Packaging Apparatus Pneumatic Pressure Isolation Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging apparatuses for forming sealed packages of pourable products require significant vertical extension and lengthy modifications to adjust production parameters, leading to increased production costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A packaging apparatus that uses a delimiting element within the isolation chamber to create a high-pressure zone with sterile gas, replacing the need for a long pourable product column to achieve hydrostatic pressure, allowing for reduced vertical extension and easier adjustments to production parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a long column of pourable product is used to provide hydrostatic pressure, then the required hydrostatic pressure is achieved, but the vertical extension of the isolation chamber must be elevated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrostatic pressureVSAvoidvertical extension of isolation chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pressurized gas system (pneumatic approach) to replace the traditional hydraulic approach of using a long column of pourable product. A pressurized gas reservoir and control system provide the necessary hydrostatic pressure at the hit position without requiring excessive vertical space, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient pressure and minimizing chamber height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of pressure generation from gravitational (height-dependent) to pneumatic (pressure-regulated). By using controllable gas pressure instead of fixed gravitational pressure from product height, the system can maintain required hydrostatic pressure while reducing the vertical dimension of the isolation chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If production parameters are varied, then adaptability is improved, but lengthy modifications are required leading to increased production costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction parameter adjustmentVSAvoidmodification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of pressure parameters through electronic control systems and programmable logic controllers. Production parameters such as pressure levels, filling rates, and sealing forces can be adjusted in real-time through software programming rather than physical modifications, enabling rapid adaptation to different product requirements and minimizing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal pressure control system that can handle multiple production scenarios with a single apparatus configuration. The pressurized gas system and control unit are designed to accommodate various package formats, product viscosities, and production speeds through programmable parameters, eliminating the need for lengthy mechanical modifications when changing production requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the vertical extension of the isolation chamber and minimizes the time and cost associated with modifying the apparatus for different production parameters, while maintaining accurate control over hydrostatic pressure and preventing contamination.

Implementation Method 1

provides a given hydrostatic pressure to the tube (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a delimiting element (48) arranged within isolation chamber (10) and designed to divide tube (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical separation: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

a pumping device (53) configured to pressurize a flow of sterile gas and to direct the pressurized sterile gas into second space (50)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11820540B2Packaging apparatus for forming sealed packages
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • US11820540B2 patent drawing
  • US11820540B2 patent drawing
  • US11820540B2 patent drawing

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 an isolation chamber (10) separating an inner environment (11) containing a sterile gas from an outer environment (12). The packaging apparatus further comprises a delimiting element (48) arranged, in use, within the tube (3) and being designed to divide the tube (3), in use, into a first space (49) and a second space (50). The packaging apparatus (1) also comprises a pressurizing device (47) for pressurizing the second space (50) by means of a pressurized sterile gas. The delimiting element (48) is arranged within the isolation chamber (10).