Packaging Web Edge Heating with Synchronized Motion to Reduce Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging technologies face challenges in minimizing overheating of packaging material due to variations in the movement of the packaging web during the heating process, such as tube twisting or speed transients, which can lead to inefficiencies and package defects.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for synchronizing the movement of a heating element with the packaging web's movement along the advancement path using an actuating apparatus, including a servo motor and sensory system to adjust the heating element's position based on edge position and speed, ensuring precise heat-sealing of opposite edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the heating element remains stationary while the packaging web moves, then the heating system structure is simple, but overheating occurs when the packaging web movement varies (tube twisting, speed transients)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat-sealing qualityVSAvoidheating system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamic one capable of movement along the advancement path. The actuating apparatus enables the heating element to synchronize its position with the packaging web movement, adjusting in real-time to maintain optimal heating conditions and prevent overheating during speed variations or tube twisting events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the heating element moves to synchronize with packaging web, then overheating is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to actuating apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat-sealing precisionVSAvoidactuating apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that detect the position and speed of the packaging web movement, providing feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this information and adjusts the heating element position via the actuating apparatus in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures precise heat-sealing while minimizing overheating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating apparatus replaces complex mechanical synchronization mechanisms with a more sophisticated control system that uses sensors, control units, and actuators to achieve precise positioning. This substitution allows for more accurate and adaptable control of the heating element position relative to the moving packaging web.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the heating element position is adjusted continuously, then heat-sealing quality improves during transients, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat-sealing consistencyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Continuous feedback from sensors monitoring the packaging web position and speed enables the control unit to make real-time adjustments to the heating element position, ensuring consistent heat-sealing quality during speed transients, tube twisting, and other movement variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves a degree of self-regulation where the sensors automatically detect movement variations and the control unit autonomously adjusts the heating element position without requiring external intervention, maintaining heat-sealing consistency through self-correcting behavior during transients.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures precise and continuous control of the heating element's position, reducing overheating and improving heat-sealing quality, even during irregularities or transients, thereby enhancing package production efficiency and longevity of the sealing strip.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (103) configured to heat the packaging web (101)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4644095A1System and method for heating a packaging web, packaging machine and computer program product thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4644095A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4644095A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4644095A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System (100) for heating a longitudinal edge of a packaging web (101) advancing along an advancement path (FD) and comprising: a heating element (103) configured to heat the packaging web (101); and an actuating apparatus (104) coupled to the heating element (103) and comprising an actuator (105) configured to synchronize a movement of the heating element (103) with the movement of the packaging web (101).