Alternating Acidic Alkaline Solid Dispenser for Quarry Tile Friction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Quarry tile floors become slippery over time due to wear and grease buildup, posing a safety hazard despite regular cleaning, as the surface friction decreases and grease films develop, making it difficult to maintain a non-slip surface.

Innovation Solution

A method of alternating between acidic and alkaline solid cleaning products within a solid product dispenser, where each product is dissolved with a diluent to create use solutions that transition through a pH range, enhancing cleaning effectiveness and maintaining surface friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quarry tile floors are cleaned regularly with single pH cleaners, then cleaning is performed, but the floors become slippery over time due to grease buildup and surface wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor safetyVSAvoidslipperiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system alternates between acidic and alkaline cleaning cycles periodically. Acidic cleaners are used to remove polymerized grease soils, followed by alkaline cleaners to remove fresher grease soils. This periodic alternation of cleaning chemistries prevents grease film buildup and maintains surface friction over time, addressing the slipperiness problem that develops with regular single-pH cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pH parameter of the cleaning solution between cycles. By switching between acidic (low pH) and alkaline (high pH) cleaners, the system attacks different types of grease soils with appropriate chemistry. Acidic cleaners effectively remove polymerized grease, while alkaline cleaners remove fresher grease, together maintaining floor safety and reducing slipperiness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If anti-slip tile features such as added grit or rougher surface texture are used, then initial traction is improved, but the tile becomes worn and soiled over time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetractionVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of grease buildup (which reduces traction) into a benefit by using alternating acidic and alkaline cleaners to systematically remove different types of grease soils. The acidic cleaner removes polymerized grease that alkaline cleaners cannot effectively remove, and vice versa. This converts the problem of grease accumulation into an effective cleaning strategy that maintains traction throughout the tile's service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If daily cleaning is performed, then floors are maintained, but grease saturation occurs and slipperiness persists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning frequencyVSAvoidgrease saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the cleaning solution between cycles rather than using the same cleaner daily. Acidic cleaners (low pH) effectively remove polymerized grease soils that have built up over time, while alkaline cleaners (high pH) remove fresher grease soils. This parameter change prevents grease saturation by attacking different grease types with appropriate chemistry, maintaining effectiveness despite daily cleaning frequency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 alternating cleaning products effectively remove grease and soil, maintaining a higher coefficient of friction and reducing slipperiness, thereby improving safety by ensuring better traction on the floors.

Implementation Method 1

each product is dissolved with a diluent to create use solutions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

use solutions that transition through a pH range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH transition:

Implementation Method 3

effectively remove grease and soil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGrease removal:

Implementation Method 4

maintaining a higher coefficient of friction and reducing slipperiness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7993579B2Magazine loading of solid products and method of dispensing same

Publication Date: 2011.08.09 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A method of dispensing a first solid product and a second solid product with a solid product dispenser includes placing the first solid product in a product housing of the dispenser and placing the second solid product in the product housing on top of the first solid product, the first and second solid products being different products. A portion of the first solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been partially depleted to a size small enough to allow the second solid product to also be dispensed, then a portion of the first solid product and a portion of the second solid product are dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser until the first solid product has been completely depleted, and then a portion of the second solid product is dispensed during each cycle of the dispenser.