Packaging Mouth Opening via Transverse Lip Spacing and Gas Inflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face downtime and inefficiency due to the mouth of packaging articles closing during processing, which prevents gas from entering and inflating the packaging, and they struggle with opening various types of packaging film materials.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involves spacing the lips of a packaging article's mouth transversely to open it and then blowing gas into the interior, using engagement devices and suction groups to grip and maintain the lips while moving them to ensure the mouth remains open, allowing for efficient inflation and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mouth of the packaging article is not kept open during processing, then the packaging article can be fed to the packaging station, but the gas cannot enter and inflate the packaging article
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth of the packaging article is opened in advance using the first and second engagement devices with suction groups before the inflation process begins. This preliminary opening action ensures that the gas can enter and inflate the packaging article without interruption, resolving the contradiction between reliable inflation and processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second engagement devices with suction groups act as intermediaries to hold the lips of the packaging article open during the inflation process. These devices mediate between the need to keep the mouth open for gas entry and the need to maintain continuous processing, preventing the mouth from closing while allowing efficient operation.
2Reliability
If the suction cups release the packaging article early, then the grippers can take over, but the mouth may close preventing gas entry
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second engagement devices maintain continuous grip on the lips of the packaging article throughout the inflation process, ensuring uninterrupted gas entry. This continuous action eliminates downtime by preventing the mouth from closing, allowing the grippers to transfer the packaged article without interrupting the inflation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement devices prepare and maintain the mouth open in advance and throughout the inflation process, so that when the grippers take over, the packaging article is already inflated. This preliminary and sustained action prevents downtime by ensuring gas entry is completed before transfer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is designed to handle various packaging film materials, then versatility is improved, but the complexity of gripping and opening mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second engagement devices use suction groups (pneumatic mechanism) to grip the lips of the packaging article. This pneumatic approach provides versatile adaptation to different packaging film materials without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, as the suction force can be easily controlled and adapted to various material types and thicknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement devices with suction groups serve multiple functions: gripping the packaging article, holding the mouth open, and facilitating transfer to grippers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each task, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility across different packaging materials.
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 reduces downtime and enables the efficient opening and inflation of a wide variety of packaging articles, ensuring that gas can effectively fill the packaging, improving the overall packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second engagement devices each comprise a suction group configured for gripping the first and second lips respectively
Implementation Method 2
blowing a gas towards the open mouth of the packaging article at least partly filling with the gas an interior of the packaging article
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of opening a packaging article extending along an axis of development from a head portion to a foot portion. The head portion has a first lip and a second lip that defines a mouth. The method comprising the steps of spacing the first lip and the second lip along and transversely to the axis of development of the packaging article bringing one of the first lip and second lip closer to the foot portion such that the mouth opens; and blowing a gas towards the open mouth at least partly filling with the gas an interior of the packaging article.