Sterilizing Device Resistance Flange Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sterilizing methods for beverage containers face inefficiencies in ensuring adequate sterilization of the inner surface of the mouth portion due to high sterilizing agent speed, resulting in insufficient adherence and reduced effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a sterilizing device with resistors and a spiral-shaped resistor on the sterilizing agent supply pipe, which reduces the speed of the sterilizing agent and enhances adherence to the inner surface by creating a spiral flow passage, increasing the distance and contact time of the agent with the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a larger amount of sterilizing agent is discharged to sufficiently sterilize the inner surface of the mouth portion, then the degree of sterilization on the inner surface of the mouth portion is improved, but the amount of sterilizing agent adhering to the portion below the mouth portion becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of sterilization on inner surface of mouth portionVSAvoidamount of sterilizing agent adhering to portion below mouth portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guide member with a specific structure (flange and annular wall) that creates different flow conditions for the sterilizing agent in different regions. The guide member is positioned to specifically address the mouth portion area, creating a localized flow control mechanism that increases adherence in the critical mouth region while preventing excessive accumulation below the mouth portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the speed of sterilizing agent passing through the mouth portion is increased, then the sterilizing agent can be discharged more quickly, but the amount of sterilizing agent adhering to the inner surface of the mouth portion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge speed of sterilizing agentVSAvoidamount of sterilizing agent adhering to inner surface of mouth portion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the flow parameters of the sterilizing agent by introducing the guide member structure. The flange and annular wall create a flow distribution pattern that reduces the velocity of the sterilizing agent as it passes through the mouth portion, thereby increasing the contact time and adherence amount without significantly compromising the overall discharge efficiency of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach significantly improves the degree of sterilization at the mouth portion by increasing the amount of sterilizing agent that adheres to the inner surface, ensuring a more thorough disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

the sterilizing agent adheres to and thereby sterilizes an inner surface of the container while moving with an airstream from a bottom portion toward the mouth portion of the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirstream flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

Since the resistor covers a mouth portion of the beverage container from above with a predetermined gap from the mouth portion, the speed of the sterilizing agent passing through the mouth portion can be reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow resistance: Drag

Implementation Method 3

the amount of the sterilizing agent adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the mouth portion can be increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2857046B1Sterlizing device and method
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND MACHINERY SYST LTD
  • EP2857046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2857046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2857046B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

To provide a sterilizing device which can improve the degree of sterilization on an inner surface of a mouth portion constituting a beverage container. The sterilizing device includes: a sterilizing agent supply pipe 31 that is inserted into a container 100 that is an object of sterilization so as to inject a sterilizing agent; and a resistance flange 33 that covers a mouth portion 103 of the container 100 from above with a predetermined gap from the mouth portion 103 when the sterilizing agent supply pipe 31 is inserted into the container 100, and that suppresses discharge of the sterilizing agent injected within the container 100 from the mouth portion 103, wherein the resistance flange 33 is provided such that an opening area A1 of a first flow passage 41 formed between an outer peripheral surface of the sterilizing agent supply pipe 31 and an inner peripheral surface 103c of the mouth portion 103, and an opening area A2 of a second flow passage 42 formed between the resistance flange 33 and an upper end of the mouth portion 103 satisfy a relational expression of A1≥A2.