Solid Bleach Cleaning Head for Controlled Toilet Biofilm Disinfection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning tools for toilets lack effective disinfection capabilities, particularly in removing biofilms, and often pose risks of unintended bleach release, which can damage surrounding materials.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool with a handle and a nonwoven material pouch containing a solid bleach and surfactant composition that dissolves in water, providing a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus within 5 minutes, while minimizing the risk of premature bleach release through controlled delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid bleach is used for disinfection, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but risk of unintended bleach release and staining increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms bleach from liquid form to solid form (bleach granules or tablets), fundamentally changing the physical state parameter. This allows the bleach to remain stable and contained during storage and transport, eliminating the staining risk associated with liquid bleach, while still providing effective disinfection when dissolved in toilet water during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning tool is divided into separate functional components: a handle, a cleaning head with scrubbing elements, and a separate bleach delivery mechanism (reservoir or pouch). This segmentation allows the bleach to be delivered independently through controlled dissolution, preventing premature release and staining while ensuring effective disinfection when properly activated.
2Reliability
If solid bleach is contained in a water-permeable pouch, then premature release is prevented, but bleach delivery control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A water-permeable pouch or membrane acts as an intermediary between the solid bleach and the external environment. This pouch allows water to pass through and dissolve the bleach gradually, providing controlled delivery without requiring direct user manipulation of the bleach itself, thus maintaining both safety and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The bleach delivery system is designed to activate automatically upon contact with toilet water. The solid bleach dissolves self-regulatingly through the water-permeable pouch without requiring user intervention, providing consistent and controlled bleach delivery while eliminating the need for users to manually control the process.
3Productivity
If bleach concentration is increased for faster disinfection, then disinfection speed is improved, but risk of harmful effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bleach is delivered in a controlled, periodic manner through gradual dissolution of solid bleach in the water-permeable pouch. This provides sustained release of appropriate bleach concentrations over time, achieving effective disinfection (3-log reduction in 5 minutes) while avoiding the harmful effects associated with sudden high-concentration bleach exposure.
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 tool effectively disinfects toilet surfaces, achieving a significant reduction in bacterial load while preventing unwanted bleach staining, ensuring safe and efficient cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The solid cleaning composition may dissolve in water and releases from the nonwoven material
Implementation Method 2
achieve at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus within 5 minutes of exposure time
Implementation Method 3
The solid bleach may be contained within a closed but water permeable 'pouch' of the cleaning head, to better control its release therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning tools for cleaning toilets, particularly the interior of a toilet bowl, where bleach is provided within the cleaning tool itself, e.g., in a disposable, single use cleaning head. The tool may include a handle, a cleaning head attachable to the handle, a nonwoven material having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and a solid cleaning composition stored adjacent to the interior surface of the nonwoven material. The solid cleaning composition includes solid bleach, and may also include a solid surfactant. The cleaning composition may be confined within the nonwoven material (e.g., in a pouch), but upon contact with water, dissolved cleaning composition is able to migrate through the nonwoven material, through a scrubbing layer, and be delivered to the surface being cleaned. Release may achieve at least a 3-log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus within 5 minutes.