Aseptic Packaging Delivery Unit With External Sterilant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic packaging machines fail to effectively utilize excess sterilant vapors, only sterilize the internal part of the packaging film, lack control in sterilant distribution, and do not adequately sterilize the external surface of the film.
Innovation Solution
A delivery unit with a deflector element and a sterile gas duct to direct sterilant vapors externally, combined with a laminar air flow to create a protective micro-environment, ensuring uniform sterilization of both internal and external surfaces of the packaging film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sterilizing mean is fed into the tubular wrapping through the nozzle, then the internal surface of the packaging film is sterilized, but the external surface of the packaging film is not adequately sterilized and excess sterilant vapors are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention redirects the sterilant vapor flow from a purely vertical upward path to include horizontal external flow along the packaging film surface. The deflector element changes the flow dimension, allowing sterilant to reach both internal and external surfaces of the packaging film, thereby improving sterilization effectiveness while utilizing excess sterilant vapors that would otherwise be wasted.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector element acts as an intermediary component between the sterilant delivery system and the packaging film. It mediates the sterilant vapor flow by redirecting it externally along the packaging film surface, enabling the sterilant to contact both internal and external surfaces without requiring additional sterilization equipment.
2Reliability
If sterilant is delivered through the nozzle into the sachet, then internal sterilization is achieved, but there is no control in sterilant distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates different flow conditions in different locations by using the deflector element to redirect sterilant vapor externally along the packaging film surface. This local modification of flow patterns ensures more uniform sterilant distribution across both internal and external surfaces, addressing the lack of control in sterilant distribution uniformity.
3Device complexity
If a simple nozzle structure is used to deliver product and sterilant, then device complexity is low, but sterilization coverage is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a separate deflector element as a distinct component to the nozzle system. This segmentation allows the sterilant delivery function and the flow redirection function to be independent, achieving complete sterilization coverage (both internal and external surfaces) while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
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 allows for complete sterilization of both the inside and outside of the packaging film, utilizing excess sterilant vapors efficiently and maintaining a sterile environment during the packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
a laminar air flow to create a protective micro-environment
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery unit for an aseptic machine for packaging sachets starting from sterilized films includes at least one nozzle surrounded by a tubular wrapping of film. The nozzle includes a product delivery duct to deliver a product, and a sterilant delivery duct to deliver a sterilant. The delivery unit includes a deflector disposed upstream of the delivery duct directly above an upper aperture of the wrapping, and protects the aperture from external agents. The deflector interferes with the flow of the sterilant which exits from the wrapping to allow the sterilant to flow outside of the wrapping without being diluted by the external agents.