Multilayer Cleaning Wipes With Channel Wetting Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing premoistened cleaning wipes often experience non-uniform wetting due to capillary variations in the fibrous structure, leading to inconsistent product performance and user experience, with top wipes being under-wetted and bottom wipes being saturated.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered wipe design featuring a liquid permeable first layer and a second layer, with a channel proximal to the longitudinal edge, ensuring uniform absorption and distribution of the cleaning composition throughout the wipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wipes are stacked in a container with the cleaning composition at the closed end, then the wipes can be stored and transported conveniently, but the wipes at the top of the stack are under-wetted while wipes at the bottom are saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The wipe is segmented into multiple functional layers (absorbent core layer, distribution layer with channels, and optional protective layer) to separate the wetting function from the storage function. The distribution layer with its channel structure divides the liquid flow path, ensuring uniform distribution throughout the wipe stack while maintaining compact storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution layer acts as an intermediary between the cleaning composition reservoir and the absorbent core layer. This intermediate layer with its channel structure mediates the liquid flow, preventing direct saturation of bottom wipes while ensuring top wipes receive adequate wetting through controlled capillary action in the channels.
2Ease of manufacture
If the fibrous structure of the wipe has natural capillary variations, then the material can be manufactured simply, but the wetting becomes non-uniform across different wipes in the stack
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution layer is designed with specific local qualities - channels of controlled size and distribution positioned at specific locations (proximal to longitudinal edge). This local structural differentiation creates preferential capillary pathways that override the random capillary variations in the bulk fibrous material, ensuring uniform wetting while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wipe is constructed as a composite of different fibrous materials with complementary properties - the absorbent core layer provides bulk absorption capacity while the distribution layer with channels provides controlled liquid transport. This composite structure combines the manufacturing simplicity of random fibrous materials with the precision of engineered channel structures.
3Reliability
If wipes are fully saturated with cleaning composition, then maximum cleaning performance is achieved, but the wipes become soggy and drip liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The wipe structure provides dynamic liquid management - the channels and capillary structures allow the wipe to adjust liquid retention based on usage conditions. During storage, the structure holds liquid uniformly; during use, the multilayer structure allows controlled liquid release to maintain optimal wetness without soggy saturation or dripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The multilayer structure with channels changes the effective capillary parameters of the wipe system. By introducing channels of specific dimensions and distributions, the overall capillary pressure and liquid retention characteristics are modified to achieve optimal wetting without excessive saturation, preventing both under-wetting and soggy conditions.
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 ensures consistent wetting and performance across all wipes, enhancing user experience by maintaining the optimal amount of cleaning solution on each wipe, preventing soggy conditions and ensuring effective cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
Depending on the capillarity of the fibrous structure constituting the wipe, wipes at the top of the stack may not be fully wetted with the liquid cleaning composition. Cleaning composition can freely drain driven by the force of gravity.
Implementation Method 2
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 wipe
Implementation Method 3
Cleaning composition can freely drain driven by the force of gravity. Furthermore, the magnitude of wetting may vary from little wetting for the wipes at the top of the stack to the wipes at the bottom of the stack being saturated
Data Source
AI summary
A package including a container and a plurality of premoistened cleaning wipes.