Multilayer Cleaning Wipe Structure for Uniform Wetting and Scrubbing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional premoistened cleaning wipes are inadequate for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces and detritus due to their single-layer structure, lack of rigidity, and non-uniform wetting, which limits their effectiveness on different textures and types of materials.

Innovation Solution

A premoistened multilayered cleaning wipe comprising a liquid-permeable first layer, a substrate with netting material, and a core with a free liquid cleaning composition, where the first layer is apertured to transport fluid and soil, and the second layer is abrasive for effective cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-layer nonwoven structure is used, then the wipe is simple to manufacture, but it lacks sufficient rigidity and cannot adapt to different surface textures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wipe is divided into multiple functional layers: a first nonwoven layer for soft contact, a second nonwoven layer for absorption, and an abrasive layer for scrubbing. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function while collectively providing versatility for different surfaces and soil types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wipe combines different material types including nonwoven fabrics and abrasive materials in a single composite structure. This composite construction provides both the softness needed for delicate surfaces and the abrasiveness required for tough stains, enhancing adaptability across various cleaning scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If a single-layer structure is used, then the wipe structure is simple, but it ball-ups during use and lacks uniform wetting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidperformance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer construction segments the wipe into distinct functional zones that work together to prevent balling. The layered structure maintains flatness during use while ensuring uniform distribution of cleaning composition across the entire wipe surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nonwoven layers provide porous structures that facilitate uniform capillary action and liquid distribution throughout the wipe. This porous architecture ensures consistent wetting across all layers, preventing dry spots and maintaining reliable cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of manufacture

If one texture is used for all surfaces, then the wipe is easy to manufacture, but it is not effective on all kinds of surfaces and materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the wipe have different properties: the first nonwoven layer provides soft contact for delicate surfaces, while the abrasive layer provides scrubbing action for tough stains. This local differentiation of qualities enables effective cleaning across diverse surfaces without complicating the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 multilayered design enhances cleaning efficacy by providing a soft compliant surface for light soiling, an abrasive surface for dislodging soil, and a core for storing and reabsorbing cleaning composition, ensuring effective removal of dirt and debris from diverse surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a free liquid cleaning composition comprising between about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the liquid cleaning composition of surfactant, the cleaning composition releasably absorbed in the core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action