Wipe dispensing system and method for producing disinfectant wipes on demand
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pre-packaged disinfectant wipes are costly, require multiple types for surface compatibility, lead to cross-contamination, and lack accountability in usage, resulting in inefficiencies and increased waste in healthcare settings.
Innovation Solution
A wipe dispensing system that automatically moistens disinfectant wipes on demand using a controller with a drive and fluid dispensing assembly, allowing for customizable wipe size, material, and disinfectant chemistry, minimizing packaging waste, and incorporating a touch-free interface to reduce contamination risks, while providing real-time usage tracking and inventory management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pre-packaged disinfectant wipes are used, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but cost increases and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dispensing of wipes without manual handling of containers. The automated dispensing mechanism retrieves and provides wipes to users without requiring them to touch or open containers, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated dispensing system as an intermediary between the wipe container and the user. This intermediary handles the retrieval and dispensing of wipes, eliminating direct contact between users and containers, thus preventing cross-contamination while ensuring reliable disinfection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of pre-packaged wipes are used for surface compatibility, then cleaning versatility is improved, but device complexity and inventory management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to accommodate multiple types of wipes and disinfectant solutions within a single automated dispensing unit. It can dispense different wipe types based on surface requirements, providing versatility while centralizing inventory management and reducing the need for multiple separate storage locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the dispensing system into modular components that can handle different wipe types and chemicals independently. This allows the system to provide surface-compatible disinfection options while maintaining organized, manageable inventory through structured storage and retrieval mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If pre-packaged wipes are manually removed from containers, then ease of use is maintained, but contamination risk and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated dispensing system performs the retrieval and delivery of wipes without requiring manual handling. Users simply request wipes through the interface, and the system automatically provides them, maintaining ease of operation while eliminating the contamination and waste associated with manual container handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates tracking and monitoring capabilities that provide feedback on wipe usage, inventory levels, and dispensing patterns. This enables optimization of wipe distribution, reduces waste through better inventory control, and maintains user-friendly operation through automated restocking and monitoring.
4Reliability
If pre-packaged wipes are used, then disinfection capability is improved, but cost and packaging waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables recovery and reuse of packaging materials. By using a centralized automated dispensing system, the packaging containers can be refilled and reused multiple times, significantly reducing packaging waste compared to disposable pre-packaged wipes while maintaining reliable disinfection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single system: storage of multiple wipe types, automated dispensing, inventory tracking, and contamination prevention. This consolidation reduces the need for multiple separate packaged products, thereby reducing overall packaging waste while ensuring reliable disinfection through controlled access to appropriate wipe types.
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 reduces costs, minimizes cross-contamination, optimizes wipe usage, and enhances cleaning efficiency by providing customizable and on-demand disinfectant wipes, improving hygiene and reducing waste in healthcare environments.
Implementation Method 1
disposing a portion of the wipe supply between a first position and a second position relative to the fluid dispensing assembly via the drive assembly
Implementation Method 2
applying a fluid to the portion of the wipe supply via the fluid dispensing assembly based upon the wipe criterion to generate the wipe
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the innovation relate to a wipe dispensing system that includes a wipe supply, a drive assembly disposed in operational communication with the wipe supply, a fluid dispensing assembly, and a wipe dispensing controller disposed in electrical communication with the drive assembly and the fluid dispensing assembly. The wipe dispensing controller is configured to receive a wipe criterion which defines a characteristic of a wipe to be provided by the wipe dispensing system, dispose a portion of the wipe supply between a first position and a second position relative to the fluid dispensing assembly via the drive assembly and based upon the wipe criterion, and apply a fluid to the portion of the wipe supply via the fluid dispensing assembly based upon the wipe criterion to generate the wipe.