An integrated drying and heat sealing method

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, and particularly relates to an integrated drying and heat-sealing method. Addressing the problem in existing technologies where maintaining low humidity is difficult during the transfer process after drying and before heat sealing in medical device manufacturing, this invention provides an integrated drying and heat-sealing method, comprising: placing material into and sealing the first sealed space of a vacuum drying module; activating a control module to control the vacuum drying module to dry; a gas replacement system to replace the gas in the second sealed space of the heat-sealing module; after the material in the first sealed space has completed vacuum drying, an instruction module commands a material transfer component to transfer the material to the heat-sealing module; and the heat-sealing module completing the material sealing. This method controls each component to dry the material and creates a low-humidity environment using inert gas before material transfer, ensuring that the material remains low-humidity after drying until heat sealing is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical device technology, and in particular relates to an integrated drying and heat sealing method. Background Technology

[0002] Some medical device products need to be heat-sealed in a low-humidity environment. The existing technology usually involves transferring the product to a low-humidity workshop or low-humidity glove box for heat sealing after vacuum drying. The disadvantage of this technology is that it is difficult to control the humidity during the transfer process, and working in a low-humidity workshop for a long time can damage the health of the staff.

[0003] For example, a Chinese invention patent application [Application No.: 201910782043.2] discloses a method for drying medical devices. This invention involves placing the medical device to be dried in a sealed container; alternately and cyclically performing vacuuming and evacuation treatments on the sealed container, with at least one cycle; evacuating the sealed container, then continuously introducing compressed air for evacuation, increasing the temperature and pressure, and then continuing to introduce compressed air under constant temperature and pressure for drying, followed by cooling, thus completing the drying of the medical device. This invention utilizes alternating vacuuming and evacuation treatments to break down the gaps in the medical device sealed by a water film, while simultaneously removing some water stains from the surface of the medical device. Then, the medical device is dried at high temperature under constant pressure, ensuring sufficient contact between the compressed air and the gaps in the medical device.

[0004] While the invention described above can effectively remove water stains from the gaps in medical devices, thereby achieving complete drying of medical devices in a short time and improving drying efficiency and effect, it cannot solve the problem of maintaining low humidity in medical production materials during the transfer process after drying. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the above-mentioned problems by providing an integrated drying and heat sealing method that enables materials requiring heat sealing to be transferred to heat sealing equipment in a low-humidity environment after drying to complete the sealing process.

[0006] The specific steps of the method described in this invention are as follows: S1: Add material into the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and seal it; S2: Start the control module to control the vacuum drying module to perform drying; S3: The gas replacement system replaces the gas in the second sealing space of the heat sealing module; S4: Vacuum drying of the material in the first sealed space is completed. The instruction module commands the material transfer component to transfer the material to the heat sealing module. S5: The heat sealing module completes the sealing of the material.

[0007] Specifically, S2 includes the following steps: S21: Start the control module and input the vacuum level parameter of 0-0.9 bar and the drying time into the input module; S22: The instruction module sends an instruction to start the vacuum pump to extract air from the sealed box. After the vacuum sensor detects the predetermined vacuum level, the instruction module sends an instruction to keep the vacuum pump in place for the set drying time.

[0008] To save time and improve efficiency, step S3 can be performed before the end of step S2.

[0009] Furthermore, S3 includes the following steps: S31: The instruction module issues an instruction to open the exhaust valves of the inert gas source and the heat sealing module, injecting inert gas into the second sealed space of the heat sealing module through the air exchange pipeline. At the same time, the exhaust valve is opened to quickly discharge the residual air in the second sealed space from the exhaust pipeline. The air purification device is activated to receive the gas discharged from the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline, process it, and then send it back to the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline. S32: After the detection module detects that the humidity has reached the preset value, the instruction module issues an instruction to close the inert gas source and exhaust valve. The second sealed space and the air purification device achieve internal circulation through the gas transmission pipeline to maintain a low humidity inert gas filling state. The humidity sensor transmits data to the display module in real time and is simultaneously processed by the information processing module.

