Cageless Self-Adhesive Lavatory Cleaning Block

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary cleaning compositions for hard surfaces, such as toilet bowls and urinals, face issues with inconsistent properties, poor shelf stability, and adhesiveness, often requiring applicators made of environmentally unfriendly materials and failing to maintain hygiene due to persistent grime and mineral scaling.

Innovation Solution

A solid or malleable block composition with a sodium salt filler, anionic surfactant, chelating agent, adhesion promoter, and antioxidant, wrapped in a water-soluble film for direct application to sanitary objects, providing prolonged adherence and stability without the need for an applicator, and can be flushed away after multiple uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adherable sanitary agents are used to maintain hygiene on sanitary appliances, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but shelf stability and adhesive consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidshelf stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the formulation by incorporating specific adhesion promoters (polyacrylates, polyacrylic acids, carboxymethyl cellulose) at controlled concentrations (0.1-5% w/w), along with chelating agents and antioxidants, to achieve both prolonged adherence (24-72 hours) and shelf stability without degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite cleaning composition that integrates multiple functional components: acidic cleaning agents (citric acid, phosphoric acid), adhesion promoters, chelating agents (EDTA, citric acid), and antioxidants in a unified formulation that delivers both effective cleaning and stable storage properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If adhesion promoters are added to improve adherence duration, then duration of action is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadherence durationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of adhesion promoters within specific ranges (0.1-5% w/w) to achieve prolonged adherence (24-72 hours) while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes and avoiding overly complex formulation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses water-soluble adhesion promoters as intermediary substances that facilitate bonding between the cleaning composition and the sanitary appliance surface without requiring complex application mechanisms or specialized manufacturing equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional applicators are used to apply cleaning compositions, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication convenienceVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates the cleaning composition with inherent adhesion properties that enable it to be applied directly to the sanitary appliance surface without requiring external applicators, making the product self-sufficient and eliminating the need for separate application tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the applicator component from the complete cleaning system, extracting the application function into the composition itself through built-in adhesion promoters, thereby eliminating environmental harm associated with applicator materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If frequent flushing is performed to remove grime and scaling, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the cleaning composition in advance to the sanitary appliance surface, where it adheres and pre-treats grime and mineral scaling before flushing, reducing the need for repeated high-volume flushes to achieve effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a continuous cleaning effect by formulating the composition to adhere persistently (24-72 hours) to the surface, providing ongoing cleaning action that reduces the frequency and volume of flushing required compared to non-adhering compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 composition maintains adherence for extended periods (up to 60 days) and stability, effectively addressing the issues of grime and mineral scaling, while being environmentally friendly and eliminating the need for additional applicators.

Implementation Method 1

a) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of an inorganic sodium salt; (b) from about 10% to about 80%, preferably about 15% to about 75% by weight of an anionic surfactant; (c) from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an adhesion promoter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

from about 10% to about 80%, preferably about 15% to about 75% by weight of an anionic surfactant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

from about 0.1% to about 10% of a chelating agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 4

from about 0.05% to about 1.0% by weight of an antioxidant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation prevention: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20240301326A1Cageless self-adhesive lavatory cleaning composition
Publication Date: 2024.09.12 RECKITT BENCKISER HEALTH LTD

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a stable cageless self-adhesive block composition and methods of use thereof, the composition containing (a) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of an inorganic sodium salt; (b) from about 15% to about 75% by weight of an anionic surfactant; (c) from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an adhesion promoter; (d) from about 0.5% to about 10% of a chelating agent, (e) an anti-oxidant, (f) a dye, and (g) a fragrance, wherein when applied to the walls of a sanitary appliance, said block composition stays adhered to the wall for at least a period of up to 7, 10, 14, 21, 28 or 60 days.