Packer Machine Suction and Independent Sealing for Snus Pouches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packer machines for producing snus pouches face challenges in achieving high productivity and quality while effectively collecting and removing loose powdered material that comes out of the tubular wrap upstream of the transverse sealing unit.
Innovation Solution
The packer machine incorporates a longitudinal sealing unit with independent movement of sealing rollers and a suction device between the longitudinal and transverse sealing units to collect and remove loose powdered material, ensuring optimal sealing and preventing interference with the transverse sealing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If compressed air is used to feed portions of loose product into the tubular wrap, then productivity is improved, but loose powdered material is generated that contaminates the transverse sealing unit
Solution Approach 1:
A suction device is introduced as an intermediary element between the filling process and the transverse sealing unit. This device actively removes loose powdered material that is generated during high-speed filling, preventing it from contaminating the sealing surfaces and maintaining sealing quality without reducing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful loose powdered material generated by compressed air feeding is converted into a removable contaminant through the suction device. By actively suctioning the loose material, the system transforms the harmful byproduct of high-speed filling into a controllable element that can be easily removed, thereby maintaining both high productivity and sealing quality.
2Device complexity
If a single common actuator device is used to push both sealing heads, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of seals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into two independent actuating mechanisms, with each sealing head controlled by its own actuator device. This segmentation allows each sealing head to be precisely controlled independently, ensuring optimal sealing pressure and position for each side of the tubular wrap, thereby maintaining high manufacturing precision while avoiding the compromises inherent in shared actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system employs dynamic, independently controllable actuators for each sealing head rather than a static shared mechanism. This allows real-time adjustment of sealing pressure and position for each sealing head based on actual process conditions, enhancing sealing precision while maintaining system adaptability and responsiveness.
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 allows for high productivity and quality in producing snus pouches by ensuring optimal longitudinal and transverse seals, effectively removing loose powdered material to prevent contamination and ensure proper sealing.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device between the longitudinal sealing unit and the transverse sealing unit, configured for suctioning as much as possible all the loose powdered material that comes out of the tubular wrap
Implementation Method 2
The longitudinal sealing unit comprises a heated sealing head (for example a rotating roller) which is movably mounted to be pushed with a calibrated elastic force against a striker element
Data Source
AI summary
A packer machine for producing of pouches containing loose product, includes a conveyor device to move a band of wrapping material along a packing path; a wrapping station arranged along the path at which the band of wrapping material is wrapped to form a tubular wrap; a longitudinal sealing unit to seal the wrap in an overlapping section of the band; a feeding device with a feeding duct around which the band is bent to form the tubular wrap and which can feed the loose product into the wrap; a transverse sealing unit downstream of the longitudinal sealing unit configured to seal each tubular wrap to form an alternating succession of sealing sections and sections with loose product; and upper and lower sucking device arranged between the longitudinal sealing unit and the transverse sealing unit above and below the path, respectively, with upper and lower suction openings facing the path.