Vertical Form-Fill Sealing With Fixed-Axis Transverse Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical form fill sealing machines lack a compact and efficient design that allows for seamless rotation of the transverse sealing device without translational movements, complicating maintenance and operation.
Innovation Solution
A vertical form fill sealing machine with a transverse sealing device mounted on a machine frame, enabling simultaneous rotation around a fixed axis with a guide unit that allows for horizontal and vertical movements of sealing jaws, and a compact, space-saving arrangement that facilitates easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the transverse sealing device is mounted to be rotatable around a fixed axis, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse sealing device is divided into a rotatable frame assembly and a separate guide unit. The frame with sealing jaws rotates around a fixed axis to provide operational flexibility, while the guide unit remains stationary to reduce complexity. This segmentation allows the rotating components to be isolated from the fixed guidance structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide unit acts as an intermediary between the rotatable frame and the fixed machine frame. It provides bearing points that guide the rotation while remaining stationary, mediating the motion between the rotating sealing device and the fixed structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transverse sealing device includes separate horizontal and vertical movement units, then sealing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal and vertical movement units are merged into a single integrated guide unit structure. Instead of separate complex mechanisms, the guide unit provides both horizontal guidance (through bearing points) and vertical guidance (through the guide element) in one unified component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sealing precision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the guide unit delimits a circular cylindrical receiving area, then rotation stability is improved, but space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit delimits a circular cylindrical receiving area with a curved profile matching the rotation path of the transverse sealing device. This curved geometry provides stable rotational guidance by conforming to the circular motion trajectory, ensuring the frame rotates smoothly around the fixed axis while maintaining compact dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is based on a vertical form fill sealing machine (10a – 10g) comprising a machine frame (12a -12g),at least one transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) for sealing a packaging material transversely, wherein the transverse seal-ing device (14a – 14g) is mounted on the machine frame (12a – 12g) such that it can be rotated around a rotation axis (16a -16g) of the transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) at least substantially as a whole, and a guide unit (32a – 32g) to guide the rotation of the transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) around the rotation axis (16a -16g) at least substantially as a whole, wherein the guide unit (32a – 32g) comprises at least one guide element (124a – 124g) that delimits at least partially an at least substantially circular cylindrical receiving area (126a – 126g) within which the transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) is at least substantially completely arranged, wherein the transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) comprises at least one movement unit (36a – 36g), at least two sealing jaws (18a – 18g; 20a 20g) and at least one guide unit (82a – 82g) to guide the at least two sealing jaws (18a – 18g, 20a 20g) during a movement. It is proposed that the at least one movement unit (36a – 36g) is provided for moving the at least two sealing jaws (18a – 18g; 20a 20g) along a horizontal movement axis (38a – 38g) of the guide unit (82a – 82g) of the transverse sealing device (14a – 14g) and for moving the at least two sealing jaws (18a – 18g; 20a 20g) along a vertical movement axis (40a – 40g) of the guide unit (82a – 82g) of the transverse sealing device (14a -14g).