Water-Soluble Barrier for Odor Control in Sanitary Traps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sanitary traps face issues with antibacterial and deodorant agents losing effectiveness during storage and emitting odors prematurely, which affects their performance in capturing and disposing of waste.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary plaster trap with a biodegradable, water-soluble barrier encloses an odor controlling substance within a basket, which dissolves upon contact with water, releasing the agent only when in use, enhancing antibacterial and deodorizing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an antibacterial and deodorant agent is placed within a cage within the trap prior to manufacture, then the trap has odor controlling capabilities, but the agent gradually sublimates and loses effectiveness while in storage
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble barrier material is introduced as an intermediary between the odor controlling agent and the storage environment. This barrier prevents direct exposure of the agent to air and moisture during storage, eliminating sublimation losses while allowing water to penetrate and activate the agent when the trap is in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier material's solubility parameter is exploited to transition from a protective state during storage to an activating state during use. The barrier is designed to be insoluble in air and moisture but soluble in water, allowing the system to automatically activate the odor controlling agent when water flows through the trap.
2Reliability
If an antibacterial and deodorant agent is placed within a cage within the trap, then the trap has odor controlling capabilities, but the deodorant is gradually emitted from the packaging prior to use
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble barrier serves as a mediator that controls the release timing of the deodorant agent. During storage, the barrier completely encapsulates the agent, preventing premature emission. When water contacts the barrier, it dissolves and allows the deodorant to be released at the appropriate time for odor control.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier is pre-installed to protect the deodorant agent during the storage period, ensuring it remains intact and ready for activation. This preliminary protective action prevents substance loss before the trap is actually used, maximizing the effectiveness of the deodorant when needed.
3Reliability
If the trap structure is modified to include a water-soluble barrier, then the odor controlling substance is activated only when needed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble barrier is implemented as a thin film or wrapper that encapsulates the odor controlling agent in the cage. This thin-film approach adds minimal structural complexity while effectively solving the activation timing problem. The barrier can be simply wrapped around or inserted into the existing cage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble barrier is designed as a consumable component that dissolves after serving its protective and activating function. This disposable nature means the barrier doesn't need to be durable or complex, as it is replaced automatically through dissolution when water flows through the trap, simplifying the overall design.
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 effectively neutralizes odors and sanitizes waste by ensuring the odor controlling substance is activated only when needed, maintaining effectiveness and preventing premature emission during storage.
Implementation Method 1
a biodegradable, water-soluble barrier means for enclosing at least a portion of the receiving means
Implementation Method 2
the trap causes all material of a specific gravity greater than that of the flowing carrier medium of the stream to separate out and settle in the trap
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary catchall trap utilizing an aqueous dispersion medium for improved antibacterial and deodorant capabilities in the capture and disposal of waste. The trap includes an interior and a lid for enclosing the interior. The trap includes an odor controlling substance dissolvable in the aqueous dispersion medium, a cage having a receiving portion for housing the odor controlling substance, and a fastening portion for mounting the cage to the interior of the trap. A biodegradable, water-soluble barrier encloses at least a portion of the receiving portion of the cage for shielding the substance from leakage prior to use.