Sterilization Apparatus with Auxiliary Shielding and Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization apparatuses for packaging materials, particularly those using physical irradiation, have complex designs that require additional shielding chambers and isolation housings to manage ozone and contaminants, leading to a desire for a simplified and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization apparatus with a streamlined design that includes an irradiation device with electron beam emitters and auxiliary shielding chambers, along with an aspiration device to control gas flows and pressures, eliminating the need for an additional isolation housing by directing sterilizing irradiation and contaminants away from the sterile web.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical sterilization apparatus uses physical irradiation with electron beam emitters, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional shielding chambers and isolation housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the isolation housing from the sterilization apparatus, demonstrating that it is not essential for the sterilization process to function. The apparatus achieves effective sterilization without this additional complex component, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the shielding chambers and sterilization process more closely together, eliminating the need for separate isolation housing. By integrating the sterilization process directly within the shielding structure, the apparatus reduces overall complexity while maintaining effective sterilization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sterilization apparatus includes additional shielding chambers and isolation housing, then contaminant discharge safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the isolation housing from the apparatus design, reducing manufacturing costs associated with producing and installing this additional component. The design demonstrates that contaminant safety can be maintained without this expensive additional structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding chambers are designed to serve multiple functions: providing radiation shielding, containing the sterilization process, and managing contaminant discharge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate isolation housing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining safety.
3Productivity
If a sterilization apparatus uses electron beam irradiation, then sterilization speed is improved, but ozone generation increases requiring additional shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges that electron beam irradiation generates ozone as a harmful byproduct, but the design integrates shielding chambers that contain and manage this ozone generation. The rapid sterilization speed benefit is maintained while the ozone issue is managed through the shielding structure rather than requiring additional isolation housing.
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 apparatus achieves effective sterilization with a simplified structure, removing contaminants like ozone without additional isolation housing, ensuring sterile conditions while reducing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each one of the electron beam emitters is adapted to direct the respective electron beam onto one respective face of the web of packaging material advancing through the advancement channel
Implementation Method 2
such a kind of sterilization apparatus must provide for means that guarantee to safely discharge ozone and other undesired components, which may form during the application of the sterilizing irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization apparatus for sterilizing a web of packaging material advancing along a web advancement path-comprises an irradiation device for sterilizing the advancing packaging material web, a main shielding chamber housing the irradiation device and comprising an advancement channel having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and through which, in use, the packaging material web advances along the sterilization portion, an auxiliary shielding chamber upstream of the advancement channel along the web advancement path, the auxiliary shielding chamber having an inner space in fluid connection with the advancement channel and comprising an extraction opening allowing gas extraction from the auxiliary shielding chamber. An aspiration device generates a first flow of gas within the advancement channel from the outlet opening to the inlet opening and a second flow of gas from the inlet opening to the extraction opening.