CIP Optimization via Remote Sensor Data for Beverage Filling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current CIP treatment processes in beverage bottling plants often rely on resource-intensive and time-consuming methods due to reliance on local sensors, which can lead to insufficient or excessive treatment, especially when sensors malfunction or are not optimally positioned, resulting in over-treatment to ensure adequacy.

Innovation Solution

A system that optimizes CIP treatment by communicating with other devices for filling containers, using a treatment optimization device to receive and process parameters from multiple sources, allowing for remote, decentralized control and resource-saving prescriptions, including sensor data from diverse locations, to improve cleaning and sterilization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automated CIP treatment optimization using local sensors is implemented, then treatment precision can be improved, but sensor reliability deteriorates due to wear, deposits, and positioning limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment monitoring precisionVSAvoidsensor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote device as an intermediary that collects sensor data from other filling devices instead of relying on local sensors. This mediator approach allows the system to obtain treatment parameters indirectly through reliable remote measurements, bypassing the reliability issues of local sensors while maintaining measurement precision for treatment optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system copies sensor data from other filling devices to use for optimizing treatment of the local device. By replicating the information gathering function through data copying from reliable remote sources, the system avoids the need for local sensors while maintaining the capability for precise treatment monitoring and optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If overtreatment is performed to ensure adequate cleaning, then treatment reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment adequacyVSAvoidtreatment medium consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback control by continuously receiving sensor data from remote devices and adjusting treatment parameters accordingly. This real-time feedback enables precise control of treatment processes, allowing the system to apply exactly the right amount of treatment medium needed for adequate cleaning without excessive consumption, while maintaining reliable treatment outcomes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes treatment parameters (such as treatment medium flow rate, temperature, and exposure time) based on actual sensor data from remote devices. By adjusting these parameters according to real-time conditions, the system achieves reliable treatment adequacy while optimizing resource consumption and avoiding overtreatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multi-stage CIP process with multiple media is used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the multi-stage CIP process parameters based on real-time sensor data from remote devices. By making the treatment process adaptive and dynamic rather than static, the system can optimize the duration and intensity of each stage, maintaining high cleaning effectiveness while reducing overall treatment time through intelligent parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4177213A1Cip processing of a device for filling containers with a filling product
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 KRONES AG
  • EP4177213A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177213A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177213A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System comprising a device for filling containers with a filling product, preferably in a beverage bottling plant, and a device for treatment optimization, as well as a method for treating, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, a device for filling containers with a filling product.The device comprises: a CIP unit (200) for treating, preferably for cleaning and/or sterilizing and/or rinsing, components of the device (1) that come into contact with the filling product by means of a treatment medium; and a control unit (300) configured to control a treatment process of the device (1); wherein the treatment optimization unit (400) communicates with the control unit (300) and can be brought into communication with one or more control units (300a, 300b, 300c) of further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) for filling containers (100); and the treatment optimization unit (400) is configured to receive process parameters of the further devices (1a, 1b, 1c) and to make them available to the control unit (300) for optimizing the treatment process (1).