Sampling Valve for Sterile Container Treatment Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container treatment systems face challenges in monitoring their sterile environments without disrupting the aseptic conditions, leading to potential contamination and operational interruptions during sampling.
Innovation Solution
A container treatment system equipped with a sampling valve that allows for gas sampling from the sterile environment without opening access flaps, combined with a portable sample container for microbiological analysis, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an access panel is opened to take air samples from the cleanroom, then sterility verification can be performed, but the sterile environment is compromised and production must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
A sampling valve is introduced as an intermediary component that allows air sampling without opening the access panel. The valve includes a sampling chamber with a needle that penetrates the seal, enabling air extraction while maintaining the integrity of the sterile barrier. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing a controlled interface between the sterile and non-sterile environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a sealing element that maintains the sterile barrier, a sampling chamber that interfaces with both sterile and non-sterile environments, and a valve mechanism that controls air flow. This segmentation allows sterility verification without compromising the overall sterile environment.
2Measurement precision
If an access panel is opened for sampling, then air samples can be obtained, but operational continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling valve acts as a mediator that enables air sampling operations without requiring production shutdown. The valve can be operated from outside the cleanroom, allowing continuous monitoring while the filling process continues uninterrupted inside the sterile environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling system is designed to enable continuous operation by eliminating the need to stop production for sampling. The valve allows air samples to be extracted during normal operation, maintaining both the sterile environment and production continuity simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If a sampling valve is installed in the outer wall, then sampling can be performed without opening access panels, but the valve may be exposed to harsh conditions reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling valve is positioned in the outer wall at a location that balances accessibility with protection from harsh conditions. The valve body is exposed to ambient conditions for ease of operation, while the internal sampling chamber remains protected within the cleanroom environment, creating different quality zones for different functional requirements.
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
Enables quick and reliable sampling without compromising the sterile environment, preventing contamination and allowing for uninterrupted system operation while ensuring high hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
a sampling valve (24) with a gas inlet (30) connected to an interior part (22) of the sampling chamber (22) and a gas outlet (32) for taking a gas sample
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a container treatment system (10) for treating containers. At least one container treatment device (12, 14, 16, 18) and/or at least one container conveyor (20) is arranged in a sampling chamber (22). A sampling valve (24) has a gas inlet (30) connected to the interior of the sampling chamber (22) and a gas outlet (32) for taking a sample. Advantageously, the container treatment system (10) can enable improved monitoring of the sampling chamber (22).