Packaging Machine Tube Advancement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines for pourable food products experience variable accelerations and stresses during operation, leading to reduced component lifetime and irregular package formation due to a 'constant time' acceleration principle, which affects the quality and consistency of sealed packages.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a 'constant acceleration' or 'constant deceleration' approach is implemented, where the advancement speed of the tube is varied according to a predefined acceleration profile, and the gas pressure within the package is controlled to maintain consistent package formation, using a pressurizing device to direct sterile gas and maintain hydrostatic pressure, thereby reducing stress on machine components and ensuring package quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a constant time acceleration principle is used to accelerate the packaging machine from initial speed to target speed, then the machine can reach target capacity, but variable accelerations and stresses occur leading to reduced component lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the acceleration parameter from variable (constant time principle) to constant by adjusting the acceleration profile. The control system maintains a constant acceleration value during speed transitions, which stabilizes the stresses on components and extends their operational life while still achieving the required target capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable accelerations are applied during speed transitions, then the machine can adapt to different package formats, but irregular package formation and quality inconsistency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic acceleration control system that adapts to different package formats while maintaining constant acceleration during transitions. The control unit adjusts the target speed and transition timing based on the selected package format, ensuring that the acceleration profile remains constant and consistent package formation is achieved across all formats.
3Productivity
If the advancement speed of the tube is varied during operation, then the machine can handle different production requirements, but stress on machine components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the advancement speed variation by implementing constant acceleration profiles during speed transitions. The control unit manages the acceleration and deceleration phases to maintain constant values, which prevents excessive stress on machine components while allowing the advancement speed to be varied according to different production 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 solution results in reduced stress on machine components, improved package formation consistency, and increased component lifetime by maintaining constant acceleration or deceleration during speed variations, ensuring high-quality packages even during transient phases.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizing device to direct, in use, a flow of sterile gas into the tube for obtaining a gas pressure within the tube providing a correct forming pressure
Implementation Method 2
the pourable product column present in the tube for providing for the required hydrostatic pressure extends at least 500 mm upwards from the hit position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A packaging machine (1) for forming a plurality of sealed packages (2) comprises: a conveying device (5), configured to advance a web (4) of packaging material; an isolation chamber (10); a tube forming device (13) configured to form a tube (3) from the advancing web (4) of packaging material; a sealing device; a filling device (15); a package forming unit (16) configured to form and transversally seal the packages (2) from the advancing tube (3); a tensioning device (32); a control unit (17) configured to control the conveying device (5) and/or the tensioning device (32) and/or the package forming unit (16) so to vary an advancement speed of the tube (3).