Servo Piston Blowing Device for Packaging Bag Inflation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging bag inflation methods using compressed air are costly, noisy, and inefficient, especially for large or thin bags with small filling openings, due to insufficient ambient air flow through the filling opening.

Innovation Solution

A blowing device with a cylinder housing, piston, and drive unit generates a gas stream for inflating packaging bags, using a servo motor to control the piston's displacement and create a high volume flow of air at low to medium pressure, eliminating the need for a compressor and associated noise and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If compressed air from a compressor is used to inflate packaging bags, then the space can be filled quickly, but the device becomes expensive, noisy, and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflation speedVSAvoidcompressor system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of air supply (volume flow) from the complex compressor system, using only a simple valve to control ambient air intake. This eliminates the compressor, piping, and associated complexity while maintaining the inflation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing device uses ambient air from the surrounding environment as its air source, eliminating the need for a compressor to generate compressed air. The system serves itself by utilizing freely available atmospheric air, reducing device complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If compressed air from a compressor is used to inflate packaging bags, then the space can be filled quickly, but noise emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflation speedVSAvoidnoise emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the noise-generating compressor from the system, keeping only the essential valve component. This extraction of the harmful noise source while retaining the functional air supply capability directly reduces noise emissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By using ambient air instead of compressor-generated air, the system eliminates the primary noise source (compressor operation). The natural airflow through the valve is significantly quieter than compressed air delivery systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If ambient air is used to inflate packaging bags with small filling openings, then the system remains simple, but the space formation is significantly delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair supply systemVSAvoidspace formation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is positioned and oriented to optimize the preliminary flow of ambient air toward the filling opening. This preliminary directional guidance of air flow prepares the inflation process to start more effectively, compensating for the limited opening size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between ambient air and the filling opening. By controlling and directing the air flow through the valve, the system overcomes the limitation of small filling openings and accelerates space formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If compressed air is used to inflate packaging bags, then inflation is effective, but additional space and piping effort are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinflation effectivenessVSAvoidpiping space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the extensive piping infrastructure required for compressed air delivery. By using a locally positioned valve with ambient air, the system removes the need for compressors, long pipelines, and associated space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes ambient air already present in the environment, eliminating the need for dedicated air supply infrastructure. The valve draws air directly from the surrounding space, requiring minimal additional piping and installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a quiet, efficient, and cost-effective method for inflating packaging bags, allowing for quick and complete filling, and can be adapted to various bag sizes and materials, reducing operational noise and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a piston (4) which is displaceable in the cylinder housing (2); and a drive unit (10) for substantially linearly displacing the piston (4) in the cylinder housing (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiston displacement: Displacement

Implementation Method 2

a nozzle which is configured to be positioned and oriented such that a gas stream generated by the blowing device is directed toward an opening of a packaging bag

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow direction: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP4442581A1Blowing device for packaging machine
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 HDG VERPACKUNGSMASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP4442581A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442581A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442581A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a blowing device for generating a gas flow for opening an opening of a packaging bag and/or for inflating a packaging bag before inserting at least one insert element intended to remain in the packaging bag and/or before inserting filling material into the packaging bag, comprising: a cylinder housing; a piston which is displaceable in the cylinder housing;and a drive unit for substantially linear displacement of the piston in the cylinder housing, wherein the cylinder housing has an outlet opening for venting a gas contained in the cylinder housing in the form of a gas stream when the piston is moved towards the outlet opening, and the blowing device further comprises: a nozzle in fluid communication with the outlet opening, wherein the nozzle is configured to be positioned and oriented such that a gas stream generated by the blowing device is directed towards an opening of a packaging bag held by a packaging machine.