Non-contact Temperature Sensor for Filling Station Sterilization Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for validating the cleaning and sterilization of filling devices in beverage bottling plants are complex and require additional components, such as panels and pressure sensors, which can increase cleaning effort and reduce hygiene in clean rooms, and often rely on flow meters that are not necessary in all systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with non-contact temperature sensors that compare the temperature of filling stations to a reference value derived from the treatment medium, allowing for validation of cleaning or sterilization without flow measurement, using superheated steam or other treatment media like hydrogen peroxide, and incorporating a control device to manage treatment medium distribution based on temperature readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components such as orifice plates, lifting devices, and pressure sensors are installed in the cleanroom for steam sterilization monitoring, then sterilization validation capability is improved, but cleaning effort and hygiene risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature monitoring function from the cleanroom environment and places it outside. A non-contact temperature sensor measures the temperature of the filling valve externally, eliminating the need for internal temperature sensors, orifice plates, and pressure sensors that would require cleaning and maintenance in the cleanroom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems (pressure sensors, internal thermocouples) with a non-contact optical/infrared temperature sensing system. This substitution eliminates mechanical components that would interfere with hygiene while maintaining measurement capability.
2Reliability
If flow meters are used to validate cleaning by monitoring flow thresholds, then cleaning validation is achieved, but system complexity increases for systems that do not require flow meters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal validation method that works for both traditional flow-meter-based systems and modern pressure-driven instantaneous filling systems. The non-contact temperature monitoring approach provides a unified solution that adapts to different filling technologies without requiring flow meters or system-specific modifications.
3Measurement precision
If thermocouples are integrated into each filling valve for temperature monitoring, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but wiring complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature sensing function from each individual filling valve and performs centralized external measurement. A single non-contact temperature sensor positioned outside the cleanroom measures the temperature of all filling valves in sequence, eliminating the need for individual thermocouples and their associated wiring for each valve.
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 simplifies the validation process, reduces the need for additional components, enhances hygiene, and ensures reliable treatment by monitoring temperature differences between filling stations, allowing for efficient and resource-saving treatment operations.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact temperature sensor that is configured to detect a temperature at the at least one filling station
Implementation Method 2
the filling valves, particularly the surfaces that come into contact with the product, are thermally sterilized using hot steam
Implementation Method 3
using superheated steam or other treatment media like hydrogen peroxide
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for filling a container with a filling product, preferably in a beverage filling plant, and method for cleaning and/or sterilizing such a device.The device (1) comprises: at least one filling station with a filling element (2, 20) for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled; a treatment device for treating, preferably cleaning and/or sterilizing, at least a part of the filling element (2, 20) with a treatment medium; at least one temperature sensor (7, 7') for detecting the temperature of at least one section of the filling station; and a control device (43) configured to determine a reference value corresponding to the temperature of the treatment medium at a location other than the at least one filling station, to compare the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (7, 7') with the reference value during the treatment of the filling element (2, 20), and to determine whether the filling element (2, 20) has been adequately treated.