Valve Apparatus with Bactericidal Germ Barrier for Aseptic Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transport of liquid foodstuffs, such as orange juice, is hindered by contamination risks due to long distances and environmental conditions, particularly at the valve devices of tank containers, which fail to maintain aseptic conditions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a closure element, two sealing assemblies, and a reservoir designed to hold bactericidal fluid, forming a germ barrier that prevents contamination by introducing bactericidal fluid into a chamber, and featuring a bellows to prevent germ entry through the valve rod, along with a cost-effective adjusting device for partial stroke positions to facilitate cleaning and pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional valve device with sealing arrangement is used, then the valve can close the container, but germs can contaminate the liquid foodstuff during long-distance transport
Solution Approach 1:
A bellows is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve rod and the external environment. The bellows prevents direct contact between germs and the liquid foodstuff while allowing the valve rod to move for opening and closing operations, thus eliminating germ contamination risk without compromising valve functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows is extracted as a separate protective component that isolates the critical sealing area from germ contamination. By removing the vulnerability of the sealing arrangement to germ exposure, the system maintains reliability while eliminating the harmful contamination factor
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sterilizing fluids are used to prevent contamination, then germ levels can be reduced, but complete prevention of contamination cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows converts the potential harm of germ exposure into a benefit by physically blocking germ access. Instead of relying on chemical or thermal sterilization that reduces but does not eliminate germs, the bellows completely prevents germ contamination through mechanical isolation, transforming the problem into a solution
3Ease of operation
If the sealing arrangement is exposed to germs, then the valve can be operated, but contamination risk increases during long transport routes
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows serves as a protective intermediary that shields the sealing arrangement from germ exposure while permitting full valve operation. The valve rod can move freely to open and close the valve, but the bellows prevents germs from reaching the sealing surfaces, thus maintaining ease of operation while eliminating germ exposure risk
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 enables aseptic transport by maintaining a germ barrier throughout the transport duration, preventing contamination and ensuring the quality of the foodstuff, while also simplifying maintenance and operation through aseptic connections and efficient fluid dosing.
Implementation Method 1
The reservoir is designed to hold a bactericidal fluid. Chamber and reservoir are adapted to form a germ barrier located in the chamber.
Implementation Method 2
along with a cost-effective adjusting device for partial stroke positions to facilitate cleaning and pressure equalization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve apparatus having a housing (100), which housing has a first port (102), which can be connected to a tank (200), and a second port (106), having a closing element (110) which is provided in the housing and which can be placed into an open position, in which a fluid connection is produced between the first port and second port, and which can be placed into a closed position, in which the first and second ports are separated from one another in fluid-tight fashion, having a first (120) and a second (130) seal arrangement between closing element and housing, wherein the first and the second seal arrangement (120, 130) are spaced apart from one another and wherein each seal arrangement interacts with a corresponding seat (126, 136). To create a valve device for the aseptic transport of filling material, it is proposed that a chamber (140) be provided which, in the closed position, is delimited by the seal arrangements, the closing element and the housing, and that a reservoir (142) is provided which can be connected to the chamber and which serves to accommodate a bactericidal fluid, and that the chamber (140) and the reservoir (142) are adapted to form a germ barrier that is created in the closed position with the bactericidal fluid. The invention also relates to an arrangement having a valve apparatus of said type and to a method for operating an arrangement.