Foil Liner Cooling Before Inversion in Hot-Filled Sealed Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot-filling and sealing processes often result in weakened bonds and deformation of foil liners due to heat expansion, leading to tears and wrinkles, especially when containers with rigid structures like glass are used.
Innovation Solution
A method involving alignment of a seal head with a foil liner and container, followed by heat application, fluid cooling, and controlled inversion to manage pressure and temperature changes, ensuring an intact foil liner and effective bond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealed package is immediately inverted after sealing to sterilize the inner surfaces, then the sterilization effect is improved, but the bond between the foil liner and container is weakened and the foil liner deforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling action immediately after sealing while the package is still in the upright position, before inversion occurs. This preliminary cooling prevents the foil liner from expanding due to heat, thereby maintaining bond strength. The cooling is applied to the foil liner and head space using a cooling device that can be positioned before or at the sealing station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cooling action as a counter-measure to prevent the harmful thermal expansion of the foil liner. By cooling the foil liner and head space before inversion, the patent counteracts the tendency of the foil to expand and deform, thereby preventing bond weakening and maintaining seal integrity during the subsequent inversion sterilization process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the products are cooled prior to inverting to prevent foil liner deformation, then the foil liner integrity is improved, but the inverting process can still shake up and reheat the products causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling action immediately after sealing while the package is still in the upright position, before inversion occurs. This preliminary cooling prevents the foil liner from expanding due to heat, thereby maintaining bond strength. The cooling is applied to the foil liner and head space using a cooling device that can be positioned before or at the sealing station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling device as an intermediary element between the hot sealed package and the inversion process. This cooling device applies cooling action to the foil liner and head space, acting as a mediator that prevents thermal expansion and maintains seal integrity before the package is inverted for sterilization.
3Reliability
If heat is used to bond the foil liner to the container, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the foil liner deforms and develops wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the foil liner and head space immediately after sealing. By applying cooling action, the patent reduces the temperature of the foil liner, which prevents thermal expansion and deformation. This parameter change (temperature reduction) maintains the seal integrity achieved during the heating bonding process while preventing foil liner distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a periodic thermal process consisting of heating for bonding followed immediately by cooling to prevent deformation. This periodic action (heat then cool) allows the foil liner to be bonded to the container while preventing excessive thermal expansion and wrinkle formation.
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
Maintains an intact foil liner and strong bond between the liner and container, preventing tears and wrinkles, while allowing for effective sterilization and pasteurization of the packaged product.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat between the seal head and the container to heat and attach the foil liner and the sealing surface of the container
Implementation Method 2
applying fluid onto at least a portion of the exterior of the sealed package to cool the air in the package
Implementation Method 3
applying fluid to the foil liner to cool the foil liner and the air head space of the sealed package
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sealing a foil liner to a hot-filled container includes the steps of aligning a liner engagement surface of a seal head with a liner sealing surface of the container when the container is in a first position, wherein at least a peripheral margin of the foil liner is disposed between the liner engagement and sealing surfaces of the seal head and the container, respectively; applying heat between the seal head and the container to heat and attach the foil liner and the sealing surface of the container, resulting in a sealed package; rotating the sealed package from the first position to a second position; and applying fluid onto at least a portion of the sealed package to cool a head space of the sealed package. The head space is disposed between an inner surface of the container and a product packaged in the sealed package.