Decontamination Device with Reflective Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination devices only address the interior of closures, leaving the exterior vulnerable to contamination, particularly for sensitive products where external germs can compromise packaging.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination device with lateral guide rails featuring a reflective surface that reflects decontaminating radiation onto the exterior of objects, ensuring both interior and exterior decontamination through a combination of guided movement and strategically positioned light radiation sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only interior decontamination is performed, then the decontamination device is simple, but the exterior of closures remains vulnerable to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is designed to perform multiple functions: guiding closures through the decontamination area and reflecting light radiation onto the exterior surfaces. This multi-functionality allows the device to achieve both interior and exterior decontamination without adding separate components, thus improving reliability while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface on the guide rail acts as an intermediary element that redirects light radiation onto the exterior of closures. This mediator enables exterior decontamination by redirecting existing radiation sources rather than requiring additional independent decontamination mechanisms
2Reliability
If light radiation sources are positioned to treat exterior surfaces, then exterior decontamination is achieved, but the device bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail serves dual purposes as both a structural support/guiding element and a light reflection surface. By making the existing rail multi-functional, the patent achieves exterior decontamination without adding separate bulk components for radiation reflection
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail structure serves itself by using its own surface to reflect light radiation. The rail's physical presence is utilized for both mechanical guidance and optical reflection functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated reflection components
3Stability of the object's composition
If the rail has a large contact area with objects, then guiding is stable, but radiation reflection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail is designed with differentiated local properties: a contact area for stable mechanical guidance and a separate reflective surface area for optimal light radiation reflection. This local quality differentiation allows the rail to simultaneously provide guiding stability and radiation reflection efficiency without compromise
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 decontaminates both the interior and exterior of objects, enhancing the safety of packaged products by minimizing contact points and utilizing reflective surfaces to optimize radiation exposure.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflective area which is contiguous with said contact area and which is suitable for reflecting said light radiation onto said at least one object, said reflective area being at least partially constituted by a face of said at least one lateral guide rail
Implementation Method 2
at least one source for emitting a light radiation into the decontamination area, said light radiation being suitable for decontaminating said objects moving in said area
Implementation Method 3
a decontamination area in which the objects move by means of gravity between a decontamination area entrance and a decontamination area exit
Data Source
AI summary
A device for decontaminating stoppers, including a decontamination zone in which the stoppers move, at least one source emitting decontaminating light radiation into the decontamination zone, and is for positioning the stoppers in the decontamination zone and includes at least two elements for guiding the stoppers, and a cooling circuit for cooling the decontamination zone, in which the cooling circuit is integrated into the positioning device. The device includes at least two elements for guiding the stoppers including two lateral rails each including a zone of contact with at least one stopper and at least one reflective zone which is contiguous with the contact zone and in which it is able to reflect the light radiation onto the at least one stopper.