Polyester Microfiber Applicator That Prevents Sanitizer 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 concentration and effectiveness on surfaces, and often require labor-intensive re-saturation or surface treatments that add cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A textile applicator constructed with direct spun polyester microfiber yarns in a stitch-bonded, knit, or woven fabric that does not bind or inactivate quaternary ammonium compounds or chlorine-based agents, maintaining their concentration and eliminating the need for pre-loading or surface modifying treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional textile applicators are used to disperse sanitizing and disinfecting solutions, then the applicator can carry and discharge the solution, but the textile applicator binds or inactivates the sanitizing agents, reducing their concentration and effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of sanitizing agentVSAvoideffectiveness of sanitizing agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the textile applicator by using polyester fibers treated with specific surfactants (nonionic or anionic) that have different binding characteristics. This parameter change prevents the binding and inactivation of cationic QUAT sanitizing agents, maintaining their concentration and effectiveness on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polyester fibers with specific surfactant treatments. This composite structure allows the textile to carry sanitizing solutions without binding or inactivating the active ingredients, resolving the contradiction between carrying capacity and agent effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If textile applicators are pre-loaded with sanitizing agents by immersion, then the applicator becomes saturated with the agent, but this process is labor intensive and requires additional volume of sanitizing agent to restore concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of sanitizing agentVSAvoidtime for re-saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the textile applicator self-service by designing it with inherent properties (polyester fiber composition and surfactant treatment) that prevent binding of sanitizing agents. The applicator automatically maintains effective concentrations without requiring labor-intensive re-saturation processes, saving time and reducing the volume of sanitizing agent needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If textile applicators use anionic surfactant surface treatments, then the textile has good cleaning properties, but cationic QUAT sanitizing agents bind to the anionic surfactants, reducing their availability for surface treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performance of textileVSAvoidavailability of QUAT sanitizing agent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different surfactant types in different contexts: nonionic surfactants on the textile surface that are compatible with cationic QUAT agents, while maintaining the polyester fiber structure that provides inherent cleaning properties. This localized quality change prevents binding while preserving cleaning performance.

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 applicator effectively releases sanitizing or disinfecting agents without significant binding or inactivation, maintaining effective concentrations and enhancing bacterial removal performance while avoiding the use of costly surface treatments.

Implementation Method 1

The applicator effectively releases sanitizing or disinfecting agents without significant binding or inactivation, maintaining effective concentrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10136790B2Applicator for sanitizing and/or disinfecting solution

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 TIETEX INTERNATIONAL LTD

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.