Treatment Machine Movement Apparatus for Automated Container Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatment machines require manual operation for loading and unloading object-carrying containers, leading to increased bulk and operational complexity, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization environments, where motorized or automatic movement of containers is not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A treatment machine equipped with a movement apparatus featuring selectively activatable attachment elements that alternately engage and disengage object-carrying containers for both insertion and extraction, utilizing a rotating shaft and cam mechanism to automate the process, allowing for bi-directional movement within the treatment chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operation is used for loading and unloading object-carrying containers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and unloading efficiencyVSAvoidmanual operation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movement apparatus automatically performs the loading and unloading operations without requiring manual intervention. The system uses its own mechanical components (shaft, cam mechanism, attachment elements) to move containers in and out of the treatment chamber, making the system self-servicing for these operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system. A motor-driven shaft with cam mechanisms automatically actuates attachment elements to grasp and move containers, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If two doors are provided for pass-through treatment machines, then container entry and exit are facilitated, but machine bulk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer entry and exitVSAvoidmachine bulk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of entry and exit operations into a single door location. The movement apparatus positioned at one door performs both loading (entry) and unloading (exit) functions, merging what would traditionally require two separate door locations into one consolidated operational point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single door and movement apparatus serve multiple functions: they handle both the entry of containers into the treatment chamber and the exit of treated containers. The attachment elements can selectively engage containers for either loading or unloading operations, making the system multi-functional at a single location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If motorized or automatic moving means are provided inside treatment chamber, then container movement is automated, but reliability decreases under high temperature and pressure conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer movement automationVSAvoidoperation under high temperature and pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movement apparatus as an intermediary mechanism positioned outside the treatment chamber. This apparatus uses a shaft, cam mechanisms, and attachment elements to transfer containers to and from the chamber without placing motorized components inside the high-temperature and high-pressure environment, thus protecting the automation system from harsh conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the container handling function into two separate zones: the movement apparatus operates in the safe external environment to perform the actual moving action, while the treatment chamber maintains its independent high-temperature/pressure environment. This segmentation allows automation without exposing mechanical components to damaging conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution significantly reduces manual labor, minimizes space requirements, and enables safe, efficient, and automatic movement of containers, even in challenging conditions, such as high-temperature sterilization, by allowing containers to be loaded and unloaded from the same side of the machine.

Implementation Method 1

a shaft and cam mechanism to automate the process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3538163B1Machine for treating objects, in particular for washing, thermal disinfection and/or sterilization of objects

Publication Date: 2024.11.06 STEELCO

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AI summary

Machine for treating objects, comprising at least one treatment chamber (11) configured to house at least one object-carrying container (12, 13); the machine comprises at least one movement apparatus (20, 20') to move the object-carrying container (12, 13) provided with two joining means (28, 29) which can be selectively associable with the object-carrying container (12, 13) and configured to make said apparatus (20, 20') assume at least a first active position of insertion of the object-carrying container (12, 13) inside the chamber (11) and at least a second active position of extraction of the object-carrying container (12, 13) from the chamber (11).