Open-Point Product Wrapping Process with Triangular Tab Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sealing open-point style wrapping of products, such as fruit jellies and chocolates, face challenges in achieving industrial-scale productivity and complete or partial sealing, especially when using adhesive and/or heat-sealing, as they are difficult to implement on a large scale effectively.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a wrapping sheet that is folded into a U-shape with one flap longer than the other, stably coupled to form a P-shape, then rotated and further folded to create triangular tabs, which are compressed to reinforce the sealing, utilizing heat-sealing or adhesive bonding for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive bonding or heat-sealing is used to seal open-point style wrapping, then product isolation and sealing are improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping sheet is divided into multiple flaps (first flap, second flap, third flap, fourth flap) that can be independently folded and sealed. Each flap can be processed separately by sealing devices, allowing the complex sealing task to be broken down into manageable segments that can be handled individually on an industrial scale
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping sheet is pre-configured with adhesive layers on specific portions before the wrapping process. The first flap has adhesive on its inner surface, and the second flap has adhesive on its outer surface, allowing these flaps to be automatically bonded without complex real-time sealing mechanisms. This preliminary preparation enables simpler industrial processing
2Reliability
If adhesive layers are deposited on covering sheet portions, then sealing capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Adhesive layers are applied only to specific portions of the wrapping sheet where sealing is needed, rather than covering the entire sheet. The first flap has adhesive on its inner surface, and the second flap has adhesive on its outer surface, creating localized sealing zones that reduce material cost and simplify the deposition process compared to full-sheet coating
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapping sheet itself provides the sealing function through its own adhesive layers, eliminating the need for separate sealing devices or mechanisms. The sheet is self-sufficient for sealing, reducing manufacturing complexity and equipment requirements while maintaining reliable product isolation
3Productivity
If open-point style wrapping is used, then productivity and ease of manufacture are improved, but product sealing and isolation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapping process is segmented into distinct folding steps for each flap (first flap folded to meet second flap, third flap folded to meet fourth flap), allowing industrial machines to process each segment efficiently. This maintains the high productivity of open-point style while enabling systematic sealing of each segment
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive layers are pre-applied to the flaps before the wrapping process begins, allowing automatic bonding to occur during the high-speed folding operations. This preliminary preparation enables sealing to occur naturally during the productive wrapping process rather than requiring separate sealing steps that would reduce productivity
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 high productivity and secure sealing of open-point style packages on an industrial scale, ensuring product safety and cost-effectiveness while maintaining ease of implementation.
Implementation Method 1
depositing layers of adhesive substances onto some portions of the covering sheet, so that these stably couple the juxtaposed faces thereof
Implementation Method 2
the covering sheet will be heat-sealed along its edges in order to isolate the product from the outside environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A process for the at least partially sealed wrapping of individual products (P), products (P) of the type preferably chosen from among fruit jellies, chocolates, candy, chocolate bars, snacks, chewing gums and the like, which consists in juxtaposing a wrapping sheet (1) against a first face (A) of the product (P); folding the flaps (2, 3) of the sheet (1) onto the product (P) along the faces (B, C) that are contiguous to the first face (A), giving the sheet (1) a U-shape with one flap (2) longer than the other; stably coupling the long flap (2) to the inner surface of the short flap (3), thus confining the product (P) within a closed tubular portion, consequently giving the sheet (1) a P-shape; folding the free short flap (3) of the sheet (1), which comprises a respective portion of the long flap (2) which is folded and stably coupled thereto, onto the base of the product (P); rotating the product (P), stably coupled to the sheet (1), through 180° about a longitudinal axis thereof; folding the tubular portions (4, 5) that protrude with respect to the two mutually opposite heads (D, E) of the product (P) onto the respective head (D, E), stably coupling them in the closed configuration and defining first, central portions (6) that are coplanar to the first face (A) and second, external portions (7 and 8), which are respectively coplanar to the faces (B and C); folding the external portions (7) onto the respective central portion (6); folding the external portions (8) onto the respective external portion (7), which was previously folded onto the central portion (6), so as to form two substantially triangular tabs (9 and 10); compressing the tabs (9 and 10) so as to reinforce the mutual coupling of the portions (6, 7 and 8).