Dual Effervescent Bubble Bar for Automated Foam Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactant products, such as bubble bars, require user action to create foam and may not provide the same sensory experience as bath bombs, and they generate environmental waste due to packaging.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant product comprising two distinct effervescent materials, where the first material contains sodium bicarbonate and citric acid with a higher effervescence rate than the second material containing a surfactant, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and cream of tartar, allowing the product to generate foam without user action and create patterns in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a conventional bubble bar is used, then the product requires user action to create foam, but this reduces the automated foam generation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble bar is segmented into two distinct effervescent materials with different effervescence rates. The first material (sodium bicarbonate and citric acid) provides rapid initial effervescence to propel the product and generate foam automatically, while the second material (surfactant, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and cream of tartar) provides sustained slower effervescence. This segmentation eliminates the need for user action while maintaining ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single effervescent material is used, then the effervescence rate is uniform, but this reduces the sensory experience and visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the bubble bar have different effervescent properties. The first effervescent material creates rapid effervescence for propulsive effect and initial foam generation, while the second material creates slower sustained effervescence. This local differentiation of effervescence rates enhances the sensory experience and visual appeal through dynamic foam patterns without excessive structural complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If packaging is used for surfactant products, then the product is protected during storage and transport, but this creates environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble bar is designed as a water-soluble solid product that dissolves and effervesces directly in the bathwater without requiring packaging for its functional purpose. The product itself serves the dual function of cleaning and creating foam, eliminating the need for additional packaging materials and reducing environmental waste while maintaining product integrity during storage and transport.
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 product automatically generates foam upon contact with water, eliminating the need for user action and reducing packaging waste, while providing an enhanced sensory experience through effervescence patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The sodium bicarbonate and the citric acid in the product then react with water to generate carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
This effervescence within the surfactant product generates foam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a surfactant product comprising a first effervescent material and a second effervescent material, wherein each effervescent material is capable of effervescence on contact with water, wherein the rate of effervescence of the first effervescent material is greater than the rate of effervescence of the second effervescent material, and wherein the first and second effervescent materials are distinct from each other and at least one of the effervescent materials envelops the other of the effervescent materials.