UV Sterilization Bottle Opener with Cap Removal Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opener devices do not provide a hygienic means to access container contents while effectively cleaning the container, particularly bottles, and lack the ability to sterilize the container neck.

Innovation Solution

A device with a cap removal mechanism and ultra-violet light bulbs for sterilization, which emits energy pulses to clean and sanitize the container neck after cap removal, along with a display to indicate the sterilization process and digital content based on the container type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mechanical cleaning methods are used, then the cleaning action is simple and direct, but the sterilization effectiveness is insufficient and hygiene cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning methods with ultrasonic vibration technology. The cleaning member generates ultrasonic vibrations that create cavitation bubbles in the cleaning solution, which implode to produce high-energy micro-jets that remove contaminants and sterilize the container surface, achieving reliable sterilization without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the hydraulic effect of ultrasonic cavitation in liquid medium. The cleaning member vibrates in the cleaning solution, generating cavitation bubbles that collapse and produce high-velocity liquid micro-jets, leveraging the hydraulic properties of the liquid to achieve deep cleaning and sterilization of the container surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If the container neck is thoroughly sterilized, then hygienic access to contents is ensured, but the cleaning process takes more time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene assuranceVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic ultrasonic vibration cycles with varying frequencies and amplitudes. The cleaning member operates in alternating phases of high-intensity cavitation and lower-intensity vibration, creating periodic bursts of cleaning action that efficiently sterilize the container neck while maintaining a relatively short total cleaning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary high-intensity ultrasonic cavitation treatment to the container neck area before final cleaning. This preliminary action pre-sterilizes the critical surface, reducing the time needed for complete sterilization while ensuring hygiene assurance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single tool performs multiple functions (opening, mixing, cleaning), then device versatility is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness for sterilization is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-function capabilityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the opener removes the cap, the mixing member stirs the contents, and the cleaning member with ultrasonic vibration capability sterilizes the container. This multi-functional design maintains versatility while achieving effective sterilization through the specialized ultrasonic cleaning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Ensures hygienic access to container contents by sterilizing the neck area, providing visual confirmation of sanitation, and offering targeted digital advertising.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning means is configured to emit ultra-violet light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltra-violet light sterilization: Light

Data Source

PatentEP2455324B1An opener device
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 SBD TECH
  • EP2455324B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2455324B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2455324B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A bottle opener device (1) comprises an element (8) to remove a cap (15) of a bottle (2), and two ultra-violet light bulbs (7) to sterilise part of the bottle (2). The removal element (8) may remove the cap (15) upon movement of the bottle (2) relative to the removal element (8) in a pivoting manner. The ultra-violet light bulbs (7) emit energy pulses in the form of ultra-violet light to sterilise part of the bottle (2). The device (1) comprises a sensor to determine whether the cap (15) of the bottle (2) has been removed. The ultra-violet light bulbs (7) are triggered to sterilise part of the bottle (2), responsive to the sensor determining that the cap (15) of the bottle (2) has been removed. The device (1) comprises a transparent window (5) to enable a person to view the ultra-violet light bulbs (7) emitting energy pulses. The device (1) comprises a clamp element (6) to clamp the device (1) to a support structure (3). The device (1) comprises an electronic monitor (4) to display digital advertising content.