Bonded Laminate Cleaning Implement with Integrated Active Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning products, such as shampoos and hard surface cleaners, are inefficient and cumbersome, requiring repeated handling and storage, and often lead to incomplete cleaning due to the need for separate dispensing and application tools, with reusable implements potentially harboring bacterial growth and odors.

Innovation Solution

A laminate cleaning implement comprising a backing sheet, a substrate with an active agent that releases upon use, and a facing sheet, bonded at discrete points to form a coherent structure, which simplifies manufacturing and enhances cleaning efficiency by combining the cleaning agent with the implement, allowing for effective soil capture and improved sanitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cleaning products are sold in bottles or closed vessels requiring separate dispensing and application, then the cleaning agent can be stored and transported, but the cleaning process becomes inefficient and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cleaning agent and the application implement into a single integrated laminate structure. The cleaning composition is applied to the facing sheet during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate bottles and application tools. This merging resolves the contradiction by improving cleaning efficiency while reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning composition is pre-applied to the facing sheet during the manufacturing process before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary action eliminates the need for consumers to handle separate dispensing containers and application implements, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and simplifying the cleaning process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If reusable cleaning implements are used, then storage needs are reduced, but bacterial growth and odors develop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidbacterial growth
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a disposable laminate cleaning implement that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the harmful effects of bacterial growth and odors associated with reusable implements, while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the integrated cleaning composition applied to the facing sheet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If cleaning composition is sprayed onto an assembled implement, then the implement structure is maintained, but a drying step is required before packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplement structure integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning composition is pre-applied to the facing sheet during the manufacturing process before the laminate is assembled. This preliminary action maintains the implement structure integrity while eliminating the need for a separate drying step before packaging, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If processing steps are completed before combining cleaning composition with the implement, then the implement structure is prepared, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cleaning composition application step with the implement manufacturing process. The composition is applied to the facing sheet during manufacturing, and the laminate is assembled in a single integrated process, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while reducing process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3010388B1Bonded laminate cleaning implement
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3010388B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3010388B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3010388B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A laminate cleaning implement. The laminate cleaning implement has a backing sheet, a substrate, and a facing sheet. The backing sheet and the facing sheet are connected at a plurality of discrete bonding points to form a coherent laminate structure and the substrate is disposed between the backing sheet and the facing sheet.