Lower Shrink Agent Injection for Packaging Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shrinking devices face inefficiencies in applying heat evenly to the bottom area of packaged articles, leading to energy wastage and sticking of packaging material to the conveyor belt, due to the inability of hot air to flow effectively beneath sliding elements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shrinking device with adjustable lower shrinking agent introduction devices and modular design, allowing for targeted application of heat with upward flow direction and adjustable nozzle openings, ensuring efficient heat distribution and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor belt is heated across its entire width to ensure uniform shrinking, then the shrinking quality is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the packaging material may stick to the conveyor belt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating locally rather than uniformly across the entire conveyor belt. The lower shrinking agent introduction device directs hot air specifically at the bottom of the packaged product, creating a localized heating zone. This resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient heat for shrinking only where needed (at the product bottom) rather than heating the entire conveyor belt surface, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining shrinking quality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If hot air is applied from below to ensure stable packaging at the bottom, then the packaging stability is improved, but the hot air cannot flow effectively beneath the sliding elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces flow elements as intermediaries between the sliding elements and the hot air. These flow elements have upwardly extending surfaces that guide and redirect the hot air flow, allowing it to reach the bottom of the packaged product even in the presence of sliding elements. The flow elements act as mediators that solve the flow obstruction problem while maintaining packaging stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a vertical dimension to the hot air flow by using flow elements with upward extensions. Instead of horizontal flow that would be blocked by sliding elements, the hot air is directed upward to reach the product bottom from below the sliding elements, effectively navigating around the obstruction through dimensional change in flow path.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the conveyor belt is cooled on the return run to prevent sticking, then the sticking problem is reduced, but the cooling effort and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary localized heating at the bottom of the packaged product during the forward run, ensuring that the packaging material shrinks and adheres properly before the conveyor belt returns. By addressing the shrinking need in advance at the critical location, the system prevents sticking issues without requiring extensive cooling on the return run, thus reducing cooling energy consumption.
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 optimizes the shrinking process by reducing energy requirements, preventing material sticking, and achieving symmetrical and efficient packaging through controlled heat application, enhancing the stability and quality of shrink packs.
Implementation Method 1
a shrinkage agent generator ( 26), in particular a hot air blower, which is located below an air-permeable conveyor system on which the wrapped items are transported through the shrink tunnel
Implementation Method 2
the articles wrapped in thermoplastic packaging material are subjected to a shrinking agent, for example hot gas, e.g. warm or hot air, which causes the shrink film to contract
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a shrinking device (1), a method for optimizing the shrinking of a packaging material (2) onto an assembly comprising at least one article (3) and a shrink agent module (40). The shrinking device (1) comprises at least one lower shrink agent injection device (15) arranged below a transport section (6) for the article assemblies (4) wrapped with packaging material (2). Shrink agent is introduced into the interior (5) of the shrinking device (1) via the lower shrink agent injection device (15) with an upward flow direction over the transport section (6). The at least one lower shrink agent injection device (15) can be arranged in different positions below the transport section (6).