Cleanroom Floor and Ceiling Units for Stable Container Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container treatment machines, such as blow molding machines, face challenges in achieving high stability while maintaining easy access and a sterile environment, as external load-bearing structures compromise access and aesthetics.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a clean room with load-bearing floor and ceiling units that double as sealing devices, supported by internal elements, and a hydraulic sealing system with circumferential channels filled with liquid, allowing for mobility and sealing without visible external frameworks, and arranging support elements inside the clean room to maintain sterility and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If load-bearing elements are arranged outside the cleanroom in the form of a framework, then high stability is achieved, but access to the machine becomes difficult and the appearance resembles an improvised installation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidaccess
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The load-bearing elements are extracted from the external framework and integrated into the cleanroom structure itself. The floor and ceiling units serve as load-bearing components, eliminating the need for external supporting frameworks that would obstruct access while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural support function is merged with the cleanroom enclosure. The floor unit and ceiling unit are designed to bear loads while simultaneously forming the boundaries of the cleanroom, combining support and enclosure functions into unified structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If extensive wall construction and support elements are used to create a sterile environment, then a stable cleanroom is achieved, but accessibility after sterilization is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterile environmentVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleanroom is segmented into modular wall units that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This allows the sterile environment to be maintained through proper sealing while enabling easy access by simply opening or removing wall sections without compromising the overall structural integrity or sterility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall construction incorporates movable or adjustable elements that can be dynamically reconfigured. This allows the cleanroom to transition between a sealed sterile state during operation and an accessible state for maintenance or sterilization processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a framework-like structure is used to support the cleanroom, then structural stability is achieved, but the machine appears as an improvised installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is merged with the cleanroom enclosure to create a unified, integrated design. The floor and ceiling units serve both structural and aesthetic purposes, eliminating the appearance of temporary or improvised framework structures while maintaining full structural stability.

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

This configuration ensures high stability and easy access to the machine while maintaining a sterile environment, reducing complexity and cost by integrating load-bearing structures within the clean room and using a hydraulic sealing system for effective sealing.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing device is provided for sealing the cleanroom from its environment, wherein this sealing device has at least two elements and/or walls that are movable relative to each other... a hydraulic sealing device, and in particular a so-called water lock. This water lock can have a circumferential channel filled with a liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic sealing: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP4137446A1Device for handling containers with supported clean area
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 KRONES AG
  • EP4137446A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4137446A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4137446A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Device (1) for treating containers (10) with a transport device (2) which transports the containers (10) at least sectionally along a predetermined transport path (T) and with a plurality of treatment devices which treat the containers at least temporarily during transport along the transport path, wherein the device (1) has a cleanroom (20) within which the containers are transported during their treatment, wherein this cleanroom is delimited from an environment by means of at least one wall and furthermore at least one sealing device (12) is provided for sealing the cleanroom from its environment, wherein this sealing device has at least two elements and/or walls movable relative to each other, characterized in thatthat the cleanroom (20) is formed between a floor unit (4) and a ceiling unit (6) and at least the floor unit (4) or the ceiling unit (6) is designed as a load-bearing unit and support elements (32, 34, 36) are arranged within the cleanroom to support the ceiling unit (6) and/or the floor unit (4).