Tilting Electron-Beam Sterilization for Thermoplastic Containers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization methods for thermoplastic containers face challenges in optimizing the use of electron beam emitters to achieve a lethal dose for microorganisms without increasing costs or reducing production rates, particularly in high-volume container manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization device with a tiltable emitter head that adjusts its angle of inclination based on container height, combined with controlled conveyor system adjustments, to optimize irradiation dose and reduce the number of emitters needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of electron beam emitters is increased to ensure sufficient irradiation dose, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter head is made movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic positioning at different angles and distances relative to the container. This enables a single emitter to cover varying container heights and surfaces by adjusting its position, replacing the need for multiple fixed emitters while maintaining adequate irradiation dosage for sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of irradiation (angle, distance, position) to optimize the dose distribution on the container surface. By adjusting these parameters, a single emitter can deliver the required lethal dose to microorganisms on different parts of the container, achieving effective sterilization without increasing the number of emitters
2Reliability
If the irradiation dose is increased to ensure lethal effect on microorganisms, then sterilization quality is improved, but treatment time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pulsed electron beam irradiation instead of continuous irradiation. The emitter delivers high-dose irradiation in periodic pulses while the container moves through the treatment zone, achieving the required cumulative lethal dose without requiring the container to be stationary for extended periods, thus maintaining high production rates
Solution Approach 2:
The irradiation process is made continuous through the coordinated movement of the conveyor system and the pulsed emitter operation. The container receives irradiation continuously as it moves through the treatment zone, with the emitter firing pulses that accumulate to the required dose, eliminating idle time and maintaining productivity
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 allows for effective sterilization of both internal and external container surfaces with fewer emitters, reducing costs and maintaining production rates by maximizing irradiation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilization device with a tiltable emitter head that adjusts its angle of inclination based on container height, combined with controlled conveyor system adjustments, to optimize irradiation dose
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention further proposes a sterilization device (100) for sterilizing, by irradiation, at least one container (10) made of thermoplastic material of the type having a main axis (O) and comprising a body (12) provided with a neck (14) and closed by a base (16), said device (100) comprising at least one emitter (120) provided with a head (125) which, having a main axis (A), is intended to emit a beam (F) of electrons for irradiating said at least one container (10) from the outside, characterized in that said at least one emitter (120) is configured to be able to tilt the head (125) at an inclination angle (α) which, included between the main axis (A) of the emitter and the axis (O) of the container, is determined as a function of the height (h) of the container in order to optimize the dose of irradiation received by said container (10).