Container Treatment Fluid Supply with Integrated Sterilizing Reservoir

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container treatment systems require a separate sterilization device for fluid lines, which occupies additional space and necessitates measures to prevent sterilizing agent leakage during production.

Innovation Solution

Integrate a sterilizing agent reservoir into the supply line, allowing the sterilizing agent to be introduced directly into the fluid supply for sterilization, with a configuration that enables easy replacement or refilling of the agent without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate sterilization device is used for sterilizing fluid lines, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization device is merged with the supply line by integrating a sterilizing agent reservoir directly into the supply line structure. The reservoir is positioned to allow sterilizing agent to be introduced directly into the fluid supply during sterilization operation, eliminating the need for separate sterilization equipment and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining sterilization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a separate sterilization device is used, then sterilization function is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization functionVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If sterilizing agent is introduced into the supply line, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but risk of sterilizing agent leakage during production increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidsterilizing agent leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between sterilization mode and production mode. During sterilization operation, the reservoir introduces sterilizing agent into the fluid supply. During production operation, the system configuration ensures the sterilizing agent reservoir is isolated from the fluid supply path, preventing any leakage risk while maintaining sterilization effectiveness when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Facilitates simple and effective sterilization of fluid feeds and lines, reducing space requirements and ensuring no sterilizing agent leaks during production.

Implementation Method 1

a sterilizing agent is actively introduced, which is capable of killing the existing bacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSterilization:

Data Source

PatentEP4588882A1Container treatment system and method for operating

Publication Date: 2025.07.23 KHS GMBH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a container treatment system for treating containers (1) with at least one treatment module (2) which has a container receptacle and a fluid supply (4) assigned to the container receptacle, wherein the fluid supply (4) is designed to introduce a treatment fluid (9) into a container (1) and wherein the fluid supply (4) is fluidically connected to a supply line (6). According to the invention, in a sterilization operation, at least one sterilizing agent reservoir (17) is arranged in the supply line (6), which is fluidically connected to the fluid supply (4) of the at least one treatment module (2).