Packaging Apparatus Delimiting Element for Gas Pressure Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging apparatuses for forming sealed packages with pourable products experience instability due to leakage flows of gas, which complicates the control of the packaging process, particularly when the delimiting element is not engaged with the abutment portions.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus with a delimiting element that moves between engagement and non-engagement positions, maintaining a consistent auxiliary gas flow through openings or channels between the delimiting element and the gas supply pipe, ensuring a stable gas pressure within the second space, even when the element is not fully engaged, thereby reducing process instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the delimiting element is moved to maintain engagement with abutment portions, then gas pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional engagement portions and abutment portions
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting element is designed to be movable along the tube axis, transitioning between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic positioning allows the element to adapt to variations in tube diameter and maintain reliable engagement with the abutment portions, thereby stabilizing gas pressure while managing system complexity through controlled mobility rather than rigid fixed positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting element automatically engages with the abutment portions through its own movement and positioning capabilities. The element self-adjusts to maintain engagement without requiring external actuation mechanisms, reducing the need for additional complex control systems while ensuring consistent gas pressure stabilization
2Device complexity
If the delimiting element is disengaged from abutment portions, then device simplicity is improved, but gas leakage occurs through the ring-shaped channel
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting element acts as an intermediary component between the gas supply pipe and the tube. When disengaged, it maintains a controlled gap that prevents complete gas leakage while allowing the system to operate with reduced complexity. The element mediates the interaction between gas flow and the tube structure, enabling simplified operation without harmful gas leakage
3Reliability
If the delimiting element is lifted by sterile gas pressure, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but control complexity increases due to movement along first and second directions
Solution Approach 1:
The delimiting element is lifted by sterile gas pressure in the second space, utilizing pneumatic forces to achieve reliable sealing engagement with the abutment portions. This pneumatic actuation mechanism provides effective sealing without requiring complex mechanical or electrical control systems, as the gas pressure itself drives the element into the sealing position
Solution Approach 2:
The delimiting element moves along defined paths (first and second directions) guided by the geometry of the engagement portions and abutment portions. This geometric constraint creates a controlled movement trajectory that simplifies the sealing process by ensuring the element engages properly at the correct position, reducing control complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness
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 solution stabilizes the packaging process by maintaining a consistent gas flow, reducing the complexity of controlling gas pressure and improving the overall efficiency of forming sealed packages.
Implementation Method 1
a sterile gas supply device configured to direct a sterile gas into the second space and to control a pressure of the sterile gas being greater than the pressure within the isolation chamber
Implementation Method 2
In use, the delimiting element is lifted by means of the sterile gas being present within the second space
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) filled with a pourable product. The packaging apparatus (1) comprises a delimiting element (45) moveably arranged, in use, within a tube (3) and designed to divide the tube (3) in a first space (46) and a second space (47). The delimiting element (45) is arranged such that the delimiting element (45) is adapted to move along a first direction (D1) and a second direction (D2) being opposite to the first direction (D1) and the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) being substantially parallel to the tube (3) and between at least a first position and a second position. The delimiting element (45) comprises a main engagement portion (60) configured to abut against a main abutment portion (61) of a gas supply pipe (49) or a filling pipe (31) with the delimiting element (45) being in the first position. The main abutment portion (61) and/or the main engagement portion (60) are designed such that at least one opening (62) and/or at least one channel is present between the main abutment portion (61) and the main engagement portion (60) with the delimiting element (45) being in the first position.