Sealing Member with Interchangeable Inserts for Package Volume Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roll-fed carton packaging systems for liquid food face challenges in efficiently adapting to different product and material properties, making the process of setting convex portions cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when handling various products and materials.

Innovation Solution

A sealing apparatus with a package volume controlling section that includes sockets for holding inserts with convex portions, allowing for easy customization by sliding the inserts into place, which can be used in conjunction with a method to adapt the sealing device for specific products and materials, enhancing the control over package volume formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If convex portions are set correctly to control package volume, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage volume controlVSAvoidsetup process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is divided into a base structure and separate interchangeable inserts. Each insert contains specific convex portions for volume control, allowing the base structure to remain simple while the inserts provide the necessary complexity for precise package volume control across different product types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member with interchangeable inserts serves multiple functions: it can accommodate different product types, packaging materials, and volume requirements through a single base structure. The inserts are designed to be universally compatible with the socket while providing specific volume control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If convex portions are adjusted for different products and materials, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct and material compatibilityVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, interchangeable system. Inserts can be quickly removed and replaced based on product and material requirements, enabling rapid adaptation without time-consuming adjustments to the base sealing member structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple inserts designed for different products and materials are prepared in advance. The socket is pre-configured to accept these inserts, allowing operators to simply swap pre-designed inserts rather than adjusting or redesigning the sealing member for each product type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10640242B2Sealing member comprising a package volume controlling section

Publication Date: 2020.05.05 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

AI summary

A sealing member comprising a sealing section configured to interact with a sealing band of a tube of packaging material in a sealing stage, and a package volume controlling section configured to interact with a first area next to the sealing band of said tube of packaging material in the sealing stage, wherein said package volume controlling section is provided with a socket for holding an insert.