Scented Substrate for Laundry Odor Control During Storage and Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In urban and crowded living spaces, managing dirty laundry is challenging due to the accumulation of sweat and grime, leading to unpleasant odors that can affect residents' quality of life, as traditional methods like using a lid on a laundry hamper do not adequately address the issue.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a fluid pervious substrate carrying perfume, placed in proximity to partially saturated laundry, which is then washed together with the laundry to associate a scent, utilizing a non-water dispensing container and compatible with existing washing machines and dryers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If dirty laundry is stored in a container or room, then the laundry can be accumulated for later washing, but unpleasant odors accumulate and affect the quality of life of residents
Solution Approach 1:
A scented substrate is introduced as an intermediary element placed within the laundry container. This substrate releases fragrance to counteract the odors generated by stored laundry, mediating between the stored laundry and the surrounding environment to eliminate harmful odor effects while maintaining the time accumulation benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful odor molecules are effectively removed from the storage environment by introducing a counteracting fragrance source. The substrate extracts or neutralizes the unpleasant odor experience through fragrance release, separating the storage function from the odor problem
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a lid is placed on the laundry hamper, then some odor containment is achieved, but opening and closing the hamper releases putrid odors into the dwelling
Solution Approach 1:
The scented substrate is placed in the laundry container in advance, before the laundry is stored. This preliminary action ensures that fragrance is already present and actively counteracting odors, so that when the hamper is opened or closed, there are no putrid odors released because the odor problem has been preemptively addressed
Solution Approach 2:
The scented substrate acts as a mediator between the laundry and the ambient air. It continuously releases fragrance to neutralize odors, making the hamper operation convenient while maintaining odor containment without requiring frequent lid closures
3Ease of manufacture
If a non-fluid substrate carrying perfume is used, then the substrate can be placed in proximity to laundry, but the substrate may not be easily recovered or may interfere with the washing process
Solution Approach 1:
A porous substrate is used instead of a non-porous one. The porous structure allows water to pass through during washing, enabling the substrate to be easily recovered with the laundry without interfering with the washing process. The porosity facilitates fluid flow while maintaining the substrate's ability to carry and release fragrance
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate's physical parameters are optimized - specifically its porosity and fluid permeability - to change from a water-blocking material to a water-permeable material. This parameter change allows the substrate to function effectively during washing while maintaining ease of placement and recovery
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 odors in laundry storage areas by releasing perfume during washing, improving the scent experience without altering consumer behavior significantly, and ensuring the substrate is easily recovered post-wash, maintaining convenience and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
transferred the laundry article and the substrate from the container or the pile into a washing machine; washing the laundry article together with the substrate
Implementation Method 2
providing a fluid pervious substrate carrying a perfume on, within, or at least partially enclosed by the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A process for associating a scent with a laundry article including the steps of: providing a fluid pervious substrate carrying a perfume on, within, or at least partially enclosed by the substrate; placing the substrate in proximity to a partially saturated laundry article within a container or pile; transferring the laundry article and the substrate from the container or the pile into a washing machine; and washing the laundry article together with the substrate.