Carrier Element Closure Mechanism for Hygienic Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices struggle to maintain stringent hygiene standards, particularly for low-acid food products, as they require effective sterilization of carrier elements without containers during startup, shutdown, or feed interruptions, with existing systems being inefficient in handling empty carrier elements.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a closure element integrated into the lifting device, which closes the receiving openings from the bottom side of the carrier elements during sterilization, allowing for efficient sterilization of both occupied and unoccupied carrier elements using a peroxide mist, without requiring adjustments to the sterilization process or parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier elements without containers are sterilized using the same process as occupied carrier elements, then hygiene standards are maintained, but the sterilization process is inefficient for empty carrier elements
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to be movable, transitioning between an open position (allowing sterilization medium to reach empty carrier elements efficiently) and a closed position (maintaining hygiene standards by preventing contamination). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational states without compromising reliability or productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of the closure element (open/closed) based on whether containers are present in the carrier elements. This parameter change enables the sterilization process to be optimized for empty carrier elements while maintaining stringent hygiene standards when containers are present
2Reliability
If the lifting device is used exclusively for lifting containers, then its function is simple and reliable, but carrier elements without containers cannot be effectively sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is integrated into the lifting device, enabling it to perform multiple functions: lifting containers when present and closing the carrier element opening when empty. This multi-functionality allows the same device structure to serve both lifting and sterilization protection purposes, resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and device complexity
3Measurement precision
If the closure element is operated independently with additional actuators, then control precision is high, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is mechanically coupled to the lifting device's actuator system, combining the lifting and closure functions into a single actuation mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate actuators while maintaining precise control through the existing lifting device's control system
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is designed to be passively actuated by the lifting device's motion, utilizing the existing mechanical movement to drive the closure function without requiring additional energy input or control systems. The lifting device's actuator inadvertently performs the closure function as a byproduct of its lifting operation
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 solution ensures that carrier elements without containers are effectively sterilized, maintaining hygiene standards by utilizing the same sterilization process as occupied carrier elements, with the lifting device doubling as a closure mechanism, allowing for precise control and efficient operation without additional adaptations.
Implementation Method 1
The carrier elements filled with the individual containers are therefore introduced into the sterilization device and covered with a fine peroxide mist
Data Source
AI summary
A device for filling liquid to pasty food products into prefabricated individual containers including a support rim, the device including carrier elements which are run by a drive continuously through the device, which carrier elements form receiving openings for the individual containers and include a top side that is oriented away from a direction of gravity and configured to carry the support rim of the individual containers that are inserted into the receiving openings; operating stations in whose operating range the carrier elements move during an endless cycle of the carrier elements in the device; at least one operating station that is configured as a sterilization device which de-germinates the carrier elements and the individual containers; a lifting device forming a portion of the sterilization device and configured to lift individual containers that are seated in the receiving openings and which contact a top side with the support rim.