Packaging Machine Sterile Air Flow Preserving Molded Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging machines face challenges in maintaining the sterility of packaging material with molded opening devices, particularly when using electron beam sterilization, which requires high powers and is inefficient for complex geometries.
Innovation Solution
A packaging machine with a preserving device that uses sterile air flows to maintain cleanliness and sterility of molded portions between the molding and sterilization stations, facilitating lower-energy electron beam sterilization and improving the efficiency of sterilization for complex geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high power electron beam sterilization is used on packaging material with molded opening devices, then sterility is achieved, but energy consumption increases and equipment lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary protective action by introducing a laminar flow of sterile air before the electron beam sterilization process. This pre-protection reduces the microbial load on the packaging material surface, allowing the subsequent electron beam sterilization to operate at lower power levels while still achieving the required sterility level, thus resolving the contradiction between sterility achievement and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sterile air flow as an intermediary element between the environment and the packaging material. This intermediary creates a protected zone that reduces contamination during handling and positioning, thereby reducing the sterilization burden on the electron beam system and enabling lower energy operation while maintaining sterility requirements
2Reliability
If high power electron beam sterilization is used on packaging material with molded opening devices, then sterility is achieved, but equipment lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing preliminary protective measures through laminar flow sterile air, the system reduces the intensity and duration required for electron beam sterilization. This preliminary protection prevents heavy contamination buildup, allowing the electron beam equipment to operate at lower power levels for shorter durations, thereby extending equipment lifetime while maintaining sterility achievement
3Reliability
If conventional sterilization methods are used on complex geometry opening devices, then sterility is difficult to achieve, but energy consumption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic principles through laminar flow air generation to create a controlled sterile environment. This pneumatic approach complements the electron beam sterilization by physically removing contaminants through controlled air flow, making the overall sterilization process more effective for complex geometries while allowing the electron beam to operate at lower, more efficient energy levels
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 solution effectively preserves the sterility of molded portions, allowing for lower-energy electron beam sterilization, extending equipment lifetime, and enhancing the efficiency of sterilizing complex geometries, while reducing contamination and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a preserving device (22) configured to preserve the cleanliness and/or sterility of the molded portions (4) while the web of packaging material (5) advances between the molding station (8) and the sterilization station (10)
Implementation Method 2
the Applicant has successfully established the use of the electron beam technology so as to sterilize the web of packaging material
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described a packaging machine (1) for forming packages (2) filled with a pourable product from a web of packaging material (5). The packaging machine (1) comprises a conveying device (6), a molding apparatus (7), a sterilization apparatus (9), and a preserving device (22) configured to preserve the cleanliness and/or sterility of at least the molded portions (4). The preserving device (22) comprises at least one air flow generator (39) configured to generate a first flow (F1) of a sterile fluid against at least a portion of the web of packaging material (5) and into a first direction (D1) opposite to an advancement direction (D2) of the web of packaging material (5) and a second flow (F2) of sterile fluid in a second direction (D3) opposite to the first direction (D1) and/or substantially parallel to the advancement direction (D2) and into the sterilization apparatus (9).