Integrated Sealer Mechanism for Medicine Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medicine packing apparatuses face issues with temperature differences between transverse and longitudinal sealers, leading to increased costs due to the need for expensive packaging sheets with high fusion and heat resistance temperatures, and a complex structure with separate drive mechanisms for each sealer.
Innovation Solution
A medicine packing apparatus with integrated longitudinal and transverse sealers that can move and rotate to adjust sealing intervals, using a single drive mechanism and a support member to ensure uniform heat distribution, allowing for the use of cheaper packaging sheets with smaller temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate drive mechanisms are used for longitudinal and transverse sealers, then each sealer can be independently controlled, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the longitudinal and transverse sealers into a single integrated sealer unit that is driven by one drive mechanism. The longitudinal sealer rotates about a longitudinal axis while the transverse sealer rotates about a transverse axis, both controlled by the same drive system, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining independent control capability through coordinated rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sealer unit performs multiple sealing functions (longitudinal and transverse sealing) using a single drive mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drive mechanisms for each sealing direction, reducing device complexity while preserving the ability to independently control sealing operations through coordinated rotation of the sealers.
2Reliability
If heater is housed in the first rotating shaft and heat is conveyed to transverse sealer then to longitudinal sealer, then heat sealing can be performed, but large temperature difference occurs between sealers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing independent heating control for the longitudinal and transverse sealers. Each sealer has its own heater that can be controlled separately, allowing the temperature of each sealer to be optimized for its specific sealing requirements. This eliminates the large temperature difference that occurs when heat is sequentially conveyed through multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameters by implementing independent temperature control for each sealer. The longitudinal and transverse sealers can be heated to different temperatures according to their specific sealing needs, rather than being constrained by a sequential heat conduction path that creates temperature gradients. This parameter change allows for more precise and reliable heat sealing.
3Productivity
If intervals of contact between longitudinal and transverse sealers and packaging sheet are different, then sealing can be performed continuously, but temperature difference between sealers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing independent heating control for the longitudinal and transverse sealers. Each sealer has its own heater that can be controlled separately, allowing the temperature of each sealer to be optimized for its specific sealing requirements. This eliminates the large temperature difference that occurs when heat is sequentially conveyed through multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous sealing operation by coordinating the rotation of the longitudinal and transverse sealers. Both sealers rotate continuously to maintain contact with the packaging sheet, ensuring uninterrupted sealing. The independent heating control allows each sealer to maintain optimal temperature throughout this continuous operation, preventing temperature differences from increasing.
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 configuration reduces manufacturing costs by using less expensive packaging materials and simplifies the apparatus structure, while maintaining efficient sealing operations without stopping the conveyance of the packaging sheet.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of sealers that can hold the conveyed packaging sheet from both sides and heat-seal the sheet while rotating
Implementation Method 2
heat from this heater is conveyed to the transverse sealer of the first rotating shaft, and further conveyed from the first rotating shaft to the longitudinal sealer of the second rotating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A device for individually packaging medication comprises: a conveyance member for conveying a long packaging sheet, the packaging sheet being folded in two along the longitudinal direction thereof with a fold line disposed on the lower side; and a sealing member for sealing the packaging sheet. The sealing member is configured by integrating longitudinal and lateral sealing units. The longitudinal sealing unit being adapted to seal the edge of the packaging sheet, located on an opposite side of the fold line, and the lateral sealing unit being adapted to seal the packaging sheet at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction. The device further comprises: a support member for supporting the sealing member; and a control unit causing the sealing member to rotate idle while separating the longitudinal sealing unit from the packaging sheet and thereafter causing the longitudinal sealing unit to come into contact again with the packaging sheet.