Inspired by the staggering stupidity of Starbuck's "running tap" policy I propose an automatic rapid steam cleaner for cutlery.
Basically a mug sized container detects when a spoon is dipped into it and releases a measured burst of steam.
The steam blasts the spoon clean and drips out through a hole in the bottom of the container, draining into the sink.
The user retracts the spoon & optionally shakes it to dry in the ambient air.

Implementation:
A strong plastic loop to act like a cup-holder for a ceramic handle-less mug (with a hole in the bottom).
The ceramic mug type container is removable so it can be put in a dish washer.
Beneath the cup-holder loop is a drip tray to catch the residue & drain it into the sink.
An inverted-'T' shaped nozzle sits half way down the container with 3 steam outlets arranged to disperse the steam,
perhaps in Shnerule loop like the transfer ports of a 2-stroke internal combustion engine.
The steam outlet pipe is fed, via a 3 port electrical solenoid, from a small buffer tank of steam.
The plastic loop contains an electrical induction loop wired to a simple metal-detector circuit.
The circuit will only trigger the solenoid in the presence of a spoon & not a finger.
Upon the retraction of the spoon, the solenoid switches back to simultaneously close the supply to the steam outlet pipe,
while connecting the buffer tank to a supply of steam (or very hot water).
The buffer tank is electrically heated to maintain a mild pressure of steam in between uses.
The source of steam could be a connection from a cafe/restaurant style coffee/capuchino machine.
Or hot water could be used, supplied from a burka in an office staff kitchen.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
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