Odour Absorbing Clothing Using Granular Activated Carbon

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odor-absorbing clothing materials, such as those used in hunting and sports gear, fail to effectively mitigate body odor and sweat smells, leading to discomfort and interference with hunting activities due to inadequate absorption capacity and wearing comfort issues.

Innovation Solution

A textile clothing item equipped with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-permeable carrier layer containing granular activated carbon, which provides efficient odor adsorption and improved wearing comfort through its abrasion-resistant and dust-free design, allowing for long-term effective odor control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If activated carbon powder is used in odor-absorbing clothing, then odor absorption capacity is improved, but wear resistance deteriorates due to dust generation and material abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor absorption capacityVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses activated carbon grains with a specified pore structure (0.5-2.0 mm particle size, specific surface area 500-1500 m²/g) that provides both high odor absorption capacity through its porous structure and improved wear resistance compared to fine powder. The grain structure reduces dust generation while maintaining adsorption effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by embedding activated carbon grains within a textile carrier layer or bonding them to the fabric base. This composite approach combines the odor-absorbing properties of activated carbon with the mechanical strength and wear resistance of the textile material, eliminating dust generation while maintaining absorption capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive is applied to fix activated carbon to the carrier layer, then attachment stability is improved, but odor absorption capacity deteriorates due to reduced accessible surface area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidodor absorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies adhesive locally rather than uniformly across the entire carrier layer. By using spot welding, localized adhesive application, or bonding only at the periphery of activated carbon grains, the majority of the carbon surface area remains exposed and accessible for odor absorption while still achieving sufficient attachment stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses minimal adhesive application sufficient for attachment stability without completely covering the activated carbon surface. The adhesive is applied in controlled amounts and distributions that provide mechanical stability while leaving the majority of the high-surface-area carbon grains exposed for their primary odor absorption function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 use of granular activated carbon in a textile clothing item significantly enhances odor absorption capacity and wearing comfort by maintaining breathability and moisture buffering, effectively reducing body odor perception and mechanical stress on the fabric.

Implementation Method 1

an odor-adsorbing inner material containing activated carbon, the odor-adsorbing inner material being a carrier layer designed as a textile planar material and to which the activated carbon in the form of activated carbon grains is fixed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP1856996B1Odour absorbing clothing and its application
Publication Date: 2012.01.04 BLUCHER GMBH
  • EP1856996B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The textile fabric (1), for sport and leisure apparel, has an outer layer (5) and an odor-adsorbent inner material (2) of a textile fabric as a carrier (3) containing active carbon (4) fixed by an adhesive or by impregnation. The carrier is permeable to air and water vapor.