Retractable Transfer Wheel for Sterile Container Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing production installations for containers, such as bottles, face significant risks of contamination during the transfer of containers between the blow molding and filling units, primarily due to the need for operator intervention, which introduces pathogenic agents into the sterile zones, compromising the microbiological quality of the production environment.
Innovation Solution
The installation incorporates a retractable transfer wheel with manual or automatic control from outside the enclosures, eliminating the need for operator access to the transfer zone, thereby preventing the introduction of pathogens and ensuring the sterility of the filling unit during decontamination and production modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer wheel is fixed in position to ensure continuous container transfer, then productivity is improved, but the opening cannot be closed to isolate the filling unit for decontamination
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer wheel is designed with a movable upper part that can pivot between extending through the common opening (for container transfer) and retracting into the first enclosure (for opening closure and decontamination). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to alternate between production mode with continuous transfer and decontamination mode with isolated filling unit, resolving the contradiction between productivity and sterility reliability
2Device complexity
If the upper part of the transfer wheel is fixed to maintain transfer position, then device complexity is reduced, but operator intervention is required which introduces pathogenic agents
Solution Approach 1:
The movable upper part of the transfer wheel can be reconfigured between extended and retracted positions through automated or remote-controlled mechanisms, eliminating the need for operators to physically access the transfer zone. This dynamic design maintains structural simplicity while preventing pathogen introduction by removing human intervention from the sterile environment
3Reliability
If the opening is closed to isolate the filling unit for decontamination, then sterility is improved, but container transfer between units is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational states: in production mode, the upper part of the transfer wheel extends through the opening to enable continuous container transfer; in decontamination mode, the upper part retracts allowing the opening to close and isolate the filling unit. This temporal separation of functions resolves the contradiction between maintaining sterility and ensuring production continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The installation operates in periodic cycles alternating between production phases (with opening open and transfer wheel extended) and decontamination phases (with opening closed and transfer wheel retracted). This periodic action allows the system to achieve both high microbiological quality through regular decontamination and sustained productivity through efficient production cycles
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation (10) for the production of containers (12), comprising a wheel (30) for transferring containers respectively between a first chamber (14) comprising a blowing unit (16) and a second chamber (18) comprising a filling unit, said wheel (30) being mounted such that it can move between at least: - a transfer position in which the wheel extends through an opening (24) which is common to the chambers (14, 18) in order to transfer the containers (12), and - a retracted position in which the wheel is displaced in order to close the opening (24) by means of associated closure means (26) in order to decontaminate the second chamber (18), and in which the displacement of said transfer wheel (30) between said positions is controlled manually or automatically from outside the first chamber (14) and/or the second chamber (18) of the installation (10).