UV Glove Sanitization With Skin-Shielded Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for hand covering sanitization, such as disposable gloves, are ineffective in preventing pathogen transmission due to cross-contamination and are impractical, inconvenient, or cost-prohibitive to change frequently, especially in high-risk environments, and existing sterilization devices pose safety risks from ultraviolet light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A system for sanitizing hand coverings using ultraviolet light with safety features to minimize skin exposure, including optical sensors and baffles to ensure proper glove positioning, and indicators to confirm sanitization, allowing for reuse of gloves between customers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable gloves are changed between customers, then pathogen transmission is prevented, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service sanitization where the gloves sanitize themselves between customers through automatic sensor detection and UV light activation, eliminating the need for manual glove changing while maintaining pathogen prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state of the gloves from contaminated to sanitized by applying ultraviolet light energy, transforming the gloves into a reusable state without requiring disposal and replacement
2Productivity
If gloves are reused between customers, then time and cost are reduced, but pathogen transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous protection against pathogen transmission by automatically sanitizing gloves between each customer interaction, ensuring uninterrupted safety while enabling continuous service without glove changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical action of manually changing gloves with an automated UV light sanitization process, substituting physical replacement with energy-based disinfection
3Reliability
If ultraviolet light is used for sterilization, then pathogen elimination is effective, but skin exposure to ultraviolet light becomes dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary barrier (the glove itself) between the UV light source and the skin, allowing the glove to be sanitized while the hand remains protected from harmful ultraviolet exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the sanitization function from the hand by applying UV light only to the glove surface, separating the harmful effect from the beneficial effect
4Reliability
If gloves are changed frequently, then bio-security is improved, but cost and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the gloves to self-sanitize between uses through automatic detection and UV activation, maintaining high bio-security standards while eliminating the operational burden of frequent glove 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
The system effectively reduces pathogen transmission by ensuring thorough sanitization of gloves between uses while minimizing ultraviolet light exposure to the skin, thus enhancing bio-security and reducing costs and inconvenience.
Implementation Method 1
a germicidal light source to emit light in the germicidal spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A hand sanitization system, a sanitization machine, and hand coverings containing markings for use with the sanitization machine are disclosed. The hand sanitization machine is capable of sanitizing hand coverings that were traditionally disposed of after one use. The hand coverings may contain indicators that signal when they have been sterilized.