Pre-Loaded Cleaning Wipe Formulation for 2-Minute Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-loaded cleaning wipes contain high amounts of alcohol and quaternary amine compounds, leading to increased costs, flammability, skin irritation, and inefficiency against bacteria and fungi like Candida auris, requiring longer contact times for effective sanitization.
Innovation Solution
A pre-loaded cleaning wipe formulation comprising 10-40% alcohol, 0.01-2% quaternary amine compound, 0.1-2% surfactant, and optional adjuncts, achieving at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Candida auris within 2 minutes, with a pH of 2-4.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high amounts of alcohol and quaternary amine compounds are used in pre-loaded cleaning wipes, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost and cost of goods increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters of active ingredients (alcohol to 10-40%, quaternary amine to 0.01-0.7%) and introduces pH as a new parameter (pH 2-4) to achieve effective sanitization at lower costs. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the minimum effective concentrations that maintain reliability while reducing manufacturing cost.
2Reliability
If high amounts of alcohol are used in pre-loaded cleaning wipes, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but flammability risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets alcohol content to 10-40% (avoiding higher concentrations) and introduces pH 2-4 as a controlling parameter, which creates an environment less favorable for combustion. This parameter optimization maintains sanitization effectiveness while reducing flammability risk.
3Reliability
If high concentration of quaternary amine compounds is used in formulations, then sanitization effectiveness is improved, but skin irritation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent limits quaternary amine compound concentration to 0.01-0.7% and introduces pH 2-4 as a mitigating parameter. The acidic pH environment reduces the irritation potential of quaternary amines while maintaining their sanitization effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between efficacy and safety.
4Ease of manufacture
If relatively low concentrations of alcohol and quaternary amine compound are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but contact time required for effective sanitization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pH 2-4 as a new parameter that accelerates the sanitization process. The acidic environment enhances the antimicrobial activity of the reduced-concentration alcohol and quaternary amine compounds, enabling effective sanitization within 2 minutes despite lower ingredient concentrations, thus resolving the time-cost contradiction.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If relatively low concentrations of alcohol and quaternary amine compound are used, then skin irritation risk is reduced, but effectiveness against Candida auris is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pH 2-4 as a critical parameter that enables antifungal activity against Candida auris at low quaternary amine concentrations (0.01-0.7%). The acidic pH creates an environment that is particularly effective against fungal cells while being safe for skin, resolving the contradiction between safety and antifungal efficacy.
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 formulation provides rapid and effective sanitization against targeted bacteria and fungi, reducing costs and skin irritation risks while maintaining safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a formulation loaded onto the substrate including: (i) about 10% to 40% by weight of an alcohol; (ii) about 0.01% to less than 0.7% by weight of a quaternary amine compound
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include a pre-loaded cleaning wipe. A pre-loaded cleaning wipe may comprise a non-woven substrate and a formulation loaded onto the substrate. The formulation may include (i) about 10% to 40% by weight of an alcohol, (ii) about 0.01% to less than 0.7% by weight of a quaternary amine compound, and (iii) about 0.1% to 2% by weight of a surfactant. Optionally, the formulation may include one or more adjuncts comprising one or more of: fragrance, colorant, solvent, polymer, acid, water, pH adjusting agents or any mixture or combination thereof. Lastly, the formulation may exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and/or Candida Auris population within 2 minutes.