Aerosol Sanitizer Composition for Air, Soft, and Hard Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current products are limited in their ability to sanitize air, treat odors in soft surfaces, and disinfect hard surfaces, with no single aerosol or pump spray formulation available that can effectively perform all three functions, leading to consumer confusion and ineffective use of products.
Innovation Solution
A formulation combining triethylene glycol as an air sanitizer and soft surface deodorizer, and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate as a soft surface sanitizer and hard surface disinfectant, along with corrosion inhibitors and a hydrocarbon propellant, delivered in aerosol or spray pump form, to provide a multi-functional product for air, soft, and hard surface treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single formulation is used for air sanitization, soft surface deodorization, and hard surface disinfection, then product versatility is improved, but product complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate functional ingredients into a single aerosol formulation: triethylene glycol (for air sanitization and soft surface deodorization), alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate (for soft surface sanitization and hard surface disinfection), and cyclodextrins (for odor entrapment). This merging allows one product to perform multiple functions that previously required separate products.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulated aerosol product is designed to universally address multiple sanitation needs simultaneously: it sanitizes air by killing airborne bacteria, deodorizes soft surfaces by trapping odor-causing molecules, sanitizes soft surfaces by reducing bacterial load, and disinfects hard surfaces by eliminating pathogens. This multi-functionality is achieved through the synergistic combination of ingredients with complementary mechanisms of action.
2Reliability
If multiple separate products are used for air sanitization, soft surface treatment, and hard surface disinfection, then product functionality is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol formulation is designed as a universal sanitation product that can be applied to air, soft surfaces, and hard surfaces with a single application method. Users no longer need to select between different products for different surfaces, eliminating the time required to choose, switch between, and apply multiple separate products while maintaining effective sanitation functionality.
3Ease of operation
If residue-free formulation is used, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific ingredient concentrations and chemical properties that enable complete evaporation without residue. Triethylene glycol and the quaternary ammonium compound are chosen at concentrations and with molecular weights that allow them to evaporate completely or break down into non-residuous components, achieving ease of operation through parameter optimization rather than complex manufacturing controls.
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 formulation effectively kills airborne bacteria, deodorizes and sanitizes soft surfaces, and disinfects hard surfaces, providing a single product for multiple tasks while preventing corrosion and leaving no residue, thus addressing the limitations of existing products.
Implementation Method 1
triethylene glycol as an air sanitizer... effectively kills airborne bacteria
Implementation Method 2
deodorizes and sanitizes soft surfaces... The hydrophobic interior gives cyclodextrins the unique ability to entrap malodorous compounds
Implementation Method 3
alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate as a soft surface sanitizer and hard surface disinfectant... disinfects hard surfaces
Implementation Method 4
The film is formed as the solvent or carrier evaporates
Implementation Method 5
along with corrosion inhibitors... preventing corrosion
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An improved combination air sanitizer, soft surface sanitizer, soft surface deodorizer and hard surface disinfectant is disclosed. The preferred active ingredient for the air sanitization and soft surface odor treatment functions is triethylene glycol (TEG). The preferred active ingredient for soft surface sanitization and hard surface disinfection functions is a mixture of various alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinates. The formulation may be provided in an aerosol spray form and is useful for sanitizing and removing bacteria and malodorant molecules from the air as well as disinfecting hard surfaces. A unique combination of corrosion inhibitors is disclosed for convention steel or tin-plated steel cans. A single produce can be used as an air sanitizer/air freshener, a soft surface sanitizer, a soft-surface odor remover/reducer and, a hard surface disinfectant.