Single-Layer Cleaning Cloth With Activated Arming Yarn Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reusable cleaning cloths are costly due to multi-layer construction and require additional steps for fray prevention, while disposable cloths lack effective cleaning surface texture and pose environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A single textile layer cleaning cloth with integrated cleaning, attachment, and stiffness provided by activated arming yarn, which can be cut to size without additional processing, using techniques like knitting or weaving with arming yarns that stiffen and adhere upon activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reusable cleaning cloths are made with multiple functional layers (cleaning fabric, support fabric, fastening fabric), then cleaning performance and structural support are improved, but production cost and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functional layers (cleaning fabric, support fabric, and fastening fabric) into a single integrated non-woven fabric structure. The cleaning fibers, support elements, and attachment components are all incorporated into one homogeneous or heterogeneous non-woven matrix, eliminating the need for separate layers and their associated sewing or adhesive bonding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-woven fabric is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cleaning fibers provide the cleaning action, the non-woven structure provides structural support, and integrated fastening elements enable attachment to cleaning instruments. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate specialized layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If reusable cleaning cloths are made with multiple layers attached by sewing or adhesive, then functional requirements are met, but production stages increase and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the production process by creating a single non-woven fabric that can be manufactured in one continuous process using fiber placement and entanglement techniques, rather than assembling multiple pre-made layers. This segmentation of the manufacturing approach eliminates intermediate assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple production functions (cleaning fiber placement, support structure formation, and fastening element integration) are merged into a single non-woven manufacturing process, allowing all components to be produced simultaneously in one production line rather than through sequential assembly stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If disposable cleaning cloths are used, then production cost is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness and environmental sustainability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adopts a disposable non-woven cleaning cloth that can be economically produced through efficient single-layer manufacturing processes. The cost-effectiveness comes from the simplified production method rather than material quality, allowing the disposable product to match or exceed the performance of reusable multi-layer cloths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If cleaning cloths are made with traditional multi-layer construction, then functional requirements are met, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components that would traditionally require separate material layers into a single non-woven fabric structure. This merging eliminates redundant materials and reduces overall fabric consumption while maintaining all necessary functions within one integrated layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables economical production of a stiff and efficient cleaning cloth with reduced material consumption, effective cleaning, and easy attachment to cleaning instruments, while minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The arming yarn 160 at least partially is comprised of a material that can be activated to provide adhesion to adjacent yarn threads in the single textile layer 15

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The arming yarn 160 may further stiffen in itself by the activation, whereby the single textile layer is further stiffened. The activation may e.g. be performed by heat, electromagnetic radiation, an activator substance or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Data Source

PatentEP2175764B1Cleaning cloth
Publication Date: 2013.03.13 DUROTURF INT
  • EP2175764B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2175764B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP2175764B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

Cleaning cloth comprising a cleaning surface and an attachment surface of loop type arranged to allow attachment of the cleaning cloth to a cleaning instrument, The cleaning cloth is comprised of a single textile layer comprising an activated arming yarn stiffening the cloth. There is also provided a method of producing such a cleaning cloth.