Pivotable Mold Wall Section for Undercut Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoforming packaging machines struggle to produce stand-up packs with undercuts where the opposite side wall can be formed independently of the undercut's inclination, leading to potential collisions during the forming and sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
A thermoforming packaging machine design featuring a pivotably mounted mold wall section and sealing seam support section, allowing for vertical or lateral movement of the undercut to prevent collisions and enable independent formation of side walls, with a common drive system and spring return mechanism for cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an inclined lifting gear is used to form the undercut, then the undercut can be created in the lower film, but the opposite side wall is formed parallel to the undercut in the direction of the interior of the packaging cavity, causing potential collisions during opening
Solution Approach 1:
The mold wall section is made pivotably mounted, allowing it to dynamically change position from an inclined configuration during forming to a vertical configuration during opening. This dynamic adjustment prevents the packaging tray from colliding with the forming tool while maintaining the desired undercut shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold wall section is divided into an upper part and a lower part that can move independently. The lower part pivots to create the undercut, while the upper part can be swung away upwards to clear the packaging tray during opening, eliminating the collision problem.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opposite side wall is formed parallel to the undercut to prevent collision, then collision is avoided, but the pack volume is reduced due to the parallelogram shape
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mold wall section allows the opposite side wall to be formed vertically rather than parallel to the undercut. During opening, the upper part swings away to prevent collision, while during forming, the lower part creates the undercut, resulting in a rectangular pack shape that maximizes volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manually replaceable mold wall sections are used for different pack shapes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using manually replaceable mold wall sections, the invention employs a pivotable mold wall section that can be adjusted through mechanical movement. This dynamic adjustment mechanism is simpler and more cost-effective than manual replacement while maintaining the ability to produce different pack shapes.
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
Enables the production of stand-up packs with undercuts where the opposite side wall can be formed vertically or horizontally, maximizing pack volume and simplifying the process by avoiding collisions and reducing part complexity, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a mold wall section pivotably mounted within a lower part of the mold and/or the sealing station having a lower part of the sealing tool with a pivotably mounted sealing seam support section for the undercut
Implementation Method 2
a return mechanism by means of at least one spring is preferably provided for the mold wall section and/or the sealed seam support section in order to move the mold wall section or the sealed seam support section into an open position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermoforming packaging machine (1) for producing stand-up packs (21) with an undercut (26) formed into the packs. A forming station (2) with a forming tool lower part (30) and/or a sealing station (3) with a sealing tool lower part (40) is provided. The invention is characterized in that the forming tool lower part (30) and/or the sealing tool lower part (40) have a movable forming wall section (32) or a movable sealing seam support section (41a) in the area of the undercut (26). The invention relates to a corresponding method for producing stand-up packs (21).