Portable Pasteuriser with Segmented Tank Compartment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pasteurization processes for milk require complex equipment and hygienic clean rooms, making them costly and impractical for vending machine processors, and many suppliers still handle raw milk, necessitating simpler methods without compromising quality and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A portable pasteurizing apparatus with a controller linked to sensors and valves, featuring a pasteurizing compartment and a separate tank compartment, allowing for external connection and operation without personnel entry, enabling automated pasteurization and washing of milk tanks without compromising hygiene standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch type pasteurising method is used, then hygiene standards are maintained, but device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional compartments: a pasteurising compartment for thermal processing and a tank compartment for product storage. This segmentation allows independent access to the tank compartment for loading/unloading tanks without entering the pasteurising compartment, maintaining hygiene standards while simplifying the overall system structure and operation.
2Reliability
If clean room building is required, then hygiene standards are maintained, but operational cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tank compartment is extracted as a separate, independently accessible space from the pasteurising compartment. This allows tanks to be loaded and unloaded without requiring personnel to enter the pasteurising compartment, eliminating the need for expensive clean room infrastructure while maintaining hygiene through automated external access mechanisms.
3Productivity
If automated pasteurisation is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external connector assembly serves multiple functions: it enables automated pasteurisation through the pasteuriser, facilitates tank filling from the pasteurising compartment, and allows washing operations. This multi-functionality at the external connector level increases productivity without requiring complex internal automation systems, as all operations are coordinated through the external interface.
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 solution simplifies the pasteurization process, reducing the need for large clean rooms and operational costs, while ensuring high-quality pasteurized milk production and maintaining hygiene standards, allowing for efficient and cost-effective milk processing for vending machine suppliers.
Implementation Method 1
the pasteuriser pasteurising the product liquid
Implementation Method 2
at least one spray head for delivery of fluid into a product tank at a top of the product tank
Implementation Method 3
the pasteuriser compartment comprises a vent and an extractor fan
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5(a)
AI summary
A pasteurising apparatus (1) has a controller (15) linked to sensors and valves and floors, walls, and ceilings forming a pasteurising compartment (3) and a separate product tank compartment (4). The pasteurising compartment (3) houses a pasteuriser (8). The tank compartment (4) is independently accessed by a door (6) and holds product tanks (11) which may be inserted or removed without any need for access to the pasteurising compartment (4). These tanks may alternatively be linked with product dispensers (520). The tank compartment (4) is sealed by a dividing wall (7) from the pasteurising compartment (3). An external connector assembly (10) having couplers and fluid conduits links an external supply tank (51) with the pasteuriser (8), and with a tank (11), the connector assembly being mounted externally of the compartments (3, 4). The connector assembly is linked by a return pipe (13) to the tank compartment (4). Hence the product tanks may be inserted and filled and removed with any interference by personnel with the pasteurising operations. Also, in the wash mode, the wash cycle may include both the pasteuriser (8) and product tanks.