Retroreflective Marker Applicator for Cleanliness Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the degree of cleanliness are not simple, accurate, or applicable over a wide range, limiting their effectiveness in ensuring thorough cleaning, especially in environments like hospitals where precision is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A marker composition containing retroreflective particles and a dispersion medium is applied using an applicator set, allowing for the detection of reflected light to assess cleanliness, with the applicator set comprising a retention body and a lid body for hermetic sealing and easy application, and a system for sensing reflected light to determine cleanliness based on image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluorescent indicator reagent is used to determine cleanliness, then the determination can be performed, but the method requires ultraviolet radiation equipment and complex sensing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex optical sensing system (ultraviolet radiation source and fluorescent detection equipment) with a simple retroreflective particle system that can be detected by conventional light sources and basic sensors. The retroreflective particles reflect incident light back to the source, enabling cleanliness determination using simple light emission and reflection detection rather than requiring specialized ultraviolet equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses retroreflective particles that exhibit optical property changes - they reflect light strongly when present on the surface (indicating contamination) and do not reflect when removed (indicating clean surface). This optical contrast provides a simple visual and sensor-based method for cleanliness determination without complex equipment.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning verification methods are used, then some level of cleanliness can be assessed, but the assessment is not accurate or simple
Solution Approach 1:
The retroreflective particles serve a dual function: they mark the surface for cleanliness verification and simultaneously provide the detection signal. When light is emitted onto the surface, the particles automatically reflect the light back to sensors, enabling self-indicating cleanliness status without requiring complex external verification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The retroreflective particles create a detectable optical signal that changes based on their presence or absence on the surface. This provides a simple yet accurate visual and sensor-based indicator of cleanliness status, making the determination process both easy to operate and highly precise.
3Ease of operation
If marker composition with low retroreflective particle content is used, then the composition is easier to apply, but the detection range and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration of retroreflective particles in the marker composition to achieve the ideal balance between applicability and detection accuracy. By adjusting the particle concentration parameter, the composition maintains ease of application while ensuring sufficient retroreflective signal strength for accurate detection over a wide range of conditions.
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 solution enables accurate and simple determination of cleanliness over a wide range, ensuring thorough cleaning and reducing the risk of cross-infection by clearly indicating the presence of the marker composition, thus enhancing cleaning efficacy in facilities like hospitals.
Implementation Method 1
a marker composition containing retroreflective particles and a dispersion medium
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator; an applicator set; a method for determining cleanliness of a surface using the applicator or the applicator set; and a system for determining cleanliness of a surface comprising the applicator or the applicator set. The applicator can include a marker composition and an applicator body capable of retaining the marker composition. The marker composition can include retroreflective particles and a dispersion medium, the blending ratio of the retroreflective particles being from 50 to 90 mass % on the basis of the total marker composition.