Preform Sterilization and UV-C Contact Surface Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing sterile containers from thermoplastic preforms are complex, expensive, and prone to recontamination during handling, especially at critical contact surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for forming preforms into sterile containers involves primary sterilization of preforms, followed by targeted sterilization of critical handling areas using sterilizing radiation sources, particularly UV-C radiation, and transferring containers through a contact surface sterilization device to maintain sterility until filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous sterilization treatment is applied throughout the entire transport path, then sterility is maintained, but the risk of recontamination increases due to multiple handling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The preform is sterilized before being formed into a container, and the container is discharged directly into a sterile filling environment without intermediate handling. This preliminary sterilization action eliminates the need for continuous sterilization during transport, as the container remains sterile throughout the process due to the controlled sterile environment from discharge to filling.
2Reliability
If multiple sterilization steps are implemented, then sterility assurance is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The preform undergoes sterilization before being formed into a container in a single integrated process step. This preliminary action ensures sterility is established early, eliminating the need for multiple subsequent sterilization steps and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining sterility assurance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization process is merged with the preform formation process, occurring within the same heating device before the container is discharged. This consolidation of sterilization and forming operations reduces the number of separate process steps and equipment needed, thereby reducing complexity while ensuring sterility.
3Reliability
If extensive sterilization procedures are used, then sterility is ensured, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sterilization is performed as a preliminary step during preform formation, before the container is discharged into the sterile filling environment. This timing ensures sterility is established early in the process, eliminating the need for extended sterilization procedures later and maintaining high production efficiency.
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 efficient and cost-effective sterilization of containers, reducing the need for continuous sterility maintenance and minimizing recontamination, allowing sterile containers to be transferred directly to filling units without further sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
targeted sterilization of critical handling areas using sterilizing radiation sources, particularly UV-C radiation
Implementation Method 2
the preform is heated to a temperature suitable for forming
Implementation Method 3
a sterilizing fluid, such as hydrogen peroxide, can decompose and is therefore no longer present in the preform or the container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for forming preforms made of a thermoplastic material into finished containers in a stretch blow molding machine (1), wherein a preform (2) is guided along a transport path through sections of the stretch blow molding machine (1), the method comprising the following steps: applying a sterilizing fluid to an outer surface of a preform (2) and introducing a sterilizing fluid into an interior of the preform (2) before forming the preform (1) in a stretch blow molding station (S5), forming the preforms (2) into finished containers (3) in the stretch blow molding station (S5), and subsequently sterilizing first handling areas (14, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24) of the finished containers (3) in a contact surface sterilization device (S7), wherein the first handling areas (14, 15, 16, 21, 23,24) the containers (3) are equipped for transport until they arrive at the contact surface sterilization device (S7), and from the moment they arrive at the contact surface sterilization device (S7), the containers (3) are transported by means of second handling areas (22) which are different from the first handling areas (21). The invention also relates to a corresponding device.