Aseptic Filling Device Venturi Drainage Sterility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aseptic filling devices for liquid food products face issues with poor drainability and anti-drip systems being installed outside the sterile area, leading to contamination risks and reduced filling machine efficiency due to extended cleaning times and potential airborne contamination.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a sterile fluid supply line, connection conduit, and drainage conduit forming a sterile area, incorporating a venturi for full drainability and anti-drip functionality, with flow control valves and sterile fluids like steam or inert gases to ensure efficient cleaning and minimize dripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If anti-drip systems are installed outside the sterile area, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases and sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sterile barrier (membrane or filter) as an intermediary component that separates the non-sterile anti-drip system from the sterile filling area. This barrier allows liquid drainage while preventing airborne contaminants from entering the sterile zone, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified external installation and sterility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-drip function is extracted from the sterile filling valve and implemented as a separate system positioned outside the sterile area. By removing the anti-drip mechanism from the sterile zone while maintaining its functionality, the patent reduces complexity within the sterile area while managing contamination risks through proper barrier design.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If drainage time is extended to achieve full drainability, then dripping is minimized, but filling machine speed and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rapid drainage phase immediately after filling that actively removes the majority of liquid from the nozzle and supply lines before the valve closes. This preliminary drainage action minimizes residual liquid that would otherwise cause dripping, allowing the system to achieve effective drainage without extending the overall cycle time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system operates in periodic cycles synchronized with the filling operation - high-flow drainage during the brief interval between filling completion and valve closure, followed by a closed holding phase. This periodic operation allows rapid liquid removal when needed while maintaining productivity through efficient timing.
3Reliability
If sterile fluid supply lines and drainage conduits are extended to form a complete sterile area, then cleanability and sterility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sterile area into distinct functional segments: the filling valve assembly, the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, and the drainage conduit. Each segment can be independently sterilized and maintained, simplifying the overall system design while ensuring complete sterility coverage where required.
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 achieves full drainability and cleanability within the sterile area, enhancing food safety and filling machine performance by preventing contamination and reducing cleaning time, thus improving output speed and sterility.
Implementation Method 1
At least one venturi is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line, the sterile fluid connection conduit, and the fluid drainage conduit. The venturi hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line with the fluid drainage conduit.
Data Source
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AI summary
A filling device (10) for filling containers containing liquid products is disclosed. The filling device (10) comprises: at least one filling valve (12), which is provided upstream with at least one liquid product supply line (14), for supplying at least one liquid product (P) to the filling valve (12), and which is provided downstream with at least one nozzle (16), for dispensing the liquid product (P) to a container; at least one sterile fluid supply line (18), which is hydraulically connected with the filling valve (12) for supplying at least one sterile fluid (S) to the nozzle (16); at least one sterile fluid connection conduit (20), which hydraulically connects the sterile fluid supply line (18) to the filling valve (12), for supplying to the nozzle (16) the sterile fluid (S) flowing through the sterile fluid supply line (18); and at least one fluid drainage conduit (22), which is hydraulically connected downstream of the sterile fluid supply line (18). At least a portion of the sterile fluid supply line (18), the sterile fluid connection conduit (20), at least a portion of the filling valve (12) comprising the nozzle (16), and at least a portion of the fluid drainage conduit (22) form a sterile area (A) of the filling device (10). At least one venturi (26) is placed at an intersection point between the sterile fluid supply line (18), the sterile fluid connection conduit (20) and the fluid drainage conduit (22). The venturi hydraulically connects with venturi effect the sterile fluid supply line (18) with the fluid drainage conduit (22).