Automated Cleaning System for Container Drying Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drying modules for containers, especially in the beverage industry, face contamination issues due to moisture accumulation, leading to frequent manual cleaning that is time-consuming and inconvenient, resulting in extended intervals between cleanings and increased germ growth.
Innovation Solution
An automated cleaning device with a closed system, using a combination of chemical and mechanical cleaning agents, including nozzles and brushes, controlled by a module that ensures regular and efficient cleaning of the drying chamber, preventing germ accumulation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed regularly, then hygiene conditions are maintained, but production downtime increases and operator exposure to germs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying module performs cleaning automatically without human intervention. The cleaning device is integrated into the drying module and executes cleaning cycles autonomously, allowing the system to clean itself while maintaining production continuity and reducing operator exposure to contaminated environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is performed automatically during transitions between production batches or at predetermined intervals without requiring production shutdown. This preliminary automated cleaning ensures hygiene maintenance while minimizing impact on production schedules.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual cleaning frequency is increased, then germ accumulation is reduced, but time consumption and operational inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced with an automated cleaning device that uses spray nozzles, brushes, and heating elements. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically clean the drying module, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining or improving cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning agent is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate the cleaning process. The cleaning device sprays cleaning agents onto contaminated surfaces, allowing chemical action to remove germs and dirt without requiring extensive manual labor or time.
3Productivity
If cleaning intervals are extended, then production efficiency is maintained, but germ load for operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying module performs periodic self-cleaning automatically during production operations or transitions. This autonomous cleaning capability allows extended intervals between cleaning operations without increasing germ load, as the system maintains hygiene conditions continuously through automated interventions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device operates periodically at optimized intervals determined by production requirements and hygiene standards. This periodic automated cleaning maintains low germ loads while minimizing disruption to production efficiency, as cleaning occurs automatically without requiring manual intervention or extended shutdowns.
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 automated cleaning system significantly reduces germ load, minimizes health risks for operators, and maintains hygienic conditions by ensuring regular and efficient cleaning of the drying modules, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a spray ball, a deflection nozzle, a rotary nozzle, a flat jet nozzle or a double flat jet nozzle can be used
Implementation Method 2
a heating element can be provided which can be heated independently of the containers to be dried
Implementation Method 3
at least one air supply opening for supplying drying air. Furthermore, the device can have at least one air discharge opening for discharging moist exhaust air
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for drying containers (2), in particular bottles. The device (1) comprises a substantially enclosed drying chamber (10) with an inlet and outlet opening (15, 17) for the containers (2) and with a transport system (3) for the containers (2). The containers (2) are transported upright through the drying chamber (10). The device further comprises at least one air inlet opening (5) for supplying drying air (20). According to the invention, the device (1) comprises at least one cleaning device for chemical or chemical and mechanical cleaning of the interior of the drying chamber (10), through which a cleaning and/or disinfecting agent (51) can be introduced into, distributed within, and removed from the interior of the drying chamber (10).The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a device (1) for drying containers (2) wherein at least one cleaning and/or disinfecting agent (51) is introduced, distributed and subsequently removed via the cleaning device integrated into the device (1).