Odor Neutralizing Fabric Sheath for Receptacles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional receptacles fail to effectively eliminate and prevent the release of unpleasant odors, which can linger in the air and attract insects or rodents, despite temporary odor suppression by lids, due to the breakdown of organic materials and bacterial activity.
Innovation Solution
A fabric sheath with interwoven odor-eliminating members, such as bamboo charcoal-doped fabrics or odor eliminators like activated carbon, is used to create a receptacle cover that absorbs and neutralizes malodors, utilizing a combination of fabric types and odor absorbers like bamboo charcoal, activated carbon, and essential oils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lid or covering is used to trap odors in receptacles, then odor containment is improved temporarily, but foul odors are released each time the lid is opened and linger in the air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates odor-absorbing materials (activated carbon, zeolite, molecular sieves) into the receptacle structure beforehand, so that odors are neutralized as they are generated rather than being trapped and released later. This preliminary action of odor absorption eliminates the need for temporary lid containment and prevents odor release upon opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful odor molecules into a benefit by using odor-absorbing materials that trap and neutralize these molecules. The materials' porous structures physically adsorb odor molecules, transforming the harmful lingering odors into trapped, neutralized substances that do not release upon lid opening.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional odor masking methods are used, then temporary odor concealment is achieved, but the underlying foul odors remain and attract insects or rodents
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of masking odors with scents, the patent uses odor-absorbing materials to actively neutralize and trap odor molecules at their source. This converts the harmful odors into trapped substances within the porous structure of materials like activated carbon and molecular sieves, providing reliable elimination rather than temporary masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials such as activated carbon, zeolite, and molecular sieves that physically trap odor molecules within their pore structures. These materials provide reliable odor elimination by adsorbing odor molecules, preventing insects and rodents from being attracted, rather than merely masking odors with scents.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If odor-absorbing materials are incorporated into fabric, then odor neutralization is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite fabric structure by incorporating odor-absorbing particulate materials into a flexible fabric matrix. This composite approach combines the odor-neutralizing properties of materials like activated carbon and molecular sieves with the flexibility and ease of use of fabric, achieving odor neutralization without excessive manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies odor-absorbing materials locally within the flexible fabric structure, concentrating the odor-neutralizing function in specific zones where odors are most likely to occur. This localized application achieves effective odor neutralization while maintaining the overall simplicity and flexibility of the fabric cover.
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 fabric sheath significantly reduces odor emissions, inhibits bacterial metabolism, and provides long-lasting odor absorption, maintaining effectiveness even after laundering, while preventing static buildup and insect attraction.
Implementation Method 1
The odor-absorbing materials can also include activated carbon, activated silica gel, polymeric absorbent materials, molecular sieves, ion exchange resins and other carbonaceous absorbent materials
Implementation Method 2
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/969,051 to Wang discloses an ozone-generating device which is used to break down and eliminate organic odors
Implementation Method 3
an ozone-generating device which is used to break down and eliminate organic odors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a receptacle cover is formed from a horizontal wall and one or more vertical walls, and can be fitted or use elastic, drawstrings or other means to fit multiple container sizes such as laundry hampers/baskets, diaper pales, and storage bins. The cover includes an odor eliminator having one or more odor eliminating compounds embedded in sheets, which may be fixed or detachable or incorporated into the cover. Multiple odor-eliminating sheets may be used for heavily soiled or contaminated articles to eliminate unpleasant and lingering aromas. Alternatively, a plastic sheet holder embedded below the cover has multiple tiny holes to aid ventilation and allow odor absorption from flexible non-woven polyester fiber sheets. The fabric sheath cover may be hand-washed or cycled in cold water and tumble dry with very low or no heat.