Dry Reusable Cleaning Substrate for Precise Wet Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface cleaning methods using washable substrates are inefficient in substrate utilization and prone to microbial contamination, and require on-site preparation of cleaning solutions, leading to misdosage and unsatisfactory cleaning results.

Innovation Solution

A reusable substrate is loaded with a cleaning composition, dried, and stored in a dry state for transport to the cleaning location, where it is wetted for use, allowing for efficient reuse and minimizing substrate waste and microbial contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If substrates are delivered in a wet state with cleaning composition, then cleaning composition is available for use, but substrates are prone to microbial contamination and require special storage precautions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning composition availabilityVSAvoidmicrobial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is delivered in a dry state rather than wet, fundamentally changing the moisture parameter to eliminate microbial growth conditions while preserving cleaning composition through encapsulation or binding mechanisms that activate upon contact with water during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If cleaning liquor is prepared on-site by adding cleaning composition to water, then substrates can be used as reusable, but misdosage occurs leading to unsatisfactory cleaning results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereusable substrateVSAvoidcleaning composition dosage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning composition is pre-applied to the substrate at the manufacturer's facility in precise, controlled amounts, eliminating on-site dosing operations. The substrate arrives ready-to-use with the exact required concentration, preventing both under-dosing and over-dosing that occur during manual preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate itself serves as the delivery vehicle for the cleaning composition, carrying the active ingredients directly to the cleaning surface without requiring separate water mixing or dosing equipment, thereby ensuring consistent application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If substrates are made reusable and washable, then substrate efficiency increases, but they require washing and reloading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate efficiencyVSAvoidwashing and reloading process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is designed as a single-use, disposable item that is discarded after one cleaning cycle. This eliminates the complexity of washing and reloading operations entirely, while the low cost of the disposable substrate makes the approach economically viable compared to reusable systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 enhances substrate efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures consistent cleaning performance by maintaining the substrate in a dry state during storage and transport, while allowing for effective dirt collection and easy reloading of the cleaning composition.

Implementation Method 1

a reusable substrate is loaded with a cleaning composition, dried, and stored in a dry state for transport to the cleaning location, where it is wetted for use, allowing for efficient reuse and minimizing substrate waste and microbial contamination risks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2502534B1A dry, washable and reusable surface cleaning substrate loaded with cleaning composition
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 AVET

AI summary

The present invention is a surface cleaning substrate, which is essentially dry and loaded with a cleaning composition, which may very suitably be stored and transported in its dry form and which may be activated for surface cleaning by simple addition of a carrier, such as water. The present invention is further a method for the manufacture of such a loaded dry substrate, and to the method of surface cleaning using such a loaded dry substrate.