Container treatment system with a clean room and associated operating method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning and cooling components in a cleanroom environment of a container treatment plant are inefficient, requiring extensive downtime and risking mechanical damage, while external sterile airflow systems are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air distribution system within the cleanroom uses a directed cleanroom airflow generated by an air conveying unit to clean and cool components without external filters, utilizing the cleanroom's existing air supply for targeted cleaning and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning or brushes/wipers are used to clean components in the cleanroom, then particles can be removed from components, but the cleanroom must be opened causing extended downtime and mechanical damage such as scratches may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (manual cleaning, brushes, wipers) with a pneumatic system that uses pressurized air streams to remove particles from components. The air distribution system delivers directed airflow through nozzles positioned near components, eliminating the need for physical contact and the associated mechanical damage risks while enabling cleaning without opening the cleanroom.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a pneumatic air distribution system with air inlets, fluid lines, air conveying units, and air outlets with nozzles to deliver pressurized cleanroom air directly to components for particle removal. This pneumatic approach enables continuous cleaning operation without disrupting cleanroom integrity or requiring downtime.
2Reliability
If external sterile airflow systems are used for cleaning in the cleanroom, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but construction costs increase due to extensive structural measures such as sterile filters and long piping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air distribution system with the existing cleanroom air supply system. The air inlets are positioned within the cleanroom to receive cleanroom air directly, eliminating the need for separate external sterile air generation systems, complex filtration infrastructure, and long piping runs. This integration maintains cleaning effectiveness while dramatically reducing construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the cleanroom's own pressurized air supply to power the cleaning function. By positioning air inlets within the cleanroom and using the cleanroom's pressurized environment as the source, the system eliminates the need for external sterile air systems and complex structural measures, achieving self-service operation.
3Reliability
If sterile air is used for cleaning components, then cleaning quality is improved, but additional consumption of expensive sterile air medium occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cleanroom pressurized air supply serve dual functions: maintaining cleanroom environmental conditions and providing the pneumatic power source for component cleaning. This eliminates the need for separate sterile air consumption for cleaning operations, as the same pressurized cleanroom air performs both environmental control and cleaning functions.
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 system allows for efficient, scalable, and gentle cleaning and cooling within the cleanroom with minimal construction costs, maintaining cleanroom integrity and extending system uptime without the need for additional sterile air consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an air conveying unit (e.g., a pump), blower or compressor), which is located in the fluid line for drawing in cleanroom air from the air inlet and conveying the drawn-in cleanroom air to the air outlet
Implementation Method 2
The directed cleanroom airflow can preferably be used to blow particles off surfaces, enabling effective and gentle cleaning
Implementation Method 3
an air distribution system (e.g., for cleaning and/or cooling)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a container treatment system (10) comprising a cleanroom (12), at least one device (20, 22, 24) for transporting and/or treating containers, which is arranged in the cleanroom (12), and an air distribution system (30). The air distribution system (30) has an air inlet (32) which is arranged in the cleanroom (12) and an air outlet (44) which is arranged in the cleanroom (12) for delivering a directed cleanroom airflow (R) for cleaning and/or cooling. The air distribution system (30) has a fluid line (34) which connects the air inlet (32) and the air outlet (44) and an air conveying unit (36) which is arranged in the fluid line (34).