Parallel Closure Guides for High-Throughput Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization devices for container closures are limited in throughput due to single-stranded transport paths, requiring increased installation space and treatment time to achieve effective sterilization, which hinders efficient processing of closures in high-output settings.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple separately running closure guides within a compact treatment chamber allows for simultaneous transport and sterilization of closures, reducing individual transport speed and maintaining treatment time while increasing throughput, using sterilization media like hydrogen peroxide or superheated steam, and incorporating control devices for precise closure handling and medium circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-stranded transport path is used for sterilizing closures, then the treatment time can be maintained, but the throughput and processing capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transport path is divided into multiple separate closure guides (at least two) that run parallel to each other within the treatment chamber. Each guide independently transports closures through the sterilization medium, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple closure streams without increasing the complexity of individual guide structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple closure guides are arranged in parallel within the three-dimensional space of the treatment chamber, utilizing spatial dimensionality to increase throughput. The guides are positioned to allow sterilization medium to circulate around and between them, maintaining effective treatment while accommodating multiple transport streams.
2Productivity
If the transport speed is increased to improve throughput, then the processing capacity increases, but the treatment time decreases leading to insufficient sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the transport into multiple parallel guides, the overall processing capacity increases without requiring each individual closure to move faster. Each guide maintains a moderate transport speed that ensures adequate treatment time, while the combined output of multiple guides achieves the desired throughput.
3Productivity
If the treatment chamber is enlarged to accommodate multiple closure guides, then the throughput increases, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple closure guides are arranged in parallel within the vertical and lateral dimensions of the treatment chamber, efficiently utilizing available space. The guides are positioned to allow sterilization medium circulation while maintaining a compact overall footprint that does not significantly increase installation space requirements.
4Productivity
If multiple closure guides are used to increase throughput, then the processing capacity increases, but the complexity of controlling closure flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each closure guide is equipped with its own control device for regulating closure flow independently. This segmented control approach allows simple, dedicated control mechanisms for each guide rather than a complex centralized system, managing multiple streams through independent but similar control units.
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 enables a significant increase in closure processing capacity within a compact design, ensuring thorough sterilization and efficient use of sterilization media, while maintaining the required treatment time, thus addressing the limitations of prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
using sterilization media like hydrogen peroxide or superheated steam
Implementation Method 2
using sterilization media like hydrogen peroxide or superheated steam
Implementation Method 3
The closure guides can preferably be inclined at an angle of 20 and 45 degrees, particularly preferably at an angle of 30 degrees, to the horizontal, with the closure guides preferably running essentially parallel to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The device (1) has a treatment chamber (2) that is provided for treating the closures (3). A transport path is used for transporting the closures through the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber is provided with two separately extending shutter guides (4,5) for the simultaneous conveying of closures. An independent claim is included for a method for handling of closures for containers.