Folded Dye-Absorbing Laundry Sheet for First-Wash Stain Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for washing colored textiles often result in dye release during the first wash, leading to staining and require multiple products and operations, increasing costs and packaging waste.

Innovation Solution

A compact, folded, and compressed flat matrix article that absorbs colorant substances, made of a cellulose material with an absorbing agent, which unfolds when exposed to water to maximize surface contact and absorption, packaged with a water-soluble wrapper for reduced packaging and easy association with other washing units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If articles for washing colored textiles are used to absorb colorant substances, then staining of textiles is reduced, but the number of products and operations increases, leading to higher costs and packaging waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestaining of textilesVSAvoidnumber of products and operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the absorbent article with a detergent composition into a single integrated product. The detergent composition is applied to the absorbent article, merging two separate products (absorbent material and detergent) into one unified washing product that provides both dye absorption and cleaning functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate products are used for washing colored textiles, then comprehensive cleaning function is achieved, but transport and storage volumes increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidtransport and storage volumes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the absorbent article and detergent composition into a single integrated product, reducing the number of separate items that need to be transported and stored. This consolidation maintains comprehensive cleaning functionality while minimizing packaging and logistics requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate products are used for washing colored textiles, then comprehensive cleaning function is achieved, but packaging production and elimination costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidpackaging waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the absorbent article and detergent composition into one product, the invention reduces the total amount of packaging material required. This single integrated product eliminates the need for separate packaging for each component, thereby reducing packaging production costs and post-consumption waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively absorbs colorant substances, reducing staining and simplifying production and storage by minimizing packaging waste and enabling multi-function products, optimizing transport and storage, and reducing the number of products needed.

Implementation Method 1

at least an absorbing agent of colorant substances borne by the support material, in which the flat matrix is folded and/or rolled-up on itself and compressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the absorbing agent of colorant substances borne by the support material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP2366015B1An article for washing coloured textiles
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 ORLANDI SPA
  • EP2366015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2366015B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2366015B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to an article for washing textiles able to absorb colorant substances (4) dissolved in the washing fluid (5) constituted by a flat matrix comprising at least a support material and at least an absorbing agent of colorant substances (4) borne by the support material. The flat matrix is folded and/or rolled-up on itself and compressed to define the conformation of the article (1), and in that the folded and/or rolled-up material compressed on itself is able to unfold and/or unroll when the article (1) is placed in contact with the washing fluid (5) in order to enable the article (1), with the unfolded and/or unrolled matrix, to absorb the colorant substances (4) present in the washing fluid (5) by means of the absorbing agent.