Interchangeable Heating Sealing Cutting Elements for Film Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing side-sealing machines require different mechanisms for tubular heating elements and heated cutting blades, making it costly and impractical for customers to purchase two machines, as they are optimized for specific film speeds and thicknesses, leading to suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A single side-sealing machine with a modular heating/sealing/cutting mechanism system that supports tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, utilizing a common interface and mounting system, along with a control system to monitor and control temperature, allowing for the use of different technologies based on film conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single side sealing machine uses a fixed heating/sealing/cutting element design, then the machine structure is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot optimize seal quality for different film speeds and thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different film conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal mounting system with standardized interfaces that accepts multiple types of heating/sealing/cutting elements (tubular heaters, heated cutting blades, combination elements). This allows a single machine to perform multiple sealing functions optimized for different film conditions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces adjustable and interchangeable heating elements that can be selected and configured based on specific film speed and thickness requirements. The dynamic capability to change elements allows the machine to adapt to varying production conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If customers purchase two different machines (one for tubular heaters, one for heated cutting blades), then each machine can be optimized for specific film conditions, but the cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization for specific film conditionsVSAvoidnumber of machines required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple specialized machines into a single unified system. By combining support for tubular heaters, heated cutting blades, and combination elements in one machine with a common mounting interface, it eliminates the need for customers to purchase and maintain separate machines for different sealing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal mounting system and control architecture enable one machine to replace multiple specialized machines, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize for specific film conditions through element selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If different heating element types are used for different film conditions, then seal quality is optimized, but the machine requires multiple specialized mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal qualityVSAvoidnumber of mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating/sealing/cutting functionality into interchangeable modular elements while maintaining a unified mounting system. This allows different element types to be used for optimized seal quality without requiring separate specialized mechanisms, as all elements interface with the same mounting structure and control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the use of various heating/sealing/cutting technologies within a single machine, optimizing seal quality across different film speeds and thicknesses, reducing costs and improving performance by automatically controlling temperature and mechanism selection.

Implementation Method 1

a heating/sealing element that fuses or welds the two layers together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating element serves to cut the film as well... fuses or welds the two layers together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP2718193B1Sealing machine with interchangeable heating sealing cutting elements
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 SHANKLIN CORP
  • EP2718193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2718193B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2718193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sealing machine adapted to support a plurality of different heating/sealing/cutting mechanisms, including tubular heaters and heated cutting blades, is disclosed. The sealing machine utilizes a common interface and mounting system for all side sealers. In addition, in some embodiments, the control system within the sealing machine is adapted to monitor and control the temperature of these various mechanisms automatically so as to create proper seals.