Single-Compartment Aerosol Cleaning Composition with Soluble Propellant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol systems for delivering viscous cleaning materials are cumbersome and costly due to the need for separate compartments for propellants and products, which limits their efficiency and handling in production lines.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol system where the propellant is packaged together with the aqueous-based cleaning composition in a single compartment, with the propellant being at least partially soluble in the composition, allowing for self-adhering gel formation upon application to hard surfaces, such as toilet bowls, and efficient dispensing using a metered dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If propellant and viscous cleaning material are packaged in separate compartments (bag-in-valve system), then the cleaning material can be delivered effectively, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the propellant and viscous cleaning material into a single compartment, eliminating the need for separate bag-in-valve structures. The composition is formulated to remain stable during storage and only becomes pumpable when mixed with water at the point of use, simplifying the dispensing device while maintaining effective delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and viscosity parameters of the cleaning composition dynamically. The composition is stored as a stable, non-pumpable slurry at high viscosity, then transforms into a pumpable, fluid state upon addition of water, enabling simple single-compartment packaging while ensuring effective delivery through controlled viscosity modification.
2Ease of manufacture
If propellant is packaged together with cleaning material in a single compartment, then production cost and handling efficiency improve, but the composition stability and pumpability become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by formulating a composition that maintains stable, high-viscosity characteristics during storage (non-pumpable) but transforms into a pumpable fluid state upon controlled dilution with water. This allows single-compartment packaging for manufacturing efficiency while ensuring compositional stability is maintained through controlled physical state changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition performs self-service by automatically adjusting its own viscosity and flow properties through controlled water addition. The system self-regulates its pumpability without requiring complex external mechanisms, enabling simple packaging while maintaining stability through intrinsic property changes rather than external control systems.
3Reliability
If the cleaning composition has high viscosity for self-adhering properties, then it adheres well to vertical surfaces, but it becomes difficult to dispense through aerosol systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by formulating a composition with high viscosity for self-adhering properties that transforms into a low-viscosity, pumpable state upon water addition. This enables the composition to adhere effectively to vertical surfaces while remaining easy to dispense through simple single-compartment packaging with controlled viscosity modification.
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
This approach enables efficient delivery and stability of self-adhering cleaning compositions to wide areas, providing a wet film that extends treatment beyond the initial application point, improving cleaning efficacy and reducing production costs by simplifying handling and packaging.
Implementation Method 1
the propellant is at least partially soluble in the composition, allowing for self-adhering gel formation upon application to hard surfaces
Implementation Method 2
an aerosol system where the propellant is packaged together with the aqueous-based cleaning composition in a single compartment
Implementation Method 3
efficient dispensing using a metered dispenser
Implementation Method 4
The aqueous-based composition includes water and an adhesion promoter, which typically includes one or more organic molecules, each containing at least one hydrophilic group
Implementation Method 5
The aqueous-based composition commonly also includes at least one surfactant selected from the group of anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric, and/or zwitterionic surfactants
Implementation Method 6
When water passes over the composition and surface, a portion of the self-adhering composition is released into the water that flows over the dose
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Cleaning compositions, which are typically self-adhering in gel form upon application to a hard surface, and which are desirably capable of being applied in aerosol form, are provided. The aqueous-based cleaning compositions include an adhesion promoter, which typically includes one or more organic molecules, each containing at least one hydrophilic group; and an anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant; and (c) a propellant. In many embodiments, the aqueous-based composition and propellant are contained within a single compartment of a dispensing device.