Sterilizing Device for Narrow-Mouth Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container sterilization devices face challenges in effectively sterilizing containers with narrower mouth cross-sections, as radiation penetration is difficult and previous methods require high acceleration voltages that generate undesirable X-rays, necessitating a more efficient and safer solution.
Innovation Solution
A device with a compact electron beam unit and a treatment head designed to fit through the container mouth, using high acceleration voltages to directly target the inner wall without a gas flow, and featuring a double-walled housing with a titanium exit window for cooling and X-ray shielding, allowing for precise and efficient sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation penetrates from outside through the mouth of the container, then sterilization can be achieved, but the beam direction can only be varied with difficulty inside the container
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directing radiation from outside the container through the mouth, the invention inverts the approach by placing the radiation source inside the container. This allows the beam direction to be easily varied across the inner wall surface while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a gas flow as an intermediary medium to transmit the electron beam from the source to the inner wall of the container. This gas flow mediator enables effective sterilization by carrying the radiation throughout the container interior.
2Productivity
If high acceleration voltages are used to directly target the inner wall, then sterilization efficiency improves, but X-rays are generated as an undesirable side effect
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful X-ray side effect into a beneficial sterilization mechanism. The X-rays generated by high acceleration voltages are used to sterilize the container, transforming a harmful byproduct into a useful function.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas flow is introduced as an intermediary between the electron beam source and the container wall. This gas medium allows the electron beam to interact with it first, converting some energy to X-rays that then contribute to sterilization, while the gas itself also becomes a sterilizing agent.
3Reliability
If the electron beam source is passed through the container mouth together with the air tube, then interior cleaning is achieved, but the device cannot be inserted into containers with narrow mouth diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into separate functional components: the electron beam source and the gas delivery system are separated. This allows the beam source to be positioned inside the container through the mouth while the gas tube can be routed separately, enabling insertion into narrow-mouthed containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single integrated tube design to a multi-component spatial arrangement. The electron beam source is positioned in one dimension (inside the container) while gas delivery occurs through another dimension (separate routing), allowing adaptation to various container geometries including narrow mouths.
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 effective sterilization of containers with narrower mouth cross-sections by directly targeting the inner wall with high-energy electron beams, reducing the need for gas flows and minimizing X-ray generation, thus improving efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source provided outside the container is provided, which directs radiation into the interior of the container
Implementation Method 2
an acceleration device which accelerates the charge carriers in the direction of the exit window
Implementation Method 3
high acceleration voltages are to be avoided, since X-rays are generated as an undesirable side effect of these high acceleration voltages and these in turn would have to be shielded with a lead sheath
Implementation Method 4
a double-walled housing with a titanium exit window for cooling and X-ray shielding
Data Source
Figure 1a~1f
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The apparatus (1) has a treatment head (5) with an exit window (8), and a charge carrier generation source for generating charge carriers that pass through the window. An acceleration device (6) accelerates the charge carriers in a direction of the window, and a cross section of the treatment head is dimensioned such that the treatment head is guided through a mouth of a container. The acceleration device accelerates the charge carriers such that the charge carriers exiting from the window are directed to an inner wall (15) of the container. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a container treating system comprising a displacement device for displacing containers in a longitudinal direction relative to a container sterilizing apparatus (2) a method for sterilizing containers.