Aseptic Packaging Machine Sterilization Apparatus Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packaging machines for producing sealed pourable food products require complex control mechanisms to maintain sterility, which complicates the design and operation of aseptic environments.
Innovation Solution
A simplified packaging machine design that includes a sterilization apparatus with a streamlined structure, utilizing electromagnetic or electron beam irradiation for sterilization, and pressure control means to manage aseptic environments, ensuring sterility while reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex control mechanism is applied to guarantee sterility within aseptic environments, then reliability of sterility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary auxiliary shielding chambers from the sterilization apparatus. By removing these redundant components, the system maintains sterility reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and control mechanism requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation chamber is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a sterile environment for package formation and a discharge zone for ozone and undesired components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated chambers, simplifying the overall system while maintaining sterility.
2Reliability
If multiple auxiliary shielding chambers are used for sterilization, then sterility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant auxiliary shielding chambers from the sterilization apparatus architecture. The remaining single auxiliary shielding chamber is integrated into the isolation chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate shielding structures while maintaining aseptic environment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary shielding chamber and isolation chamber are merged into a single integrated structure. This combination allows the same physical space to serve both as a shielding zone and an isolation/ discharge zone, reducing structural complexity while maintaining sterility.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If ozone discharge means are added to sterilization apparatus, then harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation chamber is designed to simultaneously serve as a sterile environment for package formation and as a discharge zone for ozone and undesired components generated during sterilization. This multi-functionality integrates harmful factor discharge into an existing structure, avoiding additional dedicated discharge apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation chamber acts as an intermediary zone between the sterilization chamber and the external environment. It facilitates the controlled discharge of ozone and undesired components while maintaining the sterile environment required for package formation, mediating between sterilization needs and harmful factor removal.
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 simplifies the control of aseptic environments, maintaining sterility effectively and reducing the complexity of packaging machine design, while ensuring the production of high-quality sealed packages.
Implementation Method 1
sterilization apparatus (9) configured to sterilize at least first face (5) of the web (4) by directing a sterilizing irradiation, in particular electromagnetic irradiation, onto at least first face (5) of the web (4)
Implementation Method 2
sterilization apparatus (9) configured to sterilize at least first face (5) of the web (4) by means of the application of physical irradiation, in particular electromagnetic irradiation, even more particular electron beam irradiation
Implementation Method 3
pressure control means configured to control the pressure within at least the isolation chamber (14) and within at least portions of the sterilization apparatus (9)
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging machine for producing sealed packages of a pourable product from a packaging material web advancing along a web advancement path comprises an isolation chamber separating inner and outer environments, and a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing the packaging material web and in fluid connection with the isolation chamber. The sterilization apparatus comprises a main shielding chamber housing an irradiation device and comprising an advancement channel having inlet and outlet openings, and through which, in use, the packaging material web advances, and first and second auxiliary shielding chambers having respectively first and second inner spaces fluidically connected to the advancement channel. A pressure control controls a first pressure in the first auxiliary shielding chamber, a second pressure in the second auxiliary shielding chamber and a third pressure in the isolation chamber, the third pressure being higher than the second pressure and the second pressure being higher than the first pressure.