Preform Neck Decontamination via Hydrogen Peroxide Jet and UV Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination methods for the inner face of the neck of thermoplastic preforms are not sufficiently effective, especially for food and pharmaceutical applications, due to difficulties in accessing and uniformly treating this area.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a sterilizing jet of hydrogen peroxide applied directly to the inner face of the preform neck, followed by activation with ultraviolet radiation, ensuring thorough and controlled decontamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical decontamination processes using sterilizing agents like hydrogen peroxide are used, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but accessibility to the inside of the neck remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a jet of liquid sterilizing agent (hydrogen peroxide) delivered through a nozzle system that projects the agent directly into the preform neck. This hydraulic/pneumatic delivery method enables the sterilizing agent to reach and coat the internal surfaces of the neck effectively, overcoming the accessibility problem while maintaining high decontamination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a nozzle system as an intermediary device that delivers the sterilizing agent into the preform neck. This intermediary mechanism allows the sterilizing agent to access difficult-to-reach areas without requiring direct manual intervention or complex disassembly, thus improving both accessibility and decontamination effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If ultraviolet radiation is used for decontamination, then the process is simpler, but decontamination effectiveness against certain microorganisms like molds is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the sterilizing process by using liquid hydrogen peroxide instead of ultraviolet radiation. This parameter change enables effective decontamination against molds and other resistant microorganisms while maintaining operational simplicity through automated jet delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidizing agent, which is highly effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms including molds. The oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide provides superior decontamination effectiveness compared to ultraviolet radiation, particularly against spore-forming and mold organisms.
3Reliability
If the sterilizing agent is activated using infrared radiation, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but the neck of the preform cannot be heated without causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the preform body as an intermediary thermal mass. The body is heated to activate the sterilizing agent, and this heat is then transferred to the neck region through thermal conduction. This intermediary approach allows activation of the sterilizing agent in the neck area without directly heating the neck to deformation-causing temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct infrared heating of the neck with a thermal conduction-based activation method. Instead of using mechanical/infrared energy directly on the neck, the system uses thermal diffusion from the heated body to activate the sterilizing agent, thereby avoiding localized overheating and deformation.
4Measurement precision
If preforms are held by a mandrel inserted into the neck, then positioning is improved, but ultraviolet radiation cannot penetrate to decontaminate the inside of the neck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a jet delivery system that projects liquid sterilizing agent through the mandrel opening and along the internal surfaces of the neck. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach allows the sterilizing agent to reach all internal surfaces even when the mandrel is in place, maintaining both positioning accuracy and decontamination accessibility.
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 method achieves a high level of decontamination, reducing microorganisms by at least 5-log, while being compatible with high production rates and protecting the integrity of the preform neck.
Implementation Method 1
exposing it to infrared radiation. This heating breaks down the sterilizing agent into even more oxidizing species, such as free radicals.
Implementation Method 2
exposing the internal face of the neck thus covered with sterilizing agent to ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A Process for decontaminating an inner face of a neck of a preform made of thermoplastic material running along a production path in an installation for manufacturing containers. In example embodiments, the decontamination process includes, in succession, at least a treatment step and a sterilizing activation step. The treatment step includes exposing at least the inner face of the neck to a sterilizing jet having a sterilizing agent in a first treatment zone of the production path, and the sterilizing agent activation step includes directly exposing the inner face of the neck thus coated with sterilizing agent to ultraviolet radiation, in a second activation zone of the production path located downstream of the treatment zone.