Multi-Seat Cleaning Unit for Simultaneous Packaging Component Washing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning units for packaging machines are inefficient in effectively and simultaneously cleaning multiple components, leading to potential contamination of pourable products due to residual residues.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning unit with dedicated outlets and seats for each component, allowing precise delivery of cleaning medium, ensuring thorough coverage and minimizing waste, featuring radial and axial movements to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single cleaning unit is used for multiple components, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness and hygiene reliability deteriorate due to insufficient targeted cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning unit structureVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit is segmented into multiple independent cleaning stations, each dedicated to a specific component (filling pipe, floating element, delimiting plate). Each station has its own outlet and seat, allowing targeted cleaning without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each cleaning station is designed with local quality tailored to its specific component, with outlets positioned to deliver cleaning medium precisely where needed. This ensures optimal cleaning effectiveness for each component while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If cleaning medium is delivered to multiple components simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but cleaning medium consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning speedVSAvoidcleaning medium consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning system divides the cleaning medium delivery into separate segmented outlets, each serving a specific component. This allows controlled distribution of cleaning medium to multiple components simultaneously while monitoring and optimizing consumption at each station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses hydraulic principles to deliver cleaning medium through controlled outlets to multiple components. The fluid delivery mechanism allows simultaneous cleaning of multiple components with optimized medium distribution, reducing overall consumption compared to indiscriminate spraying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If cleaning medium is delivered precisely to each component, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning unit employs a universal multi-functional design where a single cleaning unit structure serves multiple components through integrated stations. Each station is simple in design but collectively they provide precise targeted cleaning for all components, avoiding the need for separate complex cleaning systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cleaning functions are merged into a single integrated cleaning unit with multiple stations. This combining approach delivers precise cleaning to each component while maintaining a unified relatively simple device structure, rather than using separate complex systems for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cleaning unit ensures thorough and simultaneous cleaning of multiple components, reducing cleaning medium consumption and operational costs while improving hygiene and production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a feed pipe (17) arranged within said housing (15) and configured to supply said cleaning medium within said cleaning chamber (16), said feed pipe (17) comprising at least two outlets through which said cleaning medium is supplied into said cleaning chamber (16)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentEP4656302A1Cleaning unit for a packaging machine configured to produce sealed packages containing a pourable product

Publication Date: 2025.12.03 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

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AI summary

There is described cleaning unit (8) for a packaging machine (1) configured to produce sealed packages (2) containing a pourable product, the cleaning unit (8) being configured to clean at least two components of the packaging machine (1), the cleaning unit (8) comprising a housing (15) internally defining a cleaning chamber (16) adapted to receive a cleaning medium and the components to be cleaned; the cleaning unit (8) comprises a feed pipe (17) arranged within the housing (15) and configured to supply the cleaning medium within the cleaning chamber (16), the feed pipe (17) defining at least two receiving seats, a first seat (18a) adapted to receive a first component to be cleaned and a second seat (18b) adapted to receive a second component to be cleaned; the feed pipe (17) comprises at least two outlets through which the cleaning medium is supplied into the cleaning chamber (16), a first outlet (19a) being arranged towards the first seat (18a) and a second outlet (19b) being arranged towards the second seat (18b).