Dispensing Machine Sanitization Using On-Demand Activated Water
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sanitization methods for dispensing systems require frequent reloading of disinfecting and cleaning liquids, complicating maintenance and hindering automation.
Innovation Solution
An integrated sanitizing system that uses electrochemical activation of water to generate anolyte and catholyte solutions, eliminating the need for consumable disinfectants by modifying regular water to acquire antimicrobial and cleaning properties, enabling automated sanitization of dispensing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional disinfecting liquids are used for sanitization, then sanitization effectiveness is achieved, but frequent reloading is required which complicates maintenance and hinders automation
Solution Approach 1:
The system generates its own disinfecting liquids on-demand through electrochemical activation of water, eliminating the need for external reloading of conventional disinfectants. The electrochemical cell continuously produces fresh anolyte and catholyte solutions that are automatically circulated through the dispensing system for sanitization, making the system self-sufficient and highly automatable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of regular water through electrochemical activation, transforming it into potent disinfecting solutions (anolyte and catholyte) with different pH levels and oxidative properties. This parameter transformation allows the system to use simple water as the raw material while achieving the sanitization effectiveness of complex chemical disinfectants.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional disinfecting liquids are used, then cleaning capability is provided, but the need for frequent recharging complicates system maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical cell automatically generates fresh disinfecting solutions from water, eliminating the need for manual recharging of conventional disinfectant containers. The system self-regenerates its cleaning agents through electrical activation, significantly reducing maintenance intervention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical cell serves multiple functions: it generates both anolyte (oxidizing disinfectant) and catholyte (reducing cleaner) from a single water source, providing both cleaning and disinfection capabilities through one device. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall system architecture and maintenance requirements.
3Extent of automation
If electrochemically activated water is used, then automation of sanitization is enabled, but the system requires an electrochemical cell infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical reloading operations (manual handling, pouring, and refilling of disinfectant containers) with an electrochemical generation system. The electrochemical cell uses electrical energy to directly produce disinfecting solutions, substituting mechanical maintenance tasks with automated electrochemical processes that enable full sanitization automation.
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 system provides effective, automated sanitization without the need for reloading disinfectants, ensuring safer operation and consumer safety by using electrochemically-activated water, which maintains antimicrobial efficacy for up to 30 minutes before replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemical activation of water to generate anolyte and catholyte solutions
Implementation Method 2
anolyte solution...maintains antimicrobial efficacy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a dispensing system and a sanitizing system. The apparatus has a dispensing mode and sanitizing mode. The dispensing system may comprise a first valve and at least one component, the at least one component comprising an inner surface. The first valve has an open position to send a free-flowing material to the at least one component when the apparatus is in the dispensing mode, in a closed position when the combination is in the sanitizing mode. The sanitizing system comprises a processing unit, having an electrochemical cell configured to produce an anolyte solution and a catholyte solution. The sanitizing system comprises a second valve having an open position to send the anolyte solution and the catholyte solution to the at least one component when the apparatus is in the sanitizing mode. The second valve has a closed position when the apparatus is in the dispensing mode.