Web Sterilization Seal Spacer to Reduce Dust Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection/sterilization devices for web materials in package production suffer from dust accumulation, leading to performance degradation and significant downtime for cleaning, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A device with spacers arranged in the elongated slits of the inlet and outlet ports to reduce engagement between the seals and the web material's edges, minimizing dust accumulation and abrasion, using releasable units with adjustable spacers to maintain effective disinfection/sterilization without frequent dismantling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal engages the web material edges to maintain a closed space for disinfection/sterilization, then the disinfection effectiveness is improved, but dust accumulation increases and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer element is introduced as an intermediary component between the seal and the web material edge. The spacer reduces direct engagement between the seal and web material, thereby minimizing dust accumulation while maintaining the closed space structure necessary for effective disinfection. The spacer acts as a mediator that allows the seal to remain in position without creating excessive friction and dust generation.
2Reliability
If the seal engages the web material edges to maintain a closed space, then the disinfection/sterilization is effective, but production downtime for cleaning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as a mediator that prevents direct seal-web material contact, reducing dust accumulation and thereby reducing the frequency and duration of cleaning operations. This intermediary component allows the sterilization system to maintain effectiveness while minimizing production downtime associated with maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
By reducing dust accumulation through the spacer, the system maintains continuous effective operation with fewer interruptions for cleaning. The useful action of disinfection/sterilization can continue more continuously, as the spacer prevents the buildup that would require system dismantling and cleaning, thereby reducing production downtime.
3Reliability
If the seal engages the web material edges, then the closed space is maintained, but seal wear and web material abrasion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer acts as a protective intermediary between the seal and the web material edge. It reduces direct friction and mechanical wear between these components, thereby extending their service life. The spacer maintains the necessary closed space structure while protecting both the seal and web material from excessive abrasion and wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned in advance between the seal and web material edge. It cushions against the direct contact that would cause wear and abrasion, thereby protecting the components from damage before significant wear occurs. This preventive measure extends the operational life of both the seal and web material.
Data Source
Figure 1A~3B
Figure 3C~4C
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A device (20) for reducing presence of microorganisms on a web material (12), for example in a system for manufacture of packages, comprises a housing (21) that defines an interior space, and a microorganism mitigation arrangement in the interior space. Inlet and outlet ports (24) are arranged on the housing to allow the web material (12) to move along a travel path through the interior space between the inlet and outlet ports. The inlet and outlet ports (24) are elongated and comprise a respective seal (24') that defines an elongated slit (24") for flexing engagement with the web material (12). The device further comprises a spacer (201), which is arranged in the elongated slit (24") of one of the inlet and outlet ports (24) to reduce engagement between the seal (24') and the flat surfaces (12") of the web material (12) at one of its longitudinal edges (12').