Partial-Seal Stretch Hood Wrapping for Ventilated Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stretch-hood machines struggle to securely wrap loads with varying widths or unusual shapes while providing ventilation, as leaving the top of the tubular film unsealed compromises the wrapping integrity.
Innovation Solution
A stretch-hood machine that forms a partial seal at the upper end of the tubular film, allowing access through an opening, while using reefing devices to wrap the film around the load, ensuring secure wrapping and ventilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the top of the tubular film is left unsealed to provide ventilation, then access between the interior of the tubular film and the surrounding environment is improved, but the wrapping integrity and security of loads with varying widths or unusual shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing units (first sealing unit, second sealing unit, third sealing unit) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the film to be sealed at specific locations (front and rear ends) while leaving the top portion unsealed for ventilation, thus resolving the contradiction between wrapping integrity and moisture prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tubular film are given different sealing characteristics: the front end and rear end are sealed to maintain wrapping integrity, while the top portion remains unsealed to provide ventilation. This local differentiation allows the film to simultaneously satisfy both wrapping security and ventilation requirements.
2Reliability
If the top of the tubular film is completely sealed to maintain wrapping integrity, then the security of loads with varying widths or unusual shapes is improved, but ventilation and access to the surrounding environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple independently controllable sealing units positioned at different locations (front end, rear end, and top). This allows selective sealing of the front and rear ends while leaving the top unsealed, thereby maintaining wrapping integrity without compromising ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely sealing the entire tubular film, the invention applies sealing only to the necessary portions (front end and rear end) while leaving the top portion unsealed. This partial sealing approach provides sufficient wrapping integrity while maintaining the needed ventilation.
3Reliability
If a complete seal is formed at the upper end of the tubular film, then the wrapping security is improved, but the complexity of the sealing system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing units that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete sealing when needed while maintaining the ability to leave portions unsealed, thus managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing units are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the system to adapt its sealing configuration based on the specific wrapping requirements. This dynamic capability enables the system to simplify operations by selectively activating only the necessary sealing units rather than maintaining a complex always-active sealing system.
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 partial seal ensures effective wrapping of loads with varying shapes, maintaining security and allowing controlled ventilation, addressing the challenge of moisture-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing unit strips are configured to heat seal the tubular film to form a seal section
Implementation Method 2
The drive rollers of the reefing devices move toward their respective guide rollers to engage the outer surface of the section of tubular film and force the inner surface of the section of tubular film against the guide rollers, thereby sandwiching the tubular film between the rollers
Implementation Method 3
The motors drive their respective drive rollers in a reefing rotational direction to reef (or gather) the section of tubular film onto the reefing fingers
Implementation Method 4
As this occurs, the film attempts to return to its unstretched size and shape and laterally retracts onto the load, which unitizes the load and/or secures the load to a pallet
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-hood machine and method of operating a stretch-hood machine to wrap an item with tubular film. The method includes drawing tubular film from a roll of film and forming a first seal section at a first end of a section of the tubular film, where the first seal section extends across only a portion of a width of the tubular film so as to provide a partial seal with a first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film. Using reefing devices, the tubular film is lowered around the item to wrap the item within an interior of the tubular film. The first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film provides access between the interior of the tubular film and the exterior environment.