Heating Path Conveying Means for Pre-form Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization systems for plastics material containers are complex and maintenance-intensive due to the need for multiple conveying and transfer devices, which increases time and maintenance requirements, and often result in incomplete disinfection of external wall surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus integrates heating path conveying means that serve as both a supply device for pre-forms to the sterilization device, allowing for direct and efficient conveyance of plastics material pre-forms along a heating path for both external and internal disinfection, with a sterilization device comprising separate units for external and internal disinfection, and includes a generation device for electrical charge particles for enhanced disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple conveying and transfer devices are used to supply pre-forms to sterilization device, then the sterilization process can be performed, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating path conveying means with the sterilization device supply function. The heating path conveying means that already exists in the heating device is used to supply pre-forms to the sterilization device, eliminating the need for separate conveying and transfer devices. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable sterilization process.
2Reliability
If multiple conveying and transfer devices are used, then pre-forms can be supplied to sterilization device, but the time required for conveying and transferring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating path conveying means performs dual functions: conveying pre-forms through the heating device and supplying them to the sterilization device. This eliminates multiple transfer steps and reduces the time lost in conveying and transferring operations, while the pre-forms continue to be processed through heating and sterilization without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating path conveying means maintains continuous movement of pre-forms through the heating device and into the sterilization device without interruption. This continuous conveying action eliminates idle time between processing steps and ensures the sterilization process receives pre-forms continuously, improving overall process efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If separate supply device is used for sterilization device, then pre-forms can be supplied, but the structural layout becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heating path conveying means is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the conveying system within the heating device and as the supply device for the sterilization device. This universal component performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices, simplifying the overall structural layout while maintaining ease of operation.
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 design simplifies the structural layout, reduces maintenance, and ensures reliable 360° disinfection of plastics material pre-forms by eliminating shadow regions and integrating disinfection units within the heating device, thereby improving operational efficiency and disinfection effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device (9) comprising a heating path (8) for heating the plastics material pre-forms (10)
Implementation Method 2
a generation device (24) for generating electrical charge particles, by means of which the plastics material pre-forms (10) are capable of being sterilized
Implementation Method 3
They use an ionized radiation in order to achieve at least an adequate reduction in germs on the plastics material container in question or on a plastics material pre-form
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the processing of plastics material containers with a shaping device for the shaping plastics material pre-forms into containers, with a heating device comprising a heating path for heating the plastics material pre-forms and with a sterilization device for the sterilization of the plastics material pre-forms, in which the sterilization device comprises a supply device to supply the plastics material pre-forms to the sterilization device, and in which the sterilization device comprises both an external disinfecting unit to sterilize the plastics material pre-forms at least on their external wall surfaces and an internal disinfecting unit to sterilize the plastics material pre-forms on their internal wall surfaces, wherein the supply device comprises heating path conveyor for conveying the plastics material pre-forms along the heating path to supply the plastics material pre-forms at least to the external disinfecting unit.