Gel-Impregnated Shoe Cleaning Pad for In-Play Court Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-slip shoe accessories for court sports are either ineffective due to reliance on mechanical brushing, heavy and cumbersome when impregnated with cleaning fluids, and pose safety issues with residue and fluid leakage during play.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, gel-impregnated cleaning pad assembly secured to the shoe, featuring a non-woven microfiber layer on a moisture-impermeable base within an encapsulating plastic frame, with a hook-and-loop attachment system for easy removal and replenishment, designed to prevent gel leaching, spraying, or splattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning pad is impregnated with cleaning fluid to provide effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes heavy and cumbersome, impeding player quickness
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid is transformed into a gel state by adding a gelling agent, changing its physical parameters from liquid to semi-solid. This allows the cleaning substance to be impregnated into the pad at higher concentrations without the weight penalty of excess liquid, while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the gel's adhesive and cleaning properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining a foam or fibrous pad material with gel-impregnated cleaning substances. The pad material provides structural support and absorbency, while the gel provides cleaning action. This composite approach optimizes the balance between weight, cleaning effectiveness, and structural integrity.
2Reliability
If a cleaning pad is impregnated with cleaning fluid to provide effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the fluid tends to leach, spray or splatter during play, creating safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid is converted to a gel state through the addition of gelling agents, fundamentally changing its flow properties. The gel maintains the cleaning effectiveness of the liquid formulation while eliminating the harmful effects of leaching, spraying, and splattering during athletic activity. The semi-solid state provides controlled release and prevents uncontrolled fluid movement.
3Weight of moving object
If a mechanical brushing pad is used to clean shoes, then the device remains lightweight, but cleaning effectiveness is insufficient compared to fluid-based cleaners
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite cleaning system that combines the mechanical action of a foam or fibrous pad structure with the chemical cleaning action of gel-impregnated substances. The pad provides mechanical abrasion and absorption, while the gel provides lubrication and chemical cleaning, achieving superior cleaning effectiveness without the weight of liquid impregnation.
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
Provides effective on-demand sole cleaning and drying without impeding performance, maintaining traction and improving court safety by encapsulating the gel within the frame and absorbent pad, ensuring no residue is left on the shoes during play.
Implementation Method 1
designed to entrap a semisolid gel cleaner which avoids leaching, spraying or splattering of the gel
Implementation Method 2
A lightweight, gel-impregnated cleaning pad assembly secured to the shoe
Implementation Method 3
a non-woven microfiber layer on a moisture-impermeable base within an encapsulating plastic frame
Implementation Method 4
non-woven microfiber layer
Data Source
AI summary
A traction-enhancing cleaning kit for allowing sports players to clean and dry the soles of their court shoes while in-play. The cleaning kit comprises a gellified shoe cleaning fluid (3), and a shoe-attachable cleaning and drying device (1) comprising a gel-absorbent cleaning/drying cartridge (2) removably secured by hook-and-loop to a carrier platform (4), which is in turn secured along the forefoot of the sneaker by its laces. The cartridge (2) includes an encapsulated viscose rayon microfiber panel (20) backed by a moisture-impermeable layer (30), and held captive in a plastic frame (10). The frame (10) includes a raised wiping lip (114) surrounding the panel (20). In use, the player need only swipe one foot over the top of the cleaning and drying device (1) attached to the other foot, brushing the sole. One swipe wets and squeegees dry, and the process is repeated for the other foot.