Heated Fluid Ring Main Cleaning for Corrugated Converters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current converter cleaning systems in the corrugated box manufacturing industry are inefficient, labor-intensive, and often result in waste and environmental issues due to manual operations, substandard cleaning leading to diminished print quality, and the use of hazardous detergents.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a heating unit to circulate heated cleaning fluid through a ring main to converters, with controlled delivery and rinsing fluid, minimizing dead space and time to clean components effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cleaning systems are used, then labor resources are consumed, but cleaning efficiency is low and machine downtime is significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidmachine downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The converter cleaning system performs self-cleaning through automated fluid circulation and heating mechanisms that operate without external manual intervention, eliminating the need for operator involvement while maintaining continuous production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced with an automated thermal-fluid system that uses heated cleaning fluid circulation to perform cleaning functions, substituting human labor with a mechanized thermal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If concentrated detergent is used manually, then cleaning effectiveness may be improved, but health and safety issues arise due to toxic and flammable properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidhealth and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning fluid temperature is elevated to enhanced levels, changing the thermal parameter of the cleaning process to improve cleaning effectiveness while using safer, less hazardous fluid compositions that reduce health and safety risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses water-based or environmentally friendly cleaning fluids that can be readily disposed of or replenished, replacing hazardous concentrated detergents with safer alternatives that prioritize operator health while maintaining cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If more cleaning fluid is used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but environmental impact increases due to water and cleaning solution waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning fluid coverageVSAvoidwater and cleaning solution waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning fluid is continuously circulated through a closed-loop ring main system that maintains constant motion and heating, ensuring thorough cleaning coverage while minimizing fluid consumption through repeated reuse rather than single-use disposal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system recovers and reuses cleaning fluid through the ring main circulation architecture, preventing waste by continuously recycling the fluid through heating and redistribution rather than discarding it after single use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Enhances cleaning efficiency, reduces waste and environmental impact, and maintains print quality by automating the cleaning process while using safer fluids.

Implementation Method 1

providing a heating unit for heating a cleaning fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

connecting the heating unit to the ring main to enable continuous circulation of heated cleaning fluid around the ring main

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS12539699B2Systems and methods for automatically cleaning converters with heated fluids

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 ECOCHEM AUSTRALIA

AI summary

A method of cleaning a converter, the method including the steps of: providing a heating unit for heating a cleaning fluid; providing a ring main for continuous circulation of heated cleaning fluid around the ring main; connecting the heating unit to the ring main; connecting the ring main to the converter to enable delivery of heated cleaning fluid to the converter; and providing a controllable cleaning fluid valve for delivery of a heated cleaning fluid, and providing a controllable rinsing fluid valve for delivery of a rinsing fluid; providing a controller for controlled delivery of a sequence of the rinsing fluid and the heated cleaning fluid to the converter upon recognition of a rinsing fluid delivery condition and a heated cleaning fluid delivery condition, respectively.