Verification of cleaning processes with electronically readable coded coupon

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated cleaning machines lack a reliable method to verify the effectiveness of cleaning processes, particularly in ensuring proper removal of soil overlays, which affects the accuracy of cleaning verification.

Innovation Solution

The use of verification coupons with electronically readable codes covered by soil overlays, which are processed alongside items in automated cleaning machines, allowing for post-processing image analysis to determine if the soil overlay was adequately removed, thereby verifying the cleaning process through code decoding and comparison with a reference code.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cleaning verification methods are used, then the cleaning process can be completed, but the effectiveness of the cleaning process cannot be reliably verified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning verification reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a verification coupon as an intermediary object that carries a machine-readable code through the cleaning process. This coupon serves as a mediator between the cleaning machine and the verification system, allowing objective measurement of cleaning effectiveness without requiring direct observation of the cleaning action itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective visual inspection methods with automated machine-readable code verification. The verification system uses optical scanning and digital image processing to objectively determine cleaning effectiveness, substituting human judgment with automated technological systems for more precise and reliable measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If verification codes are placed on cleaning surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness can be measured, but the codes may be obscured by soil making verification difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning verification accuracyVSAvoidcode detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The verification coupon is prepared in advance with a machine-readable code and a soil overlay applied before entering the cleaning process. This preliminary setup ensures the code is initially obscured, creating a true test of cleaning effectiveness that must be removed during the cleaning cycle for verification to occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system utilizes optical detection methods that can distinguish between the soil overlay and the underlying machine-readable code based on differences in reflectivity, absorption, or color properties. The code becomes detectable when the soil overlay is removed or sufficiently cleaned, allowing verification of cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If manual inspection methods are used to verify cleaning, then the process is simple, but the verification is subjective and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification process simplicityVSAvoidcleaning verification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The verification coupon is designed to be self-verifying through its machine-readable code. After the cleaning process, the coupon automatically provides verification data when scanned by the verification system, eliminating the need for manual judgment while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system provides immediate feedback by scanning the machine-readable code on the verification coupon after cleaning. This feedback loop allows the cleaning process effectiveness to be objectively measured and communicated, replacing subjective manual inspection with automated, precise verification that maintains operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11498099B2Verification of cleaning processes with electronically readable coded coupon

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.