Sterilizing Packaging Units With Valve Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization methods for packaging units often rely on flexible sheets that can contaminate products and require single-use disposal, and may not maintain sterility during in-line processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and container design that uses a rigid or semi-rigid body with a valve system for sterilization, allowing exposure to sterilants and maintaining sterility through a valve body that moves between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for flexible lids and enabling in-line sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible sheets are used for sealing sterilization containers, then the containers can be sealed, but the flexible sheets can contaminate products and require single-use disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flexible sealing sheets with a rigid lid system that uses a valve mechanism for sealing. The valve body, when in the closed position, seals the valve bore to maintain sterility without requiring flexible sheets that could contaminate products. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful flexible sheet while maintaining the sealing function through a rigid, non-contaminating alternative.
2Reliability
If flexible sheets are used for sealing, then containers can be sealed, but they require single-use disposal increasing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the sterilization container by replacing single-use flexible sheets with a durable rigid lid and valve system. The valve body can be opened to remove packaging units and closed to maintain sterility for subsequent use cycles. This eliminates the need for single-use disposal while maintaining sterility, directly addressing the waste generation problem.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If rigid lids are used instead of flexible sheets, then contamination is eliminated, but the valve mechanism adds device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body serves multiple functions: it seals the valve bore to maintain sterility, allows controlled access for sterilant entry and packaging unit removal, and provides a visual indicator of sterilization completion. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces overall device complexity despite the added functionality required for rigid lid operation.
4Ease of operation
If the valve body is made of flexible material, then it can be engaged by suction or pressure, but it may compromise structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the valve body can be made from flexible materials such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomers that balance flexibility for engagement with sufficient structural integrity. These composite or hybrid materials allow the valve to be engaged by suction or pressure while maintaining the strength needed to seal the valve bore and withstand sterilization conditions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
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 eliminates contamination risks, reduces waste, and allows for in-line sterilization processes that maintain product sterility, while also serving as a visual indicator of sterilization completion.
Implementation Method 1
Engaging the valve body to move the valve body to the open position may include applying suction to the valve body
Implementation Method 2
Engaging the valve body to move the valve body to the closed position may include applying pressure to the valve body
Implementation Method 3
exposing the interior space of the body and the one or more packaging units to a sterilant through the valve bore until the one or more packaging units are sterilized
Implementation Method 4
covering and sealing the opening of the body with a rigid or semi-rigid lid
Implementation Method 5
a gasket arranged between the body and the lid
Data Source
AI summary
Sterilizing packaging units including packing a sterilization container by receiving a rigid body having a lower surface, an upper rim, and side walls between the lower surface and the upper rim, wherein the upper rim defines an opening to an interior space of the body, arranging one or more packaging units in the interior space of the body, covering and sealing the opening of the body with a lid, and engaging a valve body in fluid communication with the interior space of the body to move the valve body to an open position; exposing the interior space of the body and the packaging units to a sterilant until the packaging units are sterilized; subjecting the interior space of the body to a negative pressure differential; and engaging the valve body to move the valve body to a closed position that seals the interior space of the body.