Packaging Web Sterilization With Anomaly-Based Local Reprocessing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sterilization apparatuses for packaging material face issues with anomalies such as temperature fluctuations in hydrogen peroxide baths, UV lamp malfunctions, and electric arc events in electron beam sterilization, leading to prolonged machine downtimes and economic losses.

Innovation Solution

A sterilization apparatus equipped with a control unit that detects anomalies, interrupts the web advancement, identifies the affected portion, and uses a secondary sterilizing device to sterilize this portion, minimizing downtime by localized sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sterilization apparatus operates continuously with a single sterilizing device, then productivity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to anomalies causing prolonged downtimes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization system is divided into multiple independent sterilizing devices (first sterilizing device and second sterilizing device) that can operate separately. When an anomaly is detected in one device, the system can switch to or supplement with the other device, ensuring continuous operation and preventing complete production stoppage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is configured to detect anomalies and trigger localized sterilization of affected web portions before they proceed further in the production line. This preliminary action prevents contamination from spreading and eliminates the need for complete production shutdowns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the entire web is re-sterilized after an anomaly, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization assuranceVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of re-sterilizing the entire web, the system applies sterilization only to the specific portion of the web that was affected by the anomaly. The control unit identifies the affected portion based on when the anomaly occurred and applies targeted sterilization, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial sterilization of only the necessary web portion rather than complete sterilization of the entire web. This partial action is sufficient to maintain reliability while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If manual intervention is required for anomaly handling, then ease of operation is reduced, but manufacturing precision can be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization controlVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects anomalies, identifies the affected web portions, and triggers appropriate sterilization actions without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors its own operation and self-corrects by activating the secondary sterilizing device or localized sterilization processes, maintaining both precision and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the operation of sterilizing devices and detects anomalies in real-time. Based on this feedback, it automatically adjusts the sterilization process by identifying affected web portions and activating appropriate remedial sterilization, ensuring manufacturing precision while eliminating manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Reduces machine downtime from hours to minutes by efficiently addressing anomalies through localized sterilization, ensuring minimal operational disruption and maintaining production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first sterilizing device (10) configured to sterilize at least a first face (5), preferentially also a second face (6), of the web (4) advancing through the first sterilizing device (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonizing radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

a second sterilizing device (7) configured to sterilize at least a portion P1, P2, P3 of the web (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonizing radiation: Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4368525B1Sterilization apparatus, packaging machine having a sterilization apparatus and a method for sterilizing
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4368525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368525B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368525B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

There is described a sterilization apparatus (9) for sterilizing a web (4) of packaging material advancing along a web advancement path (P). The sterilization apparatus (9) comprises: - a first sterilizing device (10) configured to sterilize at least a first face (5) of the web (4) advancing through the first sterilizing device (10), - a second sterilizing device (7), - a monitoring device (8), configured to monitor operation of the first sterilizing device (10), - a movement sensor (11) configured to monitor advancement of the web (4) along said advancement path (P), and - a control unit (12), connected to the monitoring device (8) and the movement sensor (11), the control unit (12) configured to, if an anomaly is detected in operation of the first sterilizing device (10): - interrupt advancement of the web (4), - identify a distance (D) traveled by the web (4) between detection of the anomaly and interruption of advancement, and - sterilize at least a portion (P1, P2, P3) of the web (4) by means of the second sterilizing device (7), the portion (P1, P2, P3) of the web being associated to said traveled distance (D).