Reusable hand article for cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary wipes for cleaning surfaces are harmful, costly, and environmentally unsustainable due to their chemical content and non-degradability, posing risks to individuals and contributing to waste accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A reusable hand article comprising a water-resistant layer, absorbent layer, and optional sealant layer, designed to protect hands from chemicals and absorb cleaning solutions, allowing for multiple uses and eco-friendly disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable hand articles are used to reduce chemical exposure and waste, then environmental sustainability and safety improve, but cleaning effectiveness and liquid absorption may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical exposureVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hand article is divided into distinct functional layers: a water-resistant layer that blocks chemical penetration to the hand, and an absorbent layer that captures cleaning liquids. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in one function, ensuring both safety and cleaning effectiveness without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water-resistant layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the cleaning chemicals and the user's hand. It mediates the interaction by allowing the absorbent layer to contact the chemicals while preventing them from reaching the skin, thus maintaining both safety and cleaning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If single-use sanitary wipes are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is achieved, but chemical exposure and environmental waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidchemical exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of discarding the entire hand article after one use, the design allows recovery and reuse of the protective sleeve multiple times. Only the absorbent layer is consumed and discarded after absorbing chemicals, while the water-resistant layer is retained and reused, reducing both chemical exposure and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful chemical absorption function is extracted and isolated to the disposable absorbent layer, while the protective function remains in the reusable water-resistant layer. This extraction allows the user to discard only the contaminated portion while retaining the safe protective barrier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reusable hand articles with multiple layers are used, then protection from chemicals is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical protectionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water-resistant layer is implemented as a thin, flexible film that conforms to the hand's shape. This thin-film approach provides effective chemical protection without adding significant bulk or complexity, maintaining simplicity while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The hand article combines different material properties in a composite structure: a water-resistant material for chemical protection and an absorbent material for liquid capture. This composite approach integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure, managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 reusable hand article effectively cleans surfaces while minimizing chemical exposure and waste, offering a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to single-use wipes.

Implementation Method 1

A water-resistant layer is attached to an exterior of the bottom layer, and the water-resistant layer is configured to repel a liquid solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater-resistant property: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

An absorbent layer is attached to an outer surface of the water-resistant layer, and the absorbent layer is configured to absorb the liquid solution therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12349848B2Reusable hand article for cleaning

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 TRENDA GARY

AI summary

A reusable hand article for cleaning is provided. The reusable hand article includes a sleeve, having a top layer and a bottom layer, that can receive a hand therein. The bottom layer is attached to a water-resistant layer, which is attached to an absorbent layer. The absorbent layer absorbs a cleaning solution therein, and the water-resistant layer isolates and protects the hand from the cleaning solution. The top layer is attached to an abrasive layer, which aids a user in scrubbing a surface to remove accumulated dirt and grime therefrom. After placing the hand in the sleeve, applying the cleaning solution to the absorbent layer, and scrubbing the surface with the abrasive layer, the reusable hand article can be applied to the surface. The reusable hand article may be composed of one or more microwave-safe materials, enabling it to be microwaved for sterilization before storage or reuse.