Chemical Jug Washer With Piercing Manifold for Safe Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disposing of plastic containers with hazardous chemical residues are inefficient, requiring protective gear and risking environmental contamination due to inadequate rinsing and destruction protocols.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained assembly with a frame, jug receiving chamber, and a piercing manifold with hollow spikes for pressurized cleaning and puncturing, followed by drainage into a secure disposal tank, ensuring complete rinsing and rendering the container unusable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hand-held garden hose and jug piercing tool are used for disposal, then destruction of jug is achieved, but protective gear is required and environmental contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposal process is segmented into distinct functional zones: a receiving chamber for the jug, a piercing manifold with multiple hollow spikes for controlled puncturing, and a collection tank for contaminated fluid. This segmentation isolates the hazardous operations within an enclosed system, eliminating the need for protective gear and preventing environmental contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary enclosed chamber system between the jug and the external environment. The chamber with its sealed collection tank acts as a mediator that contains and controls the disposal process, allowing safe handling without direct human exposure and preventing contaminant release.
2Productivity
If pressurized cleaning system is used, then rinsing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the piercing function and the pressurized cleaning function into a single integrated manifold assembly. The hollow spikes serve dual purposes: mechanically piercing the jug and delivering pressurized rinse fluid through their internal passages. This combination eliminates the need for separate piercing tools and cleaning systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high rinsing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold with hollow spikes performs multiple functions simultaneously: it pierces the jug container, delivers pressurized rinse fluid through the container walls, and collects the contaminated effluent. This multi-functionality achieves efficient cleaning without requiring a complex array of separate components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tools are used for piercing and rinsing, then functional versatility is maintained, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines piercing and rinsing operations into a single automated sequence within one device. The manifold with hollow spikes performs both functions by simply actuating the pressurized fluid system, eliminating the need for operators to switch between multiple tools and significantly simplifying the operational process.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient cleaning and disposal of hazardous chemical residues, preventing re-use and environmental contamination by ensuring thorough rinsing and secure disposal of the contaminated fluid.
Implementation Method 1
A high pressure pump is in fluid communication with the spikes for delivering pressurized fluid through the spikes and across the interior of the jug and through puncture holes made by the tips
Implementation Method 2
The contaminated fluid drains into a collection tank
Data Source
AI summary
A combination cleaning and disposal assembly for safely cleaning and rendering unusable a jug containing a hazardous chemical residue. A body supports a receiving chamber for receiving the jug. A manifold is supported by the body and has a plurality of spikes arrayed toward the jug. A pressurized fluid source is communicated to the manifold such that, upon an inter-displacement occurs between the manifold and the container, the spikes are caused to pierce the container, the pressurized fluid being caused to issue from the spikes to clean an interior of the container. A floor of the chamber has irregular surfaces to assist in deforming the jug during puncturing and outflow of contaminated fluid. A drain is located underneath the jug receiving chamber which collects and segregates the fluid contaminated with the chemical residue for securing disposal concurrent with removing and disposing of the cleaned and punctured jug.