Overwrap Envelope Sealing Lines for Filter Bags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overwrap envelope sealing technologies for filter bags or pods are inefficient, requiring multiple sealing stations, precise conveying devices, and excessive material usage, leading to high costs and potential damage to the sealing material at corner zones.
Innovation Solution
The overwrap envelope design features sealing lines with longitudinal, transversal, and curved stretches that form an uninterrupted perimeter seal, allowing for a single-step sealing process using a smaller sealer, ensuring strong and efficient sealing without material overlap or interference with the filter bag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two-step sealing process is used with multiple sealing stations, then sealing completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing operations into a single sealing station by using a sealing gripper with multiple sealing profiles arranged in specific patterns. The sealing device performs both longitudinal and transversal sealing lines simultaneously in one step, eliminating the need for separate sealing stations and reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing gripper is divided into multiple independent sealing profiles (first sealing profile for longitudinal sides, second sealing profile for transversal side) that can be arranged in different patterns. This segmentation allows each profile to perform its specific sealing function while being integrated into a single gripper unit, enabling complex sealing patterns without requiring multiple separate sealing stations.
2Device complexity
If single-step sealing is used with one sealing station, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing line length and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved sealing lines instead of straight lines to connect longitudinal and transversal sealing operations. The sealing profiles are arranged along curved paths that efficiently connect the sealed regions, minimizing the total sealing line length while ensuring complete sealing. This curved approach reduces the amount of overwrapping material needed compared to traditional straight-line sealing patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing profiles are arranged in specific two-dimensional patterns (such as U-shape, rectangular, or circular arrangements) that optimize the sealing path. By carefully designing the spatial arrangement of sealing profiles in the gripper, the patent achieves complete sealing with minimal total sealing line length, reducing material usage while maintaining single-step operation.
3Reliability
If sealing lines intersect at corner zones, then sealing completeness is improved, but overwrapping material strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved sealing lines that smoothly connect longitudinal and transversal sealing operations without creating sharp intersections. The curved paths distribute sealing stress more evenly across the overwrapping material, avoiding concentration of stress at corner zones. This approach maintains sealing completeness while preserving the strength of the overwrapping material by eliminating intersecting sealing lines.
4Strength
If longer sheets of overwrapping material are used, then seal strength is maintained, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved sealing lines optimize the sealing path to achieve complete sealing with minimal total length. By using curved rather than straight or intersecting lines, the patent reduces the total sealing line length while maintaining adequate seal strength, thereby reducing the amount of overwrapping material required without compromising sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The strategic arrangement of sealing profiles in specific two-dimensional patterns optimizes the sealing coverage. By designing the spatial configuration of sealing profiles to create efficient sealing paths, the patent achieves complete sealing with minimal material usage, maintaining seal strength while reducing overall material 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 design achieves a stronger seal with reduced material waste and lower equipment costs, enabling quicker and more secure packaging of infusion or extract products like tea or coffee, while maintaining the integrity of the filter bag.
Implementation Method 1
the two longitudinal sides are heat sealed to one another in known manner
Implementation Method 2
a sealing device for obtaining the overwrap envelope containing the filter bag or pod
Data Source
AI summary
An overwrap envelope (7) containing a filter bag (1) for infusion products comprises a sheet (2) of overwrapping material folded into a U shape along its transversal axis (X) around the filter bag (1). The overwrap envelope (7) has two longitudinal sides (3, 4) and one transversal side (5) sealed by at least two sealing lines (6) which are uninterrupted along the longitudinal sides (3, 4) and along the transversal side (5). Each scaling line (6) is defined by two longitudinal stretches and one transversal stretch which are joined to obtain an uninterrupted shape and which form an uninterrupted perimeter seal.