Aseptic Bottle Molding Temperature Control for Reliable Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aseptic filling machines risk inadequate sterilization of bottles with insufficient heating, leading to potential molding failures and excessive use of sterilizers, as the mold temperature control is inadequate during the initial stages of bottle molding.

Innovation Solution

The aseptic filling method and machine control the mold temperature using a mold temperature adjusting apparatus to maintain the surface temperature of molded bottles within a specified range by adjusting the temperature of the neck, body, and bottom portion molds, ensuring adequate sterilization with a reduced amount of sterilizer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mold temperature is not controlled during initial bottle molding, then the molding process can be simplified, but the surface temperature of bottles becomes insufficient for adequate sterilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization adequacyVSAvoidmold temperature control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mold temperature is adjusted in advance before bottle molding to ensure that the surface temperature of molded bottles reaches the required level for adequate sterilization. This preliminary temperature adjustment prevents insufficient heating during the molding process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mold temperature is controlled based on feedback from temperature measurements of the molded bottles. By measuring the surface temperature of bottles and adjusting the mold temperature accordingly, the system ensures consistent and adequate sterilization conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If all molded bottles are fed to sterilization regardless of temperature, then the sterilization process can be simplified, but faulty bottles with insufficient heating may be filled and shipped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidsterilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical/conventional approach of filtering bottles by temperature is replaced with an infrared measurement system that non-contactly measures surface temperature of bottles to identify those requiring sterilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of bottle surface temperature through controlled mold temperature adjustment, ensuring that bottles reach the required temperature threshold before sterilization, thereby eliminating the need for complex temperature-based filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If excessive sterilizer is used to ensure adequate sterilization of all bottles, then sterilization reliability improves, but waste and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidsterilizer waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature parameter of the mold is precisely controlled to ensure bottles reach the optimal temperature for sterilization. This parameter control allows adequate sterilization with reduced sterilizer用量, minimizing waste while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The bottles themselves serve the function of temperature regulation through controlled mold heating, ensuring they reach the required temperature for sterilization without requiring external temperature intervention during the sterilization process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach ensures reliable sterilization of bottles with controlled surface temperatures, reducing waste and maintaining consistent bottle quality by minimizing excess sterilizer use and preventing molding defects.

Implementation Method 1

a heating apparatus that heats the preform to a temperature for molding the preform into a bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a blow-molding apparatus that blow-molds the heated preform into a bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

control the temperature of the mold that molds the bottle... adjusting the temperature of the neck, body, and bottom portion molds

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

a sterilizing portion that sterilizes the bottle molded by the molding portion with a sterilizer... the heat applied to the bottle in the molding phase can be used to increase the sterilization effect of a mist of hydrogen peroxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical sterilization: Hydrogen Peroxide

Data Source

PatentEP4119453B1Aseptic filling method and aseptic filling machine
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP4119453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119453B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(D)
  • EP4119453B1 patent drawingFigure 3(E-1)~3(H)

AI summary

Even when the filling speed increases, the surface temperature of a molded bottle falls within a constant range, and a sterilizer adequately sterilizes the bottle. A preform is heated, the heated preform is sealed in a mold, the preform sealed in the mold is blow-molded into a bottle, the surface temperatures of a neck portion, a body portion, and a bottom portion of the molded bottle are measured, and the mold temperatures of a neck portion, a body portion, and a bottom portion of the mold is so adjusted that the measured surface temperature of the bottle falls within a specified temperature range.