Packaging Unit Cam Mechanism for Stiff Material Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging units face challenges in forming sealed packages from stiff packaging materials, particularly when using ultrasonic sealing devices, as they can cause stretching and twisting issues, leading to potential collisions and damage during the packaging process.
Innovation Solution
A packaging unit with adjustable cam mechanisms that control the movement of folding flaps between open and closed positions, allowing for a smaller angle between the partly closed and fully closed positions to prevent twisting and interference, while maintaining stability and preventing material cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the folding flaps move through a large angle from open to closed position, then the risk of collision with formed packages is reduced, but the packaging material may twist and become unstable during sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage angular movement system for the folding flaps. The first movement phase operates at a larger angle to clear formed packages, while the second phase reduces the angle to prevent material twisting. This dynamic adjustment of movement parameters resolves the contradiction between collision avoidance and material stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding flaps are positioned in a preliminary partly closed state before the sealing operation begins. This preliminary positioning prepares the flaps for the subsequent two-stage movement, ensuring that the packaging material is properly oriented and stable before sealing forces are applied, thereby preventing twisting while maintaining collision avoidance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the folding flaps are kept in fully closed position during sealing, then material stability is maintained, but collision with formed packages cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than maintaining a static fully closed position, the patent employs dynamic two-stage movement where the folding flaps transition from a partly closed to fully closed position during the sealing process. This allows the system to maintain material stability when needed while avoiding collisions through strategic positioning at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding flaps execute periodic angular movements synchronized with the sealing cycle. During certain phases of the periodic cycle, the flaps are in partly closed position to avoid collisions, while during other phases they move to fully closed position to maintain material stability, creating a rhythmic pattern that resolves the contradiction.
3Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic sealing devices are used for stiff packaging materials, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but stretching and twisting issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the folding flaps in a partly closed state before ultrasonic sealing begins. This pre-positioning counteracts potential stretching and twisting forces that would otherwise occur during sealing of stiff materials, allowing the ultrasonic device to achieve precise sealing without deforming the package shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic two-stage angular movement system adapts the folding flap positions based on the sealing process requirements. During ultrasonic sealing of stiff materials, the system maintains optimal flap angles that prevent stretching and twisting while allowing effective sealing, thereby resolving the contradiction between sealing precision and shape stability.
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
The solution enhances the flexibility of the packaging unit in handling stiff materials, reducing the risk of package damage and material instability during the sealing process, ensuring proper formation and stability of sealed packages.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing members of a first forming assembly seal the package at a bottom sealing band
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical-vibration generator or sonotrode and an anvil—known for example from EP-B-615907 in the name of the same Applicant—fitted to respective jaws of each pair and which cooperate with each other to heat the packaging material by means of ultrasonic vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging unit for producing sealed packages from a tube of a sheet packaging material fed along a feed path having a first axis; unit comprises: jaws movable cyclically along path between a seal position in which they grip and seal tube to form sealing bands of packages, and a rest position in which they are detached from tube; and folding flaps fitted movably to jaws; folding flaps are movable between: an open position in which they are detached from tube, and a fully closed position in which they cooperate with tube for forming folded flaps in package; the jaws are also cyclically movable in an intermediate position, which is arranged between rest position and seal position; folding flaps are movable relative to the jaws into a partly closed position, which is arranged between open position and fully closed position, when the jaws are set in intermediate position.