UV Sterilization with Inert Gas Rinsing for Beverage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV sterilization methods for containers face challenges in maintaining a sufficient gas atmosphere, particularly in small containers with large UV lamp diameters, leading to ineffective flushing and gas exchange with ambient air.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rod-shaped UV lamp and a line device for conducting a flowable medium, such as nitrogen, between the lamp and the container, allowing for active rinsing and maintaining an inert gas atmosphere during sterilization, along with a transport system for moving containers and holding devices to ensure effective exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a large-diameter UV lamp is used for sterilization, then the radiation power required for sterilization can be achieved, but the annular gap between the lamp and container wall becomes minimal, making effective flushing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The UV lamp is segmented into multiple smaller lamp sections arranged in an array, allowing each section to be positioned at optimal distances from the container wall while maintaining sufficient radiation power through cumulative output
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent medium (gas or liquid) is introduced as an intermediary between the UV lamp and the container interior surface, serving dual purposes of transmitting UV radiation effectively and enabling active flushing to maintain sterile conditions
2Reliability
If the container is flushed with nitrogen immediately before sterilization, then the gas atmosphere is prepared, but gas exchange with ambient air occurs immediately after gassing, requiring permanent nitrogen supply
Solution Approach 1:
The container is flushed with nitrogen and sealed before the UV sterilization process begins, preparing the inert atmosphere in advance to prevent gas exchange during the actual sterilization operation
Solution Approach 2:
An inert nitrogen atmosphere is created and maintained within the sealed container during UV sterilization, preventing oxidation and contamination while allowing the sterilization process to proceed without continuous gas supply
3Reliability
If UV radiation is applied from outside the container through a light guide, then sterilization can be achieved, but the radiation must be guided through transmission media which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The UV radiation source is extracted from external positioning and placed directly inside the container, eliminating the need for complex light guides and transmission media while improving radiation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent medium serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits UV radiation from the lamp, allows for active flushing of the container, and can be selected to optimize both sterilization effectiveness and lamp cooling
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 ensures effective sterilization by maintaining a consistent inert gas atmosphere within the container, preventing gas exchange with ambient air and enhancing the sterilization process through active rinsing and improved exposure to UV radiation.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation source for emitting ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
a line device for conducting a flowable and in particular gaseous medium... through which the free-flowing medium can flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The device has a transportation unit for transporting sterilization units (8) along a transportation path. The sterilization units comprise a bar-shaped radiation element (22) that is partially inserted into an opening (10a) of a container (10) and a container closure. The radiation element comprises a radiation source (24) for emitting UV radiation (S). The radiation element comprises a conduit unit (26) for conducting a fluid medium and an aperture (28), where the medium flows between the radiation element and an interior part of the container and the closure through the aperture. : The conduit unit is designed as a channel, and the fluid medium is gaseous medium i.e. inert gas. An independent claim is also included for a method for sterilizing container components. USE : Sterilizing device for use in a beverage manufacturing industry for sterilizing a container i.e. beverage container, and a container component (all claimed) i.e. container closure. ADVANTAGE : The radiation element comprises the conduit unit for conducting the fluid medium and the aperture, where the medium flows between the radiation element and the interior part of the container and the closure through the aperture, thus enabling improved rinsing of the container and the container closure, and hence ensuring improved sterilization effect in the container and the container closure. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a schematic front view of a sterilizing device for sterilizing container components. S : UV radiation 8 : Sterilization units 10 : Container 10a : Opening 22 : Bar-shaped radiation element 24 : Radiation source 26 : Conduit unit 28 : Aperture.