Vacuum Skin Packaging Film Forming with Flat-Holding Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum skin packaging systems require films with elastic return capabilities, often necessitating the use of cross-linked films, which can lead to film breakages due to inadequate heating, excessive forming, or inappropriate mechanical and chemical properties.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and process utilize a packaging assembly with a lower tool and an upper tool that cooperate to define a packaging chamber, allowing for the use of recyclable films and supports, and reducing downtimes due to film breakages by maintaining the film flat during the forming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the film is drawn upward against a heated dome to form and heat the film during vacuum skin packaging, then the film is formed and heated while held by suction, but film breakages occur due to inadequate heating, excessive forming, or inappropriate mechanical and chemical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The film is pre-heated before being drawn into the vacuum chamber, which prepares the film for forming and reduces the risk of breakage during the vacuum skin packaging process. This preliminary heating action allows the film to be more pliable and resistant to breaking when subjected to the forming forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linked films are used to provide elastic return capabilities for supporting suction inside the dome, then the film can maintain its shape during forming, but the film shows reduced recyclability and increased complexity in material selection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the film by pre-heating it to a temperature where it becomes more pliable and easier to form. This temperature parameter change allows the film to be formed without requiring cross-linked materials, thereby maintaining recyclability while achieving the necessary elastic return capability during the forming process.
3Shape
If the film is held by suction in contact with the heated surface of the dome during forming, then the film is formed to match the dome contours, but excessive forming forces cause film breakages
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-heating the film before it contacts the heated dome, the film's physical properties are changed to make it more pliable and less prone to breaking. This parameter change in temperature allows the film to conform to the dome contours while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand the forming forces without breaking.
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 the use of recyclable materials, reduces film breakages, and enhances the versatility of the packaging process by accommodating a variety of film materials, resulting in more efficient and reliable vacuum skin packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a heater configured for: receiving the film from the film supplying assembly, heating the respective portion of the film, feeding the heated respective portion of the film to the packaging assembly
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum assembly configured for reducing a pressure within the packaging chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
Apparatus for packaging a product (P) arranged on a support (2) comprising a film supplying assembly (30) and a packaging assembly (4) for coupling the support (2) with a film (3). The packaging assembly has a lower tool (5) for receiving the support (2) and an upper tool (6), which comprises a frame (8) for holding a respective portion (3a) of the film. The frame (8) and the lower tool (5) are relatively movable the one with respect to the other among a plurality of positions. The plurality of positions comprises a first position, where the frame (8) is distanced from the lower tool (5) to keep the respective portion flat and apart from the support (2), and a second position, where the frame (8) is approached to the lower tool (5) to allow the respective portion (3a) to initiate contacting the product (P) and/or the support (2). The frame (8) is configured to maintain the respective portion (3a) flat when the frame (8) and the lower tool (5) move from the first position to the second position.