Steriliser Unit with Compression Discharge for Sponge Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sponges provide a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungi, especially when wet, and existing sterilization methods like microwave ovens pose risks of fire if not properly soaked.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizer unit with a container for disinfectant and a discharge unit that applies compressive force to absorbent bodies, allowing them to absorb and then dispense disinfectant, with a venting system to release air, ensuring effective sterilization without fire hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sponge is soaked in disinfectant and placed in a microwave oven for sterilization, then bacteria and fungi are killed, but the sponge may be set alight if not properly soaked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a container as an intermediary between the disinfectant and the sponge. The container holds the disinfectant liquid and allows the sponge to absorb it through capillary action before sterilization, preventing direct contact between the sponge and excessive amounts of liquid that could cause fire in a microwave oven.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the sponge absorb disinfectant through capillary action before the sterilization process. The container is designed with capillary channels that automatically draw liquid into the sponge, ensuring proper saturation without excess liquid that could cause fire hazards during microwave sterilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a container is provided with both soak position and discharge position, then the absorbent body can absorb and dispense disinfectant, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a storage vessel for disinfectant and as a soaking chamber with capillary channels. The same container structure enables both absorption (when the sponge is placed in it) and discharge (when pressure is applied), eliminating the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the soak position and discharge position into a single integrated container structure. The capillary channels are built into the container walls, combining the functions of liquid storage, capillary transport, and discharge pathways into one unified component, reducing overall device complexity.
3Productivity
If the discharge unit applies compressive force to the absorbent body, then the disinfectant is dispensed, but the compression compartment requires precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with self-aligning features where the compression compartment naturally positions itself within the soak position through the geometry of the capillary channels and the arrangement of discharge holes. The system automatically ensures proper alignment without requiring manual positioning adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is designed so that the compression compartment and soak position are in equipotential alignment, where the gravitational and geometric forces ensure that the compression compartment is naturally positioned at the correct height and orientation relative to the discharge holes, eliminating positioning errors.
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 sterilizer unit effectively kills bacteria and fungi on absorbent bodies by using a disinfectant, ensuring safety and preventing fires by controlling the sterilization process.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the absorbent body to absorb an amount of disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
the discharge unit can be moved to its compression position when the compression compartment is located in the discharge position of the container, such that the absorbent body is allowed to dispense the disinfectant which it had absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a sterilizer unit (10) for sterilizing an absorbent body (30), such as a sponge. The sterilizer unit firstly comprises a container (12) for holding a disinfectant, the container providing a soak position (22) and a discharge position (26). The sterilizer unit also includes a discharge unit (14) for cooperation with the container, the discharge unit defines a compression compartment (28) in which the absorbent body can be held. The discharge unit is further movable between a release position in which the absorbent body can be located within the compression compartment and a compression position in which the discharge unit will apply a compressive force on the absorbent body inside the compression compartment. In use the compression compartment can be located within the soak position of the container when the discharge unit is located in its release position, thereby allowing the absorbent body to absorb an amount of disinfectant. The discharge unit can also be moved to its compression position when the compression compartment is located in the discharge position of the container, such that the absorbent body is allowed to dispense the disinfectant which it had absorbed when it was located inside the soak position of the container.