Folding Apparatus with Retaining Pockets for Gentle Pack Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding apparatuses for pourable food products struggle to efficiently and gently fold semi-finalized packs into finalized packages, particularly in terms of sealing fin and flap folding, which can lead to mechanical stress and suboptimal packaging quality.
Innovation Solution
The folding apparatus incorporates a conveying system with retaining pockets and a fin folding device that uses a folding element to gently fold sealing fins and a flap folding device to precisely fold flaps onto the central main body, along with a thermal treatment for sealing, ensuring smooth operation and high packaging quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional folding apparatuses are used to fold semi-finalized packs into finalized packages, then the folding process can be automated, but mechanical stress is applied to the packs leading to suboptimal packaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the folding apparatus by introducing adjustable folding elements with variable positioning and movement characteristics. The folding elements can be adjusted to accommodate different pack sizes, shapes, and material properties, enabling gentle folding that maintains packaging quality while preserving automation. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to specific product requirements without sacrificing automated efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional folding mechanisms are used, then the folding process can be completed, but mechanical stress damages the packs reducing packaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary folding elements that act as mediators between the automated folding mechanism and the semi-finalized packs. These folding elements include guide surfaces, support structures, and gentle folding components that intermediate the force transmission, distributing mechanical stress evenly and preventing damage to the packs while maintaining productive folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding apparatus incorporates cushioning mechanisms positioned before the actual folding action occurs. These include protective surfaces, support structures, and damping elements that prepare the packing material for folding by reducing impact and mechanical stress beforehand, thereby preventing damage and ensuring high packaging quality throughout the productive folding process.
3Ease of operation
If sealing fins and flaps are folded using conventional methods, then the folding operation can be performed, but mechanical stress is applied leading to suboptimal packaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the folding operation into distinct phases and dedicated folding elements for different components. Separate folding mechanisms are provided for sealing fins and flaps, each optimized for its specific geometry and folding requirements. This segmentation allows each component to be folded with appropriate gentleness and precision, maintaining high packaging quality while keeping the overall operation straightforward and manageable.
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 enhances the efficiency and gentleness of the folding process, reducing mechanical stress on packs and improving packaging quality by ensuring precise and effective folding of sealing fins and flaps, leading to better-sealed and more stable finalized packages.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal treatment device arranged at a thermal treatment station interposed between the treatment station and the release station and configured to thermally treat the flaps and/or portions of the respective central main bodies so as to seal the flaps onto the respective central main bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
Folding apparatus (16) for producing finalized packages (2) from semi-finalized packs (5), each semi-finalized pack (5) comprising a central main body (9) and at least one flap (10) protruding from the central main body (9), the folding apparatus (16) comprises a plurality of retaining pockets (32) configured to receive one respective semi-finalized pack (5), a conveying device (33) configured to advance the retaining pockets (32) along an endless path (R) and a flap folding device (70) configured to fold the at least one flap (10) onto and/or towards the central main body (9), wherein the flap folding device (70) comprises one flap folding element (72) moveable between an idle position and a folding position and being configured to fold the flap (10) onto the central main body (9), an actuation group (73) configured to control the flap folding element (72) between the idle position and the folding position, wherein the actuation group (73) is configured to actuate both a linear movement of the flap folding element (72) and an angular movement of the flap folding element (72) about a rotation axis (E) so as to move the flap folding element (72) between the idle position and the folding position.