Fin Seal Container Direct Heating Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

The packaging speed of fin seal containers is limited by the time required to transfer heat from heated platens to the heat-sealable material, and high platen temperatures can damage the package.

Innovation Solution

Direct heating of the inner surfaces of the opposed panels forming the fin-shaped seal, or applying an adhesive to these surfaces, to rapidly melt or tackify the heat-sealable material, and eliminating pre-formed fold lines from the sealing surfaces to reduce leak formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high platen temperatures are used to increase heat flux and speed-up the packaging process, then packaging speed is improved, but the package may be degraded or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging speedVSAvoidpackage degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating heating directly at the sealing surfaces of the fin seal panels rather than heating the entire container. The heating element is positioned to locally melt the heat-sealable coating only where needed for sealing, allowing high temperatures at the sealing location without damaging the rest of the package structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a heating element that can be precisely positioned between the fin seal panels. This intermediary heating mechanism allows controlled heat transfer only to the sealing surfaces, mediating the thermal process to achieve sealing without excessive heat damage to the package.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional heated platens are used to seal the container ends, then the sealing process is simple, but the packaging speed is limited by heat transfer time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing process simplicityVSAvoidpackaging speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical heating platen system with a more sophisticated heating element that can be precisely positioned and controlled. This substitution allows for faster, more controlled heat application directly to the sealing surfaces, reducing the overall sealing time while maintaining process simplicity through automated positioning and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the heating element and pre-heating the sealing surfaces before final sealing. This preparation allows the actual sealing process to occur more rapidly, as the heat-sealable coating is already in the optimal temperature state for bonding when the final sealing pressure is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If pre-formed fold lines are present on the sealing surfaces, then the container structure is easier to form, but leak formation is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer forming easeVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the harmful element (pre-formed fold lines) from the sealing surfaces entirely. By extracting or eliminating these fold lines from the critical sealing areas, the patent prevents the formation of leak paths while maintaining the overall container structure through alternative forming methods that do not create compromising features in the seal zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method increases packaging speed and reduces the risk of leaks, allowing for more efficient assembly and production of fin seal containers without damaging the package.

Implementation Method 1

heat from the platens is transferred through the substrate to melt (or at least tackify) the heat-sealable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Direct heating of the inner surfaces of the opposed panels forming the fin-shaped seal, or applying an adhesive to these surfaces, to rapidly melt or tackify the heat-sealable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8500946B2Fin seal container and method

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 MEADWESTVACO CORP

AI summary

A method for assembling a fin seal container including folding a container blank into a three-dimensional body that defines an internal volume and includes an end portion that defines an opening into the internal volume, the end portion including a first fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces and a second fin seal panel having inner and outer major surfaces, folding the end portion such that the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel is positioned adjacent to the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, separating the first fin seal panel from the second fin seal panel, treating the inner major surface of the first fin seal panel and/or the inner major surface of the second fin seal panel, and pressing the first fin seal panel into engagement with the second fin seal panel.