Inductively Heatable Waste Receptacle for Steam Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam sterilization and decontamination technologies are expensive, bulky, fragile, and not suitable for outdoor or damp environments, with insufficient sterilization effectiveness and maintenance requirements, and they do not meet hygiene standards, especially for hazardous waste and biologically contaminated materials.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a docking station and a container with an inductively heatable heating element that generates steam internally for sterilization, using a sealed design to prevent environmental contamination and employing a porous intermediate floor for vapor transfer, allowing for efficient and reliable sterilization of various materials without external energy sources or maintenance-intensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing steam sterilization technologies are used, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but the devices are expensive, bulky, fragile, and require regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a reusable docking station and disposable sealed containers. The docking station contains only the induction heating coil and control electronics, while all complex components (steam generation, pressure regulation, sensors) are integrated into single-use containers that are sterilized inductively and then discarded, eliminating maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable sealed containers that are sterilized inductively and then discarded after use. This eliminates the need for maintenance, cleaning, and calibration of sterilization devices, as each container is a single-use unit with integrated sterilization capability.
2Reliability
If existing sterilization devices are used, then sterilization is achieved, but they are not suitable for outdoor or damp environments and do not meet hygiene standards
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed containers are self-sterilizing through inductive heating of an integrated heating element. The system requires no external water supply, steam generation, or electrical connections during operation, making it completely independent and suitable for outdoor or damp environments without compromising hygiene standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical steam generation systems with inductive electromagnetic heating. This eliminates the need for water tanks, pumps, steam lines, and pressure regulators, creating a system that is immune to environmental moisture and corrosion while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
3Ease of repair
If inductive heating is used for sterilization, then maintenance needs are reduced, but the system requires specific electromagnetic field generation capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The complex inductive heating system is extracted from the reusable docking station and transferred to disposable containers. The docking station only needs to generate a simple electromagnetic field, while the containers contain the heating element, water reservoir, and sterilization logic, eliminating maintenance needs for the permanent infrastructure.
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 efficient, safe, and reproducible sterilization and decontamination of solids, semi-solids, and liquids, including those undergoing phase transitions, while being durable, easy to transport, and suitable for outdoor use, with reduced maintenance needs and adherence to hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first inductively heatable heating element arranged in a second cavity which adjoins the first cavity or is located in it
Implementation Method 2
with water to generate an overpressure in the enclosed cavity and in particular to open at least one passage(s) and thereby introduce water vapor into an adjoining reception space
Data Source
AI summary
A device, use, and method for steam sterilisation and/or steam decontamination and/or sterilisation of the contents of a container. The device, method, and use enable efficient, simple, and reliable sterilisation and/or decontamination. The device makes it possible to collect and sterilise a wide variety of solid, semi-solid, or liquid items and to decontaminate various types of biologically contaminated objects effectively and reproducibly. The system includes in particular of two parts. One of them is the docking station; a unit which can be used again and again for many sterilisation/decontamination cycles. The container itself, which is brought into the docking station for sterilisation/decontamination, is used for collecting the items and is disposed of, in particular incinerated, after sterilisation/decontamination. However, the container has functional elements which interact with the docking station to ensure sterilisation/decontamination on, in particular at least one inductively heatable heating element.