Method of washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-soluble unit dose cleaning articles are prone to premature rupture when accidentally contacted with water during storage, leading to inconvenience and increased risk of moisture exposure, and neighboring pouches tend to stick together, complicating handling and increasing the likelihood of further moisture contact.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a container configured to eject a single water-soluble unit dose article directly into a washing machine drum or drawer, minimizing consumer contact and using a recloseable mechanism to prevent moisture ingress and reduce the footprint for efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unit dose articles are packaged in tubs or bags with multiple articles arranged randomly, then consumers can access multiple doses, but articles may rupture prematurely when contacted with water during storage and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is segmented into individual compartments, each containing a single unit dose article. This segmentation prevents articles from contacting water during storage and handling while still allowing consumers to access multiple doses sequentially through the dispensing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A dispensing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the packaged articles and the consumer. This intermediary controls the release of individual articles, ensuring they remain protected until deliberate dispensing occurs, thereby preventing premature water contact while maintaining ease of access.
2Ease of operation
If consumers manually handle unit dose articles to retrieve them from packaging, then they can access the articles, but this increases opportunities for contact with moisture and potential rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is designed to be self-operating through simple consumer interaction (e.g., pressing a button or turning a dial). The mechanism automatically retrieves and dispenses individual articles without requiring consumers to manually handle them, thereby eliminating exposure to moisture during the retrieval process.
Solution Approach 2:
The articles are pre-positioned in individual compartments within the packaging. This preliminary arrangement allows the dispensing mechanism to access and release articles directly from their protected positions without requiring consumer contact, thus preventing moisture exposure during handling.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple unit dose articles are stored in a compact container, then storage efficiency is improved, but neighboring pouches may stick together increasing handling complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate compartments for each unit dose article. This segmentation maintains compact storage while preventing neighboring pouches from sticking together by providing physical separation, thereby eliminating handling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compartment within the container is designed with specific local characteristics (such as spacing, surface texture, or moisture barrier properties) that prevent sticking while maintaining overall compactness. This local quality modification resolves the conflict between compact storage and handling ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of delivering a flexible water-soluble unit dose article to the drum or drawer of a fabric washing machine or to an automatic ware washing machine, comprising the steps of; a. obtaining a unit dose article in a container, wherein the container is configured to allow one unit dose article to be ejected from the container at a time; b. positioning the container near the drawer, drum or other reception point; c. ejecting the unit dose article from the container directly in the drum, drawer or other reception point; d. removing the container from the position near the drawer, drum or other reception point; e. initiating the wash operation of the fabric washing machine or automatic ware washing machine.