Brush Sanitizing Apparatus with Horizontal Handle Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitizing and disinfecting apparatuses for brushes, combs, and instruments often damage handles due to steam contact, and they are inefficient in sanitizing multiple items simultaneously within a reasonable time frame.
Innovation Solution
A steam-based sanitizing apparatus with a chamber design that allows handles to be positioned outside, using a steam chamber with a support system for multiple brushes, an electric resistance heating system, and electronic or mechanical control systems to ensure safe and efficient disinfection and sanitization of up to three items in six minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brushes are arranged vertically in the sanitizing chamber with handles facing upward, then the steam can effectively contact and disinfect the brush bristles, but the handles are also exposed to steam causing overheating and damage to plastic or wooden handles
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is segmented into two parts: the bristle portion that requires disinfection and the handle that should be protected from steam. The bristle portion is inserted into the chamber while the handle remains outside, allowing differential treatment of different parts of the same object.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle portion of the brush is extracted from the steam exposure zone and positioned outside the chamber. Only the necessary bristle portion remains in the chamber for disinfection, separating the vulnerable handle from the harmful steam environment.
2Device complexity
If only one brush is sanitized at a time, then the simple apparatus design is maintained, but the productivity is low and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple brushes are combined in a single sanitizing cycle by providing multiple insertion holes in the chamber lid. This allows simultaneous disinfection of several brushes without requiring multiple separate operations or a significantly more complex apparatus design.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamber is designed with universal applicability to accommodate multiple brushes of different sizes and types simultaneously. The multiple holes in the lid allow the same chamber to serve multiple functions by processing various brush configurations in one cycle.
3Reliability
If rotary movements are added to the brushes during sanitizing, then the disinfection coverage is improved, but the device complexity and product price increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brushes perform their own rotation during the sanitizing process through self-service mechanisms. The steam flow and chamber design naturally induce rotational movement of the brushes without requiring external motors or complex mechanical drive systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving good disinfection coverage.
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
Effectively disinfects and sanitizes multiple brushes and instruments without damaging handles, ensuring operator safety and completing the process in six minutes, while maintaining the integrity of the handles and providing a cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
electric resistance heating system
Implementation Method 2
chamber for steaming, tank for water to be vaporized
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An apparatus (100, 200) is described for disinfecting and sanitizing up to three brushes (16) with steam, where the brushes (16) are placed in a horizontal position in the apparatus, such that the handles (16a) of the brushes (16) protrude from the apparatus and are not exposed to the steam generated for disinfecting and sanitizing the brushes. The apparatus (100, 200) comprises a case (1) covered by a tilting lid (8) and supported by a base (2), a water tank (3) and a chamber (4) located inside the case (1), the chamber (4) having a system for evaporating the water contained inside the tank (3), a support (5) for the brushes (16), a resistance heating system (6) for heating the water, a protection screen (7), a thermostat (26) and an electronic or mechanical control and operation system.