Soluble Toilet Applicator Stick for Hygienic Self-Adhesive Detergent Application

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-adhesive detergent compositions for sanitary elements, such as toilets, often require complex applicators that are difficult to manufacture, unhygienic, and lead to ecological issues due to material waste, while also posing risks of chemical contamination and requiring manual handling and removal.

Innovation Solution

A soluble applicator made from materials like glucose, sucrose, and polyvinyl alcohol, with a grip portion and curved arms, that dissolves in fewer than 50 flushes, allowing single-handed application without direct contact and eliminating the need for post-application removal, using environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex applicator device with tubular body and plunger is used to dispense detergent material, then controlled unitized doses can be achieved, but the device becomes complex to manufacture and unhygienic for repeated use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrolled unitized dosesVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable applicator stick that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for complex reusable mechanisms with plunger and tubular body. The stick contains pre-measured detergent composition in a self-adhesive form, providing controlled dosing without requiring complex manufacturing or repeated handling that causes hygiene issues.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a containment portion is used to prevent direct contact with detergent composition, then user safety is improved, but the containment portion must be removed after application requiring two-handed manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical contaminationVSAvoidmanual handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator stick is designed to be self-adhesive, allowing it to attach directly to the toilet surface without requiring a separate containment portion. The stick's adhesive properties enable it to remain in place during application and dissolve automatically with the first flush, eliminating the need for manual removal and two-handed manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a deformable container applicator is used to dispense detergent product, then no support removal is needed, but the applicator itself must be removed after application causing ecological problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication processVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator stick is designed to change its physical state from solid to dissolved form through contact with water. This parameter change allows the stick to serve its application function and then automatically dissolve with the first flush, eliminating the need for manual removal and preventing ecological problems associated with disposable plastic applicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If solid substrates are used to provide detergent composition, then the composition can be adhered to the wall, but both substrates must be removed before use adding manipulation steps and material waste

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidpreparation steps
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the need for removable solid substrates by using a self-adhesive applicator stick that attaches directly to the toilet surface. The stick contains the detergent composition in self-adhesive form, allowing direct application without requiring removal of supporting substrates before use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a safe, easy-to-manufacture, and eco-friendly applicator that simplifies the application process, prevents chemical contamination, and reduces material waste, while ensuring effective adhesion and dissolution within a domestic toilet setting.

Implementation Method 1

The soluble applicator is made from materials like glucose, sucrose, and polyvinyl alcohol, with a grip portion and curved arms, that dissolves in fewer than 50 flushes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP2872614B1Sanitary applicator
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 EURVEST
  • EP2872614B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2872614B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention is directed to a soluble applicator for applying self-adhesive composition onto the wall of sanitary elements, preferably a toilet basin. The invention is directed to a soluble applicator which may comprise at least one materials selected among monosaccharide or disaccharide based components, sugar alcohols, polyamide resin mixtures, soluble polymers or soluble gelling agents or mixtures thereof, to a sanitary product comprising such applicator and to a process for its manufacture.