Horizontal Packaging Machine Continuous Sealing and Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horizontal packaging machines for flexible sachets experience significant production inefficiencies due to intermittent stops in the forward movement of the flexible sheet, leading to prolonged stationary time and challenges in product deposition, especially with high product quantities.

Innovation Solution

The machine employs longitudinal guides and linear displacement means for sealing and cutting stations, allowing operations to be performed during continuous sheet movement, and a circular movement filling station with fixed dispensers to ensure continuous product deposition, utilizing linear servo motors and independent driving mechanisms for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the flexible sheet is moved intermittently with stops for sealing and cutting, then the sealing and cutting operations can be performed accurately, but the production capacity is reduced due to prolonged stationary time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing and cutting accuracyVSAvoidproduction capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous movement of the flexible sheet through the packaging machine by synchronizing the sealing and cutting stations with the sheet's motion. The sealing plates and cutting blades move horizontally in sync with the sheet, eliminating intermittent stops and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the packaging process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing plates and cutting blades are designed as movable components that can dynamically adjust their position and speed to match the continuous movement of the flexible sheet. This dynamic synchronization allows precise sealing and cutting operations to be performed while the sheet is in motion, rather than requiring stationary positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the machine stops between forward movements for product deposition, then the product can be accurately deposited into packets, but the time lag increases and production capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct deposition accuracyVSAvoidtime lag
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filling station is designed to operate continuously during the sheet's forward movement. The filling mechanism moves in synchronization with the packets, allowing product deposition to occur without interrupting the sheet's motion, thereby eliminating time lag while maintaining deposition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The filling mechanism employs dynamic positioning to track and align with the moving packets in real-time. This dynamic synchronization enables accurate product deposition into each packet while the entire system remains in continuous motion, avoiding the need for stopping and starting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the sealing and cutting stations are fixed while the sheet moves, then the structure is simple, but the operations cannot be performed during continuous movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestation structure simplicityVSAvoidcontinuous production capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plates and cutting blades are transformed from fixed components to dynamically movable components. They are mounted on horizontal displacement mechanisms that allow them to move in sync with the flexible sheet, enabling sealing and cutting operations to be performed during continuous sheet movement rather than requiring fixed stationary positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing and cutting stations are given horizontal mobility in addition to their vertical sealing and cutting functions. This adds a horizontal dimension of movement to these stations, allowing them to traverse along with the sheet's motion and perform operations during continuous movement rather than requiring the sheet to stop.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 approach enables a substantial increase in production capacity by eliminating intermittent stops and ensuring continuous packet formation and filling, enhancing productivity and reducing time lag during the manufacturing cycle.

Implementation Method 1

a linear displacement means which provides alternate linear movements forwards and backwards along the trajectory of the flexible sheet, with each movement said means moving at the same speed as the flexible sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear motion:

Implementation Method 2

a sealing station to seal the bottom and sides of the packet, with a sealing means consisting of two opposing heated plates placed on either side of the trajectory of the flexible sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a cutting station for the separation of consecutive packets, consisting of a cutting means, namely, shears with blades on either side of the flexible sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 4

a station for the formation of the packet by folding the flexible sheet into a 'V' with a folding means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 5

The displacement means are especially controlled so that they move at the exact speed of the flexible sheet in its forward movement; as such the relative displacement in this cycle of manufacture is nil, thereby avoiding problems of time lag. These displacement means may be of a diverse nature, such as linear servo motors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2465781B1Horizontal packaging machine
Publication Date: 2015.10.07 EFICIENCIA Y TECHA
  • EP2465781B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2465781B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2465781B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Machine that consists in a horizontal sequence: a uncoiling station (1) for a flexible sheet, a station for the formation of the packet (2) in a folded "V", a sealing station (3) of the packet, an individual cutting station (4) of the packet, a station for the individual transport (6) of the packets to a filling station (5), and a station for the closing of the packets. The sealing and cutting stations (3 and 4) comprise longitudinal guides (33, 43) for the assembly of sealing and cutting means corresponding to a linear displacement means which provides alternate linear movements forwards and backwards in the trajectory of the flexible sheet. With each forward movement, said means moves at the same speed as the flexible sheet, and is placed in an operative position by a driving means.