Aseptic Filling System Circulation Line Water Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aseptic filling systems require an additional aseptic-water generator for lubrication and maintenance, increasing installation and operation costs.

Innovation Solution

An aseptic filling system that integrates a heat sterilizer with a circulation line for sealed aseptic water supply, eliminating the need for a separate aseptic-water generator by using a heating unit, cooling unit, and a connection line to circulate and maintain aseptic water within the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate aseptic-water generator is added to supply aseptic water for lubrication and maintenance, then aseptic conditions are maintained, but installation cost and operation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaseptic condition maintenanceVSAvoidnumber of additional devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the aseptic water supply function into the existing circulation line system by integrating a sterilization unit that treats regular water into aseptic water within the sealed circulation loop. This eliminates the need for a separate aseptic-water generator while maintaining aseptic conditions through in-line sterilization of the water used for lubrication and maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation line system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides cooling water to the heating unit, receives heated aseptic water from the cooling unit, and supplies aseptic water to the filling machine through the connection line. The sterilization unit enables the system to generate aseptic water on-demand, making the circulation line a multi-functional system that replaces dedicated aseptic water generation equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate aseptic-water generator is added to supply aseptic water for lubrication and maintenance, then aseptic conditions are maintained, but operation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaseptic condition maintenanceVSAvoidoperation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the aseptic water supply function into the existing circulation line system by integrating a sterilization unit that treats regular water into aseptic water within the sealed circulation loop. This eliminates the need for a separate aseptic-water generator while maintaining aseptic conditions through in-line sterilization of the water used for lubrication and maintenance purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation line system is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides cooling water to the heating unit, receives heated aseptic water from the cooling unit, and supplies aseptic water to the filling machine through the connection line. The sterilization unit enables the system to generate aseptic water on-demand, making the circulation line a multi-functional system that replaces dedicated aseptic water generation equipment.

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 configuration reduces overall installation and operation costs by eliminating the need for an additional aseptic-water generator while maintaining aseptic conditions within the filling machine.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit that heats the content

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a cooling unit that cools the content heated by the heating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

the hot water which has cooled the content at the cooling unit is supplied into the heating unit through the heating-water line, and heats the content at the heating unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchanger: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3650401B1Aseptic filling system
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3650401B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650401B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Cost is reduced as a whole. An aseptic filling system 1A includes a heat sterilizer 18 and a filler 2. The heat sterilizer 18 has a heating unit 12, a holding tube 14, a first stage cooling unit 15 and a second stage cooling unit 16. A circulation line 30 composed of a heating-water line 31 and a cooling-water line 32 is connected to the heating unit 12 and the first stage cooling unit 15. A connection line 33 is connected to the cooling-water line 32, and aseptic cooling water in the cooling-water line 32 is sent to the filler through the connection line 33.