Preform Sterilization Heating Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sterilizing preforms before blow molding are inefficient, with issues such as uncontrolled sterilization agent escape, incomplete surface condensation, and high mechanical engineering effort, making it difficult to achieve reliable and high-throughput sterilization.
Innovation Solution
Sterilization is performed while preforms are being heated in a section with radiant heaters, ensuring the inner surface temperature reaches at least 80°C, allowing simultaneous heating and sterilization, and the sterilization agent is introduced and removed efficiently to prevent escape and enhance activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sterilization is performed separately from heating using multiple treatment stations, then sterilization reliability is improved, but device complexity and process time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating process and sterilization process into a single integrated treatment station. The sterilizing agent is introduced during the heating phase, allowing both thermal processing and sterilization to occur simultaneously in the same equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sterilization reliability through controlled agent introduction and removal
2Reliability
If sterilization is performed separately from heating using multiple treatment stations, then sterilization reliability is improved, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating process and sterilization process into a single integrated treatment station. The sterilizing agent is introduced during the heating phase, allowing both thermal processing and sterilization to occur simultaneously in the same equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sterilization reliability through controlled agent introduction and removal
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilizing agent is introduced into the preform during the heating phase before the preform is fully processed. This preliminary introduction allows the sterilization to begin early in the process, and the agent is then removed in a controlled manner, optimizing the overall process time while ensuring complete sterilization
3Reliability
If sterilizing agent is introduced into preform before heating, then sterilization is achieved, but uncontrolled escape of agent occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilizing agent is introduced into the preform during the heating phase before the preform is fully processed. This preliminary introduction allows the sterilization to begin early in the process, and the agent is then removed in a controlled manner, optimizing the overall process time while ensuring complete sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the introduction and removal of the sterilizing agent based on the heating process progression. The agent is introduced at the appropriate temperature phase and removed when sterilization is complete, preventing uncontrolled escape while maintaining effective sterilization throughout the process
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 enables reliable, efficient, and compact sterilization with reduced process time, ensuring effective sterilization and quick removal of residues, while maintaining the preform's integrity and supporting the production of sterile containers.
Implementation Method 1
The heating takes place in a heating section in which radiant heaters are arranged on one side along a transport direction of the preforms
Implementation Method 2
EP-A 1 896 245 describes a method in which a gaseous sterilizing agent is introduced into a cold preform before heating and condenses there
Data Source
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AI summary
The method and the device are used to sterilize preforms (1) which are made of a thermoplastic material and which are provided for producing blow-molded containers. In the sterilizing procedure, a sterilizing agent is introduced into the area of the preform (1). The preform (1) is heated for at least part of the duration of the sterilizing procedure.