Sterilizing Packaging Sleeve Cut Edges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The risk of contamination of packaging, product, and the aseptic area during the filling and closure of packaging jackets with open cut edges is significant, as dust and particles can be dislodged and spread, potentially leading to contamination.
Innovation Solution
Treating the upper and/or lower cut edges of packaging sleeves with a disinfectant that penetrates at least 1-2 mm into the packaging material, using a disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid, and applying it through a nozzle or immersion, followed by UV irradiation, to effectively disinfect and reduce contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packaging jackets are produced with open cut edges to enable filling and closure operations, then productivity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the risk of contamination increases due to dust and particles being dislodged from the open edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sealing treatment to the open cut edges of packaging jackets before the filling operation. This preliminary sealing action prevents dust and particles from being dislodged during subsequent handling and filling, thereby eliminating the contamination risk while maintaining the productivity benefits of open-edge processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealing agent or coating as an intermediary substance applied to the open cut edges. This intermediary layer seals the porous structure of the cardboard material, preventing particle dislodgement without interfering with the subsequent filling and closure operations
2Reliability
If sealing methods such as ultrasound or hot air are used to close the packaging, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but dust and particles are thrown out from the open cut edges causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sealing treatment to the open cut edges before the ultrasonic or hot air sealing process. This preliminary sealing prevents the vibration and heat from dislodging and throwing out dust and particles during the closure operation, while still allowing effective sealing to occur
3Reliability
If the packaging material uses porous cardboard structure for barrier properties, then the protective function is improved, but the open cut edges become sources of contamination due to particle dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sealing treatment locally to the open cut edges of the packaging jackets, leaving the bulk porous cardboard structure intact to maintain its protective barrier function. The local sealing modifies only the edge regions to prevent particle dislodgement while preserving the overall porous structure's protective properties
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 method significantly reduces the number of colonies on the packaging edges, achieving a reduction of at least log 2 (~99%) in microbial contamination, thereby minimizing the risk of contamination during the packaging process.
Implementation Method 1
The penetration of the sterilizing agent preferably takes place in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm into the packaging material (measured from the cut edge)
Implementation Method 2
followed by UV irradiation, to effectively disinfect and reduce contamination risks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A packaging sleeve for the production of packaging for food, in particular for liquid foods, is shown and described. In order to treat such a packaging sleeve with a sterilizing agent in such a way as to reduce the risk of contamination of the packaging, the product and the aseptic area of a filling plant during filling and closing of the packaging by the open cut edges of the packaging sleeve, it is provided that the packaging sleeve (1) is folded flat and that the upper and/or lower cut edges (1*) are directed upwards and that the cut edges (1*) are impregnated with a sterilizing agent (8) so that the sterilizing agent has penetrated at least into the end region of the upper and/or lower cut edges (1*).