Localized Stain Removal Device to Reduce Cleaning Agent Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stain removal devices, such as water-soluble pouches, often dilute cleaning compositions, reducing their effectiveness and requiring multiple wash cycles, which increases costs and damages clothing due to repeated washing and scrubbing.
Innovation Solution
A stain removal device with a shell that surrounds the stain, containing a dispensable cleaning agent encapsulated in a water-soluble pod, which is secured to the fabric using magnets or other fasteners, allowing targeted release of the cleaning agent during a wash cycle, avoiding fabric damage and excess product consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water-soluble pouches are placed in the wash basin, then cleaning composition is released, but the cleaning composition is diluted and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the cleaning composition in a localized shell that directly contacts the stain, rather than dispersing it throughout the entire wash basin. The shell contains the cleaning composition in a concentrated form and releases it locally at the stain site, maintaining high effectiveness while avoiding dilution in the bulk water.
2Reliability
If multiple wash cycles are used to remove stains, then stain removal may be achieved, but costs increase and fabric integrity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the cleaning composition directly on the stain before the wash cycle begins. The shell is attached to the stained fabric area in advance, and the cleaning composition is released during the wash cycle, allowing stain removal to occur more effectively and potentially in a single cycle rather than requiring multiple repetitions.
3Area of stationary object
If cleaning composition is dispersed in the wash basin, then coverage is increased, but concentration at the stain site decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the cleaning system mobile and adaptive rather than stationary. The shell can be positioned at different locations on the fabric to target specific stains, and it releases the cleaning composition locally at high concentration precisely where needed, rather than dispersing a diluted solution over a large area.
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 device provides concentrated, targeted stain removal, reducing the number of wash cycles needed and preserving fabric integrity by delivering the cleaning agent directly to the stain, while being reusable and adaptable to different stain types.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble pod, which is secured to the fabric using magnets or other fasteners, allowing targeted release of the cleaning agent during a wash cycle
Implementation Method 2
The device includes a shell which comprises a wall having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a rim defining an aperture in the shell
Data Source
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AI summary
A stain removal device (100) adapted to at least partially surround a stain located on a fabric (130) to activate in a targeted manner includes a shell (102) comprising a wall with an inner surface (103b), an outer surface (103a), a rim (106) defining an aperture in the shell (102), the rim (106) being defined by said inner and outer surfaces (103b, 103a) and the inner surface (103b) defining a shell cavity (108), at least one opening (104) extending through the wall of the shell (102) between the inner and outer surfaces (103b, 103a) of the shell (102), a dispensable cleaning agent (110) at least partially disposed within the shell cavity (108), and an attachment portion (120) at least partly coupled to the shell (102); whereby the attachment portion (120) is configured to removably couple the stain removal device (100) to a fabric or article of clothing (130) such that the rim (106) of the shell (102) contacts the fabric (130) and at least partially surrounds a stain located on the same.