Intermeshed Laminate Cleaning Wipe With Agent-Releasing Tufts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning products, such as shampoos and hard surface cleaners, are inefficient due to the need for multiple applications and handling of bottles, leading to cumbersome use and potential bacterial growth in reusable implements, while also increasing shipping and storage costs.
Innovation Solution
A laminate cleaning implement comprising a facing sheet, a backing sheet, and a substrate with an active agent, where the substrate is intermeshed with the sheets to create tufts that release the agent upon use, providing efficient cleaning and soil capture without the need for separate containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If cleaning products are sold in bottles or closed vessels containing water, then the cleaning product can be stored and transported, but the weight increases leading to greater shipping and storage costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the cleaning product from liquid phase (in bottles) to solid phase (lyophilized substrate). The substrate is freeze-dried to remove water, converting it from a wet liquid formulation to a dry solid form that can be applied directly to surfaces, eliminating the need for water-based storage and transport
2Ease of operation
If cleaning products are dispensed from bottles onto surfaces using sponges or towels, then the cleaning product can be applied, but the process becomes inefficient and cumbersome requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning product (substrate with active agent) and the application tool (wiping surface) into a single integrated implement. The substrate is directly attached to the wiping surface, combining the functions of product storage and application into one unit, eliminating the need for separate bottles, dispensing steps, and transfer to sponges or towels
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning product is pre-applied and fixed to the wiping surface during manufacturing. The substrate is attached to the wiping surface in advance, so that when the user picks up the implement, the cleaning product is already in position and ready for immediate application, eliminating the need for users to manually dispense and transfer the product
3Productivity
If reusable cleaning implements like sponges and washcloths are used extensively, then they can be used multiple times, but bacterial growth and unpleasant odors develop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable cleaning implement where the substrate and wiping surface are designed for single-use. After one cleaning application, the entire implement is discarded, preventing the accumulation of bacteria and odors that occur with reusable implements. The disposable nature ensures sanitary conditions with each new implement
4Ease of manufacture
If combination products have cleaning product sprayed onto the outer surface of an assembled cleaning implement, then the cleaning product can be combined with the implement, but a drying step is required before packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses freeze-drying (lyophilization) to remove water from the substrate formulation during manufacturing. This phase transition process converts the wet substrate into a dry solid form that can be directly attached to the wiping surface without requiring additional drying steps, as the water is already removed in the manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is pre-dried and pre-attached to the wiping surface during the manufacturing process. The freeze-drying and attachment operations are completed beforehand, so that when the cleaning implement is packaged and shipped, no additional drying time is required at the user end
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 laminate cleaning implement streamlines the cleaning process, reduces storage needs, and offers superior cleaning performance while being more sanitary than traditional implements, as it combines the cleaning agent with the cleaning surface, eliminating the need for multiple applications and handling of bottles.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate comprising an active agent wherein the substrate is disposed between the facing sheet and the backing sheet and wherein upon exposure to conditions of intended use the active agent is released
Data Source
AI summary
A laminate cleaning implement with a facing sheet, a substrate, and optionally a backing sheet. The facing sheet, the substrate, and the optional backing sheet are mechanically intermeshed. The mechanically intermeshing can provide one or more discrete tufts protruding outwardly from the laminate.