Automated Container Flipping for Waste Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large laboratories face significant manual intervention and bio-hazard exposure while cleaning soiled containers for laboratory animals, necessitating automation in the processing of cages to handle large numbers of cages efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An automated apparatus with a conveyor system and manipulator that flips and separates stacked containers to allow waste to fall into a receptacle, featuring a controller for managing missing containers, a scraper for residue removal, and a system for further processing through washing and drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual cage cleaning is performed, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but labor intensity and bio-hazard exposure increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of waste removalVSAvoidcomplexity of cleaning system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where stacked containers are automatically fed onto the conveyor, flipped, and emptied without manual intervention. The containers themselves are designed to be stacked and automatically positioned, allowing the system to service itself with minimal human input required for loading and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning system is divided into distinct functional modules: container stacking areas, conveyor transport sections, flipping mechanisms, waste receptacles, and optional washing/drying stations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall automated cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If large numbers of cages are cleaned manually, then processing capacity is limited by human labor, but automation increases processing speed and capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecages cleaned per dayVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system operates continuously to transport containers through the cleaning process without interruption. Multiple containers are processed in sequence on the conveyor belt, eliminating the start-stop nature of manual cleaning and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Containers are pre-stacked in organized stacks before being fed onto the conveyor system. This preliminary arrangement of containers in ready-to-process stacks eliminates the need for manual positioning during cleaning operations, allowing the automated system to operate at maximum efficiency without interruption for container arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If containers are flipped and emptied automatically, then waste removal efficiency increases, but risk of waste dispersal and environmental contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste removal speedVSAvoidbio-hazard exposure and environmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flipping action that could potentially disperse waste is converted into a beneficial process by directing it toward contained receptacles. The containers are designed and positioned so that when flipped, waste naturally falls into designated collection areas rather than being dispersed into the environment, transforming a potentially harmful action into a controlled waste transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

Waste receptacles serve as intermediary containment structures between the flipping/emptying process and the final waste destination. These receptacles intercept waste during the flipping operation, containing it temporarily and preventing environmental dispersal while allowing efficient waste removal to continue.

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

The apparatus significantly reduces manual handling and bio-hazard exposure by automating the waste removal and cleaning process for large numbers of containers, ensuring efficient and controlled disposal of waste while minimizing environmental contamination.

Implementation Method 1

cause the uppermost container to be flipped over onto the receiving end of the conveyor such that the opening is downwardly disposed... permitting waste discarded from the container to fall through the openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS9004084B2Method and apparatus for removing waste from a soiled container

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 NORTHWESTERN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

An apparatus and method for removing waste from a soiled container that houses laboratory animals and has an opening is disclosed. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a receiving end for receiving containers from a stack of containers. The stack is disposed such that the openings are upwardly oriented. The apparatus also includes a manipulator that aligns with and engages an uppermost container of the stack and causes the uppermost container to be separated from the stack and to be flipped over onto the receiving end of the conveyor such that the opening is downwardly disposed. Waste discarded from the container falls through openings in the conveyor, and a waste receptacle disposed below the conveyor collects the discarded waste. The conveyor advances to transport the container away from the receiving end toward a discharge end of the conveyor.