Packaging Unit Thermoforming Welding Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging units fail to effectively preserve products by allowing air penetration and can contaminate the product with glue, making them unsuitable for maintaining product quality.
Innovation Solution
A packaging method and apparatus that uses a thermoforming process to create a sealed, cup-shaped packaging unit with a non-planar welding surface, preventing air ingress and utilizing a shape-stabilizing mechanism to ensure the product is protected from external air, while allowing easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If glue is used to hold the wrapping and cup-shaped element together, then the packaging unit can be assembled, but the glue may penetrate into the wrapping and contaminate the product
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (glue) is completely removed from the packaging structure. Instead of using adhesive to join the wrapping and cup-shaped element, the invention employs mechanical interlocking through the twisted closure area that engages with the cup-shaped element, eliminating any risk of glue penetration and product contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The twisted closure area acts as an intermediary mechanical connector between the wrapping and cup-shaped element. This twisted structure provides the necessary connection without requiring adhesive, serving as a mediator that transmits the joining function without introducing harmful substances.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple wrapping structure is used, then the packaging can be easily manufactured, but air can penetrate inside and affect product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into distinct functional segments: the wrapped product area, the twisted closure area, and the cup-shaped element. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively - the wrapping provides basic coverage, the twisted area creates an air-tight seal, and the cup-shaped element provides structural support and additional protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The twisted closure area utilizes curved, three-dimensional geometry to create an effective seal. The spiral/twisted shape allows the wrapping to wrap around itself and engage with the cup-shaped element in a manner that prevents air penetration, transforming a simple flat wrapping into an air-tight closure through curved geometry.
3Reliability
If the packaging is designed to be air-tight, then product quality is preserved, but the packaging becomes more complex and harder to open
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism transitions from a static glued joint to a dynamic twisted structure. The twisted closure area can be easily manipulated by hand to unwind and open the packaging. This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide both air-tight sealing when closed and easy opening when needed, with the user simply needing to reverse the twisting motion.
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 effectively preserves the product by preventing air penetration and reducing production costs and time, while ensuring the packaging unit is aesthetically pleasing and easy to open.
Implementation Method 1
a welding station suitable for closing said cavity with a further portion of sheet material, and a thermoforming station arranged downstream of said filling station suitable for thermoforming said sheet material
Implementation Method 2
a thermoforming station arranged downstream of said filling station suitable for thermoforming said sheet material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A method for packaging a product (2), comprising introducing said product {2) in a wrapping element (21), associating a cup-shaped element (34) to said wrapping element (21) in such a way that said cup-shaped element (34) contains at least partly said wrapping element (21), said associating comprising welding said cup-shaped element (34) and said wrapping element (21) along a portion of said wrapping element (21) delimiting an opening (11) through which said product (2) can be inserted in said wrapping element (21); an apparatus for packaging a product (2), comprising a forming station (3, 4; 48, 69) suitable for forming a cavity from a portion of sheet of material (5; 91), a filling station (G) suitable for filling said cavity with said product (2), a welding station (26; 86) suitable for closing said cavity with a further portion of sheet of material (23; 92), and a thermoforming station (26; 48, 86) arranged downline of said filling station (G) suitable for thermoforming said sheet of material.