Sanitization systems and methods for beverage devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage devices in aircraft lack integrated sanitization systems to effectively disinfect beverages and surfaces, leading to potential pathogen transmission via direct and indirect contact, and conventional disinfection methods are time-consuming and difficult to verify.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a sanitization system with ultraviolet light emitters and sensors in beverage makers and dispensers, capable of sanitizing surfaces and detecting fluid levels during dispensing, with a controller managing UV exposure to ensure safety and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional disinfection procedures are performed between flights, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but operating efficiency decreases due to increased interval time between flights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen transmission reductionVSAvoidoperating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical disinfection procedures with an automated ultraviolet light-based disinfection system. The UV light emitter automatically disinfects the beverage container and surrounding surfaces without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining pathogen reduction effectiveness while eliminating the time loss associated with manual disinfection procedures between flights.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual disinfection procedures are used, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but verification and tracking of treatment effectiveness become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen transmission reductionVSAvoidverification and tracking capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a UV light sensor that detects the presence and intensity of ultraviolet light emitted during the disinfection process. This sensor provides real-time feedback to the controller, which tracks and records whether the disinfection cycle has been completed successfully. This automated feedback mechanism ensures that disinfection treatments are properly verified and tracked, eliminating the uncertainty associated with manual disinfection verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If beverage devices are used without integrated sanitization systems, then device complexity is reduced, but pathogen transmission risk increases through direct and indirect contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpathogen transmission risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sanitization function with the existing beverage dispensing device by integrating a UV light emitter, UV light sensor, and controller into the device housing. The UV light emitter is positioned to illuminate the beverage container and surrounding surfaces, while the sensor and controller are integrated into the device's existing control architecture. This merging approach adds sanitization capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If ultraviolet light emitters are used for sanitization, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but UV radiation safety concerns arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidUV radiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the UV light sensor as an intermediary to monitor and control UV radiation exposure. The sensor detects the presence and intensity of UV light, and this information is fed back to the controller, which adjusts the UV light emitter's operation accordingly. This intermediary monitoring system ensures that UV radiation is emitted at effective disinfection levels while preventing excessive exposure that could pose safety risks to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Provides effective disinfection of beverage containers and surfaces, enhancing safety and reducing pathogen transmission while maintaining operational efficiency by integrating sanitization into existing devices.

Implementation Method 1

a sanitization device disposed in the recess, the sanitization device comprising an ultraviolet light emitter and an ultraviolet light sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet radiation: Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the sanitization device configured to detect a fluid level in the server during dispensing of a fluid and configured to at least partially sanitize one of the server and the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4249376B1Sanitization systems and methods for beverage devices

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 BE AEROSPACE INC

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AI summary

A beverage dispensing device (200) can comprise a housing configured to house a fluid; a feed spout (220) coupled to the housing; and an ultraviolet light emitter (132) coupled to the feed spout, the ultraviolet light emitter oriented in a downward direction during operation, the ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet radiation having an average wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm.