Sterilization Tunnel Movable Transfer Plane for Cooling Chamber Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization tunnels for pharmaceutical containers fail to effectively sterilize the transfer plane and cooling chamber, particularly when used with accumulation stations instead of filling machines, leading to potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization tunnel design where the transfer plane is movable and can be misaligned with the conveyor to be positioned internally within the cooling chamber, allowing the shutter to seal and the transfer plane to be sterilized by heated air flows, ensuring complete sterilization of all components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shutter is lowered to close the outlet opening for sterilisation of the cooling chamber, then the sterilisation of the cooling chamber is improved, but the transfer plane cannot be adequately sterilised as it is covered by the shutter
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plane is made movable relative to the conveyor means, allowing it to be positioned in a misaligned configuration where it extends into the cooling chamber. This dynamic positioning enables the transfer plane to be exposed to hot air flows for sterilisation when the shutter is in the lowered position, resolving the contradiction between shutter closure for sterilisation and transfer plane exposure.
2Ease of operation
If the transfer plane is positioned at the outlet opening to receive sterilised containers, then the container transfer is improved, but the transfer plane cannot be sterilised when the shutter is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer plane can dynamically switch between two configurations: aligned with the conveyor for efficient container transfer, and misaligned extending into the cooling chamber for sterilisation. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between operational efficiency and sterilisation completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer plane alternates periodically between aligned and misaligned positions, coordinating with the shutter position and sterilisation cycles. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between container transfer mode and sterilisation mode, ensuring both operational efficiency and complete sterilisation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sterilisation tunnel is used with accumulation stations instead of filling machines, then the versatility is improved, but the sterilisation of the transfer plane and cooling chamber becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The movable transfer plane enables the sterilisation tunnel to effectively work with accumulation stations by ensuring complete sterilisation of all internal surfaces, including the transfer plane and cooling chamber. This dynamic positioning capability makes the system versatile for different downstream equipment while maintaining sterilisation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilisation tunnel with movable transfer plane is designed to be universally compatible with both filling machines and accumulation stations. The ability to fully sterilise all components, including the transfer plane, makes the system adaptable to different operational configurations and downstream equipment types.
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 thorough sterilization of the cooling chamber and transfer plane, making the tunnel suitable for use with both filling machines and accumulation stations, preventing contamination and ensuring optimal sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling chamber, internally of which the containers are struck by a flow of filtered air to lower the temperature thereof
Implementation Method 2
the cooling chamber is struck by the flow of filtered hot air to reach high temperatures that are suitable for sterilisation
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization tunnel has an inlet opening for pharmaceutical containers to be sterilised, an outlet opening, a high-temperature sterilisation chamber and a cooling chamber in line therewith and communicating with the outlet opening. A conveyor means transports the containers through the sterilisation chamber and the cooling chamber up to the outlet opening. A transfer plane is positionable in a first configuration aligned with the conveyor to transfer the containers out of the tunnel through the outlet opening. A shutter opens and closes the outlet opening. The transfer plane is movable and positionable in a second configuration inside the cooling chamber and misaligned with respect to the conveyor. When the transfer plane is inside the cooling chamber, the shutter is lowerable in abutment with a seal element.