Packaging Machine Compressor Sealing for Hygienic Cleaning Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face challenges in maintaining cleanability, hygiene, and durability of the compressor devices and pressurization systems, particularly due to contamination risks and inefficiencies in the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A compressor device with a selectively controllable seal member at the gap between the impeller and the seat, which allows for the passage of air in overpressure and prevents leakage of the cleaning medium, ensuring sterile and aseptic conditions during operation and enhancing the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the compressor device operates continuously to maintain hydrostatic pressure, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk increases and cleanability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the continuous operation mode by introducing a seal member that can be independently activated. The seal member is positioned at the gap between impeller and seat, and can be controlled to seal the gap during cleaning cycles while allowing normal operation during production, thus separating the contamination prevention function from continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is designed to be dynamically controllable between sealed and open positions. During normal operation, the seal member remains open to allow air passage for maintaining hydrostatic pressure. During cleaning cycles, the seal member closes to prevent contamination and enable effective cleaning, thus adapting the sealing state to different operational modes.
2Reliability
If a seal member is added to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed to be self-actuating through pressure differential. During cleaning cycles, the pressure difference across the seal member automatically drives it to the closed position without requiring external actuators or complex control systems. During normal operation, the pressure differential naturally keeps the seal member open, eliminating the need for continuous power or control input.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gap between impeller and seat is sealed during cleaning, then cleanability is improved, but energy loss increases due to restricted air passage
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member dynamically adjusts the gap opening based on operational mode. During cleaning, the gap is sealed to prevent contamination and enable effective cleaning. During normal operation, the gap remains open to allow air passage for maintaining hydrostatic pressure, thus avoiding energy loss while enabling cleanability when needed.
4Reliability
If the seal member is always closed to prevent leakage, then hygiene is improved, but productivity decreases due to restricted air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed to be dynamically controllable, remaining open during normal operation to allow air passage for maintaining hydrostatic pressure and enabling continuous productivity. During cleaning cycles only, the seal member closes to prevent leakage and ensure hygiene, thus maintaining productivity while improving hygiene when needed.
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
The solution improves cleanability, hygiene, and durability of the compressor device and pressurization system by preventing contamination and reducing wear, leading to more efficient operation with lower energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the seal member being in a closing position, in which it forms a fluid-tight seal across the gap
Implementation Method 2
a compressor device configured to suction sterile and/or aseptic air from the isolation chamber and to compress this suctioned air
Implementation Method 3
it is required that the hydrostatic pressure provided within the tube is sufficiently high, since otherwise irregularly shaped packages may be obtained
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a compressor device (13) for a pressurization system (12) of a packaging machine (1) configured to produce packages (2) starting from a tube (3) of packaging material, the compressor device (13) comprises an impeller (16) and a casing body (17) internally defining an impeller vane (18) and a receiving seat (19) for the impeller (16), the impeller (16) and the receiving seat (19) are separated by a gap (24) which fluidically connects the impeller vane (18) with an external environment (50) outside of the compressor device (13) for allowing the passage of air in overpressure from the impeller vane (18) through the gap (24) and towards the external environment (50); the compressor device (13) comprises a seal member (25) arranged at said gap (24), the seal member (25) is configured to be controlled in: an opening position, in which it delimits a passage together with said impeller (16) or said receiving seat (19) for allowing the passage of air in overpressure through the gap (24); and a closing position, in which it fluid-tightly seals the gap (24).