Cell-Type Crossmember for Aseptic Filling Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell traverses in filling machines face challenges in preventing the accumulation of impurities and contamination by microorganisms, particularly with highly viscous products like sauces, leading to reduced product quality and frequent interruptions for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The cell traverse design features longitudinal and transverse elements connected in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner, with tubular or flat elements and riveted, screwed, or plug connections to minimize gaps and ensure stability under aseptic conditions, using stainless steel for durability and hygiene, and incorporating flow guide structures for enhanced cleaning and contamination prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cell traverses with conventional connections are used, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but impurities accumulate in gaps and microorganisms contaminate the aseptic area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes gaps and crevices from the connection structure between longitudinal and transverse elements. By using form-fitting connections where the transverse element is inserted into the longitudinal element with no gaps, the harmful spaces where impurities accumulate are completely eliminated, maintaining aseptic conditions without adding complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex sealing mechanisms or cleaning systems to prevent impurity accumulation, the patent inverts the approach by designing the connection itself to have no gaps. The form-fitting connection where the transverse element is received by the longitudinal element reverses the traditional approach of adding protective measures against gap-related contamination.
2Productivity
If cooling water is sprayed to clean the transport system, then dirt is removed, but highly viscous products like sauces create stubborn deposits that accumulate and promote microorganism growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by designing the connection structure between longitudinal and transverse elements to prevent impurity accumulation from the start. The form-fitting connection with no gaps prevents sauces and other viscous products from getting trapped, eliminating the need for frequent interruptions to remove stubborn deposits and preventing microorganism growth before it can occur.
3Strength
If welded connections are used between longitudinal and transverse elements, then the structure is more stable, but welding gaps create contamination risks in the aseptic area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection structure into a longitudinal element and a transverse element that fits into it, replacing the welded joint with a mechanical form-fitting connection. This segmentation eliminates the welding gap that creates contamination risks while maintaining structural stability through the precise geometric fit between the two elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the welding process with a mechanical form-fitting connection system. Instead of using thermal welding that creates gaps and potential contamination pathways, the transverse element is mechanically inserted and held in place by the longitudinal element, providing both stability and gap-free construction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cell-type crossmember for an aseptic region of a filling machine (100) for filling packages (18) with flowable products. The cell-type crossmember (1, 1', 1") comprises a frame structure (2, 2', 2") with at least one first lateral longitudinal structure (4a, 4a', 4a"), at least one second lateral longitudinal structure (4b, 4b', 4b") which lies opposite the first longitudinal structure (4a, 4a', 4a"), and multiple transverse elements (6, 6', 6") which are arranged between the first and the second longitudinal structure (4a, 4a', 4a", 4b, 4b', 4b") and connect the longitudinal structures, wherein multiple cells (8, 8', 8") lying next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the cell-type crossmember (1, 1', 1") are formed between the longitudinal structures (4a, 4a', 4a", 4b, 4b', 4b") and the transverse elements (6, 6', 6") for receiving packages (18) which are to be filled or which are filled, and at least some of the transverse elements (6, 6', 6") are connected to the longitudinal structures (4a, 4a', 4a", 4b, 4b', 4b") solely in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.