Sponge with Internal Cavity for Controlled Detergent Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashing sponges lead to overconsumption of detergent due to inefficient absorption and retention of cleaning liquid, especially when used under running water, and often require frequent refilling, resulting in waste and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A sponge design featuring a cavity distinct from its pores, allowing for the impregnation of a substantial quantity of detergent liquid, which is absorbed and distributed across the sponge's surface to generate foam, with a refillable orifice facilitating easy recharging during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If detergent is applied directly to the sponge surface, then the sponge retains some detergent through porosity, but a substantial amount of detergent is lost before use and the sponge quickly becomes depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge utilizes its porous structure to absorb and retain detergent liquid within its internal network, allowing the detergent to be stored and gradually released during use rather than being lost immediately
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from surface-level detergent application to three-dimensional internal saturation by introducing detergent through a cavity that penetrates into the sponge's interior, enabling detergent to be distributed throughout the sponge volume rather than remaining on the surface
2Adaptability or versatility
If detergent is applied to multi-layer sponges with abrasive layers, then the sponge provides versatile cleaning functions, but the low porosity of abrasive layers significantly limits detergent penetration and leads to substantial overconsumption
Solution Approach 1:
The sponge is divided into functional layers with the cavity strategically positioned to deliver detergent to the absorbent layer first, allowing each layer to perform its specialized function while ensuring adequate detergent supply to the porous absorbent material
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates detergent delivery to the interior of the sponge, bridging the gap between surface application and deep penetration, especially in multi-layer configurations where direct penetration is limited
3Reliability
If a continuous supply system is used to constantly saturate the sponge with detergent, then the sponge maintains cleaning effectiveness, but this leads to unacceptable overconsumption of detergent and increases manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous saturation, the system allows for periodic refilling through the cavity, where detergent is added in controlled amounts as needed, matching consumption rates and avoiding waste while maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout the sponge's usable life
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 reduces detergent consumption by allowing efficient absorption and distribution of liquid, providing a visual cue for refilling and maintaining cleaning effectiveness without permanent saturation, thus optimizing detergent use and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
The sponge's porosity allows it to retain some of the detergent
Implementation Method 2
The structure of the sponge is thus an important factor in the amount of detergent consumed by the user
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sponge (20) comprising at least one cavity (22) that is separate from the pores of the sponge (20) and suitable for enabling a liquid to be fed to the inside of the sponge (20) in order to impregnate the sponge (20), wherein the cavity (20) preferably has a bottom (24) inside the sponge, and is in communication with a surface (26) of the sponge (20) while forming an opening (28) such that the maximum distance between two points of the outline of the opening (28) is between 3, preferably 5, and more preferably 8 and 25, preferably 20, and more preferably 12 mm.