Tube Seam Alignment Rollers for Precise Package Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face challenges in ensuring precise positioning of the longitudinal seam portion of the tube during the packaging process, which is crucial for effective sealing and forming of packages.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a control device that utilizes interaction rollers to orient and align the tube's longitudinal seam portion accurately, combined with a pressurization system to maintain internal pressure, ensuring seamless integration with sealing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a web of packaging material is advanced through a sterilization apparatus and tube forming device to create a sealed tube, then the package formation process is automated and efficient, but precise positioning of the longitudinal seam portion becomes difficult to guarantee
Solution Approach 1:
A control device is introduced as an intermediary element between the tube forming device and the sealing device. This control device includes interaction rollers that actively engage with the tube to detect and correct the position of the longitudinal seam portion, ensuring precise alignment with the sealing device's cavity before sealing operations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device establishes a feedback mechanism where the interaction rollers continuously monitor the position of the longitudinal seam portion during tube advancement. When misalignment is detected, the system provides corrective action through the rollers to realign the seam with the sealing position, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precision throughout the automated process.
2Productivity
If the tube is advanced vertically through the packaging machine for filling and sealing operations, then the process is continuous and efficient, but maintaining consistent alignment of the seam portion with sealing elements becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The control device with interaction rollers serves as a mediator between the vertically advancing tube and the stationary sealing elements. As the tube moves through the vertical path, the rollers continuously engage to detect and correct any deviation in seam position, ensuring consistent alignment is maintained throughout the continuous processing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device performs preliminary alignment actions on the tube before it reaches the sealing position. By proactively detecting and correcting seam position deviations during advancement, the system ensures the tube is properly positioned in advance of the sealing operation, preventing misalignment issues during the actual sealing process.
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
Ensures consistent and precise alignment of the seam portion, enhancing the sealing process and improving the quality and efficiency of package formation.
Implementation Method 1
combined with a pressurization system to maintain internal pressure
Implementation Method 2
control device that utilizes interaction rollers to orient and align the tube's longitudinal seam portion accurately
Data Source
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AI summary
There is descried a packaging machine (1) comprising a tube forming and sealing device (10) configured to form and longitudinally seal a tube (3) from the, in use, advancing web (4) of packaging material, a filling device, a package forming apparatus (16) configured to form and transversally seal the packages (2) and a pressurization promoting device (30) configured to guarantee a pressurization of the tube (3). The conveying device (5) is configured to advance the tube (3) along a tube advancement path (Q). The packaging machine (1) further comprises a control device (23) configured to interact with the tube (3) and to control an orientation and/or alignment and/or angular position of the tube (3). The control device (23) comprises a pair of interaction rollers (24) configured to engage, in use, the tube (3) at a contact station (25) arranged downstream of the pressurization promoting device (30). The control device (23) also comprises a movement unit (31) configured to modify relative positions of the interaction rollers (24) with respect to one another and with respect to an advancement direction (D) of the tube (3).