Compressed Salt Sponge Holder for Automatic Antibacterial Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for storing damp kitchen sponges and dish rags between uses often fail to prevent bacterial growth effectively, leading to undesirable odors and appearance issues, as they either require extra time for rinsing, use of antibacterial solutions, or limit surface compatibility.
Innovation Solution
An antibacterial holder with a surface made of compressed sodium chloride, which automatically dissolves to inhibit bacterial growth on moist cleaning implements, optionally combined with other chemicals like honey, essential oils, or surfactants, providing a low-cost, safe, and effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cleaning implements are stored damp between uses, then convenience is improved, but bacterial growth occurs leading to odors and unsightly appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The holder automatically delivers antibacterial chemical to the cleaning implement through dissolution of compressed sodium chloride when contacted by moisture, requiring no user action beyond placing the implement on the holder. The system serves itself by using the moisture from the cleaning implement to dissolve and release the antibacterial agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The antibacterial chemical is pre-compressed into the holder structure, ready to be delivered upon contact with moisture. This preliminary preparation ensures immediate antibacterial protection as soon as the cleaning implement is placed on the holder, without requiring any additional steps from the user.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If extended rinsing is performed before storage, then bacterial growth is reduced, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder automatically provides antibacterial treatment to the cleaning implement simply by contact, eliminating the need for extended rinsing. The moisture from the cleaning implement itself triggers the dissolution and release of antibacterial chemical, requiring no additional time or effort from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The antibacterial function is extracted from the cleaning implement itself and transferred to a separate holder system. This allows the cleaning implement to be stored damp without requiring extensive pre-treatment, as the antibacterial protection is provided by the holder rather than requiring prolonged rinsing of the implement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If antibacterial solution bath is used between uses, then bacterial growth is inhibited, but device complexity and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder automatically delivers antibacterial chemical through the simple dissolution of compressed sodium chloride when contacted by moisture from the cleaning implement. This eliminates the need for users to manually create and manage antibacterial solution baths, significantly reducing both user effort and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The antibacterial agent is transformed from a liquid solution requiring a bath into a compressed solid form that dissolves on contact with moisture. This parameter change from liquid to compressed solid simplifies the storage system structure while maintaining antibacterial effectiveness, eliminating the need for complex solution management.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If pre-impregnation with antibacterial chemical is applied, then bacterial growth is prevented, but adaptability to different surfaces and environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The antibacterial function is extracted from the cleaning implement and placed in a separate holder system. This separation allows the cleaning implement to maintain its original properties and compatibility with various surfaces, while the holder provides antibacterial protection independently through dissolved sodium chloride.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary between the cleaning implement and the antibacterial chemical. Instead of directly impregnating the cleaning implement with chemicals that may limit surface compatibility, the holder delivers the antibacterial agent (sodium chloride) through dissolution, which is universally compatible and does not restrict the cleaning implement's use with different surfaces.
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 holder extends the useful life of cleaning implements by automatically inhibiting bacterial growth without additional steps, ensuring safety and compatibility with kitchen surfaces, while being cost-effective and easy to produce.
Implementation Method 1
antibacterial chemical from the holder automatically dissolves to some extent and bleeds onto an outer surface of the cleaning implement
Data Source
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AI summary
Holders for automatically treating cleaning implements (e.g. kitchen sponges) with antibacterial chemicals during storage are disclosed. These holders have a solid compressed chemical surface for contacting the cleaning implement between uses. Moisture from the used cleaning implement dissolves a small amount of the chemical (e.g. sodium chloride), thereby causing the chemical to treat the contact surface of the cleaning implement. Merely by placing a sponge or the like on a coaster, or against another holder surface, bacterial growth on the sponge or the like can be inhibited, thereby extending the useful life of such cleaning implements.