Sterilizing Closures Using Segmented H2O2 Vapor Zones

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for sterilizing closures, such as screw caps and crown corks, face challenges in achieving high performance and consistent disinfection rates while maintaining compactness and preventing ambient air and germ penetration.

Innovation Solution

A compact device with modular housing and rotors that preheat and dry closures using H2O2 vapor and sterile gaseous media, ensuring effective sterilization by maintaining a sterile environment through positive pressure and separate treatment zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sterilization devices are used to achieve high performance and consistent disinfection rates, then the sterilization quality is improved, but the device size and construction space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection rateVSAvoidconstruction space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sterilization device is divided into separate treatment zones (pre-heating zone, sterilization zone, drying zone) that can be spatially segmented and arranged compactly. Each zone performs a specific function, allowing the overall system to achieve high disinfection rates through coordinated zones rather than requiring a single large chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested arrangements where treatment zones are positioned concentrically or in nested configurations around a central axis. Rotors and treatment chambers are arranged to maximize space utilization, with components nested within each other to minimize the device's external footprint while maintaining internal volume for effective sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If treatment zones are exposed to ambient air, then access and operation is simplified, but germ penetration and recontamination occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidgerm penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment zones are maintained under positive pressure with sterile gas or vapor atmosphere (H2O2 vapor, sterile air). This inert/controlled atmosphere prevents ambient air and germs from penetrating into the treatment zones, while the pressure differential ensures that any leaks or openings still favor outward flow of sterile gas rather than inward contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

Sterile gas and vapor serve as intermediary substances that fill the treatment zones and act as a barrier against germ penetration. The gaseous medium (H2O2 vapor, sterile air) mediates between the need for an open accessible system and the requirement for germ-free environment, allowing operation while maintaining sterility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device achieves high-quality sterilization with consistent disinfection rates and high performance, suitable for various closure types, while minimizing construction space and preventing recontamination.

Implementation Method 1

sterilizing agents that consist of H2O2 vapor (vaporized aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with sufficiently high concentration of H2O2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

sterilize the closures used to close filled bottles or other containers... before use, inter alia using sterilizing agents that consist of H2O2 vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSterilization: Purification

Implementation Method 3

dried using a preferably heated sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium, for example using preferably heated sterile air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 4

dried using a preferably heated sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium... using preferably heated sterile air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

the treatment zones there can be subjected to a slight positive pressure of a sterile gaseous and/or vaporous medium so that the penetration of ambient air and the germs carried with this into the treatment zones is effectively avoided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPositive pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8834808B2Device for sterilizing closures for containers

Publication Date: 2014.09.16 KHS GMBH

AI summary

An apparatus for sterilizing cap-like container closures includes a transport system for moving closures through treatment zones. The first zone preheats the closures, the second exposes them to a sterilizing agent, and the third activates or dries them. The first and third zones each have a rotor that circulates about a rotor axis thereof, and closure holders formed on a periphery thereof for moving closures through the first zone from a closure pickup disposed therein to a first closure delivery position, and through the third zone from a second closure delivery position disposed therein to a closure discharge. The second treatment zone is between the first and second closure delivery positions such that closures delivered to the first position, after passing the second zone and after exposure to the sterilizing agent, are passed on to a closure holder ready at the second position of the rotor in the third zone.