Skin Packaging Apparatus with Adjustable Cavity for Protruding Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging solutions are inadequate for products protruding above the tray or support, as they fail to adapt to varying sizes, protrusions, and geometries, leading to imperfections like wrinkles and reduced productivity without compromising quality.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus that uses a film cutting and transfer mechanism to create a skin packaging system, allowing for flexible adaptation to products of different sizes and protrusions, with a vacuum chamber and heating system to ensure a tight seal and minimize imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-shaped molding tool is used for skin packaging, then the packaging process is simple, but the apparatus cannot adapt to products of different sizes and protrusions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable peripheral body that can shift relative to the head between a retracted position and a protruding position. This dynamic adjustment allows the cavity height to be modified according to product protrusion, enabling the apparatus to handle products of varying sizes without requiring multiple fixed tools, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the cavity by moving the peripheral body to alter the distance between the head's active surface and the peripheral body's terminal surface. This parameter adjustment allows the same apparatus to accommodate different product heights and protrusions, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the film is applied without proper shaping and positioning, then the process is fast, but wrinkles and imperfections occur on the packaged product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary shaping of the film by forming it into the cavity that matches the product geometry before the actual packaging operation. This preliminary action ensures that when the film is applied, it already conforms to the product shape, minimizing wrinkles and imperfections while reducing the time needed for post-application adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or complex mechanical film shaping operations with a controlled vacuum system that automatically draws and shapes the film over the product. This substitution achieves smooth, wrinkle-free film application while maintaining efficient processing speeds, resolving the contradiction between precision and time loss.
3Productivity
If a standardized apparatus is used for all products, then the device complexity is low, but productivity decreases when handling varied products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal packaging apparatus that can handle multiple product types and sizes through the movable peripheral body mechanism. This single apparatus performs the functions of multiple specialized tools by adjusting the peripheral body position, thereby maintaining high productivity across varied products without requiring a complex array of dedicated equipment for each product type.
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 apparatus effectively packages products of varying sizes and protrusions with reduced imperfections, enhancing productivity and maintaining packaging quality by ensuring a tight seal and uniform film application.
Implementation Method 1
a film of thermoplastic material, held by vacuum in a position above the product placed on the support, is heated to soften it
Implementation Method 2
the support with the product placed thereon is put in a vacuum chamber, where a film of thermoplastic material, held by vacuum in a position above the product placed on the support
Implementation Method 3
The space between the support and the film is then evacuated and finally vacuum above the film is released to cause the film to drape down all around the product and seal to the surface of the support not covered by the product
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for packaging a product (P) arranged in a support (4) comprising unrolling a film (10a), progressively moving a number of supports (4) inside the packaging chamber (24) of a packaging assembly (8), keeping the packaging chamber (24) open for a time sufficient for a number of supports (4) and for the film (10a) or for film sheets (18) to properly position inside said packaging chamber (24), causing the film sheets or film portions to adapt to the shape of a cavity formed in the upper tool (21) of the packaging assembly (8) and sealing the film sheets or film portions to respective supports. An apparatus (1) for performing the above process is also disclosed.