[0010] Specifically, S4 includes the following steps: S41: After the information processing module of the control equipment determines that the humidity meets the standard, the instruction module of the control equipment sends an instruction to start the gas balance system to balance the gas pressure between the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and the second sealed space of the heat sealing module. S42: The material transfer module transfers material from the first sealed space to the second sealed space.

[0011] Specifically, the vacuum drying module includes a sealed box and a vacuum pump, and the internal space of the sealed box forms a first sealed space; the vacuum pump extracts air from the first sealed space, and a vacuum sensor is installed inside the sealed box to detect the vacuum level of the first sealed space.

[0012] Specifically, the heat sealing module includes a sealing operation box, the internal space of which forms the second sealing space, and a heat sealing machine located in the second sealing space. Step S5 can be performed by manually operating the heat sealing machine through a sealing glove opening that extends into the second sealing space; or the material transfer module includes a mechanical gripper, which automatically grabs the material onto the heat sealing machine operation interface under the control of the control module, and then the control module controls the heat sealing machine to complete the sealing.

[0013] Specifically, the gas replacement system includes an air purification device, an inert gas source, a ventilation pipeline, a gas transmission pipeline, and an exhaust pipe with an exhaust valve. One end of the ventilation pipeline is connected to the inert gas source and the other end extends into the second sealed space. One end of the gas transmission pipeline is connected to the air purification device and the other end extends into the second sealed space. One end of the exhaust pipe extends into the heat-sealed space and the other end passes through the sealed operating box to the outside.

[0014] Specifically, the information processing module, display module, input module, detection module, and instruction module all belong to the control module. The detection module detects relevant parameters of the first sealed space and the second sealed space. The information processing module processes the parameters transmitted by the detection module and the parameters input by the input module. The display module displays the detection parameters, input module information, and instructions issued by the detection module. The air purification device includes a moisture removal device and an oxygen removal device.

[0015] Specifically, the gas balance system has one end extending into the first sealed space and the other end extending into the second sealed space. Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: This invention utilizes a reasonable management method to control the drying equipment to perform vacuum drying on materials and pre-controls the gas replacement system to replace the gas in the heat sealing working space before the materials are transferred to the heat sealing working space, ensuring that the materials can maintain a low humidity state after drying until the heat sealing is completed. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main steps of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the specific steps of S2 in this invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the specific steps of S3 in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the specific steps of S4 in this invention; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the equipment in which the method of the present invention is actually applied; Figure 7 for Figure 6 Another perspective illustration; In the diagram: 1. Air purification device; 2. Inert gas source; 3. Air exchange pipeline; 4. Gas transmission pipeline; 5. Sealed box; 6. Vacuum pump; 7. Exhaust valve; 8. Sealed operation box; 9. Exhaust pipe; 10. Connecting valve; 11. Moisture removal device; 12. Oxygen removal device. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0018] First, the structure used in the method of this invention is introduced to facilitate a better understanding of the method. For details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1 , 6 7. The main equipment designed in this method consists of four major modules. The first is the drying module, which mainly includes a sealed box 5 for feeding materials into it for drying. The sealed box 5 forms a first sealed space, and a vacuum pump 6 extracts gas from the first sealed space to achieve vacuum drying. The second is the heat sealing module, used for heat sealing the materials. It mainly includes a sealed operation box 8 and a heat sealing machine inside. The space inside the sealed operation box 8 forms a second sealed space, and the heat sealing machine is located within the second sealed space. The third is the gas replacement system, mainly used to replace the air in the second sealed space and maintain its low humidity state. Finally, there is the control module, which includes an information processing module, a display module, an input module, a detection module, and an instruction module. The detection module detects relevant parameters of the first and second sealed spaces. The information processing module processes the parameters transmitted by the detection module and the parameters input by the input module. The display module displays the detection parameters, input information, and detection module instructions. Integrated control and display of relevant parameters facilitate operator control. A material transfer module is also provided to realize material transfer. By using a gas replacement system to create a low-humidity environment in the second sealed space in advance, and then using a material transfer module to transfer materials between the first and second sealed spaces through a channel connecting the two spaces, the low-humidity state of the materials before heat sealing is maintained.

