Non-woven fabric sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing malodor control systems rely on high fragrance levels to mask odors, leading to inefficient material use and unacceptably intense scents, as they fail to effectively neutralize malodor molecules at their source.
Innovation Solution
A malodor control system featuring a substrate with a malodor scavenger that forms a chemical complex with target molecules, using silver as an active ingredient to irreversibly bond with sulfur and nitrogen-containing malodor molecules, rendering them odorless, and is delivered through various systems like sprays, wipes, and non-woven sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high levels of fragrance are used to mask malodors, then the malodor is covered, but the fragrance intensity becomes unacceptably high and material use becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful malodor molecules into beneficial effects by using fragrance compounds that react with malodor to form non-odorous chemical complexes. This transforms the masking approach into a neutralization approach, where the fragrance actively binds to and eliminates malodor molecules rather than simply covering them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fragrance compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the malodor molecules and the environment. These fragrance compounds serve as chemical intermediaries that bind to malodor molecules, forming temporary complexes that prevent the malodor from reaching olfactory receptors while the fragrance gradually releases.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fragrance is used to mask malodors, then odor coverage is achieved, but material efficiency deteriorates due to inefficient use of materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously wasteful masking approach into an efficient neutralization process. Fragrance compounds are designed to react stoichiometrically with malodor molecules, meaning each fragrance molecule targets and neutralizes specific malodor molecules, reducing overall material consumption compared to continuous masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the fragrance compounds to optimize their reactivity with specific malodor molecules. By adjusting molecular structure, functional groups, and chemical properties, the fragrance compounds achieve higher binding efficiency, allowing lower concentrations to be used while maintaining effective malodor control.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical complexes are formed between active ingredient and malodor molecules, then malodor neutralization is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the essential neutralization function into simple chemical reactions between fragrance compounds and malodor molecules. By focusing on the core chemical interaction and removing unnecessary system components, the solution achieves complex malodor neutralization through relatively simple chemical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fragrance compounds as simple intermediary substances that facilitate malodor neutralization through straightforward chemical complex formation. These intermediaries provide a direct chemical pathway for neutralization without requiring complex mechanical or electronic systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving effective malodor control.
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 system effectively neutralizes a wide range of malodor molecules, including those from human waste, pets, and organic decomposition, by permanently bonding with them, significantly improving ambient odor without the need for high fragrance levels, and maintains efficacy through sustained release of the active ingredient.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one active ingredient bonds to the at least one target atom/molecule to form the chemical complex
Implementation Method 2
The malodor scavenger can be configured to remain on the non-woven sheet until the malodor molecule makes contact with the malodor scavenger
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a malodor control system that can include use of a malodor scavenger configured to sequester a malodor molecule to reduce and/or eliminate the noxious odor the malodor molecule generates. Some embodiments can include use of a substrate configured as a non-woven fabric sheet as a delivery system for the malodor scavenger. In some embodiments, the substrate includes a polymer complexed with active ingredient to lock the active ingredient in place at a surface of the substrate via a binder so that the active ingredient is present at a predetermined activity level. After interacting with malodor molecules, at least some of the active ingredient can migrate via passive diffusion to the substrate surface to maintain the predetermined activity level.