Packaging Line Movable Interlayer Module for Compressible Material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging lines for compressible materials under plastic film face difficulties in maintaining material compression during wrapping due to the complexity of implementing and controlling a valve to close the functional gap between the interlayer and shrink wrapper modules, leading to inefficiencies and incompatibility with shorter materials.

Innovation Solution

A packaging line design that eliminates the need for a valve by using movable interlayer modules to alternately maintain or eliminate the functional gap, synchronized with welding equipment, ensuring continuous material compression and efficient film wrapping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve is implemented to close the functional gap between interlayer and shrink wrapper modules, then material compression can be maintained during wrapping, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial compression maintenanceVSAvoidvalve implementation and control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the valve component entirely from the system. Instead of using a valve to close the functional gap, the design allows the gap to remain open while maintaining material compression through the continuous action of the shrink wrapper and proper timing of the interlayer module movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The interlayer module is made movable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. This mobility enables the module to maintain contact with the material throughout the wrapping process without requiring a valve to close the gap, thus maintaining compression while simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a valve is implemented to close the functional gap, then material compression is maintained, but the ease of operation and synchronization control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial compression maintenanceVSAvoidvalve synchronization control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is completely removed from the system, eliminating the need for complex synchronization control. The material compression is maintained through the mechanical action of the movable interlayer module and shrink wrapper coordination, which is inherently simpler to control than a valve system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the natural movement and coordination of the shrink wrapper and interlayer module to maintain compression automatically. The movable interlayer module self-adjusts its position relative to the material and wrapper, eliminating the need for external valve control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a valve is implemented to close the functional gap, then compression is maintained during wrapping, but compatibility with shorter materials is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression maintenanceVSAvoidcompatibility with shorter materials
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The movable interlayer module can dynamically adjust its position and movement range to accommodate materials of different lengths. This flexibility allows the system to maintain compression effectively for both long and short materials, whereas a fixed valve system would be incompatible with shorter materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable interlayer module design serves multiple functions: it maintains compression for various material lengths, coordinates with the shrink wrapper timing, and adapts to different packaging requirements. This universal design replaces the specialized valve mechanism that only worked for specific material lengths.

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

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 simpler, more reliable, and durable packaging with increased throughput by maintaining material compression and synchronizing film welding without a valve, accommodating materials of varying lengths.

Implementation Method 1

a compression module 1 of the material M, comprising a lower compression plate 10 and an upper compression plate 11, movable in height relative to each other from an admission position of the material M in an uncompressed state to a close position designed to bring the material into a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

shrink wrapper 2, in the extension of the compression module 1 in a direction of material flow D, so as to shrink the material in a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 3

a lower sealing bar 22 (also referred to as 'counter sealing bar') and an upper sealing bar 23, movable relative to each other to, firstly, join the plastic film of the upper reel and the plastic film of the lower reel in order to form a film curtain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP4559823B1Packaging line for a compressible material in plastic film, comprising a bundling machine
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 FARBAL
  • EP4559823B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4559823B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4559823B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a line for packaging a compressible material (M) in plastic film, comprising: - a compression module (1) for the material; - a shrink-wrapper (2), in the extension of the compression module in a direction of travel of the material so as to shrink-wrapper the material in a compressed state, - an output module (4), in the immediate extension of the shrink-wrapper (2) in a direction of travel of the material, maintaining the material in a compressed state, - an interlayer module (3) arranged between the compression module (1) and the shrink-wrapper (2) so as to be able to provide a functional gap with the output module (4), capable of maintaining the material in a compressed state, characterized in that it comprises means for setting in motion (5) the interlayer module (3) relative to the compression module (1) and/or relative to the output module (4),controlled so that the interposed module (3) adjoins the compression module (1) and provides the functional gap with the output module (4), or, alternatively, so that the interposed module (3) adjoins the output module (4) and provides a gap with the compression module (1).,