Packaging Assembly Sealing Nozzle for Cooling Pourable Product Packs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging assemblies for forming and sealing pourable products are inefficient in terms of water consumption, lubrication, cooling effectiveness, component lifespan, and structural improvements, particularly due to overheating and sticking issues during the sealing process.
Innovation Solution
A packaging assembly with a dispensing device featuring a nozzle that sprays a cooling and lubricating fluid directly onto the sealing members, providing precise localized cooling and lubrication, and nebulizing the fluid to create a cloud that surrounds forming shells, reducing friction and water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is continuously flushed onto the tube and sealing members using a fixed duct, then cooling and lubrication are provided, but water consumption is excessive and cooling effectiveness is reduced due to evaporation and dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is positioned to spray water onto the sealing members before they contact the tube, pre-cooling and pre-lubricating them. This preliminary action reduces the need for continuous water flushing, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining effective cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle delivers water directly to specific locations on the sealing members and tube where heat generation and friction occur. This localized delivery concentrates the cooling and lubrication effects where most needed, improving effectiveness while reducing overall water usage compared to general flushing
2Reliability
If water is flushed continuously to cool sealing members, then overheating is prevented, but water is wasted due to evaporation and dispersion before reaching target areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pneumatic nozzle to atomize and spray water in a controlled manner. This hydraulic/pneumatic delivery mechanism ensures water reaches the sealing members efficiently as a targeted spray, minimizing evaporation and dispersion losses while maintaining reliable cooling for consistent sealing
3Duration of action of stationary object
If forming shells and sealing members are lubricated during operation, then friction is reduced and component lifespan is extended, but sticking and overheating issues occur with conventional flushing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle applies lubricating water to the forming shells and sealing members before they engage with the tube. This pre-lubrication reduces friction from the start of contact, preventing sticking and overheating that would otherwise occur during operation, thereby extending component lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
Water is sprayed specifically at the contact zones between forming shells/sealing members and the tube. This localized lubrication ensures friction reduction exactly where components interact, preventing sticking and overheating without requiring excessive water flow
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 configuration enhances the efficiency of lubrication and cooling, reduces water consumption, extends the lifespan of components, and improves the structural quality of the finished packages by preventing overheating and sticking, while minimizing absorption and deformations.
Implementation Method 1
A packaging assembly with a dispensing device featuring a nozzle that sprays a cooling and lubricating fluid directly onto the sealing members, providing precise localized cooling
Implementation Method 2
A packaging assembly with a dispensing device featuring a nozzle that sprays a cooling and lubricating fluid directly onto the sealing members
Implementation Method 3
nebulizing the fluid to create a cloud that surrounds forming shells, reducing friction and water consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
There is described a packaging assembly (1) for forming and sealing a plurality of packages (2) containing a pourable product starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, the packaging assembly (1) comprises: a longitudinal axis (A) along which the tube (3) is fed, in use; a sealing device (11) for repeatedly sealing the tube (3) at successive cross-sections thereof and having a sealing member (12) and a countersealing member (13) arranged at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (A); at least a pair of arms (14) arranged at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (A), movable towards and away from one another along a first direction (X) transversal to the longitudinal axis (A), and including a first arm (14a) carrying the sealing member (12) and a second arm (14b) carrying the countersealing member (13); the packaging assembly (1) further comprises a dispensing device (15) for feeding a cooling and/or lubricant fluid at least towards the sealing member (12); the dispensing device (15) is carried by the second arm (14b).