is disposed on the cylindrical part, then sealing function is improved, but various problems occur inside the cylindrical part such as lubricating oil contacting contents, ball bearings falling off, and contents getting caught on the anvil
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is extracted from the movable configuration and fixed to the cylindrical part. This eliminates the moving components (ball bearings, lubricating oil) that could contaminate the contents or cause mechanical failures inside the cylindrical part, while maintaining the sealing function through the fixed anvil-oscillator arrangement.
3Productivity
If the packaging material is conveyed through the cylindrical part, then processing efficiency is improved, but external forces such as friction may cause the overlapping portions to open
Solution Approach 1:
The roller applies holding force downstream from the oscillator to prevent the packaging material from opening horizontally during conveyance. This allows efficient processing through the cylindrical part while maintaining seal strength by counteracting friction and external forces that would otherwise cause the overlapping portions to separate.
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 effectively prevents longitudinal overlapping portions from opening horizontally, ensuring a strong seal and reducing internal problems within the cylindrical part by applying a vertical pulling force and minimizing contact resistance.
Implementation Method 1
The oscillator generates ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
The roller rotates in the advancing direction of the packaging material and holds down the packaging material after the packaging material has passed the oscillator
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A form-fill-seal machine (1) has a tube (31), a sailor-collar-shaped part(32), and a vertical sealing mechanism (15). The sailor-collar-shaped part (32) wraps a sheet-shaped film (F) around the tube (31) so that two edges thereof define overlapping portions. The vertical sealing mechanism (15) ultrasonically seals the overlapping portions of the sheet-shaped film (F) in the vertical direction. The vertical sealing mechanism (15) has an oscillator (50) and a roller (54). The oscillator (50) generates ultrasonic waves. The roller (54) is disposed downstream of the oscillator (50) along the advancing direction of the film (F). The roller (54) holds down the film (F) while rotating in the advancing direction of the film (F) after the film (F) has passed the oscillator (50).