Parallel Valve Pressure Control for Modified Atmosphere Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face inefficiencies in modifying the atmosphere within packages, particularly in minimizing gas exchange time while preventing lighter components like flour or powders from being stirred up during evacuation or gassing, which affects the shelf life and stability of packaged products.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine equipped with a pressure control device featuring two electrically controllable 2/2-way valves connected in parallel, allowing independent control of evacuation and gassing pressures, along with a pressure transmitter for precise pressure measurement and adjustment, enables flexible volume flow settings to optimize the packaging process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If evacuation pressure or gassing pressure is increased to reduce gas exchange time, then productivity is improved, but lighter components of the packaging contents may be stirred up or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control device is divided into multiple independent 2/2-way valves (at least two valves) that can be controlled separately. Each valve can be individually opened or closed to precisely regulate the volume flow of gas during evacuation and gassing processes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high productivity by opening multiple valves simultaneously while maintaining protection of lighter components through individual valve control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a proportional controller is used to protect lighter components during gas exchange, then the contents are preserved, but the time required for gas exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the volume flow by individually controlling multiple 2/2-way valves during the gas exchange process. The valves can be opened or closed at different times and in different combinations, allowing the volume flow to be adapted to the specific requirements of the packaging contents. This dynamic control enables both fast gas exchange and protection of lighter components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure control device changes the parameter of volume flow by controlling the opening state of multiple 2/2-way valves. By adjusting which valves are open and which are closed, the system can precisely regulate the volume flow rate during evacuation and gassing. This parameter control allows optimization of both gas exchange speed and protection of packaging contents.
3Device complexity
If a single valve is used for pressure control, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to precisely control evacuation and gassing pressures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single complex valve, the system segments the pressure control function into multiple simple 2/2-way valves. Each valve has a straightforward two-position design (open/closed), keeping individual valve complexity low. The combination of multiple such valves provides precise pressure control capability through different opening combinations, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging machine with an atmosphere modifying station in which an atmosphere within a packaging to be produced can be modified by evacuating air and/or introducing a gas. The packaging machine has a pressure control device that may control an evacuation pressure and/or a gassing pressure. The pressure control device may comprise a first controllable 2/2-way valve and a second controllable 2/2-way valve, both which are configured to influence the evacuation pressure and/or the gassing pressure by setting a volume flow. The first and second 2/2-way valves are connected in parallel with one another and are controllable independently of one another. In one embodiment, the first and second 2/2-way valves are preferably electrically controllable. A method of modifying an atmosphere within a package using a packaging machine and pressure control device is also provided.