Segmented Heater Arrangement for Bag Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bag-sealing apparatuses waste energy by heating the entire heater strip, regardless of the bag size, leading to inefficient energy use and potentially dangerous overheating, as they lack the ability to selectively operate only the necessary heater portions based on the bag's size.

Innovation Solution

A bag-sealing apparatus with a heater arrangement composed of plural independently operable heater portions, accompanied by a bag detector that uses air pressure sensors or optical sensors to determine the bag's location, allowing only the required heater portions to be activated, thereby optimizing energy usage and preventing unnecessary heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the entire heater strip is operated to seal bags of all sizes, then all bags can be sealed, but energy is wasted and overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to seal bags of different sizesVSAvoidenergy waste from heating unnecessary portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heater arrangement is divided into multiple independently controllable heater portions (first heater portion, second heater portion, third heater portion). Each portion can be operated separately based on the bag size detected, allowing selective heating only of the necessary portions rather than heating the entire heater strip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A bag detector detects the actual position and size of the inserted bag, and this detection information is used to control which heater portions should be activated. This feedback mechanism ensures that the heater operates adaptively based on real-time bag characteristics, preventing energy waste and overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the entire heater strip is operated, then consistent heating is provided, but dangerous overheating occurs with small bags

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistent sealing performanceVSAvoidoverheating and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the heater into multiple independently controllable portions, the system can activate only the heater portions that correspond to the actual bag position and size. This prevents excessive heat concentration on small bags while still providing sufficient heating for proper sealing, thus eliminating the overheating hazard without compromising sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heater arrangement transitions from a static all-or-nothing operation mode to a dynamic selective operation mode. The control system adjusts which heater portions are active based on real-time bag detection, creating a dynamic heating pattern that adapts to each bag's characteristics, ensuring safe and reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single heater arrangement is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot selectively heat only necessary portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheater structure simplicityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heater arrangement is segmented into multiple independently controllable portions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This segmentation enables selective operation of heater portions based on bag size, significantly improving energy efficiency without introducing excessive structural complexity. The modular design allows for straightforward control and integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution ensures efficient energy consumption by only heating the portions of the bag that need to be sealed, reducing energy waste and maintaining a safer operating temperature, especially when sealing smaller bags.

Implementation Method 1

at least one air pressure sensor in communication with the air holes and arranged to sense changes in air pressure which occur if a said bag obstructs one or more of the air holes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a heater arrangement operable to apply heat to heat-seal an open end of a bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11491734B2Bag-sealing apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI & TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI

AI summary

Bag-sealing apparatus is provided for heat-sealing a bag. The apparatus has a heater arrangement operable to apply heat to heat-seal an open end of the bag. A bag detector detects the location of the bag relative to the heater arrangement. The heater arrangement is formed of plural heater portions. The heater arrangement is operable such that only the or each heater portion that overlies the bag as detected by the bag detector is caused to operate to apply heat to the bag.