Cleanroom Container Production With Sterilization-Resistant Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for manufacturing and treating containers under cleanroom conditions are susceptible to contamination from the introduction of non-sterile components, which can negatively impact the quality of the containers and products.

Innovation Solution

A plant and method utilizing a clean room with sterilization-resistant materials for components that come into direct contact with preforms or containers, combined with sterilization devices and control units to manage sterilization media application based on sterility parameters, ensuring reliable sterilization and minimizing maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sterilization-resistant materials are used for components in contact with preforms/containers, then reliability of sterilization process is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization process reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies sterilization-resistant materials specifically to components that come into direct contact with preforms or containers (such as molds, conveyors, and handling equipment), while other parts of the system may use standard materials. This localized application ensures sterilization reliability where needed while controlling overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If frequent sterilization is performed, then purity of containers is improved, but wear and tear on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer purityVSAvoidcomponent service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs sterilization of components and cleanroom environment at predetermined intervals and under controlled conditions, rather than continuously or ad hoc. This preliminary, scheduled approach maintains container purity while minimizing unnecessary exposure of components to sterilization media, thereby reducing wear and extending component service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional sterilization steps are introduced, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidsterilization system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates sterilization functionality directly into the existing production line equipment and cleanroom infrastructure, rather than adding separate standalone sterilization systems. The sterilization-resistant materials are incorporated into components already present in the production process, merging sterilization capability with production functionality and avoiding additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Ensures high-purity production and treatment of containers by preventing contamination and reducing maintenance efforts through the use of sterilization-resistant materials and controlled sterilization processes.

Implementation Method 1

sterilization-resistant material is understood, in particular, to be a material that does not corrode or experience any other deterioration in quality or material degradation when these components are exposed to a sterilization medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSterilization:

Data Source

PatentEP4628281A1System and method for producing and treating containers
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 KRONES AG
  • EP4628281A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4628281A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2g
  • EP4628281A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Plant for producing and treating containers, the plant comprising a clean room, a production machine for producing preforms, a blow molding machine arranged downstream of the production machine for forming the preforms into containers and a container treatment machine arranged downstream of the blow molding machine for treating the containers, wherein the production machine, the blow molding machine and the container treatment machine are arranged in the clean room and wherein each component of the production machine, the blow molding machine and the container treatment machine that comes into physical contact with a preform or a container is made of or comprises sterilization-resistant material.