Composite Cleaning Pad Structure for Low-Water Surface Care
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid detergents for surface cleaning are inefficient in removing soil and residues, requiring additional implements that lead to clutter, increased water consumption, and higher carbon footprints due to additional steps and waste generation.
Innovation Solution
A home care article comprising a compliant cleansing composition with a high weight percentage, surrounded by water penetrable and insoluble substrates that conform to surfaces, allowing for effective cleaning with reduced water consumption and reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid detergents are used with additional implements (sponges, brushes), then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cleansing composition and the substrate into a single integrated home care article. The substrate is impregnated with the cleansing composition, eliminating the need for separate bottles and implements. This merging resolves the technical contradiction by maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing device complexity and clutter.
2Reliability
If liquid detergents are applied with implements, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleansing composition is pre-applied to the substrate during manufacturing, eliminating the need for consumers to separately apply liquid detergent. The substrate is pre-impregnated with the optimal amount of cleanser, which is then released during use. This preliminary action reduces water consumption while maintaining cleaning performance.
3Strength
If rigid substrates are used in home care articles, then structural integrity is improved, but conformability to surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate that can conform to various surface shapes while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. The substrate is designed with appropriate flexibility to adapt to different cleaning surfaces (countertops, sinks, dishes) while still providing the necessary strength to handle and apply the cleansing composition effectively.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conformable substrates are used to improve surface adaptation, then adaptability is improved, but reusability and durability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a flexible substrate is combined with a cleansing composition formulated for controlled dissolution. The substrate provides conformability while the composition is designed to dissolve at an appropriate rate during use. This composite approach maintains reusability by ensuring the substrate remains intact while the cleanser is gradually released, resolving the contradiction between conformability and durability.
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 solution enhances cleaning efficiency, reduces clutter and waste, and promotes sustainability by allowing the cleansing composition to conform to surfaces, thereby improving cleaning performance while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a water penetrable first substrate adjacent to the composition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5B
AI summary
A home care article (10) comprising a cleansing composition (14) having a first side (18) and a second side (20); a first substrate (22) adjacent to the first side (18) of the cleansing composition (14); a second substrate (24) adjacent to the second side (20) of the cleansing composition (14); a first water insoluble substrate (26) adjacent to the first substrate (22), and a second water insoluble substrate (28) adjacent to the second substrate (24).