Shower Filter Gel Composition for Chlorine Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Chlorine residues in tap water cause skin and hair problems, and existing solutions like water purifiers are not economically viable, necessitating a method to remove residual chlorine and harmful substances from shower water.

Innovation Solution

A gel composition for a shower filter incorporating dextrin, fragrance, water, and water-soluble cellulose ether, which may include vitamin C to remove residual chlorine and harmful substances, and food coloring for fragrance identification, with a manufacturing method involving agitation and curing to maintain viscosity restorability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If water purifier is used to remove residual chlorine, then chlorine removal effectiveness is improved, but economic cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual chlorine removalVSAvoideconomic cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable shower filter cartridge containing gel composition with vitamin C and dextrin. This inexpensive, single-use filter removes residual chlorine through chemical reaction (vitamin C oxidizes chlorine) and physical entrapment (dextrin cyclic structure), eliminating the need for expensive water purifiers while providing effective chlorine removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and dextrin as intermediary substances that chemically and physically interact with residual chlorine. Vitamin C acts as a reducing agent that neutralizes chlorine, while dextrin provides a cyclic structure to trap chlorine molecules, offering an economical alternative to complex purification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If gel composition solidifies rapidly, then fragrance release is controlled, but viscosity restorability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolidification controlVSAvoidviscosity restorability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic gel system where viscosity can change in response to environmental conditions. The gel composition solidifies when exposed to heat (shower temperature) to control fragrance release, but returns to liquid state when cooled, enabling repeated use and continuous fragrance delivery over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes thermal phase transitions of the gel composition. When heated by shower water, the gel transitions from liquid to semi-solid state, controlling fragrance release rate. When cooled, it transitions back to liquid, restoring viscosity and preparing for the next use cycle, thus achieving both solidification control and viscosity restorability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Stability of the object's composition

If dextrin with high degree of polymerization is used, then dissolution control is improved, but fragrance release timing is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution controlVSAvoidfragrance release timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the degree of polymerization of dextrin to a specific range (3-25) to achieve balanced dissolution characteristics. This parameter optimization ensures that dextrin dissolves at an appropriate rate during shower use, releasing fragrance timely while maintaining sufficient dissolution control for effective chlorine removal and sustained performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 gel composition effectively removes residual chlorine and harmful substances, providing continuous fragrance release and viscosity restorability, addressing skin and hair issues while being economically viable.

Implementation Method 1

vitamin C intended to remove residual chlorine and harmful substances contained in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

the fragrance and vitamin C or a derivative thereof are dissolved gradually when water infiltrates thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

a water-soluble cellulose ether... which may further include vitamin C... and a food coloring... The gel composition for a shower filter includes... 0.1-20 parts by weight of a water-soluble cellulose ether

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel formation: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentUS8663691B2Gel composition for shower filter, method for manufacturing shower gel filter and shower filter

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 KNTEC CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a gel composition for a shower filter with viscosity restorability, a method for manufacturing a shower gel filter and a shower filter. More particularly, the gel composition for a shower filter includes dextrin, a fragrance, water and a water-soluble cellulose ether, and may further include vitamin C intended to remove residual chlorine and harmful substances contained in water, and a food coloring intended to allow the users to identify a particular type of fragrance.