Packing Machine Cleaning Device for Deep Drawing Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packaging machines, particularly deep-drawing machines, face challenges in maintaining hygiene due to accumulation of impurities and residues in complex geometries, requiring effective cleaning methods to prevent contamination of packaged goods.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated cleaning device is integrated into the packaging machine, featuring a control unit, supply and disposal lines, and targeted cleaning fluid delivery to ensure thorough cleaning of sealing stations, reducing the need for additional cleaning fluids and components across workstations, and allowing for modular construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deep-drawing machine with complex geometry (edges, depressions, bores) is used for packaging, then the packaging functionality is improved, but impurities and residues accumulate in the complex geometries making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple independent components including spray nozzles positioned at different locations, separate supply lines for cleaning fluid, and distinct disposal pathways. This segmentation allows each component to address specific hard-to-reach areas within the complex deep-drawing machine geometry, enabling thorough cleaning of edges, depressions, and bores without requiring complete disassembly of the machine
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning fluid acts as an intermediary substance to access and remove impurities from complex geometries that are inaccessible to direct mechanical cleaning. The cleaning fluid is delivered through supply lines to specific areas, penetrates into edges, depressions, and bores, dissolves or loosens residues, and is then removed through disposal lines, effectively cleaning areas that would otherwise be difficult to access
2Reliability
If regular cleaning and disinfection is performed to maintain hygiene, then contamination prevention is improved, but the cleaning process requires additional time and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is integrated into the packaging machine and can perform cleaning operations between packaging cycles or during brief intervals without requiring complete shutdown of production. Spray nozzles are pre-positioned to immediately address contamination risks, and cleaning fluid is supplied on-demand, allowing hygiene maintenance to occur proactively rather than requiring lengthy periodic cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system maintains continuous operation capability by enabling quick cleaning cycles that do not interrupt the overall packaging process. Cleaning fluid is continuously supplied and removed through dedicated lines, allowing the machine to transition rapidly between packaging and cleaning states, thereby maintaining hygiene reliability without significant loss of productive time
3Reliability
If a dedicated cleaning device is integrated into each workstation, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can service multiple workstations including the deep-drawing machine, sealing station, and cutting station. A central control unit coordinates cleaning fluid distribution to different locations, and spray nozzles are positioned to cover multiple areas, allowing a single cleaning device to perform the functions of what would otherwise require separate cleaning systems for each workstation, thereby reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device integrates multiple cleaning functions into a single unified system. Supply lines for cleaning fluid are merged into a common distribution network, disposal lines are consolidated into shared drainage pathways, and control functions are combined in a central control unit. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage across all workstations
Data Source
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AI summary
Proposed is a packing machine (1), in particular a roller or deep drawing machine, tray sealing machine or the like with components which have to be cleaned regularly, in which machine the cleaning of the components to be cleaned is improved. This object is achieved in that the packing machine (1) comprises a fluid supply unit (16) for providing at least one cleaning fluid.