Color Indicator Fabric for Visual Malodor Neutralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively demonstrate the efficacy of malodor counteractant products, as malodors are invisible, making it difficult to visually show their performance in advertisements and product demonstrations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two odorous fabric articles treated with a color indicator, placed in separate enclosed environments, where one is treated with a malodor counteractant product, demonstrating the neutralization of malodor transfer by visual color changes, showcasing the product's effectiveness in preventing odor contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If malodor counteractant products are used to neutralize odors, then odor removal efficacy is improved, but visual demonstration capability deteriorates because malodors are invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color change indicators to fabric articles that visibly change color when exposed to malodors. The indicator fabric changes from one color to another upon contact with odor molecules, providing clear visual evidence of malodor presence and neutralization. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable odor removal while adding visual demonstration capability through color transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (color indicator) that mediates between the invisible malodor and the visible spectrum. The indicator fabric acts as a mediator that transforms the invisible chemical interaction between malodor and fabric into a visible color change, enabling consumers to see the product's effectiveness without compromising the actual odor neutralization mechanism.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If color indicators are added to fabric articles, then visual demonstration of malodor transfer is improved, but product complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fabric article multi-functional by incorporating both the malodor counteractant product and the color indicator into a single integrated system. The fabric serves multiple purposes: it is the substrate for the odor-neutralizing product, the medium for malodor absorption, and the visual indicator of odor presence through color change. This reduces overall complexity by combining multiple functions into one universal component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the malodor counteractant product with the color indicator system into a single integrated demonstration system. Instead of separate components for odor control and visual indication, the invention combines them so that the same fabric article that neutralizes odor also provides visual feedback through color change, simplifying the overall system while maintaining both functions.
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 method allows for clear visualization of malodor neutralization, demonstrating how malodor counteractant products stop the cycle of odor transfer between fabrics, thereby improving hygiene in enclosed spaces.
Implementation Method 1
the color indicator is configured to change color upon interaction with a malodor compound
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of demonstrating efficacy of a malodor counteractant product, the method comprising the steps of: a) treating one of two odorous fabric articles with a malodor counteractant product, wherein the two odorous fabric articles comprise a malodor compound and are treated with a color indicator wherein the color indicator is configured to change color upon interaction with a malodor compound; b) providing the treated one of the two odorous fabric articles in a first enclosed environment comprising one of two odorless fabric articles, wherein the two odorless fabric articles are treated with the color indicator; c) providing the other one of the two odorous fabric articles in a second enclosed environment comprising the other one of two odorless fabric articles; and d) allowing the odorous and odorless fabric articles to remain in the first and second enclosed environments for a period of time sufficient to cause a difference of color between the one of two odorless fabric articles in the first enclosed environment and the other one of the two odorless fabric articles in the second enclosed environment.