VFFS Transverse Sealing Jaws Distance Control for Gusseted Bags

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tubular bagging machines struggle to produce bags with a folded bottom transverse seam and an unfolded top transverse seam simultaneously, as the interaction between the film web and internal folding molds results in suboptimal fold quality and undesirable folds at the top seam.

Innovation Solution

The method involves arranging a stationary folding piece inside the film web and varying the distance between the transverse sealing jaws and this piece depending on whether forming bottom or top transverse seams, along with altering the take-off speed of the film web to maintain constant bag length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the transverse sealing jaws are positioned close to the shaped folding piece when sealing bottom transverse seams, then optimal fold quality is achieved, but undesirable folds form when sealing top transverse seams

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefold qualityVSAvoidundesirable folds at top seam
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distance between the transverse sealing jaws and the shaped folding piece is made variable rather than fixed. The control system adjusts this distance dynamically based on whether the sealing operation is for a bottom transverse seam or a top transverse seam, allowing optimal positioning for each case

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positional parameter (distance) between the transverse sealing jaws and the shaped folding piece is changed according to the sealing location. For bottom seams, a smaller distance is used to ensure optimal fold formation, while for top seams, a larger distance is used to prevent undesirable folds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the distance between transverse sealing jaws and folded piece is increased to prevent folds at top seam, then sealing quality at top improves, but fold quality at bottom transverse seam deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveundesirable folds at top seamVSAvoidfold quality at bottom
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the transverse sealing jaws position in the Z-direction based on the sealing operation type. The control system switches between different positional configurations to optimize both top and bottom seam sealing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The Z-position parameter of the transverse sealing jaws is varied depending on whether sealing top or bottom transverse seams. This parameter change allows the system to maintain optimal distance for fold formation at bottom while preventing folds at top

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If alternating production of bottom and top transverse seams is used, then bags with different seam types are produced, but individual bags cannot be produced with both seam types simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction of different seam typesVSAvoidsimultaneous production capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The production process uses periodic alternation between producing bottom transverse seams and top transverse seams. The transverse sealing jaws perform sealing operations in alternating sequences, with each cycle dedicated to one seam type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The production process is segmented into separate operations for bottom seam sealing and top seam sealing. Each seam type is produced in distinct work cycles rather than simultaneously, allowing specialized optimization for each operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3328739B1Method for operating a vffs for producing bags with a ground-cross-seal and a different head-seal-shape
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ROVEMA
  • EP3328739B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3328739B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3328739B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a tubular-bag machine (10) having a transverse-sealing apparatus which can be driven around two axes and is intended for producing tubular bags (01), wherein a film web (04), once a flexible film tube has been formed, is closed by a transverse bottom seam (02) and a transverse head seam, wherein, prior to the transverse bottom seam being formed, at least one peripheral region of the film web (04) of the tubular bag (01) is folded in laterally, in order for a side gusset to be formed, by a side-gusset former (18) which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the film web (04), and wherein in each case two transverse bottom seams (02) of adjacent tubular bags (01) are formed in a single operating step of the transverse-sealing apparatus, and wherein in each case two transverse head seams of adjacent tubular bags are formed in a single operating step of the transverse-sealing apparatus, and wherein the tubular bags (01) are formed with alternating orientations in the withdrawal direction, wherein the side-gusset former (18), when forming the side gusset, interacts, in the region of the transverse bottom seams (02), with a fixed folding shaper (19) arranged on the inside of the film web (04), wherein the minimum distance of the transverse-sealing apparatus from the folding shaper (19) is altered in an alternating manner in the withdrawal direction over the closed movement path for formation of the transverse head seams and of the transverse bottom seams, wherein the minimum distance of the transverse-sealing apparatus from the folding shaper (19) during production of the two transverse head seams is greater than the minimum distance of the transverse-sealing apparatus from the folding shaper (19) during production of the transverse bottom seams (02).