Metal Detectable Sanitizing Wipe Indicia
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articles, such as sanitizing wipes, are not detectable by X-ray, metal, or magnetic detectors, leading to contamination risks in food, pharmaceutical, and medical production environments, where even a single piece of plastic or metal can result in the discard of large quantities of product.
Innovation Solution
The development of articles with a substrate and printed indicia made using an ink detectable by X-ray, metal, or magnetic detectors, which includes metals like iron, bronze, brass, and their compounds, allowing for detection using conventional industrial detection equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plastics are used for sanitizing wipes, then the wipes can be easily manufactured and used, but they cannot be detected by metal detectors or X-ray scanners, leading to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining conventional plastic substrates with metal detectable ink containing ferromagnetic particles. This creates a composite article that maintains the ease of use and manufacturing of plastic wipes while adding detection capability through the magnetic particles embedded in the printed indicia.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating metal detectable properties only in specific locations where indicia are printed, rather than making the entire wipe detectable. This allows the wipe to maintain its overall plastic composition and ease of manufacture while having detectable features at strategic locations for identification and detection purposes.
2Reliability
If metal detectable materials are added to wipes, then detection capability is improved, but the wipes may react with sanitizing solutions containing iron-based compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by using a thin layer of metal detectable ink on a single-use wipe. The wipe is designed to be discarded after one use, preventing any long-term chemical reactions or degradation issues that might arise from the interaction between metal particles and sanitizing solutions. This eliminates stability concerns by removing the material from the environment after potential reactions could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by printing the metal detectable indicia before the wipe is used and potentially exposed to sanitizing solutions. The detection capability is established in advance, allowing the wipe to be detected throughout its service life and disposal, while any chemical reactions with sanitizing solutions occur only during the brief usage period without compromising detection capability.
3Reliability
If conventional inks are used for printing on wipes, then the printing process is simple and cost-effective, but the printed articles are not detectable by detection equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the composition of the printing ink to include ferromagnetic particles. This changes the physical and magnetic properties of the ink, enabling detection by metal detectors and X-ray scanners while still allowing the ink to be applied using conventional printing processes. The particle concentration and size can be adjusted to optimize both detection capability and manufacturing feasibility.
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
This solution enables the detection of lost articles in production streams, reducing the need for precautionary product discard and ensuring compliance with strict production line guidelines by utilizing existing detection technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the indicia printed with an ink that is detectable by X-ray, metal, or magnetic detectors
Implementation Method 2
Metal detectors are commonly found on food processing lines to assure that metal shards that represent a laceration hazard do not end up in food products
Implementation Method 3
systems that use radio frequencies, and magnetic field based systems
Data Source
AI summary
An article is provided having a substrate with an indicia printed on the substrate, where the indicia is printed with an ink that is detectable by in-line manufacturing production X-ray, metal, or magnetic detectors. A package for multiple such articles is also provided. A process for detecting a sanitizable substrate wipe with magnetic, metal, or X-ray detection equipment in a production setting is also provided. With process implementation article loss in a product can be detected thereby reducing precautionary product discard.