Reusable Container Sanitizing System Using UV-C and Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

The rapid expansion of the to-go food and beverage industry has led to environmental concerns due to the disposal of single-use plastic containers, and existing solutions for reusable containers, such as deposit-based systems, face challenges in cost-effectiveness and labor efficiency for retailers, while also requiring extensive resources for proper cleaning and sanitizing.

Innovation Solution

A reusable food or beverage container sanitizing system that combines an identification subsystem with a UV sanitizing subsystem to automate the sanitization and association of customer orders with reusable containers, ensuring safe handling and reducing germ transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If deposit-based reusable container systems are implemented, then environmental impact is reduced, but labor and equipment requirements increase for retailers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidlabor and equipment requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables customers to autonomously sanitize their own containers using UV-C lights and heat treatment, eliminating the need for retailer staff to manually clean and sanitize containers. The automated identification system also eliminates manual tracking of container deposits and returns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical cleaning processes are replaced with automated UV-C irradiation and heating systems. The mechanical system for tracking containers is replaced with automated optical identification using cameras and barcode/QR code scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If extensive cleaning and sanitizing resources are allocated, then container safety is improved, but operational complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer safetyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sanitization process uses controlled parameter changes - specifically UV-C intensity and duration, plus heating temperature and time - to achieve reliable sanitization without complex operational procedures. The system automatically adjusts these parameters based on container type identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical cleaning methods are replaced with non-contact UV-C irradiation and heating, eliminating the need for water, detergents, and manual scrubbing while maintaining high sanitization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated identification and UV sanitization systems are implemented, then sanitization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multi-functional components - the mobile device serves as identification scanner, container tracker, and sanitization controller. The UV-C system integrates identification, tracking, and sanitization functions in a single platform, reducing overall system complexity despite increased capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile application acts as an intermediary between the customer, the container identification system, and the UV-C sanitization system, coordinating all functions through a single interface and reducing the complexity of direct system-to-system communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system simplifies the use of reusable containers for both customers and retailers, reduces labor and resource costs, and effectively sanitizes containers to prevent the spread of germs, thereby promoting the use of reusable containers over single-use ones.

Implementation Method 1

at least one UV light source configured to direct UV light at a predetermined intensity level and time duration onto a reusable food or beverage container in such a way as to result in sanitizing of surfaces of the reusable food or beverage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV sanitization: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20230364284A1Reusable food or beverage container sanitizing system

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 REDI TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A reusable food or beverage container sanitizing system and method of operation automates the identification and sanitizing of reusable food or beverage containers. A reusable food or beverage container has an identification device associated therewith. The reusable food or beverage container is associated to a customer order and used to supply a food or beverage to the customer. The system utilizes a UV sanitizing system to prevent the spread of harmful germs on the reusable food or beverage container. The doors of a pass-through UV sanitizing system allow the customer to insert an unsanitized container on the entry (“unsanitized”) side of the system, and the retail employee to remove the sanitized container from the exit (“sanitized”) side of the system without having to tough any other surface (doors, knobs, handles, etc.) than the container itself.