Disposable Floor Sheet Cleaning System for Steam Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor cleaning systems using steam and textile microfiber sheets face issues such as inconvenient washing, uneven wetting, and inefficiency in cleaning greasy particulate soils, leading to streaks and incomplete stain removal, especially when dealing with mixed stains containing sugar, grease, and protein.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a steam generating appliance, disposable pads with a laminate construction, and a cleaning solution that includes a hydrophobic floor contacting layer for oil removal and glide, a storage layer for soil absorption, and a pre-moistened design to ensure consistent and effective cleaning without the need for fabric washing or priming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If textile microfiber floor sheets are used with steam appliances, then steam can clean stains without chemicals, but the sheets require inconvenient washing between uses and may trap dirt tightly making them difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable cellulose floor sheets that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for washing and maintenance. These sheets are pre-wetted with cleaning solution and can be used once with steam appliances to clean floors, then disposed of, solving the maintenance inconvenience of reusable textile sheets while maintaining effective stain removal capability.
2Quantity of substance
If reusable microfiber pads are used, then high surface area and absorbency are achieved, but the pads lose efficacy after only a few cleaning jobs and require frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reusable microfiber pads with disposable cellulose floor sheets that maintain consistent cleaning performance for each use. While individual sheets are single-use, the system ensures reliable cleaning efficacy by providing fresh sheets for each cleaning task, eliminating the performance degradation that occurs with reused pads.
3Strength
If scrubbing strips are added to floor sheets, then scrubbing ability is improved, but the user must flip the mop head to engage the scrubbing strip with the stain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scrubbing function with the cleaning sheet itself by incorporating a textured green scrubbing strip directly onto the disposable floor sheet. This integration allows the scrubbing surface to be in constant contact with the stain during normal cleaning operation, eliminating the need to flip the mop head to engage a separate scrubbing mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If pre-wetted floor sheets are used, then cleaning solution is applied to the floor, but tough stains requiring mixed components of sugar, grease and protein may require excessive scrubbing to completely remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the cleaning solution parameters by formulating it with specific surfactants and chemicals capable of breaking down mixed stains containing sugar, grease, and protein. The pre-wetted sheets deliver this optimized solution to the floor, and when combined with steam heat, the chemical parameters are enhanced to effectively dissolve and remove tough stains without requiring excessive scrubbing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes steam to introduce phase transition (water to steam and back to water) that delivers thermal energy to the cleaning solution and stain. This thermal energy, combined with the cleaning chemistry, helps break down and remove tough mixed stains more effectively, reducing the need for excessive mechanical scrubbing while maintaining simple operation.
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 system achieves efficient cleaning of tough stains and everyday particulate soils without leaving streaks, providing hygiene and sanitization with low chemical and low residue, and delivering a consistent cleaning experience across larger areas.
Implementation Method 1
steam assisting appliances are used to clean such stains... harnessing the energy in the steam
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic floor contacting layer for oil removal and glide
Implementation Method 3
a storage layer for soil absorption
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention comprises a cleaning system. The system has a steam appliance, a floor sheet, and a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution can be disposed on said floor sheet in dry form.