Top Load Disinfection Device With Conveyor And Light Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection methods for airport surfaces, such as sanitizer wipes and sprays, leave sticky residues incompatible with stackable security bins and do not effectively address the underappreciated risk of microbial contamination on frequently used airport surfaces like security bins, armrests, and tray tables.
Innovation Solution
A top-load disinfecting device with a conveyor system that uses antimicrobial electromagnetic wavelengths to disinfect containers, featuring a housing with sensors and light seals to manage the entry and exit of containers and prevent light leakage, and a mechanism of drop plates to separate and release individual containers for treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sanitizer wipes and sprays are used to disinfect airport surfaces, then disinfection is achieved, but sticky residues are produced that are incompatible with stackable security bins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical disinfection methods (sanitizer wipes and sprays) with a physical disinfection method using electromagnetic radiation (UV-C or other antimicrobial wavelengths). The light source emits electromagnetic radiation that disinfects containers as they pass through the housing, eliminating the need for chemical agents that leave sticky residues while maintaining effective disinfection.
2Productivity
If containers are stacked for storage and transport, then space efficiency is improved, but light leakage through the opening may occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light seals as intermediary elements positioned between the opening and the containers. These light seals create a barrier that prevents electromagnetic radiation from leaking through the opening when containers are stacked or during operation, while not interfering with the container handling and stacking operations.
3Productivity
If multiple containers are processed simultaneously, then productivity increases, but proper disinfection of individual containers becomes difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes containers individually by releasing them one at a time from a stack through a opening into the housing where they pass through the electromagnetic radiation field. This segmentation ensures that each container receives adequate and uniform disinfection exposure while maintaining high productivity through continuous individual processing and automated container release mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If the opening remains open for container loading, then ease of operation is improved, but electromagnetic radiation leaks to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light seals as intermediary barriers positioned at the opening to prevent electromagnetic radiation from leaking to the environment during container loading and operation. These seals allow containers to be loaded and removed while blocking the radiation path, thus maintaining both ease of operation and radiation containment.
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
Effectively disinfects containers while preventing light leakage and residue formation, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining the integrity of stackable security bins by using antimicrobial wavelengths and precise container handling.
Implementation Method 1
the container is disinfected or sanitized with an antimicrobial electromagnetic wavelength as it moves through the interior of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A top load device for disinfecting a container, such as a security bin for use in an airport, the device configured to store a stack of contaminated containers, wherein the device separates and releases a single container into an interior of a housing for disinfection. The housing comprises a conveyor that moves the container through the interior of the housing from an initial location to an exit of the housing, wherein the container is disinfected or sanitized with electromagnetic wavelength as it moves through the interior of the housing.