Effervescent Cleaning Compositions with Reusable Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Effervescent compositions face challenges in speed of dissolution, degree of dissolution, and sustained visual interest, with existing products often requiring improvements in quality and packaging to maintain effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
Compositions comprising an organic acid and a carbonate salt that effervesce and dissolve within a consumer window of interest, typically in 30 to 180 seconds, with antimicrobial properties, and are formulated as powders, tablets, or gels for use in cleaning, personal care, and sanitizing products, including reusable packaging systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If effervescent compositions are designed to dissolve rapidly, then speed of dissolution is improved, but sustained visual interest and degree of dissolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the particle size, surface area, and chemical composition of the effervescent materials. By adjusting these parameters, the composition achieves optimal balance between rapid dissolution initiation and sustained effervescence duration, ensuring both quick action and prolonged visual interest within the 3-5 minute window.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple effervescent agents (such as bicarbonate and organic acid salts) in specific ratios and formulations. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both rapid initial dissolution and sustained effervescence, resolving the contradiction between speed and duration through synergistic material interactions.
2Quantity of substance
If effervescent compositions are formulated for complete dissolution, then degree of dissolution is improved, but speed of dissolution may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the effervescent composition into particles of optimized size and shape. This segmentation increases the surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing faster dissolution rates while ensuring complete dissolution of the entire quantity. The segmented particle structure enables both rapid action and full dissolution without compromise.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional packaging is used for cleaning products, then product delivery is simple, but packaging waste and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle through its reusable packaging system. The durable container is designed to be retained and reused by consumers after the effervescent cartridges are depleted, while the cartridges themselves are designed for efficient disposal or recycling. This approach reduces overall packaging waste while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the reusable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packaging system into two distinct parts: a reusable durable container and disposable effervescent cartridges. This segmentation allows the permanent housing to be manufactured once and reused repeatedly, minimizing packaging waste, while the consumable cartridges maintain simple manufacturing processes. The segmented design resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and waste reduction.
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 compositions provide rapid and sustained dissolution, effective cleaning and sanitizing capabilities, and significant antimicrobial action, reducing pathogen populations while minimizing packaging waste and environmental impact through reusable systems.
Implementation Method 1
compositions including an organic acid and a carbonate salt, wherein when the composition is subjected to a solvent, the composition effervesces and exhibits a sustained dissolution timeframe
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions including an organic acid and a carbonate salt, wherein when the composition is subjected to a solvent, the composition effervesces and exhibits a sustained dissolution timeframe. The compositions may be in the form of a powder, tablet or gel and may also possess antimicrobial properties. Sustainable, reusable packaging systems including the compositions and products described herein are also provided.