Vessel Sterilization Apparatus Electron Beam Inert Atmosphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron beam sterilization technologies face challenges in ensuring reliable sterilization of vessels during conveyance, as foreign materials and germs can re-adhere due to air flow, and excessive heating can deform vessels.
Innovation Solution
A vessel sterilization apparatus with a sterilization area surrounded by chambers, including a supply area with a germicidal gas atmosphere created by a sterilizing medium, prevents foreign materials from entering the sterilization area and avoids overheating by supplying the sterilizing medium within the vessel conveying path, ensuring effective sterilization without deforming the vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electron beam irradiation is performed during vessel conveyance in a sterilization chamber, then sterilization is achieved, but foreign materials and germs may re-adhere due to air flow around the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sterile atmosphere (inert environment) within the sterilization chamber by maintaining positive pressure and preventing foreign material entry. This creates a controlled environment where germs cannot survive or re-adhere to vessels during conveyance, resolving the contradiction between achieving sterilization and preventing re-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary sterilization of the sterilization chamber before vessel entry and maintains sterile conditions throughout the conveyance process. By preparing the environment in advance and maintaining it continuously, the system prevents germ re-adhesion during the sterilization process itself.
2Reliability
If sterilizing gas such as H2O2 gas is supplied in the sterilization chamber subjected to electron beam irradiation, then sterilization is enhanced, but the chamber and vessel are heated excessively causing vessel deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sterilizing gas supply function from the main sterilization chamber and relocates it to the supply area. This separation allows the chamber to be maintained at controlled temperatures suitable for electron beam irradiation while the supply area handles the sterilizing gas at appropriate conditions, preventing excessive heating of the chamber and vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sterilization system into distinct functional areas: a supply area for preparing sterilizing gas and a sterilization chamber for electron beam irradiation. This segmentation allows each area to operate under its own optimized conditions, preventing temperature conflicts between gas sterilization and electron beam processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If ionized air is jetted onto the vessel surface to remove foreign material, then cleaning is achieved, but light-weight impurities float inside the processing chamber and re-adhere to the vessel surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a sterile atmosphere in the supply area that prevents floating impurities from re-adhering to the vessel surface. By maintaining positive pressure and sterile conditions, the system ensures that any particles removed by ionized air jetting cannot re-contaminate the vessel, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and preventing re-adhesion.
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 apparatus enhances the reliability of electron beam sterilization by maintaining a germ-free environment and preventing vessel deformation due to overheating, ensuring thorough sterilization and safe processing of vessels during conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
a vessel sterilization apparatus for performing sterilization of vessels by irradiating them with electron beam during conveyance thereof
Implementation Method 2
a sterilizing medium supplying unit for supplying a sterilizing medium having a sterilizing property to the supply area so as to provide a germicidal gas atmosphere in an inside of the supply area
Data Source
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AI summary
A vessel sterilizing apparatus includes a vessel conveying unit for conveying a vessel, and an electron beam irradiation unit for irradiating the vessel with an electron beam. The sterilizing apparatus further includes a sterilization area in which the vessel is irradiated with the electron beam, a first chamber surrounding the sterilization area so as to separate the sterilization area from an external portion, a supply area disposed upstream side of the sterilization area in a vessel conveying direction and provided with an opening through which the vessel passes, a second chamber surrounding the supply area so as to separate the supply area from an external portion, and a sterilizing medium supplying unit for supplying a sterilizing medium to the supply area.