Portable Food Container Hygiene Control With Automated Spray Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small and confined spaces, such as food delivery boxes, are difficult to clean and sanitize consistently due to the lack of automated mechanisms, leading to inconsistent quality and the absence of objective compliance records.
Innovation Solution
A portable hygiene system with a battery-powered hygiene device attached to the box, which conducts automatic cleaning and sanitization cycles using a spray nozzle and control circuit, records cycle performance data, and transmits it to a network for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning and sanitization is performed by spraying chemical agents, then the box surfaces can be cleaned, but the quality and thoroughness are inconsistent and depend on the person performing the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic cleaning and sanitization through a self-contained device that autonomously navigates the box interior, sprays hygiene agents, and monitors the process without requiring manual intervention during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical spraying action is replaced by an automated robotic system with integrated pumps, nozzles, and control circuits that mechanically deliver the hygiene agent uniformly across all surfaces
2Reliability
If a two-step cleaning and sanitizing procedure is used, then more thorough hygiene is achieved, but each cycle becomes even more complicated and less consistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple hygiene functions (cleaning, sanitization, drying) into a single integrated automated cycle, eliminating the need for separate manual steps while maintaining thoroughness through programmated multi-phase operation
Solution Approach 2:
The hygiene cycle is divided into periodic phases (spray, dwell, drain, dry) that automatically sequence through the box interior, ensuring each function is performed at the appropriate time without manual intervention
3Loss of information
If manual cleaning procedures are performed, then hygiene cycles can be completed, but there is no objective record showing that the procedure is routinely followed
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors, communication circuits, and data logging capabilities that automatically record hygiene cycle completion, spray distribution uniformity, and process parameters, providing objective feedback and compliance documentation
Solution Approach 2:
A communication module acts as an intermediary between the hygiene device and external monitoring systems, transmitting operational data and compliance records to stakeholders for verification and analysis
4Manufacturing precision
If the entire surfaces are covered in a substantially uniform fashion, then cleaning quality is improved, but manual spraying cannot ensure uniform coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs multiple nozzles positioned at different locations within the box, each delivering spray to specific zones, ensuring uniform coverage across the entire interior surface through localized targeted delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The spray system incorporates movable or adjustable nozzle positions and variable spray patterns that dynamically adapt to the box geometry and surface areas, achieving uniform distribution through automated spatial control
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
Ensures uniform distribution of hygiene agents, maintains compliance records, and provides efficient, automated cleaning and sanitization, meeting regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in fluid communication with the agent container and in fluid communication with the spray nozzle, and configured to pump the hygiene agent through the spray nozzle
Implementation Method 2
pump the hygiene agent through the spray nozzle to produce a mist of the hygiene agent in the box
Data Source
AI summary
A system may automatically conduct hygiene cycles for a confined space such an interior space of a box suitable for storing and/or carrying packaged food. The system may include a hygiene device that can be attached to the box to conduct the hygiene cycles and a user interface device that can wirelessly communicate with the hygiene device to control the conduction of the hygiene cycles. The system may also automatically collect information related to the hygiene cycles using the hygiene device and transmit the collected information to a network directly or through the user interface device.