Filling Element Free Exit Cleaning Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container filling systems face inefficiencies in cleaning processes, particularly due to the recirculation of cleaning agents through complex routes, which can lead to contamination and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
The system allows the cleaning medium to exit freely from filling elements during the cleaning operation, directing it into a clean room where it can be collected and managed, eliminating recirculation and reducing contamination risks, while also incorporating a liquid guide device to control the flow and a separating device for gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning medium is recirculated through complex routes via CIP cap, then the cleaning agent can be reused and cleaning coverage is improved, but the system complexity increases and contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning medium from the recirculation system and allows it to exit freely from the filling element into the clean room. This eliminates the complex recirculation routes (CIP cap, media distributor) while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through direct application and controlled discharge into the sterile environment.
2Loss of substance
If the cleaning medium is recirculated through complex routes, then cleaning agent utilization is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of recirculating the cleaning medium through complex routes where contamination can occur, the patent converts the potential harm of cleaning agent discharge into a benefit by allowing controlled free exit into the clean room. The cleaning medium performs its cleaning function and then safely exits into the sterile environment, eliminating contamination risks associated with recirculation while maintaining efficient utilization.
3Device complexity
If the cleaning medium exits freely from filling element, then system complexity is reduced and contamination is minimized, but collection and management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The clean room acts as an intermediary space that receives the freely exiting cleaning medium from the filling element. This intermediary environment provides a controlled setting for the cleaning medium to discharge while facilitating easy collection and management through the clean room's existing infrastructure, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified system design and operational ease.
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 approach enhances cleaning efficiency by preventing spraying and ensuring targeted collection and management of cleaning agents, maintaining a sterile environment and reducing contamination, thus improving the overall cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning medium is not guided in a channel at least in sections after exiting the filling element, but falls freely downwards
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A device (1) for filling containers (6) with a liquid, and in particular with a beverage, comprising a plurality of filling elements (5), each having an outlet (37) for filling the containers (10) with the beverage, and a valve device (38) for controlling the supply of the liquid to the containers (6), a transport device that transports the containers (10) along a predetermined transport path at least temporarily during their filling with the liquid, and a cleaning device that applies a cleaning medium to at least one area in contact with the liquid to be filled. According to the invention, at least one filling element (5) is designed such that the cleaning medium freely escapes from this filling element (5) during a cleaning operation.