Compactable Surface Covering With Accordion Wrapper Waste Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface covering members, such as protective garments and drapes, pose challenges in safe disposal and waste management due to lack of guidance on compaction, leading to inefficient bin utilization and increased labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A surface covering member comprising a pliable sheet material with a liquid-penetration-resistant layer and a wrapper panel that can envelop the material when compacted, using accordion folds and adhesive tabs for secure closure, allowing for easy compaction and reduced waste volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surface covering members are disposed of after each use, then cross-contamination risk is minimized, but waste volume increases and disposal frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface covering member is divided into a contaminated working portion and a clean wrapper panel portion. The wrapper panel is segregated from the contaminated area and can be used to contain the waste, separating the disposal function from the protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The compacted contaminated sheet material is nested inside the wrapper panel, creating a contained package. The wrapper panel envelops the waste material, allowing single-component disposal without external containment needs.
2Productivity
If surface covering members are compacted without guidance, then disposal bin utilization improves, but safe compaction becomes difficult due to lack of training
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper panel is integrated directly into the surface covering member structure, allowing the product to perform its own disposal function. The wrapper panel automatically provides the containment structure needed for safe compaction without requiring external tools or specialized training.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper panel is pre-positioned and pre-configured on the surface covering member before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the containment structure is already in place, eliminating the need for complex compaction procedures during disposal.
3Quantity of substance
If wrapper panel is added to surface covering member, then compaction and waste reduction are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wrapper panel and the working sheet material are merged into a single integrated structure. The wrapper panel is continuously connected to the sheet material without requiring separate attachment mechanisms, simplifying the overall device while enabling compaction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wrapper panel serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support during use, provides a containment structure for compaction, and serves as the outer packaging for disposal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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
Facilitates safe and efficient compaction of used surface covering members, minimizing waste and labor costs by providing a structured method for disposal while maintaining liquid resistance and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a selectively deployable adhesive tab positioned at a peripheral edge of the wrapper panel is configured to affix the peripheral edge against a portion of the pliable sheet material when the surface covering member is in a non-compacted state
Implementation Method 2
The wrapper panel may include at least one accordion fold along one or more peripheral edges
Data Source
AI summary
A surface covering member includes a wrapper panel and pliable sheet material with at least one liquid-penetration-resistant layer. The wrapper panel may at least partially envelop the pliable sheet material when the pliable sheet material is compacted. At least one accordion fold may be provided along one or more peripheral edges, optionally with the wrapper panel forming a pouch. First and second wrapper panels may be arranged at first and second positions of the pliable sheet material. A wrapper panel may be a continuous extension of the pliable sheet material, and at least one selectively deployable adhesive tab at a peripheral edge of the wrapper panel affixes the wrapper panel against the pliable sheet material when the surface covering member is in a non-compacted state, and at least partially envelops the pliable sheet material when it is compacted by rolling and/or folding to maintain the compacted pliable sheet material in the at least partially enveloped state.