Cleaning implement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning cloths are prone to contamination, loss, and damage when stored in bags or used as substitutes, leading to undesirable damage on sensitive surfaces like spectacle lenses or displays.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cloth integrated with a protective cover that can be unfolded and folded compactly, featuring a detachable connection via Velcro or adhesive, allowing for easy storage and use while preventing contamination and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cleaning cloth is stored separately in bags or pockets, then it is easy to carry, but it is prone to contamination, loss, and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidcleanliness and integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth is integrated with a protective cover through detachable connections (Velcro or adhesive), combining the cleaning function and protection function into a single unit. This ensures the cloth is always carried with its protective cover, preventing contamination and loss while maintaining easy portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning cloth can be folded and nested within the protective cover when not in use. The cover encloses the cloth completely, protecting it from contamination and damage during storage and transport, while allowing quick access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the cleaning cloth is made large for better cleaning coverage, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but it becomes harder to store and carry compactly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidstorage size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning cloth is designed with fold lines that divide it into manageable sections. These segments can be folded along the predetermined lines to create a compact form factor that fits easily into pockets or bags, while still providing full cleaning coverage when unfolded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the cleaning cloth is permanently attached to the cover, then it cannot be lost, but it cannot be replaced or washed separately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidreplaceability and washability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the cleaning cloth and cover is designed to be dynamically changeable - permanently attached during normal use to prevent loss, but easily separable when washing or replacement is needed. The detachable fastening mechanism (Velcro or adhesive) allows the cloth to transition between attached and detached states as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3558086B1Cleaning implement

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 POHLMANN ULRICH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning utensil (1), comprising at least one cleaning cloth (2) and a protective envelope (3) having at least one front cover (4) with an inner surface (4.1) and an outer surface (4.2) and having at least one rear cover (5) with an inner surface (5.1) and an outer surface (5.2). According to the invention, it is provided that at least the front cover (4) or the rear cover (5) is connected to the cleaning cloth (2).