Cleaning tool and cleaning sheet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning sheets face issues with wrinkling of the outer layer during use, which affects the cleaning efficiency due to insufficient frictional force between the inner and outer layers, and excessive release of cleaning solution through embossed bonded portions.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning sheet design featuring a hydrophobic first sheet, a hydrophilic third sheet impregnated with cleaning solution, and a hydrophobic fourth sheet with openings, where the third sheet comes into contact with the first sheet, enhancing frictional force and minimizing bonded areas to prevent wrinkling and control cleaning solution release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the inner layer sheet and outer layer sheets are bonded by a number of bonded portions formed by embossing, then the cleaning sheet can be manufactured with good bonding strength, but a large amount of cleaning solution is released from the inner layer sheet to the outer layer sheets via the bonded portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidcleaning solution release amount
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating hydrophobic regions at the bonded portions through embossing. The embossed portions have different surface properties (hydrophobic) compared to the non-embossed regions, allowing the bonded areas to repel cleaning solution while maintaining bonding strength. This resolves the contradiction by making specific local areas (bonded portions) have the quality needed to prevent solution release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the bonded portions by applying hydrophobic treatment to the embossed areas. This parameter change allows the bonded portions to maintain mechanical bonding strength while simultaneously reducing cleaning solution release, as the hydrophobic surface repels the aqueous cleaning solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If the number of bonded portions for bonding the inner layer sheet, intermediate layer sheet and outer layer sheets together is minimized, then the cleaning solution release is reduced, but the outer layer sheet may become wrinkled during cleaning operation due to low frictional force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning solution release amountVSAvoidouter layer sheet stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating specific hydrophobic regions at the bonded portions through embossing. These localized hydrophobic areas prevent cleaning solution accumulation at bonding points while maintaining adequate frictional force through the overall sheet structure, thus preventing wrinkling without requiring numerous bonded portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure with hydrophobic-treated embossed portions combined with hydrophilic non-embossed portions. This composite approach allows different regions of the sheet to have different functions: hydrophobic regions control solution release while hydrophilic regions maintain friction and prevent wrinkling, resolving the contradiction between minimal bonding and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If the outer layer sheet and intermediate layer sheet have low frictional force between them, then the intermediate layer sheet can be disposed easily, but the outer layer sheet may become wrinkled during cleaning operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintermediate layer sheet placementVSAvoidouter layer sheet flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating hydrophobic regions at specific bonded portions through embossing. This allows the intermediate layer sheet to be easily positioned during manufacturing while the hydrophobic embossed regions prevent excessive solution release that could cause wrinkling during actual cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively prevents wrinkling of the outer layer during cleaning operations while optimizing the release of cleaning solution, ensuring efficient and effective cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

the inner layer sheet is impregnated with cleaning solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

it is preferable that the inner layer sheet is hydrophilic and the outer layer sheets are hydrophobic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilicity: Hydrophile

Implementation Method 3

the outer layer sheets are hydrophobic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophobicity: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 4

a frictional force acting between the intermediate layer sheet and the outer layer sheet is low

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3520667B1Cleaning tool and cleaning sheet
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 UNI CHARM CORP
  • EP3520667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3520667B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cleaning sheet 200 includes a central portion 200b which is adapted to be placed on a cleaning side of a cleaning sheet mounting member of a cleaning tool, and end portions 200a, 200c which are formed on both sides of the central portion in one direction and are adapted to be removably held by a holding member of the cleaning sheet mounting member, wherein the central portion of the cleaning sheet has a hydrophobic first sheet 220, a hydrophobic second sheet 230, a hydrophilic third sheet 210 and a fourth sheet 240; the third sheet 210 is impregnated with cleaning solution and disposed between the first sheet 220 and the second sheet 230; at least part of the fourth sheet 240 is disposed between the first sheet 220 and the third sheet 210 such that part of the third sheet is able to come in contact with the first sheet; the end of one end portion 200a is formed by a folded first sheet area of an end of the first sheet 220, and an adjoining area of the folded first area is configured by an single layer of the first sheet, and the end of the other end portion 200c is formed by a folded second sheet area of an end of the second sheet 230, and an adjoining area of the folded second area is configured by a single layer of the second sheet.