Cleansing substrate with synchronized printed and expanded texture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleansing cloths, especially wet wipes, lose texture when moistened due to structure collapse, resulting in an underwhelming cleaning experience compared to dry bath tissue, and existing methods for enhancing texture are complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Applying heat-activated expanding or puff ink onto woven or nonwoven substrates before wetting, which can be done using various printing methods, creates a stable and resilient texture by expanding the ink after drying, increasing the substrate's caliper and maintaining texture in water-based solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional substrate processes are used to create texture, then the substrate structure is initially formed, but the texture is lost or reduced when the substrate is made wet
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable particles are incorporated into the substrate during the manufacturing process, before the substrate is put into service. This preliminary incorporation ensures that the texture-enhancing particles are already in position and will provide texture stability when the substrate is later exposed to wet conditions during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate structure is modified by incorporating particles with specific physical properties (expandable, resilient) that change state or behavior under wet conditions. These particles expand or maintain their structure when wet, counteracting the natural collapse of substrate fibers and maintaining texture stability in wet environments.
2Strength
If expandable beads are used to capture dry particles and create texture, then a resilient structure is formed, but generating a pre-determined shape and specific structure distribution becomes an involved process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different concentrations or types of expandable particles to different regions of the substrate to create specific local textures and structures. This localized application allows for pre-determined shapes and structure distributions without requiring complex overall process modifications, as each region can be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The desired texture pattern is first designed or specified, then replicated across the substrate through controlled application of expandable particles. This copying approach allows for consistent reproduction of specific structures and shapes while maintaining process simplicity, as the pattern can be standardized and repeated.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet structure collapses under pressure when moistened, then the substrate becomes wet wipe functional, but the texture is lost resulting in an underwhelming cleaning experience
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is created as a composite material system combining traditional fibrous substrate with incorporated expandable particles. This composite structure provides both the flexibility and absorbency needed for wet wipe functionality and the structural resilience needed to maintain texture when wet, as the particles resist compression while the substrate remains functional.
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 method enhances the texture and caliper of wet wipes, providing a more durable and effective cleaning experience by maintaining structure even when wet, perceived through topographical imaging and consumer feedback, indicating improved cleaning quality and reduced risk of tearing or exposure to undesirable substances.
Implementation Method 1
heat-activated expanding or puff ink... expanding the ink after drying, increasing the substrate's caliper
Implementation Method 2
Applying heat-activated expanding or puff ink onto woven or nonwoven substrates before wetting, which can be done using various printing methods
Implementation Method 3
expanding the ink after drying
Data Source
AI summary
The current disclosure provides for a woven or nonwoven textured substrate that is stable in water based solutions. The textured substrate is generated by a controlled placement of ink on to portions of the surface and/or between layers of the textured substrate which is then followed by heat activation which expands the ink to puff out where the ink was applied to the textured substrate.