Cleaning Pad Attachment Structure Without Separate Retaining Sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning devices, such as hand-held dusters and dust mops, often require separate retaining sheets to attach the cleaning pad to the handle, making the manufacturing process complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning pad design featuring two base sheets secured parallel to each other with fiber bundle layers bonded along a central line and spot bonding regions, eliminating the need for a separate retaining sheet by integrating the attachment mechanism directly into the pad.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate retaining sheet is used to attach the cleaning pad to the handle, then the attachment is secure, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the retaining function with the base sheet itself by creating an integral retaining structure formed from the base sheet material. The base sheet is configured with a retaining portion that includes a retaining opening and retaining edges, eliminating the need for a separate retaining sheet while maintaining secure attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base sheet serves multiple functions: it provides the structural foundation for the cleaning pad, contains the fiber bundle layers for cleaning functionality, and incorporates the retaining structure for attachment to the handle. This multi-functional design eliminates separate components and simplifies manufacturing.

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

2Reliability

If a separate retaining sheet is used to attach the cleaning pad, then the attachment mechanism is reliable, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining structure is combined with the base sheet into a single integrated component. The base sheet is formed with a retaining portion that includes retaining edges and a retaining opening, allowing the handle to be inserted and secured without requiring a separate retaining sheet, thereby reducing material costs and simplifying assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base sheet performs multiple functions including structural support, housing the fiber bundles for cleaning, and providing the retaining mechanism for handle attachment. This consolidation of functions into a single component reduces the number of parts, material requirements, and assembly steps, leading to lower production costs.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaning pad uses multiple separate components (base sheet, retaining sheet, fiber bundles), then each component can be optimized, but the overall device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base sheet is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural foundation, contains and supports the fiber bundle layers, and incorporates the retaining structure with opening and edges for handle attachment. This integration maintains the functional benefits of separate components while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple separate parts.

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

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

This design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and provides a secure attachment of the cleaning pad to the handle, enhancing usability and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

a fiber bundle layer including fusible fibers. The fiber bundle layer is fusion-bonded to the fusible sheet to provide a brush portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFusion bonding:

Implementation Method 2

The two side edges of the fusible base sheet are overlapped and joined together to form a retaining cavity into which a holder is to be inserted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBonding:

Data Source

PatentEP2114234B1Cleaning or dusting pad with attachment member holder
Publication Date: 2015.04.08 SC JOHNSON & SON INC
  • EP2114234B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3D
  • EP2114234B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D
  • EP2114234B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5C

AI summary

A cleaning pad or cleaning article (22) is disclosed. The cleaning article includes a combination of fibers (3) bonded to a base sheet (2). Spot bonding regions (7) and/or a central joining line (4) join fibers to the base sheet (2). The base sheet (2) further has an attachment portion for retaining the cleaning pad to a cleaning implement handle. In one embodiment, the attachment portion (13) is comprised of elongate slit openings (10) in the base sheet (2). In other embodiments, the base sheet (2) is folded over and bonded to the base sheet (2) or to itself to form a retaining cavity (33) for an attachment member (24).