Non-Planar Beverage Can Sanitizing Wipe for Surface Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sanitary wipes for beverage can tops are inadequate in reaching all nooks and crannies, can be contaminated if one wipe is compromised, and often require a sanitizer that doesn't effectively remove gum residue from price stickers.
Innovation Solution
A sealed, single-use, non-planar sanitizing wipe with multiple faces designed to conform to the top of a beverage can, using a natural sanitizer that doesn't leave chemical residues and is safe for human contact, packaged individually to ensure cleanliness and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar sheet wipes are used, then they are simple to manufacture and store, but they cannot reach all nooks and crannies on the beverage can top
Solution Approach 1:
The wipe is formed into a three-dimensional configuration with multiple faces that conform to the curvature of the beverage can top, including a first face for the top surface, second and third faces for the rim, and fourth and fifth faces for the outer surface. This curved, multi-faceted structure enables the wipe to reach all nooks and crannies that planar sheets cannot access.
2Ease of manufacture
If wipes are packaged in rolls, then they are compact and easy to store, but contamination of one wipe can spread to all wipes in the roll
Solution Approach 1:
Each wipe is individually packaged in its own sealed wrapper, creating independent units. This segmentation prevents contamination from spreading between wipes while maintaining compact storage. The individual packaging allows users to take only one wipe at a time, ensuring that compromised wipes do not affect the entire supply.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sanitizers are used, then they can remove some residue, but they leave chemical residues and are not safe for human contact
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitizer composition is changed from conventional chemical formulations to a natural formulation based on citric acid and water. This parameter change in chemical composition maintains sanitization effectiveness while eliminating harmful chemical residues, making it safe for human contact. The natural ingredients provide sufficient germ reduction without the safety concerns of synthetic chemicals.
4Ease of manufacture
If pH-adjusted sanitizer is used to remove gum residue, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but safety for human contact may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pH of the sanitizer is specifically adjusted to be effective against gum residue from price stickers while maintaining safety for human contact. This is achieved through careful formulation using natural ingredients whose pH can be controlled to optimize cleaning performance without exceeding safety thresholds. The citric acid base provides sufficient acidity for effective cleaning while remaining safe when used as directed.
Data Source
AI summary
A unitary, single-use, sanitary sterilizing wipe for a beverage can. It has a number of can wiping interfaces incorporated into its design that matingly conforms to a standard beverage can, and uses a natural sterilizing fluid that is frictionally wiped onto the can's outer surfaces before drinking from the can. It may be used anywhere by opening the polymer seal, removing the wipe, placing it on the top of a beverage can and twisting it under pressure to sterilize the can.