UV-C Chip Sanitizing Rack with Reflective Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Casino chips and chip racks harbor germs and bacteria, posing health risks to gamblers and dealers, with existing sanitization methods being inadequate, costly, or culturally insensitive, and lacking transparency on sanitization status.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet light-based sanitizing system using germicidal bulbs emitting UV-C light in the 253 nm to 265 nm range, integrated into a chip sanitizing device or chip rack, which sanitizes chips and chip racks automatically, ensuring effective microbial destruction and providing visible assurance to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual washing or alcohol rubbing is used to sanitize chips, then sanitization can be achieved, but it cannot be performed regularly and requires significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The chip rack automatically performs sanitization using UV-C bulbs integrated into the rack structure. The system activates automatically when the rack is placed in the sanitizing station, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling regular automated sanitization of chips and racks.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical sanitization methods (washing, rubbing with alcohol) are replaced with an automated UV-C light-based system. The UV-C bulbs emit germicidal radiation that sanitizes chips without requiring physical contact or manual effort, enabling frequent regular sanitization.
2Reliability
If manual sanitization is performed, then chips can be cleaned, but customers cannot verify when sanitization occurred
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-changing indicators (LED lights or colored tags) to communicate sanitization status to customers. When chips are sanitized, the indicator changes color or illuminates to provide visible assurance that sanitization has occurred, creating transparency without requiring complex display systems.
3Ease of operation
If hand sanitizers are provided at tables, then customers can sanitize their hands, but there is ongoing expense for providing and replacing them
Solution Approach 1:
The chip rack system automatically sanitizes chips using integrated UV-C bulbs, eliminating the need for continuous provision and replacement of hand sanitizer bottles at tables. The automated system performs sanitization without consuming replaceable materials, reducing ongoing expenses while maintaining customer convenience.
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 UV light system effectively sterilizes microorganisms on chips and chip racks, reducing health risks, providing transparent sanitization, and reducing associated costs by enabling automated and regular sanitization.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention utilizes ultraviolet light (hereinafter 'UV') to sanitize chips and chip racks. UV is electromagnetic radiation and may penetrate the outer cell membrane of a microorganism, break molecular bonds within microorganismal DNA and disrupt the organism's ability to reproduce.
Implementation Method 2
UV-C or germicidal UV light corresponds to the 200 nm to 280 nm range and research has shown that the most efficient frequency for microbial destruction is in the 253 nm to 265 nm range.
Data Source
AI summary
A chip sanitizing device comprises an area that is substantially enclosed and includes a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb and a power source. One or more chips is placed within the device and after the germicidal bulb is activated the one or more chips is sanitized. In another embodiment of the invention a chip rack is modified to include a sanitizing unit comprising a germicidal bulb, a power source and a fan stored in a housing attached to the chip rack. The slots are modified to contain openings to allow ultraviolet light to reach the chips sitting atop the rack. The ultraviolet light may sterilize microorganisms such as germs and bacterium found on chips. A fan is used to provide circulation and may increase the likelihood of germs and bacteria coming into contact with the ultraviolet light. In a further embodiment of the invention a lid is provided that substantially covers the chip rack and stores the sanitizing unit. In a further embodiment, the inner surfaces of a lid or housing may be covered with reflective material to increase the likelihood that the ultraviolet light comes into contact with germs or bacteria.