Packaging Apparatus Delimiting Element Sterile Gas Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging apparatuses for forming sealed packages of pourable products require a significant vertical extension to maintain the necessary hydrostatic pressure, which is dependent on production parameters like advancement speed and package format, leading to costly and time-consuming modifications when these parameters change.
Innovation Solution
The packaging apparatus incorporates a delimiting element within the isolation chamber that divides the tube into two spaces, where the second space is pressurized with sterile gas to provide the required hydrostatic pressure, reducing the need for a long pourable product column and allowing for minimal modifications during format or speed changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a long column of pourable product is maintained in the tube to provide sufficient hydrostatic pressure, then package formation quality is improved, but the vertical extension of the isolation chamber must be elevated, increasing device complexity and modification costs
Solution Approach 1:
The tube interior is segmented into a first space above the product and a second space below the product, with the delimiting element creating a boundary. This segmentation allows independent pressure control in each space, enabling the second space to provide hydrostatic pressure without requiring a long product column, thus reducing the vertical extension of the isolation chamber while maintaining package formation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
A delimiting element is introduced as an intermediary component within the tube. This element separates the product column from the pressurized gas space, allowing the gas to act as a mediator that transmits pressure to the product without requiring the product itself to form a long column. The delimiting element enables pressure transmission while reducing the vertical space requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If production parameters such as advancement speed or package format are varied, then adaptability is improved, but lengthy modifications of the packaging apparatus are required, increasing loss of time and production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a pressurized gas space that can dynamically adjust pressure levels in response to varying production parameters. When advancement speed or package format changes, the gas pressure can be quickly adjusted without requiring physical modifications to the apparatus structure. This dynamic pressure control enables rapid adaptation to different production conditions, significantly reducing modification time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the fluid medium from relying on product column height (static geometric parameter) to using pressurized gas pressure (controllable physical parameter). This parameter change allows flexible adjustment of hydrostatic pressure by simply adjusting gas pressure levels, enabling quick adaptation to different production speeds and package formats without lengthy apparatus modifications.
3Stress or pressure
If the hydrostatic pressure is provided by a tall column of pourable product, then sufficient pressure for package formation is achieved, but the device complexity and modification costs increase when production parameters change
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the hydraulic pressure system (relying on product column height) with a pneumatic pressure system (using pressurized gas). The gas is introduced into the second space below the delimiting element and acts upward to provide the necessary hydrostatic pressure. This pneumatic approach simplifies the system because gas pressure can be easily controlled and adjusted without changing the physical dimensions of the apparatus, thereby reducing device complexity and modification requirements.
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 reduces the vertical extension of the isolation chamber, minimizes production downtime, and decreases costs associated with modifying the apparatus for different production parameters, while ensuring consistent package formation.
Implementation Method 1
the second space being arranged below the delimiting element and being pressurized with sterile gas to provide a hydrostatic pressure
Implementation Method 2
it is required that the hydrostatic pressure provided by the pourable product within the tube is sufficiently high as otherwise irregularly shaped packages would be obtained
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) from a tube (3) of a web of packaging material (4) which is continuously filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus comprises a delimiting element (37) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (38) and a second space (39). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a sterile gas supply device (43) for pressurizing the isolation chamber and the second space (39) by means of a respectively a first flow of sterile gas and a second flow of sterile gas.