Manufacturer of ice for food use with an incorporated ice container having an integrated sanitising system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully-automated monobloc ice machines lack effective automated sanitizing systems for ice particles, drinking water, and collection containers, relying on manual and inefficient disinfection methods that can lead to microbial contamination.
Innovation Solution
A fully-automated monobloc machine with integrated systems for sanitizing ice particles in the collection container using ultraviolet germicidal lamps and ionized air/ozone for internal volumes, ensuring automated and effective sanitization of both ice particles and drinking water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual sanitizing methods are used for ice particles and collection containers, then the structure remains simple, but microbial contamination risk increases and sanitizing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sanitizing actions with automated ultraviolet irradiation and ozone generation systems. The UV lamps and ozone generators are automatically activated to sanitize ice particles and collection containers without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving sanitizing effectiveness while accepting increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sanitizing system is designed to automatically sanitize itself and the ice particles without external intervention. The control system automatically activates UV lamps and ozone generators based on operational conditions, enabling the system to maintain hygiene autonomously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated sanitizing systems are implemented for ice particles and drinking water, then microbial contamination is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone, a strong oxidant, to sanitize drinking water and ice particles. The ozone generation system chemically oxidizes and destroys microorganisms and contaminants, providing effective automated sanitization. This chemical approach complements the UV irradiation system to comprehensively address microbial contamination while maintaining automated operation.
3Extent of automation
If traditional disinfection systems with storage tanks are used, then water storage is enabled, but sanitizing effectiveness deteriorates due to lack of automation and diligence-dependent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor operational conditions and automatically activate sanitizing functions. The system receives signals about ice particle collection status and automatically triggers UV irradiation and ozone generation, ensuring sanitization occurs at appropriate times without relying on user diligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sanitizing actions by continuously or periodically treating the storage tank water and collection container before ice particles are collected. This proactive approach ensures the environment is pre-sanitized, preventing contamination rather than reacting to it after occurrence.
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 machine provides automated and efficient sanitization of ice particles and drinking water, reducing the risk of microbial contamination and simplifying the sanitizing process, ensuring a hygienic ice production environment.
Implementation Method 1
surface sterilisation means of the ice particles in the collection container
Implementation Method 2
sanitising means with ionised air and ozone for sanitising internal volumes of the machine
Data Source
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AI summary
A fully-automated monobloc machine (1) for manufacturing ice in particles for food use, comprising at least one storage tank (20) of process water in the liquid state, an evaporator (30) provided with forming means for forming ice particles (31) from the process water in the liquid state, a collection container (10) of the ice particles, an access hatch door (11) to said collection container (10), and comprising surface sterilisation means (15) of the ice particles in the collection container (10), detection means (12) of the open or closed position of said access hatch door (11), and control means (13) communicating with said detection means (12) and configured to activate the surface sterilisation means (15) only if the closed position of the access hatch door (11) is detected.