Seal Bar With Nozzle Cavity For Flexible Pouches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pouches face challenges in preventing liquid materials from evacuating before pressure is applied, leading to inefficiencies in filling and sealing, and complexities in manufacturing, recycling, and cost issues due to the use of complex valves.
Innovation Solution
A seal bar with a heat-applicable face, a cavity forming a nozzle shape, and a seal dot that applies heat to create a custom seal, acting as a non-moving flow control valve to prevent liquid evacuation until pressure is applied, allowing for efficient filling and space-saving design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex valves are used to prevent liquid evacuation, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex valve component from the system. Instead of using a separate valve made from different materials that needs to be sealed or welded into the pouch, the seal bar itself creates the flow control function through its geometry (cavity and seal dot configuration), simplifying the overall system and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal bar performs multiple functions: it seals the pouch opening, creates the nozzle shape, controls fluid flow, and prevents liquid evacuation all through a single component. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required separate valve components, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing reliability
2Reliability
If complex valves are used to prevent liquid evacuation, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for separate valve components that require additional materials and welding/sealing processes. The seal bar alone provides all necessary functions, reducing material costs and manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The seal bar is made from the same flexible pouch material throughout, eliminating the need for multi-material construction and complex welding or sealing processes that would increase manufacturing cost. The entire component can be formed from a single material type
3Productivity
If the pouch is opened for filling, then filling efficiency is improved, but liquid evacuation occurs before pressure is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The seal bar is designed with a cavity and seal dot configuration that creates a controlled opening in the pouch before filling. This preliminary structure allows the pouch to be opened for efficient filling while the seal bar geometry is already in place to prevent uncontrolled liquid evacuation, ready to function immediately when pressure is applied
Solution Approach 2:
The seal bar acts as an intermediary structure between the opened pouch and the liquid materials. It provides a controlled interface that allows filling to occur efficiently while preventing harmful liquid evacuation before pressure is applied, mediating between the need for open filling and the need for controlled containment
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 seal bar effectively prevents liquid materials from leaking before pressure is applied, enabling quicker and more cost-efficient filling and sealing processes while reducing packaging, shipping, and storage costs by eliminating the need for additional sealing materials.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, wherein the heating element may be configured to heat the face
Implementation Method 2
the face may be configured to apply heat to seal the pouch
Implementation Method 3
a seal dot, wherein the seal dot may be configured to apply heat to the pouch
Data Source
AI summary
A seal bar for sealing a pouch is provided, wherein the seal bar may comprise a face, wherein the face may be configured to apply heat to seal the pouch, a cavity, wherein the cavity may be configured to form a nozzle shape in the pouch, a seal dot, wherein the seal dot may be configured to apply heat to the pouch, and a heating element, wherein the heating element may be configured to heat the face.