Containing device for a treatment machine, in particular a washing and/or sterilization machine, for loose products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for treating loose products, such as washing and sterilization machines, face issues with blockages and accumulation of products during loading and unloading, and there is a risk of products escaping or getting trapped during the treatment process, especially when the loading and unloading zones are on the same side.
Innovation Solution
A containing device with a treatment compartment featuring two flat lateral walls connected by a bottom wall, having a loading door and an unloading door that rotate around pins positioned closer to each other, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of loose products without obstacles, ensuring they can be conveyed by gravity to an unloading zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the loading and unloading zones are positioned on the same side to make the machine compact, then the machine space is reduced and efficiency is improved, but blockages and accumulation of loose products occur during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The containing device is segmented into multiple compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment) with distinct functions. The first and second compartments handle loading operations while the third compartment handles unloading operations, allowing simultaneous independent operations that prevent blockages while maintaining compact space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension by positioning compartments at different heights (upper and lower positions) within the containing device. This multi-level arrangement allows loading and unloading operations to occur at different vertical levels on the same side, eliminating operational interference while maintaining compact footprint.
2Productivity
If angular containing sectors are used to guarantee efficient washing and sterilization, then treatment efficiency is improved, but loose products accumulate in the bottom and may escape or get trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The containing device is divided into multiple sealed compartments (first, second, and third compartments) with distinct functions. Each compartment has controlled access points (first opening, second opening, third opening) that prevent product escape while allowing efficient treatment operations in each segmented zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different compartments have different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The first and second compartments are optimized for loading with appropriate opening positions, while the third compartment is optimized for unloading. This localized optimization ensures both treatment efficiency and product containment reliability in each zone.
3Reliability
If multiple openings and closing units are added to prevent product escape and accumulation, then product containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing units serve multiple functions: they seal openings to prevent product escape, they control access for loading and unloading operations, and they maintain the pressure differential needed for gravity-based product flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, containing reliability improvements without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing units are positioned and designed to maintain equipotential conditions for product flow by controlling the positions of openings at different heights. This allows gravity to naturally manage product movement between compartments while the closing units provide simple on/off control, avoiding complex mechanical systems.
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 prevents blockages and product accumulation, allows for rapid and efficient loading and unloading, and ensures that loose products do not escape during treatment, enhancing the operational efficiency of machines with same-side loading and unloading zones.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary drum receives the loose products to be treated on a loading side, washes and/or sterilizes them during a treatment cycle, and unloads them on an unloading side
Implementation Method 2
the loose products can be conveyed due to gravity, rapidly and efficiently toward an unloading zone of the machine
Data Source
AI summary
Containing device for a treatment machine for loose products, provided internally with a treatment compartment that has at least an open side for loading the loose products to be treated, and for unloading the loose products that have been treated; the containing device comprises at least a first loading door for the loose products to be treated, positioned on a first portion of said open side and associated with at least a respective opening and closing unit, and at least a second unloading door for the loose products that have been treated, positioned on a second portion of said open side and associated with at least a respective opening and closing unit.