Rotary Feed Buffer Chamber for Aseptic Container Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment devices require complex and costly rotary joints with barrier media to prevent bacterial contamination, which are prone to failure and require constant pressure monitoring, especially when transferring treatment media between stationary and rotating frames.
Innovation Solution
A rotary feed system with a static and rotating part forming separate flow paths, where a buffer chamber surrounding the transition between the parts prevents bacterial penetration, eliminating the need for additional barrier media and simplifying the design by reducing sealing points, allowing for the use of liquid sterilization medium as both a treatment and barrier agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary joint with mechanical seals and barrier medium is used to supply treatment medium from stationary to rotating frame, then bacterial contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases and seal service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the barrier medium (vapor) from the rotary joint system. Instead of using a separate barrier medium in addition to the treatment medium, the system supplies only the treatment medium through simplified flow channels without requiring barrier spaces or additional sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the barrier medium function with the treatment medium by using the same liquid medium for both purposes. The liquid treatment medium itself creates the necessary seal and prevents contamination, eliminating the need for separate vapor barriers and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If barrier medium is used in rotary joint to prevent contamination, then bacterial penetration is blocked, but maintenance costs increase due to constant pressure monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the barrier medium entirely from the system, eliminating the need for pressure monitoring systems, sensors, and associated control mechanisms that were required to maintain barrier medium integrity and detect leaks.
3Reliability
If heated barrier medium is used to prevent contamination, then bacterial growth is suppressed, but seal service life reduces due to heat stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the heated barrier medium from the system. Since the treatment medium itself serves as the barrier, there is no separate heated vapor space that would subject seals to thermal stress, thereby extending seal service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and temperature parameters by using liquid treatment medium at operating temperatures rather than maintaining a separate heated vapor barrier, reducing thermal stress on sealing components.
4Reliability
If separate barrier medium is used in rotary joint, then contamination is prevented, but operational costs increase due to additional consumables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate barrier medium (vapor) from the system. The treatment medium itself performs the barrier function, removing the need for additional consumable barrier substances and associated supply costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary feed includes a static part that remains stationary relative to a stationary reference frame and a rotating part that rotates with a rotor. The static part and rotating part run adjacent to each other and define a sealed flow channel for a first medium. A buffer chamber surrounds the static and rotating parts, and the transition between these parts. During operation, a barrier medium charges it at a transition between the static and rotating parts. An outlet connects the buffer chamber to a treatment head to permit a medium in the buffer to be fed to the nozzle for container treatment.