Filling Unit Support Members with Integrated Cooling Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling units in packaging machines expose sensitive substances to excessive temperatures and condensation, leading to alterations in the properties of the substances and potential contamination, as well as compromised hermetic seals due to water condensation and other elements.
Innovation Solution
The filling unit incorporates cooling conduits and drying fluid passages within support members to maintain acceptable temperatures and prevent condensation, using cooling fluids at room temperature or lower and drying fluids at room temperature or heated to isolate and dry surfaces, thereby preventing water from entering the package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high temperature rolls are used for heat-sealing the package edges, then the sealing strength is improved, but the substances inside the package are exposed to excessive temperatures causing chemical-physical alterations
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into functionally distinct zones: a first support surface for the package edge, a second support surface for the substance, and a cooling conduit system. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions - the first surface maintains sealing temperature while the second surface remains cool to protect the substance.
Solution Approach 2:
A cooling conduit filled with cooling fluid acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the heat-sealing rolls and the substance. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat and transfers it away from the package, preventing direct thermal contact while maintaining the sealing process.
2Strength
If high temperature rolls are used for heat-sealing, then the sealing process is improved, but condensation forms on support members and components
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful thermal energy that would otherwise cause condensation is extracted from the system through the cooling conduit. The cooling fluid absorbs excess heat from the support member, removing the thermal source that drives condensation formation on surrounding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid circulation system converts the harmful excess heat into a beneficial cooling effect. By actively circulating coolant through the support member, the system transforms potential condensation-prone thermal energy into controlled temperature management, preventing condensation while maintaining sealing capability.
3Temperature
If cooling conduits are added to support members, then temperature control and condensation prevention are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling conduit is integrated directly into the support member structure, merging the cooling function with the existing mechanical support component. This integration avoids adding separate external cooling systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the package and substance, enables heat-sealing through controlled thermal contact, and manages temperature through integrated cooling conduits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated cooling components.
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 maintains the integrity of the substances by preventing unwanted heating and condensation, ensuring the quality and safety of the contents while maintaining a hermetic seal by reducing the formation of condensation and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
cooling conduits able to allow the passage of a cooling fluid... cooling fluid to lap at least the internal wall of the support members
Implementation Method 2
internal cavities configured to allow the passage of a drying fluid... drying fluid to lap at least the external wall of the support members
Implementation Method 3
condensation usually forms first on the external wall of support members... thermal gradient between the hot parts... and the components in the vicinity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a filling unit (10) for filling packages (100) in a packaging machine, wherein the unit (10) comprises an assembly (12) for filling the package (100) and an assembly (13) for feeding the substance (S) to be inserted into the package (100), the filling assembly (12) and the feeding assembly (13) cooperating to insert a predefined quantity of substance (S) inside the package (100) simultaneously with the formation of said package (100), wherein said filling assembly (12) comprises one or more support members (21) able to support and prepare the shape of the sheet material (101) for the formation of the package (100). The invention also concerns a corresponding method for filling a package (100) by means of the filling unit (10) as above and a packaging machine comprising this unit (10).