Sanitizing Composition With Color-Fade Dwell Time Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitizing and disinfecting compositions lack visual indicators to confirm surface contact and sufficient duration, and cleaning articles lose effectiveness due to liquid evaporation, making it difficult to ensure proper application and efficacy.
Innovation Solution
Liquid compositions with a cyanine dye indicator system that changes color from colored to colorless upon evaporation, ensuring visible confirmation of surface contact and sufficient liquid presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional colorant is added to the liquid, then the liquid becomes visible, but the cleaned surface becomes permanently colorated which users will not tolerate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dye that undergoes reversible color changes based on the physical state of the liquid. The dye is colored in the liquid state for visibility during application, but transforms to a colorless state after evaporation of the liquid carrier, preventing permanent coloration of the cleaned surface. This resolves the contradiction by making the color temporary and state-dependent rather than permanent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition (evaporation) of the liquid carrier to trigger the color change of the dye. When the liquid evaporates, the dye transitions from a colored state in solution to a colorless state, allowing the surface to return to its original appearance. This phase-dependent color transition resolves the visibility versus permanent coloration contradiction.
2Reliability
If the liquid composition is applied to a surface, then sanitization occurs, but users cannot determine if the composition has contacted the surface in sufficient concentration and duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dye that remains colored while the liquid composition is present on the surface and transitions to colorless when the liquid evaporates. This provides visual feedback to users about whether sufficient liquid has been applied and whether the required contact time has elapsed, resolving the information loss about contact sufficiency while maintaining sanitization reliability.
3Ease of operation
If cleaning articles are used to transfer liquid, then application is facilitated, but the articles lose effectiveness over time due to liquid evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dye that provides visual indication of liquid presence in cleaning articles. When liquid evaporates from the article, the dye transitions from colored to colorless, allowing users to visually monitor and determine when the article is still effective for transfer, thus addressing the reliability issue while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If the composition is applied and liquid evaporates, then the active agent remains on the surface, but users cannot determine the length of time the composition has been in contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dye that maintains coloration during the contact period and transitions to colorless after evaporation. This visual transition provides users with information about the elapsed contact time, allowing them to determine whether the required dwell time for pathogen elimination has been achieved, while the active agent remains retained on the surface.
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
Provides visual confirmation of surface contact and liquid presence, ensuring effective sanitization and disinfection by maintaining adequate composition transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the compositions are transformed to a substantially colorless state upon application to a surface and vaporization of a significant portion of the composition
Implementation Method 2
The indicator system includes one or more cyanine dyes and one or more organic acids. The compositions are provided in a colored state (i.e., having some absorption in the visible spectrum) in a wet state and are transformed to a substantially colorless state upon application to a surface and vaporization of a significant portion of the composition
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to liquid sanitizing and/or disinfecting compositions comprising an active agent, an indicator compound, an acid, and a solvent. The compositions may be applied to a surface by spraying or transferring from cleaning article, in order to eliminate pathogens on the surface. The indicator compound may comprise a dye such as a cyanine dye, which provides a color to the composition and has at least one absorption maxima in the visible region. Once applied to the surface, the composition undergoes a color transition and becomes colorless.