Container Sterilization Shielding and Transport Path Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment apparatuses, particularly sterilization systems, are voluminous and inefficient in radiation shielding, leading to increased space requirements and radiation leakage, especially when handling plastic preforms that need to be sterilized on both inner and outer surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A container treatment apparatus with a transport path partially outside a clean room, utilizing a radiation shielding device that surrounds the transport path and includes a second transport device for direct container transfer, allowing for efficient radiation containment and compact module design, compatible with other treatment devices like blow molding or heating units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sterilization devices are arranged within a common housing to sterilize different regions of containers, then sterilization completeness is improved, but the device volume and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization process is divided into multiple independent sterilization devices (first sterilization device for outer surfaces, second sterilization device for inner surfaces) that can be arranged in sequence along the transport path. Each device focuses on a specific sterilization task, allowing comprehensive sterilization without requiring all devices to operate simultaneously in a large common housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the transport path dimension to arrange sterilization devices sequentially along the container flow direction. Instead of arranging all sterilization devices within a single housing volume, they are distributed along the linear transport path, effectively converting a 3D volume problem into a 1D linear arrangement that reduces overall space requirements.
2Reliability
If a radiation source is arranged within a housing to emit radiation for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but radiation shielding requirements increase housing complexity and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is extracted from the common housing and arranged separately. The housing only needs to provide shielding for the specific region where the radiation source is located, rather than enclosing the entire sterilization module. This separation allows the housing to be more compact while still providing adequate radiation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated radiation shielding structure acts as an intermediary between the radiation source and the environment. This shielding structure is specifically designed to contain radiation from the source while allowing the rest of the housing to be more compact and less complex.
3Reliability
If transport devices are arranged to transfer containers between sterilization devices, then sterilization coverage is improved, but the overall module volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport function is merged with the sterilization function by arranging the transport path to pass directly through the sterilization devices. Containers are sterilized in place during transport, eliminating the need for separate transfer mechanisms between sterilization chambers and reducing overall module volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport path is arranged linearly along the container flow direction, utilizing the length dimension rather than expanding the housing volume. This allows multiple sterilization devices to be arranged in sequence along the transport path with minimal additional volume.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the transport path is arranged partially outside the clean room, then radiation shielding efficiency is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation source is taken out of the clean room environment and arranged in a separate location with dedicated radiation shielding. This extraction allows the clean room to be more compact while the radiation shielding can be optimized independently without compromising sterility within the clean room boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as an intermediary boundary that separates the radiation source from the clean room environment. It provides both radiation shielding and contamination prevention functions, allowing the transport path to extend outside the clean room while maintaining sterility through controlled access and shielding.
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 enables a compact, high-throughput container treatment system that effectively reduces radiation emission, maintains sterility, and integrates seamlessly with existing systems, enhancing container handling efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
ionizing radiation has proven to be particularly suitable for achieving the desired germ reduction. In most applications, this radiation consists of accelerated electrons
Implementation Method 2
the X-rays generated during sterilization—for example, by accelerated electrons
Implementation Method 3
the housing has shielding properties for this radiation. This allows people in the vicinity of such a sterilization device to be protected from scattered radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A container treatment apparatus for transporting plastic preforms along a predetermined transport path includes several transport devices, each of which has at least one holding element for holding a plastic container and guiding the plastic container along a portion of the transport path, wherein a second transport device immediately follows a first transport device along the transport path, and containers are transferred from a holding device of the first transport device to a holding device of the second transport device. The transport path along which the containers can be guided by the first transport device is arranged at least in portions outside a clean room, and the transport path along which the containers can be guided by the first transport device is surrounded at least in part by a radiation shielding device.