Cleaning Cloth Contact Layer with Grip Surface for Container Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning cloths and pads often fall out of their containers due to lack of secure holding mechanisms, making handling and removal cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cloth or pad with a reinforcing layer and a contact layer featuring a grip surface with increased frictional resistance, designed to prevent accidental falling and simplify removal by enhancing user interaction with the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cleaning cloth or pad is placed in a container without securing mechanisms, then the container structure remains simple, but the cleaning cloth falls out accidentally during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretention of cleaning cloth in containerVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact layer is segmented into multiple functional zones: a smooth contact surface for cleaning and a grip surface with increased friction for handling. This segmentation allows the same layer to serve dual purposes - cleaning functionality and secure retention in the container through enhanced grip areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grip surface is applied locally to specific areas of the contact layer rather than the entire surface. This localized texturing provides enhanced friction and grip where needed for handling and container retention, while maintaining the smooth cleaning surface in other areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the cleaning cloth has a smooth surface only, then the cleaning function is optimized, but the handling and removal from container becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of cleaning clothVSAvoidsurface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact layer has different surface qualities in different locations: smooth areas for optimal cleaning performance and textured grip surfaces for improved handling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing both smooth cleaning surfaces and enhanced grip zones within the same layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The contact layer serves multiple functions: it provides the cleaning surface, acts as a grip surface for handling, and enables secure retention in the container. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components while improving both cleaning and handling operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a grip surface with increased friction is added to the contact layer, then handling and container retention are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of accidental ejectionVSAvoidmanufacturing of contact layer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The surface properties of the contact layer are modified by changing the friction parameter locally. The grip surface is created by texturing or applying high-friction materials to specific areas, changing the surface characteristics from smooth to textured without fundamentally altering the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 grip surface provides improved handling and secure retention within the container, preventing accidental ejection and facilitating easy extraction with increased frictional resistance, enhancing user comfort and cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least sectionally at least one texture in the form of a grip surface is formed only on the contact surface of the contact layer, wherein the grip surface has an increased frictional resistance compared to the contact surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3548399B1Cleaning cloth cleaning pad
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 POHLMANN ULRICH
  • EP3548399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3548399B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3548399B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning cloth or pad (1) having at least one cleaning layer (2) having at least one cleaning area (3), at least one contact layer (4) having at least one contact area (5), and at least one reinforcing layer (6) in the form of a carrier layer, which is arranged at least partly between the cleaning layer (2) and the contact layer (4). In order to provide a cleaning cloth or pad (1) which offers improved manageability and which is secured against unintended falling out of a box or carton enclosing the cleaning cloth or pad (1), according to the invention, at least one texturing (7) in the form of a grip area (8) is at least partly formed on the contact area (5), wherein the grip area (8) has a frictional resistance that is increased as compared with the contact area (5).