Soap-Filled Polyethylene Bath Sponge for Self-Lathering Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current scourers or sponges for personal hygiene and cleaning require the separate use of soap or a soapy solution for effective cleaning, lacking the ability to soap the area being scrubbed.

Innovation Solution

A polyethylene-extruded net with integrated soap granules is used, where the net is folded and secured with a tying rope to hold the soap granules in place, eliminating the need for additional soap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional sponge or scourer is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot soap the area being cleaned requiring separate soap application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionalityVSAvoidsponge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sponge body and soap into a single integrated unit. Soap granules are embedded within the sponge matrix during manufacturing, allowing the sponge to both absorb water and release soap simultaneously during use, eliminating the need for separate soap application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining sponge material with embedded soap granules. This composite approach allows the single product to deliver both mechanical cleaning (through the sponge texture) and chemical cleaning (through the soap), resolving the contradiction between functionality and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If soap granules are integrated into the sponge, then self-cleaning is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage convenienceVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The soap granules are pre-embedded into the sponge material during the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-assembly. This preliminary integration simplifies the overall manufacturing workflow by combining multiple steps (sponge formation and soap incorporation) into a single production sequence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sponge-soap product is self-sufficient and does not require separate soap application or additional components. The sponge automatically releases soap during use through its embedded granules, making the product self-service and eliminating the need for users to handle separate soap items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8137018B2Bath sponge with integrated soap

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 FILTROS Y MALLAS IND S A DE CV

AI summary

A bath sponge with integrated soap and a method of making the bath sponge. The method of making the bath sponge includes providing an assembly device formed with a base and two vertical posts. A polyethylene net is inserted over the top of the vertical posts and then the net is cut to a desired size. Folds are made in the net. Soap granules are poured into the net and are held within the folds, thereby remaining in the interior of the net. A rope is then tied around the net between the two posts, thereby stretching the rope so that the center of the net is joined thereby. The net is stretched making the folds alternate inside and outside of the net. The bath sponge is used for personal cleaning and bathing and allows the user to wash without the need for a separate soap.