Preform Heating Device Mouth Portion Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aseptic filling machines for bottles are large and require significant disinfectant, leading to inefficient sterilization of the mouth portion of preforms, which can result in poor sterilization due to the need to keep the mouth portion temperature low to prevent deformation.
Innovation Solution
A heating apparatus for preforms that includes a mouth portion heating section and a body portion heating section, where the mouth portion is heated to a temperature between 50°C to 70°C using near infrared radiation from a halogen lamp, and the body portion is heated to 90°C to 140°C, with a cold air nozzle to prevent overheating of the mouth portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mouth portion of the preform is heated to high temperature to achieve sterilization, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but the mouth portion deforms due to exceeding the glass transition temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus is divided into multiple heating zones with different temperature characteristics. The mouth portion heating section operates at lower temperatures (below glass transition temperature) while the body portion heating section operates at higher temperatures, allowing selective heating of different preform regions to achieve sterilization without deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different heating strategies are applied to different parts of the preform. The mouth portion receives gentle, controlled heating to prevent deformation, while the body portion receives intense heating for sterilization. This localized quality control ensures each region receives appropriate thermal treatment.
2Shape
If a cooled protection body is used to prevent mouth portion deformation, then shape stability is improved, but sterilization efficiency deteriorates due to insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating apparatus is segmented into distinct functional sections: a mouth portion heating section with controlled low-temperature heating and a body portion heating section with high-temperature heating. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of shape stability in the mouth portion and sterilization in the body portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth portion heating section acts as an intermediary between the cooling protection body and the high-temperature body portion heating section. It provides controlled thermal treatment to the mouth portion, preventing both deformation from excessive heat and insufficient sterilization from cooling alone.
3Ease of manufacture
If the preform is heated to high temperature for blow-molding, then molding capability is improved, but mouth portion deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into sequential stages: mouth portion heating at controlled low temperature followed by body portion heating at high temperature. This ensures the mouth portion maintains shape stability while the body portion achieves the necessary temperature for blow-molding.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouth portion heating section performs preliminary controlled heating to prepare the mouth portion for molding without causing deformation. This preliminary action ensures the mouth portion is ready for subsequent blow-molding while maintaining its structural integrity.
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 approach ensures proper heating of the mouth portion without deformation, improving sterilization efficiency and ensuring high sterility in the aseptic filling process.
Implementation Method 1
the mouth portion is heated to a temperature between 50°C to 70°C using near infrared radiation from a halogen lamp
Implementation Method 2
with a cold air nozzle to prevent overheating of the mouth portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A heating apparatus and a heating method for preforms are provided which eliminate poor sterilization of a mouth portion of a preform to which a disinfectant has been blown. A heating section that heats the preform is provided with a mouth portion heating section, and a mouth portion of the preform is heated to a temperature from 50°C to 70°C.