[0019] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the specific implementation methods include: S1: Add material into the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and seal it; S2: Start the control module to control the vacuum drying module to perform drying; S3: The gas replacement system replaces the gas in the second sealing space of the heat sealing module; S4: Vacuum drying of the material in the first sealed space is completed. The instruction module commands the material transfer component to transfer the material to the heat sealing module. S5: The heat sealing module completes the sealing of the material.

[0020] Specifically, such as Figure 3 As shown, the detailed drying process is as follows: S21: Start the control module and input the vacuum level parameter of 0-0.9 bar and the drying time into the input module; S22: The instruction module issues an instruction to start the vacuum pump 6 to extract air from the sealed box 5. After the vacuum sensor detects the predetermined vacuum level, the instruction module issues an instruction to keep the vacuum pump in place for the set drying time.

[0021] Because the second sealing space needs to be in a low-humidity state before the material is transferred after drying, step S3 can be started before step S2 ends in order to create a low-humidity operating environment for heat sealing in advance.

[0022] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, step S3 includes the following steps: S31: The instruction module issues an instruction to open the exhaust valves of the inert gas source and the heat sealing module, injects inert gas into the second sealed space of the heat sealing module through the air exchange pipeline 3, and simultaneously opens the exhaust valve 7 to quickly discharge the previously residual air from the exhaust pipe 9. The air purification device 1 is activated to receive the gas discharged from the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline 4, processes it, and then sends it back to the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline 4. S32: After the detection module detects that the humidity has reached the preset value, the instruction module issues an instruction to close the inert gas source 2 and the exhaust valve 7. The second sealed space and the air purification device 1 achieve internal circulation through the gas transmission pipeline 4 to maintain a low humidity inert gas filling state. The humidity sensor transmits data to the display module in real time and is simultaneously processed by the information processing module.

[0023] Of course, a pressure gauge can also be installed in the second sealed space at the same time. If the inert gas pressure is insufficient, the inert gas source 2 can still be replenished through the control module.

[0024] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, step S4 includes the following steps: S41: After the information processing module of the control equipment determines that the humidity meets the standard, the instruction module of the control equipment sends an instruction to start the gas balance system to balance the gas pressure between the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and the second sealed space of the heat sealing module. S42: The material transfer module transfers material from the first sealed space to the second sealed space.

[0025] As a common setup, the material transfer module can include a sealing door to isolate and connect the first and second sealed spaces. To facilitate material transfer, the sealing door is typically opened by rotating towards the second sealed space. Therefore, before opening, a gas balancing system is needed to equalize the gas pressure. This can be achieved by opening the connecting valve 10 to allow inert gas to circulate through the pipeline connecting the two sealed spaces, ensuring equal pressure on both sides for easy door opening. Material transfer methods readily conceivable include pushing with a pusher plate or tilting.

[0026] For materials transferred to the second sealed space via the material transfer module, as a simple solution, a glove-operated opening for sealing and fixing can be set in the sealing operation box 8, and the materials sent into the second sealed space can be manually sealed on the heat sealing machine. Of course, a more advanced and mature solution can also be adopted, such as the control module controlling the mechanical device to automatically grab the materials and complete the sealing on the heat sealing machine.

[0027] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0028] Although this document frequently uses terms such as air purification device 1, inert gas source 2, ventilation pipeline 3, gas transmission pipeline 4, sealed box 5, vacuum pump 6, exhaust valve 7, sealed operation box 8, exhaust pipe 9, connecting valve 10, moisture removal device 11, and oxygen removal device 12, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. The use of these terms is merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of the invention; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated drying and heat-sealing method, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: S1: Add material into the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and seal it; S2: Start the control module to control the vacuum drying module to perform drying; S3: The gas replacement system replaces the gas in the second sealing space of the heat sealing module; S4: Vacuum drying of the material in the first sealed space is completed. The instruction module commands the material transfer component to transfer the material to the heat sealing module. S5: The heat sealing module completes the sealing of the material.

2. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 1, characterized in that: S2 includes the following steps: S21: Start the control module and input the vacuum level parameter of 0-0.9 bar and the drying time into the input module; S22: The instruction module issues an instruction to start the vacuum pump (6) to extract air from the sealed box (5). After the vacuum sensor detects the predetermined vacuum level, the instruction module issues an instruction to keep the vacuum pump in place for the set drying time.

3. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 2, characterized in that: S3 can be performed before the end of S2.

4. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 3, characterized in that: S3 includes the following steps: S31: The instruction module issues an instruction to open the inert gas source (2) and the exhaust valve (7), injects inert gas into the second sealed space of the heat sealing module through the air exchange pipeline (3), and at the same time, quickly discharges the air remaining in the second sealed space from the exhaust pipe (9) by opening the exhaust valve (7), and turns on the air purification device (1) to receive the gas discharged from the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline (4), processes it, and then sends it back to the second sealed space through the gas transmission pipeline (4); S32: After the detection module detects that the humidity has reached the preset value, the instruction module issues an instruction to close the inert gas source (2) and the exhaust valve (7). The second sealed space and the air purification device (1) are connected by a gas transmission pipeline (4) to achieve internal circulation, maintain the low humidity inert gas filling state, and the humidity sensor transmits data to the display module in real time and is simultaneously handed over to the information processing module for processing.

5. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 4, characterized in that: S4 includes the following steps: S41: After the information processing module of the control equipment determines that the humidity meets the standard, the instruction module of the control equipment sends an instruction to start the gas balance system to balance the gas pressure between the first sealed space of the vacuum drying module and the second sealed space of the heat sealing module. S42: The material transfer module transfers material from the first sealed space to the second sealed space.

6. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The vacuum drying module includes a sealed box (5) and a vacuum pump (6). The interior space of the sealed box (5) forms a first sealed space. The vacuum pump (6) extracts air from the first sealed space. A vacuum sensor is provided inside the sealed box (5) to detect the vacuum level of the first sealed space.

7. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The heat sealing module includes a sealing operation box (8), the internal space of which forms the second sealing space, and a heat sealing machine located in the second sealing space. Specifically, step S5 can be to manually operate the heat sealing machine through a sealing glove opening that extends into the second sealing space; or the material transfer module includes a mechanical gripper, which automatically grabs the material to the heat sealing machine operation interface under the control of the control module, and then the control module controls the heat sealing machine to complete the sealing. The first sealing space and the second sealing space are isolated / connected through the material transfer module.

8. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The gas replacement system includes an air purification device (1), an inert gas source (2), an air exchange pipeline (3), a gas transmission pipeline (4), and an exhaust pipe (9) with an exhaust valve (7). One end of the air exchange pipeline (3) is connected to the inert gas source (2), and the other end extends into the second sealed space. One end of the gas transmission pipeline (4) is connected to the air purification device (1), and the other end extends into the second sealed space. One end of the exhaust pipe (9) extends into the heat-sealed space, and the other end passes through the sealed operating box (8) to the outside.

9. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The information processing module, display module, input module, detection module and instruction module are all control modules. The detection module detects relevant parameters of the first sealed space and the second sealed space. The information processing module processes the parameters transmitted by the detection module and the parameters input by the input module. The display module displays the detection parameters, input module information and instructions issued by the detection module. The air purification device (1) includes a moisture removal device (11) and an oxygen removal device (12).

10. The integrated drying and heat-sealing method as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The gas balance system is a pipeline with a connecting valve (10) that extends into the first sealed space at one end and into the second sealed space at the other end.

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