Cationic Nonwoven Sanitizing Wipes That Preserve Quat Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonwoven sanitizing articles in the food service industry often neutralize the effectiveness of quaternary amine sanitizing solutions over time, failing to maintain the required concentration levels as per FDA regulations.
Innovation Solution
A binder-free nonwoven cleaning and sanitizing article incorporating a cationic fibrous component, such as chitosan fibers, which maintains the effectiveness of quaternary amine sanitizing solutions when stored and used over an extended period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If nonwoven fabrics are engineered to facilitate sanitizing, then sanitizing process efficiency is improved, but detrimental effects on sanitizing solution concentration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical charge parameter of the nonwoven fabric to cationic, which prevents unwanted chemical interactions with quaternary amine sanitizing solutions. This parameter change eliminates the detrimental effect on sanitizing solution concentration while maintaining sanitizing process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of ionic interactions into a benefit by using cationic fibrous components that are compatible with quaternary amine sanitizing solutions. Instead of neutralizing the solution, the cationic fabric maintains solution effectiveness, turning a previously harmful interaction into a beneficial compatibility.
2Productivity
If repeated use of sanitizing articles is implemented, then productivity is improved, but bacterial buildup occurs on reusable towels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable nonwoven sanitizing articles that are discarded after use. This approach eliminates bacterial buildup issues associated with reusable towels while maintaining high productivity. The single-use nature of the articles ensures no bacterial contamination between uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where sanitizing articles are discarded after use rather than reused. This discarding approach prevents bacterial buildup that would occur with reusable towels, while the continuous supply of fresh articles maintains cleaning productivity.
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 cationic fibrous component ensures that the quaternary amine sanitizing solution remains at least 90% effective after one hour of repeated use, meeting FDA standards and preventing bacterial buildup.
Implementation Method 1
a cationic cleaning or sanitizing article... for use in conjunction with the quaternary amine sanitizing solution... maintaining at least the minimum required FDA ppm of the sanitizing solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an essentially binder free cleaning and/or sanitizing nonwoven article including a cationic fibrous component for cleaning a surface, to be utilized with a sanitizing solution without depleting the solution's effectiveness. The cationic cleaning or sanitizing article of the present invention is particularly engineered to be stored in a quaternary amine sanitizing solution over an extended period of time while maintaining at least the minimum required FDA ppm of the sanitizing solution.