Reusable drinking straw washing apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective means to simultaneously clean and sanitize a large volume of reusable drinking straws, which has become a necessity due to the banning of single-use disposable straws and the environmental impact of non-biodegradable materials.

Innovation Solution

A reusable drinking straw washing apparatus that includes a primary container with separate wash and sanitizing regions, a motor assembly, and a control circuit to guide straws through cleaning and sanitizing solutions using cogwheels and nozzles, along with an ultrasonic cleaner for enhanced disinfection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cleaning of reusable straws is performed, then individual straws can be cleaned, but the time and labor required increases significantly when processing large volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capacityVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into multiple independent washing compartments (first washing compartment, second washing compartment, third washing compartment) that can process straws simultaneously. Each compartment has its own washing mechanism and solution reservoir, enabling parallel processing of multiple straw batches without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device integrates multiple functions into a single machine: washing, sanitizing, and drying capabilities in one unit. The first washing compartment handles initial cleaning, the second compartment performs sanitizing, and the third compartment completes drying, creating a universal straw cleaning system that eliminates the need for multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple batches of straws are processed sequentially, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but the total processing time becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbatch processing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into multiple independent washing compartments (first washing compartment, second washing compartment, third washing compartment) that can process straws simultaneously. Each compartment has its own washing mechanism and solution reservoir, enabling parallel processing of multiple straw batches without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous processing by having multiple compartments operating in parallel. While one compartment is washing, another is sanitizing, and a third is drying, ensuring that the useful action of cleaning never stops and multiple batches can be processed concurrently without idle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a simple washing device is used, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot effectively sanitize large volumes of straws simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidsimultaneous cleaning capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine is divided into multiple independent washing compartments (first washing compartment, second washing compartment, third washing compartment) that can process straws simultaneously. Each compartment has its own washing mechanism and solution reservoir, enabling parallel processing of multiple straw batches without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple washing compartments, sanitizing systems, and drying mechanisms into a single integrated machine. By merging these functions into one unified system with a common control circuit and coordinated operation, the device achieves high simultaneous cleaning capacity while maintaining manageable overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables efficient and simultaneous cleaning and sanitizing of multiple reusable drinking straws, reducing waste and environmental impact while ensuring hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic cleaner for enhanced disinfection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12064076B2Reusable drinking straw washing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 FORD WYLEN STONE WILLIAM

AI summary

The present invention is a drinking straw washing machine with a washing region, a sanitizing region, a straw retaining track, and a motor assembly. The washing region comprises a washing cogwheel rotatably positioned therein that receives straws via the straw retaining track. The washing cogwheel and sanitizing cogwheel are oriented parallel to the straw retaining track. The motor assembly is mechanically coupled to the washing cogwheel and thereby rotates the washing cogwheel to guide straws along the straw retaining track and through a cleaning solution included in the wash region. the sanitizing region comprises a sanitizing cogwheel rotatably positioned therein that receive straws from the washing region via the straw retaining track. The motor assembly is mechanically coupled to the sanitizing cogwheel and thereby rotates the sanitizing cogwheel to guide straws along the straw retaining track, through a sanitizing solution in the sanitizing region, and out of the sanitizing region.