Sprayable Gel Cleaner for Optical Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprayable cleaners for hydrophobic optical and electronic surfaces have low viscosity, leading to inefficiencies such as overspray, runoff, and damage due to suspended particles, failing to effectively cling and dwell on these surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A sprayable, homogeneous high viscosity gel or gel foam cleaner composition with a viscosity range of 200 cP to 30,000 cP, composed of a liquid carrier, surfactants, and a water-soluble polymeric thickening agent, applied in a controlled pattern using a dispenser, which clings and dwells longer on hydrophobic surfaces without suspended particles or glycol ether solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If low viscosity liquid cleaners are used on hydrophobic surfaces, then the cleaners can be easily sprayed and applied, but they bead up and roll off the surface with no clinging ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the cleaning composition from low (liquid) to high (gel form) by incorporating thickeners such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, or xanthan gum. This parameter change allows the cleaner to maintain its position on hydrophobic surfaces without beading and rolling off, while still being applicable via spray or foam dispensing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning composition by combining traditional cleaning agents (surfactants, solvents) with hydrophilic thickening agents (cellulose derivatives, xanthan gum). This composite gel formulation integrates the cleaning functionality with enhanced surface adhesion properties, enabling the solution to cling to hydrophobic surfaces like optical lenses and electronic displays.
2Ease of manufacture
If low viscosity liquid cleaners are applied to surfaces, then application is simple, but the cleaners overspray and drip or run off the surface
Solution Approach 1:
By increasing the viscosity parameter through gel-forming thickeners, the cleaner's flow characteristics are fundamentally altered. The gel consistency prevents overspray dispersion and eliminates dripping/runoff behavior, ensuring the cleaning composition remains localized on the target surface throughout the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable, water-soluble thickeners (cellulose derivatives, xanthan gum) that are environmentally friendly and can be easily rinsed away with water. These short-living, disposable-like components provide temporary viscosity enhancement during application, then dissolve harmlessly during rinsing, preventing residue buildup while eliminating runoff waste.
3Duration of action of moving object
If high concentration of thickeners is used to achieve high viscosity, then clinging time is improved, but cleaning efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of partial action by using moderate concentrations of thickeners (0.1-5% of total composition) rather than high concentrations. This partial thickening provides sufficient gel consistency for surface clinging while maintaining adequate fluidity for effective cleaning action and easy rinsing, avoiding the diminishing returns and efficiency loss associated with excessive thickener use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter to an intermediate range through controlled thickener concentration, achieving a balance point where the gel is thick enough to cling to vertical and hydrophobic surfaces but thin enough to allow proper wetting, penetration, and rinsing. This parameter optimization prevents both runoff and cleaning inefficiency.
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 gel or gel foam cleaner composition significantly reduces runoff and damage by maintaining contact with hydrophobic surfaces for extended periods, enhancing cleaning efficiency and safety, as demonstrated by comparative experiments showing a 20-fold slower travel distance and zero haze residue on cleaned surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The composition comprises from about 70% to about 99% of a liquid carrier; from about 0.002% to about 10% of surfactant selected from the group of non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; from about 0.005% to about 5% of a water-soluble polymeric thickening agent
Implementation Method 2
from about 0.002% to about 10% of surfactant selected from the group of non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof
Implementation Method 3
the gel clings to and dwells for extended time on an optical lens or electronic surface when applied thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A sprayable homogeneous and high viscosity surface cleaning gel or gel foam composition and method of cleaning is provided. The composition may include from about 70% to about 99% of a liquid carrier; from about 0.002% to about 10% of surfactant selected from the group of non-ionic, anionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof; from about 0.005% to about 5% of a water-soluble polymeric thickening agent; and from about 0.001 to about 1.0% of a pH balancing agent. The sprayable gel cleaner composition may be completely clear without any suspended encapsulated particles in it and includes a viscosity range from about 200 centipoise to about 30,000 centipoise at standard temperature and pressure.