Thermoforming Packaging Machine Folding Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoforming packaging machines often cause tears in very thin packaging materials due to the gripping mechanism, leading to disruptions in film transport and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A thermoforming packaging machine equipped with a folding device upstream of the chain guide that creates a multi-layer edge region for the packaging material, using a deflection unit to fold the material inward and a sealing device to reinforce the edge, forming a tear-resistant zone that can be securely gripped by clamp chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If thinner packaging materials are used to reduce weight and material costs, then weight and material costs are reduced, but the packaging material becomes prone to tearing in the chain clamping area
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging material web is segmented into multiple layers at the edge area through folding, creating a multi-layered structure that distributes mechanical stress across multiple layers rather than concentrating it on a single thin layer, thereby preventing tears while maintaining overall thinness
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-layer two-dimensional structure to a multi-layered three-dimensional structure at the edge area by folding the material back on itself, adding the dimensional aspect of layering to enhance strength without significantly increasing weight
2Ease of operation
If clamp chains are used to grip and transport the fabric web, then transport along the thermoforming packaging machine is enabled, but tears occur in the packaging material at the clamping area
Solution Approach 1:
The folding device creates the multi-layered edge structure before the material enters the chain guide and before clamping occurs, preparing the material in advance to withstand the clamping forces without tearing during subsequent transport operations
3Strength
If the fabric web is folded multiple times to create a multi-layered edge area, then tear resistance is improved, but device complexity increases due to the folding device
Solution Approach 1:
The folding device utilizes the motion of the packaging material web itself and the geometric configuration of folding elements to create the multi-layered structure, allowing the material to fold onto itself through its own transport motion rather than requiring complex external folding mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) comprising a machine frame (8), a forming station (4) for thermoforming cavities (12) into a fabric web (10), a filling section (13) for filling products (14) into the cavities (12), a sealing station (5) for sealing the cavities (12), and a chain guide (23) for guiding a clamping chain (11) designed to grip the fabric web (10) in order to transport the fabric web (10) along the thermoforming packaging machine (1) in the production direction (R). According to the invention, the thermoforming packaging machine (1) has at least one folding device (3) positioned upstream of a feed inlet (24) of the chain guide (23) in the production direction (R) for forming a multi-layered edge region (10b) intended for gripping by means of the clamping chain (11).The invention also relates to a method for forming a multi-layered edge area (10b) of a fabric web (10) intended for grasping by means of a chain of clamps (11).