Granular Toilet Cleaner Composition for Controlled Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet cleaners, in the form of liquids, powders, tablets, or adhered supports, have limitations such as rapid dissolution, hazardous chemicals, inhalation risks, and limited cleaning efficacy, necessitating a safer and more effective solid cleaner.

Innovation Solution

A solid granular toilet cleaner comprising 50-80% cleaning agent, 10-30% effervescent agent, and optional additives like foaming and lubricating agents, manufactured via extrusion, providing high cleaning power and user perception of cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If liquid cleaners are used, then ease of application is improved, but dissolution speed increases too rapidly causing waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoiddissolution speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid to solid granular form, and controls dissolution speed through granule size and composition parameters. This allows the cleaner to be applied easily like liquids but dissolves at a controlled, slower rate providing sustained cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite granular material combining cleaning agents with granular carriers (such as polymeric beads or porous particles). This composite structure provides both ease of handling/application and controlled dissolution characteristics, resolving the contradiction between easy application and rapid dissolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If powder cleaners are used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but inhalation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoidinhalation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent encapsulates cleaning agents within granular particles that have a defined outer structure. This granular shell form prevents the cleaning powder from becoming airborne like traditional powders, eliminating inhalation risks while maintaining adequate cleaning coverage through controlled release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning agent is localized within granular particles rather than dispersed as free powder. This local containment within the granule structure allows the cleaner to provide coverage while preventing the harmful inhalation effect associated with loose powders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If high concentration of cleaning agent is used, then cleaning power is improved, but safety decreases due to corrosive chemicals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidcorrosiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses granular carriers or matrices as intermediaries that contain and control the release of cleaning agents. This intermediary structure allows high concentrations of cleaning agents to be incorporated while controlling their release rate and reducing direct contact with surfaces, thereby maintaining cleaning power while improving safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the delivery parameter from direct application of concentrated liquid/corrosive chemicals to controlled release from granular matrices. This parameter change allows high cleaning agent concentration to be used safely, as the granular form controls exposure and reduces corrosive effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of moving object

If tablets are used, then cleaning duration is improved, but dissolution control is lost leading to premature dissolution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning durationVSAvoiddissolution control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates granules with non-uniform local properties, including varied pore sizes, density gradients, and compositional heterogeneity within each granule. This local quality variation ensures that different parts of the granule dissolve at different rates, providing controlled, sustained release over an extended period rather than premature complete dissolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite granular materials with multiple components having different dissolution rates. This composite structure provides both extended cleaning duration and controlled dissolution, as the various components release at different rates, preventing premature complete dissolution while maintaining long-lasting cleaning action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 granular cleaner offers high cleaning efficacy, safety, and ease of handling, with the effervescent agent enhancing cleaning power and allowing high agent concentration without inert fillers, thus ensuring effective toilet bowl cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

it also comprises an effervescent agent at a percentage between 10% and 30% by weight

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEffervescence: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

The toilet cleaner according to the present invention comprises a cleaning agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12553010B2Toilet cleaner
Publication Date: 2026.02.17 ZOBELE HLDG SPA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a toilet cleaner comprising a cleaning agent, wherein said cleaning agent is included at a percentage between 50% and 80% by weight, and also comprising an effervescent agent at a percentage between 10% and 30% by weight. The cleaner is preferably in the form of solid granules, and it also comprises a foaming agent.The present invention allows providing a cleaner in solid form which can be applied directly in the toilet bowl and readily metered, giving the user a perception of cleanliness.