Sterilization Tray Pressing Member Prevents Resin Container Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization trays fail to effectively prevent deformation and creasing of resin containers during moist heat sterilization with steam or hot water, which complicates the attachment of gas barrier films and hinders the detection of foreign materials due to sterilization traces and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization tray with a perforated plate and a pressing member that allows steam or hot water to pass through, pressing the peripheral edge of the resin container to prevent deformation and flattening, while maintaining effective sterilization, and a perforated plate with optimized opening sizes and ratios to minimize sterilization traces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a perforated plate sterilization tray is used to allow steam or hot water passage, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but deformation and creasing of the resin container occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to apply localized pressure specifically to the peripheral edge region of the resin container, rather than uniform pressure across the entire container. This local quality approach prevents deformation at the critical peripheral edge area while allowing the rest of the container to maintain its natural shape and allow steam passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is positioned to preemptively counteract the deformation force before it fully develops during sterilization. By applying continuous pressing force during the sterilization process, the system prevents the container from deforming and creasing, thereby maintaining its original shape throughout the sterilization cycle.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the resin container is restrained to prevent deformation, then container shape stability is improved, but sterilization traces are generated on the container surface
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed with a specific contact area that targets only the peripheral edge of the container, applying pressure locally without creating widespread contact marks. This localized pressing prevents deformation while minimizing the generation of sterilization traces on the visible surface areas of the container.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a pressing member is added to prevent deformation, then container shape stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is integrated with the sterilization tray structure, combining the functions of containment and pressing into a single unified device. This merging approach prevents deformation without requiring a completely separate restraining mechanism, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member serves multiple functions: it prevents container deformation, maintains peripheral edge stability, and minimizes sterilization trace generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents deformation and creasing of resin containers, facilitates the attachment of gas barrier films, and reduces sterilization traces, ensuring thorough sterilization and improved visibility during inspections.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing member pressing the peripheral edge of a resin container placed on the tray between the pressing member and the tray
Implementation Method 2
sterilization of a resin container filled with a liquid or a liquid mixed with a solid by means of steam or hot water
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a sterilization tray and a moist heat sterilization method, with which a resin container can be satisfactorily sterilized by means of steam or hot water and deformation of the resin container can be prevented. A sterilization tray (20) is composed of a tray body (22) and a pressing member (24) capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the tray body (22). The bottom of the tray body (22) is formed from a perforated plate through which high pressure steam or hot water passes at the time of moist heat sterilization, and a frame (24a) of the pressing member (24) is formed from a porous member through which steam or hot water passes. When plural sterilization trays (20) are stacked in a state in which a resin container (multi-chamber container) 1 is placed on the sterilization tray (20), the peripheral edge of an empty chamber part (1b) of the resin container (1) is pressed by the pressing member (24) of the sterilization tray (20) stacked above, and deformation of the resin container (1) during the moist heat sterilization can be prevented.