Rotary Vacuum Chamber Packaging With Automatic Bag Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum packaging machines have a large operational footprint and require significant operator interaction for loading and alignment, which limits throughput and efficiency, especially due to issues with endless chain stretching and manual placement of bags for proper sealing.
Innovation Solution
A rotary vacuum chamber system with a single axis of rotation and linear travel paths for platens and vacuum chambers, featuring automated loading and unloading, and a mechanism for automatic registration and alignment of packages, including a carousel with servo motor and pinion drive, and a system for heat sealing and air management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a rotary vacuum chamber system with single axis of rotation is used, then the operational footprint is reduced, but the complexity of achieving precise alignment and positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vacuum packaging function into multiple discrete vacuum chambers arranged around a single axis of rotation, with each chamber handling one package at a time. This segmentation allows the system to maintain a compact footprint while managing alignment complexity independently for each chamber-platen pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional endless chain mechanical drive system with a servo motor and pinion drive mechanism. This substitution eliminates chain stretching problems and provides more precise, controllable positioning of platens and vacuum chambers, reducing alignment complexity despite the compact single-axis design.
2Extent of automation
If automated loading and unloading mechanisms are implemented, then operator interaction is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated detection and positioning mechanisms that allow packages to be loaded and unloaded without manual intervention. The detection system automatically identifies package positions and the servo-driven platens automatically adjust to achieve proper alignment, making the system self-sufficient in the loading/unloading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a detection system that provides feedback on package position and orientation. This feedback is used by the control system to automatically adjust platen positioning and timing, enabling automated loading and unloading while maintaining precise alignment requirements through closed-loop control.
3Productivity
If the platen travel path extends around a single axis of rotation with linear portions, then throughput is increased, but the manufacturing precision required for the travel path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses servo motors to dynamically control the position and speed of platens as they travel around the single axis of rotation. This dynamic control allows the system to accommodate minor variations in the mechanical travel path while maintaining the precision required for proper sealing, enabling increased throughput without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the travel path itself.
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 system reduces the operational footprint, increases throughput, and eliminates the need for manual loading by ensuring precise alignment and automatic handling of packages, enhancing efficiency and reducing operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum chamber configured to receive unsealed loaded packages and vacuum seal the loaded packages
Implementation Method 2
heat sealing the bag opening to fully enclose the food product within the bag
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.