Sterile Fluid Distribution System for Container Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for maintaining a sterile atmosphere in workspaces where containers are conveyed from an inlet to an outlet side require significant cleaning efforts, particularly after the conveyance is completed, and involve the dismantling of reusable gas distribution lines.
Innovation Solution
A device and method where the outer line for introducing sterile fluid is cleaned by spraying the cleaning medium into the annular space between the inner and outer lines, allowing for continuous use without disassembly, and incorporating rotatable concentric tubes and perforated profiles for even distribution and automatic cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable gas distribution lines are used to maintain sterile atmosphere, then sterile environment is improved, but cleaning effort and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested concentric tubes where an inner tube is positioned within an outer tube. The outer tube serves dual purposes: distributing sterile gas during operation and receiving cleaning medium during maintenance. This nesting structure allows the gas distribution function to be integrated within the cleaning system, eliminating the need for separate cleaning procedures and reducing overall cleaning effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer tube is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a gas distribution conduit during sterile operation and as a cleaning channel during maintenance. By making the gas distribution line universal for both operation and cleaning, the patent eliminates the need for separate cleaning procedures and reduces the complexity of maintaining the sterile environment.
2Ease of manufacture
If gas distribution lines are dismantled for cleaning, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but time loss and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through the concentric tube design where cleaning medium is directed through the inner tube and along the outer tube's interior surface. The structure enables automatic cleaning without requiring disassembly or external intervention, allowing the system to maintain sterility while minimizing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning medium is introduced through the inner tube before the outer tube requires cleaning. The preliminary action of directing cleaning medium through the nested structure ensures that the outer tube is cleaned in place during normal operation, eliminating the need for subsequent disassembly and reducing operational disruption.
3Reliability
If sterile fluid is distributed through outer line, then sterile atmosphere is improved, but cleaning access and ease of maintenance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, creating a configuration where the inner tube can be accessed through the outer tube's opening. This nesting arrangement allows cleaning medium to be introduced through the inner tube and distributed along the outer tube's interior, maintaining sterile atmosphere while providing easy cleaning access without disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube serves as an intermediary element that facilitates cleaning of the outer tube. By introducing cleaning medium through the inner tube, the system can clean the outer tube's interior surface without direct access to the outer tube's opening, thus maintaining sterile atmosphere while improving ease of maintenance.
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
Significantly reduces cleaning efforts by allowing the sterile fluid distribution system to be cleaned in place, maintaining a sterile environment without the need to dismantle lines, and ensuring efficient and uniform distribution of sterile air over containers.
Implementation Method 1
The outer line extending into the work space for introducing the sterile fluid is cleaned by introducing the cleaning medium through the inner line and spraying the cleaning medium into the annular space between the inner and outer lines
Implementation Method 2
at least one profile extending over the containers with openings in the working space is arranged below the outer line the sterile fluid introduced from the outer line is distributed over the containers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for filling or packing contents, particularly beverages, food, medications, or the like, into containers. As the containers pass through the device from an inlet to an outlet side, the containers passing through the working chamber have a sterile fluid, particularly sterile air, applied thereto for preventing germ growth. In order to reduce the cleaning effort for lines for the sterile fluid, the invention proposes that a cleaning medium having an internal line is inserted into the line for applying the sterile fluid. The line no longer needs to be disassembled in order to load the sterile fluid. In order to distribute the sterile fluid uniformly throughout the containers in a working chamber, the sterile fluid is distributed in two stages, first by means of the pipe extending into the working chamber, as described above and then through a profile extending over the containers and below the pipe, having openings for passing the sterile fluid. The profiles can be disposed rotatably about an axis, in order to reduce the cleaning effort after filling.