Container Sterilization Layout With Vertical Transfer and Fewer Handovers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container sterilization systems are bulky and inefficient, with long transport paths leading to cooling of preforms, increased risk of misalignment during transfers, and high footprints, especially when using multiple sterilization units within a housing.
Innovation Solution
A container treatment apparatus with integrated container outer and inner surface treatment devices that allow holding devices to temporarily access housing openings for direct transfer and include rotatable carriers with parallel rotational axes, reducing the need for internal transport devices and optimizing drive device placement for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sterilisation units and transport devices are arranged within a common housing to sterilise different areas of containers sequentially, then sterilisation effectiveness is improved, but the apparatus becomes very voluminous and requires a large footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple sterilisation units to a vertical stacking configuration. The first and second sterilisation units are positioned one above the other, with transport devices transferring containers vertically between them. This dimensional change reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining the sequential sterilisation process effectiveness.
2Reliability
If several transport devices are used to transfer containers between sterilisation units, then sterilisation coverage is improved, but the transport path becomes very long and dwell time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport path is reconfigured from a horizontal layout to a vertical arrangement. Containers are transferred upward from the first sterilisation unit to the second sterilisation unit through vertical transport devices, significantly shortening the overall transport path length and reducing dwell time while maintaining complete sterilisation coverage.
3Reliability
If treatment devices are arranged on carousels or starwheels connected to a pitch distribution starwheel, then treatment capability is improved, but the apparatus becomes very long and preforms cool down too much
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the horizontal carousel/starwheel arrangement with a vertical stacking configuration. The treatment devices remain rotatable for treating container surfaces, but the entire system is arranged vertically, reducing the horizontal transport distance and preventing excessive cooling of preforms during transit.
4Productivity
If multiple pitch distribution starwheels are used for container transfer, then transfer capability is improved, but the risk of faulty transfers increases due to frequent transfers in poorly accessible areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pitch distribution function from multiple separate starwheels and concentrates it into a single pitch distribution starwheel positioned at the inlet. This reduces the number of transfer points from multiple to just one, thereby reducing the cumulative risk of faulty transfers while maintaining full transfer capability.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation shielding is implemented for sterilisation, then safety is improved, but the housing becomes complex and access for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple accessible sections with removable panels positioned at convenient access points. The radiation shielding is integrated into these modular sections, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service the sterilisation units without compromising radiation protection, thereby improving both safety and maintainability.
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 design enables a more compact and efficient container sterilization process with reduced transfer times and misalignment risks, allowing for higher throughput and integration with existing systems while maintaining sterility and radiation shielding.
Implementation Method 1
A radiation source provided for this purpose is also usually arranged at least in sections in a housing and emits the radiation into the interior of the housing, wherein the housing having shielding properties for this radiation
Implementation Method 2
Newer developments use ionising radiation to achieve a reduction in germs. In most applications, this radiation consists of accelerated electrons which are generated in a corresponding system and treat the containers to be sterilised
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a container treatment device with a transport device for transporting containers along a predetermined transport path, wherein the transport device has at least one transport device for transporting the containers and at least one container treatment device for treating the containers in a predetermined manner, wherein this transport device includes a preferably rotatable carrier, on which a plurality of holding devices for holding at least one container are arranged, these holding devices being movable relative to the carrier in such a way that a distance between two containers immediately following one another on the transport path can be varied, wherein the container-handling device is arranged in such a way that it can handle the containers transported by the transport device.