Applicator Tool Cleaner and Dryer with Ultrasonic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for cleaning and drying cosmetic applicator tools are inefficient, requiring significant time and effort, and often fail to remove all residue, leading to reduced tool effectiveness and potential health risks due to bacterial growth from accumulated materials.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing that accommodates multiple applicator tools, featuring a rotating mechanism and cleaning elements to dislodge debris, followed by a drying mechanism using a heater and fan, allowing for simultaneous cleaning and drying of multiple tools in a single cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual cleaning methods (rubber gloves or pads) are used, then the cleaning process is simple, but it requires significant time and effort and fails to remove all cosmetic residues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cleaning processVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning (rubber gloves or pads) with an automated ultrasonic cleaning system that uses ultrasonic waves to generate cavitation bubbles which mechanically dislodge and remove cosmetic residues from applicator tools, thereby eliminating manual effort while significantly improving cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes ultrasonic waves (a form of acoustic energy) to create cavitation in the cleaning solution, where bubbles form and collapse to generate localized high-pressure zones that effectively remove residues from applicator tools, replacing simple manual mechanical action with a more sophisticated acoustic-hydraulic mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If manual cleaning with liquid or cleaner is used, then the applicator tool can be cleaned, but it must be manually dried over long periods of time (24-48 hours) and sit unused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning capabilityVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cleaning and drying functions into a single integrated device and process cycle. The ultrasonic cleaning chamber is followed by a drying chamber within the same device, allowing the applicator tool to be cleaned and then immediately dried in sequence without manual intervention, eliminating the 24-48 hour drying wait time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a continuous automated process where the applicator tool is immediately transferred from the ultrasonic cleaning cycle to the drying cycle without interruption. The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically sequencing operations and eliminating idle time where the tool would otherwise sit unused during manual drying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate applicator tools are used for different types of applications, then tool specialization is achieved, but only one applicator tool can be cleaned at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool specializationVSAvoidcleaning throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal cleaning device with a configurable holder that can accommodate multiple different types of applicator tools simultaneously. The holder can be adjusted to hold various sizes and configurations of brushes, sponges, and other applicators, allowing all tools to be cleaned in parallel rather than sequentially, thereby maintaining tool specialization while dramatically improving cleaning throughput

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables efficient and simultaneous cleaning and drying of multiple cosmetic applicator tools, improving their effectiveness and reducing health risks by thoroughly removing residues and bacteria, while also saving time compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning device including an applicator tool holder configured to hold the applicator tools, an ultrasonic source, and a drying mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic cleaning: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a drying mechanism using a heater and fan

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11470955B2Applicator tool cleaner and dryer

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 KML LIFESTYLE LLC

AI summary

An apparatus is used for cleaning and drying applicator tools, such as brushes, cosmetic applicators, or cosmetic tools. The apparatus according to various embodiments includes an applicator tool holder configured to hold multiple applicators of various sizes with the applicator heads facing down. The applicator tool cleaning apparatus has a cleaning chamber that can dispense liquid to saturate the applicator heads and contact the applicator heads with a textured surface to dislodge collected materials on the applicator heads and a drying chamber where drying mechanisms blow air or dissipate heat at the applicator heads until dried. The applicator tool holder may be moved vertically between the cleaning chamber and the drying chamber via a motor and drive mechanism. Alternatively, the applicator tool holder may be flipped such that the applicator heads are facing upwards and aligned with the drying mechanisms.