Sponge with Internal Cavity for Reduced Detergent Consumption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwashing sponges lead to overconsumption of detergent due to inefficient absorption and distribution of cleaning liquid, especially when used under running water, and are often complex and costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A sponge with a cavity distinct from its pores, allowing for the impregnation of detergent liquid inside the sponge, which can absorb and distribute the liquid effectively across its surfaces, reducing waste and enabling easy refilling during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If detergent liquid is applied directly on the sponge surface, then the sponge can retain part of the detergent liquid due to porosity, but a substantial quantity of detergent liquid is lost before being used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent liquid lossVSAvoidsponge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sponge utilizes its inherent porous structure to absorb and retain detergent liquid within its internal network, transforming the surface application method into internal saturation. The porosity enables the sponge to capture and hold detergent liquid throughout its bulk structure, reducing premature loss while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If the sponge is made as a single absorbent layer, then detergent product can penetrate the inside of the sponge, but the product is exhausted quickly and foam generation becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning durationVSAvoiddetergent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sponge is divided into multiple functional layers: an absorbent layer for detergent retention, and additional layers (scouring, abrasive, or wiping layers) with complementary functions. This segmentation allows the detergent to be distributed across different functional zones, extending the cleaning duration and reducing the frequency of refilling while optimizing detergent utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If detergent liquid is applied on the abrasive or scouring layer of multi-layer sponge, then the abrasive layer can provide cleaning function, but the low porosity limits penetration of detergent product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent penetrationVSAvoiddetergent application

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent application approach transitions from surface-level application on the abrasive layer to internal delivery through the absorbent layer. The detergent is first absorbed into the porous absorbent layer, which then distributes it throughout the multi-layer structure, enabling penetration into the abrasive layer without relying on direct surface application. This dimensional shift from external to internal delivery overcomes the porosity limitation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Productivity

If an ergonomic sleeve filled with detergent liquid is fixed on the sponge, then the sponge can continuously supply detergent liquid, but the sponge becomes saturated continuously and cleaning surface is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous detergent supplyVSAvoidcleaning surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous supply from an external sleeve, the detergent is preliminarily loaded into the porous structure of the absorbent layer during a brief saturation phase. The sponge then releases this pre-loaded detergent gradually during use through its porous network, providing extended supply without requiring a large external reservoir that would reduce cleaning surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 sponge effectively reduces detergent consumption by allowing substantial liquid absorption and distribution, providing optimal cleaning power and foam generation while being easy to manufacture and use, thus saving on cleaning products and maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

The porosity of the sponge makes it possible to retain part of the detergent liquid in the sponge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The pressure exerted by the user on the moistened sponge, combined with the porosity of the sponge, causes the creation of foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

The pressure exerted by the user on the moistened sponge, combined with the porosity of the sponge, causes the creation of foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam formation: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS10448799B2Sponge having an open cavity

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 EURVEST

AI summary

The present invention relates to a sponge (20) including at least one cavity (22), distinct from the pores of the sponge 5 (20), capable of allowing the introduction of a liquid inside the sponge (20) to impregnate the sponge (20), the cavity (22) preferably having a bottom (24) inside the sponge (20), and emerging on the other hand on a surface (26) of the sponge (20) while forming an opening (28) such that the maximum distance between two points of the contour of the opening (28) is comprised between 3, preferably 5, still more preferably 8, and 25, preferably 20, still more preferably 15 mm or still more preferably 12 mm.