Gel-Wipe Fiber Core Layout to Prevent Liquid Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gel-wipes for personal and household cleansing face issues with liquid migration, leading to decreased cleaning efficiency and waste of cleansing solutions, as the liquid composition becomes bound within the fibers, rendering it ineffective for cleansing and using excess cleansing liquid.
Innovation Solution
A gel-wipe design where a polymeric gel is distributed throughout the substrate's inner core, with the inner core being substantially free of the liquid cleansing composition, allowing the liquid to adhere to the external surfaces for effective cleansing while minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the liquid cleansing composition is impregnated throughout the substrate including the inner core of fibers, then the substrate retains more liquid, but the liquid migrates from the fibrous substrate over time resulting in decreased cleaning efficiency and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the substrate into distinct regions: an outer surface region and an inner core region. The liquid cleansing composition is selectively impregnated only in the interstitial spaces of the outer surface region, while the inner core remains substantially free of liquid. This segmentation prevents liquid migration to the core while maintaining adequate liquid retention at the surface for effective cleansing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different liquid distribution characteristics to different parts of the substrate. The outer surface region contains liquid cleansing composition in its interstitial spaces to provide cleansing function, while the inner core region is substantially free of liquid to prevent migration. This local differentiation of liquid quality resolves the contradiction between retention and reliability.
2Reliability
If the substrate is entirely impregnated with polymeric gel containing cleansing liquid portion, then liquid migration is reduced, but a portion of cleansing solution becomes bound within the fiber core providing no cleansing benefit and excess cleansing liquid is used
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid cleansing composition from the inner core region of the substrate, concentrating it only in the outer surface interstitial spaces. This extraction eliminates the waste of cleansing solution bound in the fiber core while maintaining sufficient liquid at the surface for effective cleansing, thereby reducing overall cleansing solution usage without compromising migration control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fully impregnating the entire substrate with liquid cleansing composition, the invention applies partial impregnation limited to the outer surface region. This partial action is sufficient to provide effective cleansing while avoiding the excess liquid application that would lead to core binding and waste, thus optimizing the balance between migration control and solution efficiency.
3Reliability
If more cleansing liquid is applied to ensure adequate surface coverage, then cleansing efficacy is maintained, but liquid migration increases and more liquid becomes bound in the fiber core
Solution Approach 1:
The invention concentrates the liquid cleansing composition specifically in the outer surface interstitial spaces where it is needed for cleansing, while keeping the inner core substantially free of liquid. This localized quality distribution ensures adequate surface coverage for effective cleansing without the need to over-apply liquid that would subsequently migrate or bind in the core, thus maintaining efficacy while reducing total liquid usage.
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 gel-wipe achieves superior cleansing efficacy with reduced liquid usage, minimizing irritation and being more cost-effective by maintaining the liquid cleansing composition on the surface for improved cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a gelling agent capable of reacting with the gelling polymer, thereby forming a polymeric gel distributed throughout the substrate
Implementation Method 2
a gelling agent capable of reacting with the gelling polymer, thereby forming a polymeric gel
Implementation Method 3
the liquid composition is distributed on the outer surface of the substrate and throughout the body of the substrate, in the interstitial spaces between the fibers
Data Source
AI summary
Gel-wipes suitable for use in personal care and household cleansing applications are disclosed, which include a substrate having a first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface and a body disposed between and defined by the first and second surfaces, fibers having an outer surface and an inner core, a polymeric gel distributed throughout the substrate such that a substantial portion of the fibers contain the polymeric gel distributed throughout the inner core of the fibers; and a liquid cleansing composition, wherein the inner core of a substantial portion of the fibers and the polymeric gel are substantially free of the liquid cleansing composition; as well as methods of making the gel-wipe.