Package Forming Apparatus with Integrated Half-Shells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing package forming apparatuses and packaging machines for pourable products are complex and costly to manufacture, with a need for simplification and cost reduction while maintaining efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A package forming apparatus for a packaging machine that is easy and economical to manufacture, featuring a simplified design with two operative devices that can at least partially form, transversally seal, and transversally cut the tube, using a multilayer packaging material with heat seal properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex package forming apparatus with multiple operative devices is used, then the packaging process can be completed, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging process completionVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple operative devices (forming, sealing, and cutting functions) into a single integrated apparatus. The half-shells are configured to perform forming operations while sealing elements and cutting elements are integrated into the same structural unit, eliminating the need for separate operative devices and reducing overall apparatus complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The half-shells are designed as multi-functional components that simultaneously perform forming, sealing, and cutting operations. The same structural element (half-shell) serves multiple purposes in the packaging process, reducing the total number of components needed and simplifying the apparatus design.

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

2Shape

If multiple operative groups with half-shells are used to form the tube, then the tube forming capability is achieved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube formationVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control systems for multiple half-shells are integrated into a single control device. This centralized control approach allows coordinated movement and positioning of all half-shells without requiring separate control systems for each operative group, thereby reducing control system complexity while maintaining precise tube forming capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If a simplified package forming apparatus is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the sealing and cutting precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsealing and cutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates specialized sealing elements and cutting elements at specific locations within the half-shells. These localized features are designed with precise geometries and material properties optimized for their specific functions (sealing or cutting), ensuring high precision at critical points while keeping the overall apparatus structure simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The apparatus effectively forms, seals, and cuts packages from pourable products, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs while maintaining the quality of the packaging process.

Implementation Method 1

a package forming apparatus for a packaging machine that is easy and economical to manufacture, featuring a simplified design with two operative devices that can at least partially form, transversally seal, and transversally cut the tube, using a multilayer packaging material with heat seal properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat seal: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4549329A1Package forming apparatus for a packaging machine and packaging machine for forming packages filled with a pourable product
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4549329A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4549329A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4549329A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a package forming apparatus (10) for a packaging machine (1) configured to at least partially form a tube (4) for obtaining packages (2) from the tube (4) and provided with a number of operative devices (25) having a first operative group (26) and a second operative group (27) to at least partially form, in cooperation with one another, the tube (4). Each first operative group (26) and each second operative group (27) comprises a half-shell (28) for at least partially forming the tube (4) and a control device (29) for controlling the half-shell (28); the half-shell (28) is provided with a main forming plate (30) and two lateral forming plates (31) interposing the main forming plate (30) in between one another and is angularly movable about a first rotation axis (B). The control device (29) is configured to control the angular movement of the respective half-shell (28) and is realized to actuate the angular movement of the respective half-shell (28) about the first rotation axis (B) exclusively through the respective main forming plate (30).