Polyester Microfiber Applicator That Resists QUAT and Chlorine Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile applicators for sanitizing and disinfecting solutions, such as those using quaternary ammonium compounds or chlorine-based agents, tend to bind or inactivate these agents, reducing their effectiveness on surfaces due to excessive binding sites, and existing solutions are either labor-intensive or require additional surfactant treatments that increase costs or alter the applicator's surface characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A textile applicator constructed with direct spun polyester microfiber yarns in a stitch-bonded or other fabric construction that minimizes binding sites, allowing for the effective release of sanitizing agents without the need for pre-loading or surface treatments, thereby maintaining the concentration of active agents on the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional textile applicators with anionic surfactant surface treatments or enhanced physical binding sites are used, then the applicator can carry and disperse sanitizing solutions, but the sanitizing agents (QUATs, chlorine-based, peracetic, or peroxygen compounds) bind to or are inactivated by the applicator, reducing the concentration of active agent available for surface treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the textile applicator by eliminating anionic surfactant surface treatments and modifying the physical structure to reduce binding sites. This parameter change prevents the harmful interaction between the applicator and sanitizing agents, allowing the active agent concentration to be maintained at effective levels for surface treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful binding interaction into a beneficial non-binding interaction by selecting textile materials and surface characteristics that are chemically incompatible with QUAT binding. This allows the applicator to carry and dispense QUAT-based sanitizing solutions without the agent being sequestered by the applicator material
2Quantity of substance
If the applicator is substantially saturated with sanitizing agent by immersing in solution until binding is completed, then adequate concentration can be achieved, but the process becomes labor intensive and requires additional volume of sanitizing agent to revive concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the textile applicator with minimal binding sites during manufacturing, so that when the applicator contacts the sanitizing solution, the agent remains in solution rather than binding to the applicator. This eliminates the need for subsequent saturation immersion steps and concentration revival operations
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator design allows the sanitizing solution to self-disperse across the applicator surface without active binding, and the solution concentration self-maintains at effective levels without requiring operational intervention to revive concentration. This eliminates labor-intensive saturation and revival steps
3Reliability
If microfiber structures with high surface area are used to enhance cleaning capability, then cleaning performance is improved, but the number of binding sites increases, leading to greater binding and inactivation of sanitizing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific zones or surface regions on the microfiber applicator that have reduced binding affinity. The textile structure is engineered so that certain areas provide high surface area for cleaning while maintaining chemical characteristics that prevent QUAT binding, allowing the sanitizing agent to remain active
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 direct spun polyester microfiber yarns ensure that sanitizing and disinfecting agents are effectively released and maintain their concentration, providing enhanced bacterial removal performance comparable to or better than commercial products, while reducing the propensity for binding and inactivation of QUATs and chlorine-based agents.
Implementation Method 1
Many sanitizing and/or disinfecting solutions utilize an aqueous solution with an active sanitizing and/or disinfecting agent based on quaternary ammonium compounds (QUATS or QAC's)... QUATS are generally cationic in character and readily bind to most textile applicators which typically utilize anionic surfactant surface treatments... The binding and/or inactivation of QUAT, chlorine-based, peracetic and peroxygen sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents by textile applicators is a well known phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
Past applicators have also incorporated various textured surfaces to facilitate cleaning... Structurally, QUATS contain four carbon atoms, linked directly to one nitrogen atom through covalent bonds and four alkyl groups... The nitrogen atom with the attached alkyl groups forms the positively charged cation portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A textile applicator for application of a sanitizing and/or disinfecting solution to a surface. The applicator incorporates a plurality of direct spun polyester microfiber yarns to define a textile surface which does not bind or inactivate quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine-based or peracetic and/or other peroxygen based sanitizing and/or disinfecting agents. Thus, the sanitizing and/or disinfecting agent is readily released to the surface being treated without any requirement of pre-loading surface binding sites or applying a charge-modifying surface treatment.