Triangular Package Forming with V-Notch Edge Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing triangular prismatic packages for liquid or creamy products face issues with low sealing security, mechanical strength, and high air content, leading to reduced product life and inefficient filling and sealing processes.
Innovation Solution
A machine and process that form packages with a 'V'-shaped notch on the lateral faces for precise filling and sealing, reducing air contact and ensuring a secure closure, using a combination of punching, creasing, and sealing stations to assemble and seal the packages efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aluminium sheets are used to form triangular prismatic packages with hot sealing, then the packaging process is simple and fast, but the sealing security against extraneous agents is low and the mechanical strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminium sheet to paperboard, and changes the sealing method parameter from hot sealing to adhesive sealing or friction-based sealing. This resolves the contradiction by providing both sufficient sealing security and adequate mechanical strength while maintaining packaging productivity through the simplified assembly process of the modular blank structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure by combining paperboard with adhesive materials, creating a package that achieves both mechanical strength and sealing security. The paperboard provides structural integrity while the adhesive ensures secure sealing, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If aluminium sheets with hot sealing are used, then the packaging process is efficient, but the mechanical strength threshold is very low with high risks of accidental failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from aluminium sheet to paperboard, which inherently provides higher mechanical strength and resistance to accidental failure. The modular blank design with predefined folds and creases maintains ease of manufacture while the paperboard material itself provides the necessary strength threshold.
3Ease of manufacture
If the package is filled through a large open surface, then the filling process is simple, but the air content in the package is high reducing product life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filling process by first forming the package body without the top face, allowing filling through the open top, then separately closing the top face after filling. This enables simple filling through a large opening while subsequently removing excess air before final sealing, thus reducing air content and extending product life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by forming the package body structure before filling, and then performs the closing action after filling and air removal. This sequence allows easy filling while enabling subsequent air removal to reduce air content, resolving the contradiction between filling simplicity and air content reduction.
4Ease of manufacture
If the sealing process acts on a large surface area of lateral and rear faces, then the package appears fully sealed, but the sealing security against external agents is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the sealing action on specific critical edges (the V-shaped notch edges) rather than distributing sealing over the entire large surface area. The adhesive or friction-based sealing targets only the essential joining points, providing sufficient sealing security while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a broad surface-area-based process and concentrates it into edge-specific sealing at the V-shaped notch. This removes unnecessary sealing from large surfaces while maintaining security at critical locations, resolving the contradiction between sealing coverage and sealing security.
5Manufacturing precision
If a machine with multiple stations for forming, filling, and sealing is used, then the packaging quality is high, but the machine dimensions are large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into fewer machine stations. The forming station creates the modular blank with integrated folds and creases, the filling station fills through the open top, and the closing station seals the top face. This consolidation maintains high packaging quality while reducing overall machine dimensions compared to separate dedicated stations for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality where a single forming station performs both blank formation and structural assembly, and a single closing station handles both sealing and air removal functions. This universal approach maintains manufacturing precision while minimizing machine footprint.
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 enhances packaging productivity, reduces machine dimensions, ensures high-quality seals, and extends product shelf life by minimizing air contact and improving filling precision and sealing security.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing of the package is performed (using a presser/heating device) acting with a predetermined pressure on the second sheet, applied together with a heating designed to activate the heat sealing material
Implementation Method 2
the die may be subjected to a step of vibrating along a horizontal plane to allow a better distribution of the product in the package
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for making packages containing liquid or creamy products includes stations for punching/forming a first blank defining upper, lower and rear faces of the open package. A punching and creasing station forms a second blank defining first and second lateral faces of the package. The second blank has a notch for partial transversal separation between the first and second lateral faces. A station for assembling the first blank with the second blank for opening/closing the package with the notch of the two lateral faces, arranged in a “V”, to form an edge of the package. A transport unit is movable along a feed direction and configured to receive the package from the assembly station. A station opens the edge and fills the package with a dose of the product fed through the open notch. A station seals the notch.