Sterilization Device Movable Flap Vapor Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization devices for packaging materials using electron beams face challenges in minimizing the emission of hydrogen peroxide vapor into the environment during chamber sterilization, which is regulated and requires effective containment.
Innovation Solution
A dual-chamber device with a movable flap mechanism, where the first chamber is a suction chamber and the second is an electron beam irradiation chamber, allowing for controlled hydrogen peroxide vapor introduction and containment within the device during sterilization, preventing vapor leakage into the surroundings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrogen peroxide vapor is introduced into the radiation chamber for sterilization, then the radiation chamber is effectively sterilized, but hydrogen peroxide vapor leaks into the surrounding environment through the inlet of the suction chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate chambers: a suction chamber and a radiation chamber. The suction chamber handles material handling and suction operations, while the radiation chamber performs sterilization. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function and prevents contamination between chambers.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable partition wall with a flap acts as an intermediary between the suction chamber and the radiation chamber. The partition wall can be positioned to seal off the radiation chamber from the suction chamber, preventing hydrogen peroxide vapor from leaking into the suction chamber and the surrounding environment during radiation chamber sterilization.
2Productivity
If the inlet of the suction chamber is kept open for material handling, then packaging material can be efficiently loaded and unloaded, but hydrogen peroxide vapor escapes into the environment during radiation chamber sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall between the suction chamber and radiation chamber is made movable rather than fixed. It can dynamically adjust its position based on operational requirements - opening to allow material handling when needed, and closing to prevent vapor leakage during sterilization. The flap on the partition wall can be opened or closed using a pneumatic cylinder or other actuation mechanism.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a fixed partition wall is used to separate suction and radiation chambers, then vapor leakage is prevented, but material handling efficiency is reduced due to restricted access
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall is designed with movable sections that can open or close based on operational needs. During sterilization, the partition wall closes to prevent vapor leakage. During material handling, the partition wall opens to allow efficient loading and unloading of packaging material, thus adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall is segmented into multiple sections with flaps that can be independently controlled. This allows selective opening of specific sections for material handling while maintaining separation in other sections, optimizing both vapor containment and material handling efficiency.
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
Effectively prevents hydrogen peroxide vapor from escaping into the environment during radiation chamber sterilization, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining a sterile environment for packaging material processing.
Implementation Method 1
a device for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material, particularly a device for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material by means of electron beam
Implementation Method 2
a suction chamber (3) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), wherein the outlet (5) of the suction chamber (3) is connected to the inlet (5) of the radiation chamber (6)
Implementation Method 3
In order to sterilize the radiation chamber, a flow of vapour of hydrogen peroxide is introduced into the radiation chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for sterilization of a sheet of packaging material (2). The device (1) comprises a first chamber (3) having an inlet (4) and an outlet (5) for the sheet of packaging material (2), and a second chamber (6) having an inlet (5) and an outlet for the sheet of packaging material (2). The outlet (5) of the first chamber is connected to the inlet (5) of the second chamber (6). The first chamber (3) comprises an element (8) which is movable between a first position, in which the device (1) is in a mode for sterilization of the sheet of packaging material (2), and a second position, in which the inlet (4) of the first chamber (3) is substantially closed and the device (1) is in a mode for sterilization of the second chamber (6). The invention also relates to a filling machine for filling a packaging material (2) with a food product, and a method for sterilizing a sheet of packaging material.