Vacuum Chamber Segmentation for Gas Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging apparatuses face challenges in efficiently processing larger products due to the limitations of vacuum chamber size, complexity, and reliability, particularly in achieving effective gas extraction using multiple chambers, which increases costs and processing times.
Innovation Solution
A packaging apparatus utilizing a single gas extraction station with a vacuum chamber that can efficiently extract gas from semi-sealed packages by creating a closed vacuum chamber with members that contact each other, allowing gas flow through an opening to aspirate air from both inside and outside the package, and then sealing the package, enabling the processing of larger products without the need for multiple chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple vacuum chambers are used for gas extraction, then gas extraction effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple vacuum chambers into a single vacuum chamber by using a sealing member that divides the chamber into first and second spaces. This allows simultaneous gas extraction from multiple packages while maintaining the effectiveness previously requiring separate chambers, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving gas extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum chamber is segmented into multiple functional spaces (first space and second space) using a sealing member. This segmentation allows independent gas extraction from multiple packages within a single chamber, achieving the effectiveness of multiple chambers without the complexity of separate physical chambers.
2Reliability
If multiple vacuum chambers are used for gas extraction, then gas extraction effectiveness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous gas extraction from multiple packages simultaneously within a single vacuum chamber. The sealing member creates multiple extraction spaces that operate concurrently, eliminating the sequential processing time that would result from using separate chambers one after another, thus maintaining effectiveness while reducing total processing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If vacuum chamber size is increased to accommodate larger products, then product size range is improved, but maintaining vacuum reliability becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum chamber is divided into multiple smaller functional spaces (first and second spaces) using a sealing member. This segmentation allows each space to maintain vacuum effectively even when the overall chamber is large enough to accommodate bigger products, thereby preserving vacuum reliability while expanding the range of product sizes that can be processed.
4Device complexity
If a single vacuum chamber is used, then device complexity is reduced, but gas extraction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single vacuum chamber is segmented into multiple extraction spaces using a sealing member, allowing simultaneous gas extraction from multiple packages. This maintains the simplicity of a single chamber while achieving the gas extraction effectiveness previously requiring multiple chambers, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and extraction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single vacuum chamber is designed to perform multiple extraction functions simultaneously through the sealing member configuration. The chamber can extract gas from multiple packages at once, making it a universal solution that replaces the need for multiple specialized chambers, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing complexity.
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
This solution allows for efficient gas extraction and sealing of packages of various sizes using a single chamber, reducing equipment complexity and processing time, while maintaining low residual oxygen levels, thus effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A gas extraction station (35) is provided which comprises a vacuum chamber (353). The vacuum chamber is configured to enable gas to be extracted from a package (24) by creating a pressure difference between an inside of the package and an outside of the package.
Implementation Method 2
Gas can flow through an opening (354) formed between the first and second members (351, 352) in order to aspirate air from inside and outside the package (24).
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A packaging apparatus has a vacuum chamber (353) and is configured for adjusting a spacing between a first (351) and a second (352) member of the vacuum chamber (353) to open the vacuum chamber (353), relatively positioning a package (24') or a semi-sealed package (23) and the vacuum chamber (353) such that a terminal portion (236) of an end of the package (23, 24') is positioned within the vacuum chamber (353) and a non-terminal portion (232) of the end is positioned outside the vacuum chamber (353), an intermediate portion (234) of the end passing through the opening (354), adjusting the spacing to bring the first (351) and second (352) members, except for the opening (354), substantially sealingly in contact with one another, the intermediate portion (234) being received in the opening (354), creating, within the vacuum chamber (353), an internal vacuum pressure such as to determine a gas flow through the opening (354) causing opposing layers of the film (21) at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and to aspirate both gas from inside the semi-sealed package (23) and gas from an ambient atmosphere through the opening (354). A gas extraction device is also disclosed.