Resin Vessel Electron Beam Sterilization Ground Electrode
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron beam sterilization of resin vessels, such as PET bottles, often results in electrical charging, which attracts dirt and dust, and existing methods struggle to completely remove charges from both inner and outer surfaces as well as within the resin material.
Innovation Solution
An electron beam sterilizer is designed with a ground electrode inserted into the resin vessel during irradiation to prevent electrical charging, and an aseptic gas is blown through the vessel to remove ozone, dust, and dirt, while an ionizer can be used to further prevent charging by blowing out ionized gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin vessels are irradiated with electron beam for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but electrical charging occurs on the vessel surfaces and within the resin material
Solution Approach 1:
A ground electrode is inserted into the resin vessel to serve as an intermediary that provides a discharge path for accumulated electrical charges. The electrode, connected to ground, allows electrons to escape from the resin material during electron beam irradiation, preventing charge accumulation while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Ionized air or inert gas is blown through the resin vessel during electron beam irradiation to prevent electrical charging. The gas flow carries away accumulated charges from the inner surface and resin material, while also providing cooling and preventing ozone generation, thereby eliminating the harmful charging effect without compromising sterilization.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing charge removal methods (X-ray irradiation or ionized air blowing) are applied after electron beam sterilization, then surface charges are removed, but charges accumulated inside the resin material itself cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The ground electrode or ionized gas is introduced during the electron beam irradiation process itself, before the sterilization is complete. This preliminary action prevents charge accumulation from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to remove charges after they have been trapped inside the resin material. By acting preventively during irradiation, the method ensures both surface and internal charges are managed effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge prevention mechanism (ground electrode or ionized gas flow) operates continuously throughout the entire electron beam irradiation process. This continuous action ensures that charges are constantly managed as they accumulate during irradiation, preventing both surface and internal charge buildup, thereby achieving complete charge removal effectiveness that post-irradiation methods cannot achieve.
3Reliability
If electron beam irradiation is applied to sterilize resin vessels, then sterilization is achieved, but ozone and dust are generated inside the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
Inert gas or ionized air is blown through the resin vessel during electron beam irradiation to suppress ozone generation and remove dust particles. The gas flow physically carries away dust and prevents oxygen from reacting to form ozone, thereby eliminating harmful byproducts while maintaining the sterilization effect of the electron beam.
Solution Approach 2:
An inert gas atmosphere is created inside the resin vessel during electron beam irradiation to prevent ozone formation. The inert gas displaces oxygen, eliminating the conditions necessary for ozone generation, while also helping to remove dust particles and maintain a clean environment during the sterilization 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
The solution effectively prevents electrical charging on both inner and outer surfaces of the resin vessel, ensuring thorough sterilization and air-rinsing effects without compromising sterilization performance.
Implementation Method 1
sterilizing a resin vessel by irradiating the resin vessel with an electron beam emitted from an electron beam irradiator
Implementation Method 2
the resin vessel is irradiated with the electron beam in a state in which the ground electrode is inserted into the resin vessel
Implementation Method 3
an ionizer can be used to further prevent charging by blowing out ionized gas
Data Source
AI summary
To prevent electrical charging inside a resin material as well as a surface of a resin vessel at a time of sterilizing the resin vessel by being irradiated with electron beam, a bottle support unit is mounted to a lower end portion of a cylindrical rotating shaft rotatably supported by a rotating wheel. The bottle support unit includes a pair of griper members by which a mouth portion of a bottle is gripped. A ground electrode is disposed to be capable of being inserted into the interior of the resin vessel through a mouth portion thereof, and the interior of the resin vessel is irradiated with the electron beam in a state of the ground electrode being inserted into the resin vessel.