Dual-Surface Cleaning Sheet Coating to Minimize Residue Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning sheets for hard surfaces often leave residue due to oil or wax additives, which can attract more debris and cause a sticky sensation, and are insufficient in capturing debris effectively.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning sheet with a first surface coated with wax on peaks and a second surface coated with oil, where the oil permeates through to the first surface to collect debris in valleys, preventing excessive contact with the target surface and minimizing residue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If oil is disposed on the sheet to capture debris, then debris capture ability is improved, but residue is left on the target surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris capture abilityVSAvoidresidue on target surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet is divided into two distinct surfaces: the first surface (contact side) is substantially free of oil to prevent residue, while the second surface (opposed side) is coated with oil to capture debris. This segmentation allows each surface to perform its specific function without the negative effects of oil residue on the target surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-sided oil coating to a dual-sided approach where oil is applied only to the second surface (opposed to the target surface contact side). This dimensional change in coating placement allows debris capture through oil while preventing residue transfer to the target surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If wax is disposed on the sheet to capture debris, then debris capture ability is improved, but residue is deposited on the target surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris capture abilityVSAvoidresidue on target surface
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet is segmented into two surfaces with different functions: the first surface (contact side) is substantially free of wax to prevent residue deposition, while the second surface (opposed side) is coated with wax to capture debris. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between debris capture and residue prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If oil is disposed on the second surface to prevent residue contact, then residue on target surface is reduced, but oil may migrate through to the first surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue on target surfaceVSAvoidoil coating stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet employs a textured structure with peaks and valleys that acts as a physical barrier and retention mechanism. The valleys on the second surface hold the oil coating in place, preventing migration to the first surface while still allowing the oil to perform its debris capture function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The textured surface with peaks and valleys creates curved surfaces that help retain the oil coating in the valleys through capillary action and surface tension, preventing the oil from migrating to the first surface while maintaining coating stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 sheet effectively captures debris without leaving residue on the target surface, enhancing cleaning performance while maintaining a desirable tactile feel and controlled coefficient of friction.

Implementation Method 1

oil is disposed on the second surface of the sheet... the oil permeates through to the first surface to collect debris

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

Wax is disposed on the first surface... the first surface having peaks and valleys with the wax disposed on the peaks

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3496586B1Cleaning sheets having coating thereon
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO
  • EP3496586B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3496586B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3496586B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A nonwoven sheet 20, having a first outwardly facing surface 21 and a second outwardly facing surface 22. Wax is disposed in a wax pattern 25 on the first surface 21; and oil is disposed in an oil pattern 26 on the second surface 22. The oil pattern 26 is not coincident the wax pattern 25 so that wax blocks the oil from permeating through to the first surface 21. The first surface 21 may be textured with peaks 27 and valleys 28, having wax 25 disposed on the peaks 27. This arrangement keeps the oil 26 from contacting the target surface and leaving residue, while allowing the oil 26 to collect and retain debris. The sheet 20 may be executed as a dry sheet for cleaning surfaces such as floors or as a duster 30.