Fluid-Blast Fluffing Process for Disposable Cleaning Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable dust gathering devices often fail to effectively trap dust and require additional steps for cleaning, which can lead to incomplete dust removal and redeposition.
Innovation Solution
A process for fluffing a duster during manufacturing or dispensing, using a fluffing apparatus with nozzles that impinge fluid onto the cleaning article to increase its apparent volume and de-densify the fibers, eliminating the need for user-performed fluffing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If reusable dust gathering devices are used, then they can be cleaned and reused, but they may not hold or trap dust very well and require additional cleaning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by providing a cleaning article that is designed for single-use or limited-use applications. The article comprises a sheet with tow fibers attached thereto, where the tow fibers are non-reusable after one cleaning job. This eliminates the dust redeposition problem inherent in reusable devices while maintaining effective dust trapping capability during the initial use period.
2Ease of repair
If reusable dust gathering devices are cleaned via shaking or mechanical agitation, then dust removal is attempted, but the process is not entirely satisfactory and may allow redeposition of previously collected dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the reusable device cycle by providing a disposable cleaning article. The tow fibers are attached to the sheet in a configuration that captures dust during use, and the entire article is discarded after one use, eliminating the need for cleaning processes that fail to completely remove dust and prevent redeposition.
3Reliability
If cleaning articles are manufactured with tow fibers attached to a sheet, then they can be made disposable, but they require fluffing to achieve optimal cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-fluffing the tow fibers during the manufacturing process. The tow fibers are attached to the sheet in a fluffed or voluminous state rather than a compressed state. This preliminary fluffing action eliminates the need for users to manually fluff the article before use, while maintaining the disposable functionality and optimal cleaning performance.
4Productivity
If multiple cleaning articles are stacked together in packaging, then storage and distribution are efficient, but the articles become compressed and require fluffing before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action during manufacturing by attaching the tow fibers to the sheet in a pre-fluffed state. Even when multiple articles are stacked and compressed during packaging and distribution, the pre-fluffed configuration ensures that minimal or no additional fluffing is required by the user before use, maintaining ease of operation while allowing efficient packaging.
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 fluffed cleaning article maintains enhanced dust-trapping capabilities and simplifies the cleaning process by eliminating the need for user fluffing, ensuring consistent performance and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
A process for fluffing a duster during manufacturing or dispensing, using a fluffing apparatus with nozzles that impinge fluid onto the cleaning article to increase its apparent volume and de-densify the fibers
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A method of and apparatus for fluffing a cleaning article. The cleaning article has a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a layered construction. The apparatus and process spray a fluid blast onto the article, disrupting the tow fibers. The fluid may be air and causes different fibers to react so as to increase the volume of the cleaning article.