Portable UV Sterilization Device for Container Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing containers in the food and dairy industries, particularly for fermenting alcoholic beverages, rely on toxic and carcinogenic chemicals or ozone, which pose environmental and health hazards, and lack efficient water-saving protocols.
Innovation Solution
Development of portable UV devices with germicidal UV light sources that can be angled and positioned to effectively sterilize container surfaces, using UV-C light to inactivate microorganisms without the need for toxic chemicals or ozone, and incorporating a control system for UV light intensity and sanitization cycle management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toxic chemicals or ozone are used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but environmental and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical sterilization methods (toxic chemicals and ozone) with a physical method (UV-C light irradiation). The UV sterilization device uses electromagnetic radiation to inactivate microorganisms through photodamage to DNA/RNA, eliminating the need for harmful chemical agents while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sterilization mechanism from chemical reactions to photophysical processes. By utilizing UV-C light at specific wavelengths (200-280 nm, particularly 254 nm), the system induces photodimer formation in microbial DNA, achieving sterilization through physical parameter manipulation rather than chemical exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable UV devices are designed with adjustable positioning, then sterilization coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates movable and adjustable components in the UV sterilization device, including rotatable arms, adjustable positioning mechanisms, and flexible mounting options. These dynamic elements allow the device to adapt to various container shapes and sizes, maximizing UV light exposure coverage without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV sterilization system is divided into modular components including separate light sources, positioning mechanisms, and control units. This segmentation allows for flexible configuration and adjustment while maintaining overall system simplicity, enabling the device to handle diverse sterilization scenarios.
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 portable UV devices provide a non-toxic, efficient, and environmentally friendly method for sterilizing containers, ensuring effective microbial inactivation while reducing water consumption and minimizing occupational hazards, with precise control over UV light exposure.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanism by which UV light kills microorganisms is by damaging the genetic material, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), of the microorganisms. Wavelengths between 200-300 nm have been shown to initiate a photoreaction between adjacent pyrimidines.
Implementation Method 2
Pyrimidine bases, such as cytosine and thymine, have conjugated double bonds and as such absorb UV light.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are portable ultraviolet (UV) devices, systems, and methods of use and manufacturing same. Methods of use include methods for UV disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, a room, a space or a defined environment. The portable UV devices, systems and methods are particularly useful for the UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, a room, a space or defined environment used in the food, beverage and dairy industry and in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also portable UV devices, systems, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, a room, a space or a defined environment, preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container, a room, a space or a defined environment.