Aseptic Connector Head Cleaning for Tank Valve Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintaining hygienic and aseptic conditions during the transportation and handling of sensitive food products across long distances is challenging, particularly in intercontinental transport, as existing solutions fail to effectively prevent germ entry during the connection and operation of valve apparatus in tank containers.
Innovation Solution
A connector head with integrated cleaning devices, including a jet cleaner and a spray ball, that can be moved to a cleaning position to thoroughly clean the interior space and connected valve apparatus, ensuring aseptic conditions by using a cleaning agent like hot water steam to reduce germ entry during filling and emptying processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional valve apparatus is used for filling and emptying tank containers, then the basic function of product transfer is achieved, but hygienic conditions cannot be maintained and germs can enter the product during connection and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is extracted as a separate functional unit that can be moved between a cleaning position (inside the interior space) and a neutral position (separated from the interior space). This allows the cleaning function to be performed without the cleaning device obstructing product flow during filling and emptying operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device performs sterilisation of the interior space before product filling or after product emptying. By cleaning the interior space in advance, the system ensures hygienic conditions are established before product contact, preventing germ contamination.
2Reliability
If a cleaning device is added to the connector head, then hygienic conditions and sterilisation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between a cleaning position inside the interior space and a neutral position outside. This dynamic design enables the cleaning function to be integrated without permanently complicating the connector head structure during product operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector head is designed to serve multiple functions: product filling, product emptying, and interior space cleaning/sterilisation. By integrating the cleaning device into the same connector head structure, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate standalone cleaning equipment.
3Reliability
If the cleaning device remains inside the interior space during operation, then continuous cleaning is maintained, but it obstructs the flow of product during filling and emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed with movable positioning capability, allowing it to be placed inside the interior space during cleaning operations and moved to a neutral position outside the interior space during product filling and emptying. This dynamic repositioning ensures the cleaning device does not obstruct product flow when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device operates periodically rather than continuously - it is positioned inside the interior space only when cleaning is required, and moved to the neutral position during product operations. This periodic positioning maintains cleaning effectiveness while ensuring unobstructed product flow during filling and emptying cycles.
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 significantly reduces germ contamination and ensures efficient cleaning, allowing for faster and less aggressive cleaning processes while maintaining aseptic conditions throughout the transportation and handling of food products.
Implementation Method 1
By shaping at least one jet outlet (44) of the jet cleaner (38) in such a way that a jet of the cleaning agent leaves the connector head (12) through the tank connector (13)
Implementation Method 2
the jet cleaner has a spray ball which further improves the cleaning effect due to its symmetry
Implementation Method 3
Such a fluid can be hot water steam, for example
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector head (12) comprising an interior space (40), a tank connector (13) which is in fluid communication with the interior space (40) and which can be fluidly connected to a valve apparatus (10) mounted on the tank (9) for filling or emptying the tank (9), a product port (14) in fluid communication with the interior space (40) and a discharge port (33) in fluid communication with the interior space (40). To allow a tank to be filled and emptied under improved hygienic conditions, it is proposed that the connector head (12) comprises a first valve (29), with which first valve (29) the product port (14) can be shut off from the interior space (40), a second valve (34), with which second valve (34) the discharge port (33) can be shut off from the interior space (40), and a cleaning device (38) adapted and arranged to clean the interior space (40) and the tank connector (13). The invention also relates to a valve block.