Steam Cleaner Utensil Sterilization Chamber for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steam cleaners currently fail to thoroughly clean and sterilize utensils, which can lead to the transfer of bacteria and contamination between different surfaces and objects, especially in environments requiring high cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a tank or box within the steam cleaner that allows utensils to be cleaned and sterilized using steam generated by the device, with a steam hose connecting to the tank for thorough cleaning and sterilization, and optionally providing a permanent connection with a steam regulator for controlled steam introduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If utensils are reused after cleaning artefacts, then productivity is improved, but contamination transfer occurs between artefacts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a disposable utensil system where cleaning tools are discarded after single use and replaced with sterile alternatives. This eliminates contamination transfer between artefacts while maintaining high productivity, as the steam cleaner can continuously generate steam for sterilizing replacement utensils or cleaning new ones without needing to sterilize the same utensil multiple times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the sterilization function from the main cleaning process by providing a separate sterilization chamber or container. This allows utensils to be sterilized independently from the cleaning operation, ensuring that cleaning efficiency is not compromised while effectively preventing contamination transfer through dedicated sterilization procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If utensils are cleaned by rinsing or brushing, then ease of operation is improved, but cleaning thoroughness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveutensil cleaning convenienceVSAvoidutensil cleaning quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning methods (rinsing and brushing) with a steam-based thermal cleaning system. The steam cleaner generates high-temperature steam that thoroughly sterilizes utensils without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while dramatically improving cleaning quality and eliminating contamination risks associated with manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the cleaning parameter from mechanical action (brushing, rinsing) to thermal action (steam temperature and pressure). By controlling steam parameters such as temperature and exposure time, the system achieves complete sterilization of utensils while requiring minimal user effort, thus improving both ease of operation and cleaning thoroughness simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 utensils are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized on-site, reducing the risk of contamination transfer and enhancing the cleaning capabilities of steam cleaners for a variety of surfaces and objects.

Implementation Method 1

steam generated with said steam cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

steam generated with said steam cleaner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP2139371B1Steam cleaner and method for steam cleaning
Publication Date: 2013.10.02 PROVENTEC
  • EP2139371B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2139371B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP2139371B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Steam cleaner, comprising a water tank, heating means for forming steam, at least one connecting socket for a steam hose, a receiving tank for waste and a suction device for sucking waste into said receiving tank, wherein the receiving tank is provided with at least one inlet for steam into said receiving tank.