Grocery Misting Line Biocide Injection During Pressurization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Misting systems in grocery stores face contamination issues due to biofilm buildup and bacterial growth in misting lines, exacerbated by proximity to bright lights and residual water, which can lead to the development of unwanted organisms on produce and other products.

Innovation Solution

A system that injects biocidal solutions into the misting lines during the pressurization phase, using a solution valve controlled by a timer/valve unit, ensuring the biocidal solution mixes with water and is sprayed through nozzles, effectively killing pathogens and spoilage organisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biocidal solution is continuously injected into the misting line, then contamination prevention is improved, but water and biocide waste increases and system clogging risk worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidwater and biocide waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic injection of biocidal solution through a dosing mechanism that activates at specific intervals during the misting cycle. The controller receives signals from a timer or pressure sensor and opens the solution valve only during designated phases, creating a periodic rather than continuous injection pattern that prevents waste while maintaining contamination prevention effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary injection of biocidal solution during the pressurization phase before the actual misting operation begins. This preliminary action ensures the misting line is pre-treated with biocide to prevent contamination during subsequent water flow, addressing the contamination prevention need before the problem can manifest during active misting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If biocidal solution is injected during pressurization phase, then mixing efficiency is improved, but injection timing control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocide-water mixture consistencyVSAvoidinjection timing control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a pressure sensor to detect pressure changes in the misting line that indicate the pressurization phase, and a timer to track operational cycles. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to automatically determine the correct injection timing based on real-time system state, achieving precise mixing control without requiring complex manual timing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing mechanism utilizes the existing pressurization flow of water through the misting line to automatically draw in and mix the biocidal solution. The mechanical flow of water during pressurization self-regulates the injection process, eliminating the need for additional pumps or complex active control systems while maintaining consistent mixing ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If doser is used without power source, then system simplicity is improved, but injection precision and timing control worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source requirementsVSAvoidinjection timing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces purely mechanical dosing mechanisms with an electronically controlled dosing valve actuated by a controller. This substitution enables precise timing control through electronic signals from timers or pressure sensors, achieving injection precision that mechanical-only systems cannot provide while maintaining relative system simplicity through the use of modern compact electronic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 system effectively prevents contamination by ensuring a consistent mixture of biocidal solution with water, reducing bacterial growth and extending the shelf life of perishable products by eliminating harmful pathogens.

Implementation Method 1

the biocidal solution mixes with the water in the misting line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

Water can be fed under pressure to the doser from any source, such as a pump or manifold valve. When the water moves through the doser, a percentage of biocide is drawn in, mixed with water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Water can be fed under pressure to the doser from any source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 4

increasing the pressure in the misting line; and spraying the mixture under pressure through the nozzles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic press: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 5

Mist that has both water and a biocidal solution may be used to kill harmful pathogens on contact to protect against cross contamination. It also may kill spoilage organisms to keep perishable products safer, fresher, and longer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiocidal action:

Data Source

PatentUS8628028B2Method of injecting solution into a misting line

Publication Date: 2014.01.14 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A method and system of providing a mist in a grocery display that injects biocidal solution into a misting line of water during a phase of the misting cycle.