Laundry Pretreatment Sheet With Dissolving Carrier for Dose Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry pretreatments face challenges in consistently applying the right amount of cleaning agent, leading to wastefulness and increased skin irritation due to variable absorption and application pressure, especially with different fabric types.
Innovation Solution
A self-adherent laundry stain pretreatment sheet comprising a water-soluble carrier layer, a removable separator layer, and a layer of cleaning agent composition, allowing for controlled application and minimizing skin contact by dissolving or dispersing during laundering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If liquid pretreatment is sprayed onto stained fabric, then the stained areas receive cleaning treatment, but it is difficult to consistently apply the right amount due to fabric absorption variability, leading to excess liquid pooling and skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent is pre-applied to the carrier layer at a controlled amount during manufacturing, before use. This preliminary action ensures the correct dosage is already prepared, eliminating the need for user judgment and preventing both under-application and over-application that causes skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier layer acts as an intermediary between the cleaning agent and the fabric. It pre-measures and holds the cleaning agent, then transfers it to the fabric in a controlled manner, mediating the interaction to prevent direct pooling of excess liquid on skin-contactable surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If semisolid pretreatment stick is rubbed onto stained fabric, then cleaning treatment is applied, but the amount applied varies based on user pressure and experience, resulting in waste and potential skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent is pre-applied to the carrier layer at a precise, controlled amount during manufacturing. This preliminary measurement eliminates the need for users to judge the correct amount during application, preventing both under-application (requiring reapplication) and over-application (waste).
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet is designed to be self-adhering through direct finger pressure, allowing the user to apply it easily without requiring skill or experience. The pre-measured cleaning agent on the carrier layer serves itself by transferring to the fabric simply through contact, eliminating the need for rubbing or complex application techniques.
3Reliability
If excess pretreatment is applied to fabric, then more cleaning action is available, but it increases the likelihood of pretreatment contacting and irritating the user's skin during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier layer is pre-loaded with the exact amount of cleaning agent needed for effective stain treatment. This preliminary measurement ensures sufficient cleaning action is provided without excess, eliminating the trade-off between cleaning effectiveness and skin irritation risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin film carrier layer contains and delivers the cleaning agent directly to the stain area. This thin film structure allows precise delivery of the cleaning agent to only where needed (the stain), preventing excess pretreatment from being present on the fabric surface where it could contact and irritate the user's skin during handling.
4Reliability
If a water-soluble carrier layer is used, then the pretreatment dissolves during laundering providing effective cleaning, but there is concern about clogging washing machine filters
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier layer is designed with specific water solubility parameters that allow it to dissolve completely at washing temperatures. By carefully selecting and formulating the carrier material, the invention ensures it breaks down into small enough particles during laundering to pass through washing machine filters without causing clogging, while still providing effective cleaning action.
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 solution provides a controlled, effective, and non-wasteful application of cleaning agents directly to stains, reducing skin irritation and ensuring consistent cleaning action while preventing the carrier layer from clogging washing machine filters.
Implementation Method 1
a water soluble or water dispersible carrier layer
Implementation Method 2
adhering the layer of cleaning agent composition to the stain
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry stain and soil pretreatment sheet including a water soluble or water dispersible carrier layer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, a removable separator layer, and a layer of cleaning agent composition therebetween. The separator layer is removed, the composition layer is adhered to a stain on clothing, and the clothing is laundered to treat the stain. The carrier layer dissolves or disperses during the laundering. A method of treating a stained or soiled area of a fabric using the sheet is also disclosed.