Servomotor Toggle Sealing Press for Packaging Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current packaging machines face challenges in efficiently and effectively sealing containers made of poly-laminated cardboard, requiring significant power and resulting in bulky structures that complicate cleaning and maintenance, while also needing to accommodate diverse container shapes and ensure product freshness.

Innovation Solution

A servomotor-driven toggle-type sealing press with adjustable movement axes and torque control, allowing for precise alignment and welding of container tops with symmetrical or asymmetrical designs, and featuring a micro-adjustment system for independent operation and robustness in acidic environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional welding devices are used to seal poly-laminated cardboard containers, then welding force is sufficient, but the device structure becomes bulky and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding forceVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The welding device is divided into modular components: a movable carriage carrying welding jaws, a separate heating bar, and an independent actuation system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining welding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with a more compact actuation mechanism that uses a combination of linear actuators and cam-based motion transformation. This substitution reduces the bulkiness of the device structure while preserving the necessary welding force application capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Force

If conventional welding devices are used to seal poly-laminated cardboard containers, then welding force is sufficient, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding forceVSAvoidcleaning and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The welding device is divided into modular components: a movable carriage carrying welding jaws, a separate heating bar, and an independent actuation system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining welding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The welding carriage is designed with movable and adjustable components that can be easily repositioned or removed for cleaning access. The heating bar and welding jaws are positioned to allow straightforward cleaning operations, improving maintainability while preserving welding force capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If fixed welding trajectory is used, then sealing consistency is good, but adaptability to diverse container shapes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing consistencyVSAvoidadaptability to container shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The welding carriage is designed with adjustable degrees of freedom, allowing the welding trajectory to be dynamically modified. The carriage can be positioned and oriented in multiple configurations to accommodate different container shapes while maintaining precise sealing control through controlled motion along the desired path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows modification of welding parameters including trajectory position, speed, and pressure applied by the welding jaws. These parameters can be adjusted to match different container geometries, enabling consistent sealing quality across diverse container shapes without sacrificing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If manual alignment operations are used for asymmetrical containers, then positioning accuracy is sufficient, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsealing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The welding carriage incorporates self-alignment capabilities through adjustable positioning mechanisms and sensors that automatically detect container position and orientation. This eliminates the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining high positioning accuracy, thereby preserving productivity for asymmetrical containers.

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 enables efficient, precise, and flexible sealing of containers with reduced maintenance needs, ensuring high-quality welds and improved hygiene, while accommodating various container shapes and sizes, thus enhancing product shelf-life and operational simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

the plastic material of the container previously brought to the melting temperature is cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the plastic material of the container previously brought to the melting temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 3

devices with two or more arms with jaws, which firmly compress the panels of the package together

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 4

the plastic material of the container previously brought to the melting temperature is cooled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4171929B1Welding group for packaging machines
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 GALDI SRL
  • EP4171929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4171929B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A packaging machine of containers to be closed and welded, comprising a welding group of the containers and a transport system of the aforesaid containers, wherein the welding group is placed in line on the transport system. The welding group consists of a sealing press (20) with a frame (21 ) which horizontally moves opposing jaws (11, 22). The frame (21 ) is moved in vertical direction by means of a motor (1 ) located below the frame (21 ) and connected to supporting vertical pins (5), and respective servomotors (6) positioned on opposite sides of the frame (21 ) rotate, during the vertical movement of the frame (21 ), by means of reducers (7), relevant horizontal pins (8, 28), which are connected by means of toggle return systems, to thrust elements (10, 30) connected to the opposing jaws (11, 22).