Cleaning pad for the treatment of surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cleaning pads with integrated storage bottles are bulky, complex to produce, and have storage parts that are difficult to replace, making them inefficient and hard to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning pad design where the storage part can be easily guided through an opening with a congruent cross-sectional area, allowing for a precise fit and easy replacement, combined with a manufacturing process using adhesive materials for a stable and airtight seam, and materials like microfiber and imitation leather for enhanced functionality and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the storage bottle is arranged in the core with plane-parallel outer surfaces, then the cleaning pad integrates storage and cleaning functions, but the production becomes complex requiring several cuttings of the core

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of storage functionVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The core is divided into two halves that are assembled together, with the storage bottle integrated into one half. This segmentation allows the storage bottle to be easily incorporated during assembly without requiring complex cuttings of the entire core, thereby simplifying production while maintaining integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The storage bottle is pre-integrated into one half of the core before final assembly. By preparing the core halves separately with the storage bottle already in place, the manufacturing process becomes simpler as the bottle does not need to be installed after core formation, reducing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If the storage bottle is arranged in the core with plane-parallel outer surfaces, then the cleaning pad integrates storage and cleaning functions, but the storage part cannot be exchanged easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of storage functionVSAvoidstorage part replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the core into two assembleable halves creates a modular structure where the storage bottle is contained within one half. This modularity enables the storage bottle to be accessed and replaced by disassembling the core halves, significantly improving replaceability while maintaining integration during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The core structure transitions from a fixed monolithic form to a dynamic assembleable structure. The two halves can be separated and reconnected, allowing the storage bottle to be easily removed and replaced when needed, providing dynamic adaptability for maintenance and repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the cross-sectional area of the opening is dimensioned sufficiently for storage part replacement, then the storage part can be easily guided through and replaced, but the cleaning pad may appear less visually presentable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage part replaceabilityVSAvoidvisual presentability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The opening is positioned and dimensioned asymmetrically within the core structure, located in a region where its presence is less visually prominent. This allows sufficient opening size for easy storage part replacement while minimizing impact on the overall visual presentability of the cleaning pad exterior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design simplifies production, allows for easy storage part replacement, and enhances the cleaning pad's durability and functionality with a stable, airtight seam and improved material properties.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the material blanks is provided with an adhesive material on its surface facing the core, with which the material blanks are connected to one another and to the core in a stable and airtight seam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4021269B1Cleaning pad for the treatment of surfaces
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 POHLMANN ULRICH
  • EP4021269B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021269B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021269B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning pad (100) for treating surfaces, in particular smooth surfaces, wherein the cleaning pad (160) has an elastically deformable core (1) and a cleaning cover (2) surrounding said core, wherein a container (4), which has a storage part (6) and a neck (7) in which a spray head (8) is installed, is embedded into the interior of the core (1), wherein an opening (9) above which at least part of the neck (7) is positioned is located in the cleaning cover (2) above the side of the container (4) facing the neck (7). In order to simplify the manufacture of the cleaning pad (100), according to the invention the storage part (8) can be passed through the opening (9), wherein the cross-sectional area of the opening (9) corresponds at least to the cross-sectional area of the storage part (6).