Mitigation of odor in cleaning machines and cleaning processes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Malodor issues persist in laundry and cleaning machines due to residual water in front load wash machines, increased use of manmade fabrics, and ineffective short-term perfume solutions from major detergent manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating specific microorganisms such as Bacillus strains into cleaning machines and processes to inhibit malodor production by bacteria, either by direct application or through compositions like detergents, which can be applied to machines or fabrics, to prevent or reduce malodor-causing bacterial growth and volatile substance production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If perfume is used to mask malodor, then short-term odor coverage is improved, but long-term odor control effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful malodor-producing bacteria into a beneficial solution by using probiotic microorganisms that compete with and inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The probiotics transform the odor problem into an opportunity for biological control, where beneficial microbes produce antimicrobial substances that eliminate the root cause of malodor rather than merely masking it with perfume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical masking approach (perfume) with a biological control mechanism (probiotic microorganisms). Instead of using chemical fragrances to cover odors, the system employs living microorganisms that actively inhibit odor-causing bacteria through competition and antimicrobial substance production, providing sustained long-term odor control.
2Loss of substance
If residual water remains in cleaning machines to save water, then water consumption is reduced, but bacterial biofilm growth is promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cleaning machine to self-clean and self-disinfect by introducing probiotic microorganisms that continuously inhibit bacterial biofilm growth in residual water. The probiotics serve as a self-sustaining biological control system that maintains water quality without requiring complete drainage or additional chemical treatments, allowing residual water to remain without promoting biofilm formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probiotic microorganisms as an intermediary between the residual water and odor-causing bacteria. These probiotics act as biological mediators that compete with and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the residual water, preventing biofilm formation while allowing the water to remain in the machine for extended periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manmade fabrics are used to increase athletic wear popularity, then fashion and performance are improved, but odor retention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies probiotic microorganisms as a preliminary treatment to athletic wear fabrics before they are worn. This pre-application establishes a protective biofilm of beneficial bacteria that actively inhibits odor-causing bacteria on the fabric surface throughout use, preventing odor retention rather than treating it after the fact. The probiotics are incorporated into the fabric or applied as a durable coating that persists through multiple wear cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional odor management approaches (perfumes, chemical treatments) with a biological system using probiotic microorganisms. These living microbes actively compete with and inhibit odor-causing bacteria on manmade athletic wear fabrics, providing sustained odor protection that maintains the fabric's performance and fashion properties while eliminating odor retention issues.
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
Effectively reduces or eliminates malodor in laundry and cleaning machines by inhibiting bacterial growth and volatile substance production, providing long-term odor control as demonstrated by human sensory panels and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer analysis.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a cleaning machine, cleaning process and/or article treated in the cleaning machine/process with at least one microorganism which is able to inhibit production of malodor in the cleaning machine, cleaning process or article
Implementation Method 2
inhibiting malodor production by bacteria, either by direct application or through compositions like detergents, which can be applied to machines or fabrics, to prevent or reduce malodor-causing bacterial growth and volatile substance production
Implementation Method 3
inhibiting malodor production by bacteria... to prevent or reduce malodor-causing bacterial growth and volatile substance production
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.