Sealing Tool Centrifugal Separator for Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing tools in packaging machines face issues with contamination due to loose product components like breading or herbs being blown out during atmosphere exchange, leading to machine downtimes for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a centrifugal separator at the tool lower part of the sealing tool, which separates particle-laden gas flows using centrifugal forces, preventing particles from contaminating the machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If atmosphere exchange is performed with vacuum extraction and gas flushing, then packaging quality is improved, but loose product components are blown out and contaminate the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful particles are extracted from the gas flow using a centrifugal separator. The separator removes particles from the atmosphere exchange process, allowing the gas flushing to continue effectively while preventing particle contamination of the machine.
Solution Approach 2:
A centrifugal separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the atmosphere exchange system and the machine environment. This mediator captures particles before they can contaminate the machine, enabling continuous operation without frequent cleaning interruptions.
2Productivity
If extraction ducts are used for atmosphere exchange, then gas flushing is effective, but extraction ducts become contaminated and require regular cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
Particles are extracted from the gas flow at the point of generation using the centrifugal separator, preventing them from entering and contaminating the extraction ducts. This eliminates the need for regular cleaning of the ducts and reduces machine downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal separator performs preliminary particle removal before the contaminated gas reaches the extraction ducts. By addressing particle separation in advance, the system prevents contamination accumulation that would otherwise require cleaning interruptions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If centrifugal separator is added to the sealing tool, then particle separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal separator utilizes pneumatic principles to separate particles from the gas flow without mechanical moving parts. This approach adds functional complexity but minimizes mechanical complexity, maintaining ease of operation while effectively reducing particle contamination.
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 centrifugal separator effectively filters out particles from the gas flow, reducing contamination and the frequency of cleaning, thereby minimizing machine downtimes and ensuring higher hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one centrifugal separator for separating a particle-laden gas flow
Implementation Method 2
the centrifugal separator be configured as a tangential cyclone separator
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sealing tool for a packaging machine which comprises a tool lower part with at least one centrifugal separator for separating a particle-laden gas flow. The disclosure further relates to a method for separating a particle-laden gas flow at a sealing tool of a packaging machine, where the particle-laden gas flow is separated by way of a centrifugal separator provided at a tool lower part of the sealing tool.