Incontinence Pad Dewatering With Conical Liquid-Solid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of disposable incontinence pads poses significant environmental and occupational health challenges due to their high volume, long degradation time, and the handling of bodily fluids, leading to increased landfill waste and unpleasant working conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dewatering apparatus comprising a size reduction portion and a separation portion that separates liquid and solid components, using a conical separator and screw conveyor to remove liquid from solids, reducing waste volume and minimizing biological hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If incontinence pads are disposed of directly in landfill, then the disposal process is simple, but the volume of waste is large and degradation takes over 300 years
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and separates the liquid component (bodily fluids) from the solid absorbent material through a dewatering process. This separation removes the harmful liquid portion while concentrating the solid waste into a smaller volume, directly addressing both the ease of disposal and landfill volume reduction goals
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and composition parameters of the waste by applying mechanical dewatering forces. This transforms the waste from a high-moisture, bulky form to a drier, more compact form that occupies less landfill space and degrades more quickly
2Ease of operation
If incontinence pads are stored before disposal, then handling is simplified, but occupational health and safety issues arise from bodily fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The dewatering apparatus extracts bodily fluids from the absorbent material, removing the biological hazards while leaving the solid absorbent intact. This eliminates the harmful liquid component that creates occupational health risks during storage and handling
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dewatering process as an intermediary step between use and disposal. This intermediate treatment removes harmful elements while preserving the solid material for safe storage and disposal, mediating between the conflicting needs of handling ease and safety
3Loss of time
If incontinence pads are stored in large volumes, then disposal frequency is reduced, but odour creates unpleasant work environment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the liquid component containing odorous compounds through dewatering. By extracting these harmful substances, the remaining solid waste generates minimal odour, allowing for less frequent disposal without creating unpleasant working conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The dewatering process changes the moisture content parameter of the waste, transforming it from a high-moisture state that generates odour to a low-moisture state that is odour-free. This parameter change enables extended storage without unpleasant odours
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 effectively reduces landfill waste volume and odors by separating liquid and solid components, enhancing safety and hygiene in handling and disposal processes.
Implementation Method 1
The separator is adapted to substantially separate the liquid and solid components of the one or more items
Implementation Method 2
The separator further comprises a solids outlet for supplying solids to a container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A dewatering apparatus comprising a size reduction portion adapted to reduce the size of one or more items to be dewatered, and a separation portion in fluid communication with said size reduction portion, the separation portion adapted to substantially separate the liquid and solid components of the one or more items.