Merchandisers with a package sanitization system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing merchandisers, such as vending machines and coolers, lack effective and safe methods for sanitizing packages before dispensing, which concerns consumers about the safety and integrity of food and beverage products.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating ultraviolet (UV) lights within the merchandiser to sanitize packages, with a timing algorithm that turns on the UV lights when the door is opened and turns them off after a predetermined time to ensure effective disinfection without overexposure, combined with air recirculation systems to direct and concentrate the UV light for uniform exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet lights are continuously on to sanitize packages, then package safety is improved, but product deterioration increases due to overexposure
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet lights operate periodically rather than continuously - they are activated only when the door is opened and remain on for a predetermined time period. This periodic operation ensures packages are sanitized when needed while preventing overexposure and deterioration, resolving the contradiction between maintaining package safety and avoiding harmful effects from excessive UV exposure.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet lights are activated frequently to maintain sanitation, then package hygiene is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses door opening events as triggers to activate the ultraviolet lights only when necessary. This event-driven periodic operation maintains package hygiene by sanitizing packages at relevant moments while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, as the lights remain off during periods when the door is closed and no sanitization is needed.
3Reliability
If ultraviolet lights are positioned to cover all packages, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to uniformly illuminate all packages throughout the entire merchandiser, the ultraviolet lights are positioned to provide concentrated sanitization coverage specifically in the product area where packages are stored and dispensed. This localized approach maintains sanitization effectiveness in the critical zones while avoiding the complexity of a comprehensive full-coverage lighting system.
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 UV light system effectively inactivates microorganisms on packages, providing a safe and hygienic dispensing process that reassures consumers of the safety and integrity of the products, while minimizing exposure to prevent product deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
one or more ultraviolet lights positioned within the product area so as to sanitize the packages therein
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a merchandiser with a number of packages therein. The merchandiser may include a product area with either a number of shelves or a number of columns with the packages therein and a package sanitation system. The package sanitation system may include one or more ultraviolet lights positioned within the product area so as to sanitize the packages therein.