In-package Ozone and UV Sanitization for Perishable Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sanitizing and sterilizing perishable food products and medical devices often require specialized equipment and controlled environments, making it difficult to maintain sanitary conditions during handling and packaging, leading to potential contamination and reduced shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A contained environment system that uses ozone and ultraviolet energy to sanitize and sterilize packaged products, with sensors monitoring the exposure to ensure effective treatment and reduce contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized facilities and equipment are used for sanitizing and sterilizing products, then sanitizing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sanitizing facilities with a combination of ozone gas and ultraviolet light sources that can be integrated into standard packaging equipment. The ozone is generated chemically and delivered through gas lines, while UV sources are electrical, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sterilization infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the packaging environment by introducing ozone gas at specific concentrations and UV light at specific intensities. These parameter changes create sanitizing conditions without requiring complex facility infrastructure, as the sanitizing effect is achieved through controlled chemical and physical parameters rather than mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If specialized handling facilities are used to prevent contamination, then product safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitizing system operates automatically within the packaging process. Ozone is generated and delivered automatically, UV lights are activated automatically, and sensors monitor conditions without requiring manual intervention. This self-service operation maintains product safety while eliminating the need for specialized manual handling procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sanitizing function with the existing packaging process. The ozone generation, UV treatment, and monitoring are integrated into the packaging line, so that products are sanitized as part of the normal packaging operation rather than requiring separate specialized handling facilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple packaging stages are used for distribution, then product adaptability is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sanitizing treatment at the preliminary packaging stage, before products enter the distribution chain. By establishing a sanitized environment and sealing packages in this controlled atmosphere, the products remain protected through multiple distribution stages without requiring repeated sanitizing interventions at each transfer point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert, sanitized atmosphere within the package using ozone and UV treatment, which protects products during subsequent handling and distribution. This sealed inert environment prevents contamination during transfer between packaging stages, allowing flexible distribution while maintaining product safety.
4Measurement precision
If sensors and monitoring systems are added to ensure treatment effectiveness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that provide feedback on ozone concentration, UV intensity, and treatment effectiveness. This feedback is used to automatically adjust treatment parameters, ensuring consistent sanitizing effectiveness without requiring complex manual monitoring systems. The feedback loop simplifies operation while maintaining precision.
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 reduces microbial counts, provides anti-viral properties, and maintains sanitary conditions within the package, enhancing the shelf life and safety of food products and medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of ultraviolet energy sources (630, 632) can be activated in the operating environment in the chamber (602)... This first set of ultraviolet energy sources (630, 632) will pass through the package (608) and into the head space (617, 619), in the package (608)... which will convert the oxygen in the head space (617, 619), in the package (608), to ozone
Implementation Method 2
The combination of the second set of ultraviolet energy sources (634, 636)... will convert the ozone in the head space (617, 619), in the package (608), back to oxygen... The combination of ozone gas in the head space (617, 619), in the package (608), being puffed into the package (608)... as well as being created in the package (608), more quickly creates a desired concentration of ozone in the package (608) that can contact and treat the surfaces of the product (606)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing at least one of a sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing treatment to a product or object while inside a package by treatment with a combination of UV energy and ozone to the product while in the package. The ozone can be provided inside the package through a gas channel secured, in a gas-tight seal, to an opening of the package containing the product or object. The ozone can also be generated in the package by converting oxygen to ozone in the package while containing the product or object therein.