Container Sterilization via Electron Beam Irradiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for plastic containers, such as those using hydrogen peroxide or electron beams, often require additional rinsing and do not adequately sterilize the outer areas that come into contact with beverages, necessitating further sterilization processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sterilizing the external mouth area of plastic containers using electron beam radiation, which includes the area around the opening and the adjoining head area, ensuring complete sterilization without the need for subsequent processes by irradiating these areas before or after internal sterilization, and using a device with a rod-shaped body and exit window to deliver charge carriers effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilization is performed only on the inner surface of containers, then the sterilization process is simple and quick, but the outer mouth area that contacts beverages remains contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines internal and external sterilization into a single integrated process. The irradiation device is positioned to simultaneously treat both the inner surface and outer mouth area of the container in one operation, eliminating the need for separate sterilization steps and ensuring complete sterilization coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization approach transitions from one-dimensional (inner surface only) to three-dimensional coverage by positioning the irradiation device to radiate charge carriers in multiple directions, penetrating through the container walls and treating both internal and external surfaces simultaneously.
2Productivity
If charge carrier radiation is used for sterilization, then no rinsing is required, but the outer contact areas may still be insufficiently sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The irradiation device is specifically positioned and oriented to concentrate charge carrier radiation on the outer mouth area and threaded regions that contact beverages. This localized treatment ensures these critical contact surfaces receive adequate sterilization dosage while maintaining overall process efficiency.
3Reliability
If the irradiation device is positioned close to the container for effective sterilization, then sterilization quality improves, but radiation protection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled air gap or protective barrier between the irradiation device and the container during the sterilization process. This intermediary element allows charge carriers to effectively treat the container surfaces while reducing direct radiation exposure to surrounding areas and personnel, balancing sterilization quality with safety.
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 approach ensures that plastic containers are thoroughly sterilized, allowing them to be filled with beverages without additional sterilization steps, maintaining sterility and safety by ensuring all contact areas are treated with electron radiation.
Implementation Method 1
containers are sterilized by means of charge carrier radiation and, in particular, electron beams
Implementation Method 2
sterilizing the external mouth area of plastic containers using electron beam radiation
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves conveying the containers (10) along a pre-set conveying path by a conveying device. An irradiation device (2) is introduced by a relative movement between container and irradiation device in longitudinal direction (L) of container into interior of container to be sterilized, so that a charge carrier irradiation (12) is emitted to sterilize the inner wall (10a) of the container by charge carrier irradiation. An aperture region (10b) provided on the outside of the container is sterilized. An independent claim is included for device for sterilizing containers.