Angled Wet Wipe Stack Storage for Even Liquid Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wet wipes in containers experience uneven distribution of the impregnation solution due to gravity, leading to hygienic issues and non-compliance with European standards, particularly in medical settings, and existing solutions like liquid-tight separating layers or support members are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A system with a storage means that allows a stack of wet wipes to be angled such that each wipe contacts a basal surface, utilizing capillary forces for even liquid distribution, and featuring a flexible material storage container with adhesive and seam sealing for stability and accessibility, reducing production costs and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wet wipes are stored in a conventional vertical container, then the container structure is simple, but the liquid sinks to the bottom causing uneven distribution and hygienic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional storage approach by tilting the container at an angle of 15-45 degrees from vertical, causing the wipes to contact the basal surface rather than stacking vertically. This inversion of the storage geometry allows capillary forces to distribute liquid evenly from the basal surface upward, ensuring hygiene compliance without requiring complex internal structures like separating layers.
2Reliability
If liquid-tight separating layers are added between wipes, then liquid distribution is improved, but production costs and system weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the liquid-tight separating layers from the system, replacing them with the angled container geometry. By removing these additional components and relying on the tilted storage angle and capillary action in the wipe material itself, the system achieves proper liquid distribution without the added weight and production costs of separating layers.
3Reliability
If liquid-tight separating layers are added between wipes, then liquid distribution is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the liquid-tight separating layers from the manufacturing process, simplifying production. The liquid distribution is achieved through the angled container design (15-45 degrees) that allows wipes to contact the basal surface, enabling capillary distribution without requiring additional manufacturing steps for inserting separating layers.
4Reliability
If the container is tilted at an angle, then liquid distribution is improved, but the container requires additional stabilization features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a foldable support structure that can be dynamically deployed or folded. When deployed, the support creates a stable base for the tilted container at the optimal 15-45 degree angle for liquid distribution. When folded, it minimizes the container's footprint. This dynamic element provides stabilization only when needed, avoiding permanent structural complexity.
5Ease of operation
If the aperture is positioned adjacent the front side surface, then user accessibility is improved, but the storage means requires precise angular positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures the container during manufacturing with the aperture positioned adjacent to the front side surface at the correct angle. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the container is assembled and the foldable support is deployed, the aperture is automatically in the optimal position for user accessibility, eliminating the need for user adjustment and simplifying operation.
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
Ensures consistent disinfectant distribution across all wipes, maintaining hygiene standards while reducing production costs and complexity, with flexible and cost-effective storage solutions that prevent liquid from sinking or drying out.
Implementation Method 1
each single wipe can soak liquid so that the liquid moves up into the upper parts of each wipe by capillary force
Data Source
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Figure 7
AI summary
The invention provides a system (1) for providing wet wipes (2), comprising: a stack (3) of wet wipes (2), a storage means (4) being designed to provide a closed envelope for storing the stack (3) of wet wipes (2), the storage means (4) having an aperture (5), through which the wet wipes (2) are removable individually from the storage means (4), wherein an angle (6) between a bottom surface (7) of the stack (3) and a front side surface (8) of the stack (3) is smaller than 90 degrees, wherein each wet wipe (2) has contact with a basal surface (9) of the storage means (4), wherein the aperture (5) lies adjacent to the front side surface (8) of the stack (3).