Localized Stain Removal Shell for Concentrated Wash-Cycle Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stain removal devices, such as water-soluble pouches, often dilute cleaning compositions, leading to reduced effectiveness in removing localized stains, requiring multiple wash cycles, increased water and cleaning agent consumption, and potential fabric damage.

Innovation Solution

A stain removal device with a shell that surrounds the stain, containing a dispensable cleaning agent with a water-soluble film, which is activated in a targeted manner during a wash cycle, using magnets or other fasteners to secure the device to the fabric, allowing controlled release of the cleaning agent directly onto the stain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water-soluble pouches are placed in the wash basin, then the cleaning composition is released, but the cleaning composition is diluted and effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of cleaning compositionVSAvoidstain removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating the cleaning composition in a small shell positioned directly over the stain, rather than distributing it throughout the entire wash basin. The shell contains the cleaning agent in a concentrated form and releases it locally at the stain site, maintaining high effectiveness without dilution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the cleaning process by dividing it into a general wash cycle and a targeted stain treatment. The shell acts as a separate, localized delivery system that operates independently within the wash basin, allowing concentrated cleaning action at the stain location while the rest of the laundry receives standard washing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple wash cycles are used to remove stains, then stain removal may be achieved, but water and cleaning composition consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestain removal effectivenessVSAvoidwater and cleaning composition consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the shell containing the cleaning composition directly over the stain before the wash cycle begins. The shell is designed to dissolve and release the cleaning agent at the appropriate time during the wash cycle, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple wash cycles and mechanical rubbing are used to remove stains, then stain removal may be achieved, but fabric integrity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestain removal effectivenessVSAvoidfabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces the shell as an intermediary delivery system that brings the cleaning composition directly to the stain. This eliminates the need for mechanical rubbing or scrubbing, as the concentrated cleaning agent works chemically to break down the stain without physical abrasion that could damage the fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If water-soluble pouches are used in the wash basin, then cleaning composition is distributed, but performance is diluted and localized stain removal decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of useVSAvoidlocalized stain removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach allows for efficient stain removal with reduced wash cycles, minimized fabric damage, and optimized use of cleaning agents, as the device is designed for specific stain sizes and types, and can be reused.

Implementation Method 1

a water-soluble pouch which are filled with cleaning compositions or solutions... water used during the cleaning cycle dissolves the water-soluble pouch and releases the contents contained therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The fastener may be a number of magnets wherein a first magnet includes a first surface coupled to the attachment portion of the shell and a second surface, and a second magnet includes a surface. So configured, the second surface of the first magnet is adapted to removably couple to the surface of the second magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS10208422B2Laundry stain removal device

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 MONOSOL LLC

AI summary

A stain removal device adapted to at least partially surround a stain located on a fabric to activate in a targeted manner includes a shell comprising a wall with an inner surface, an outer surface, a rim defining an aperture in the shell, the rim being defined by the inner and outer surfaces and the inner surface defining a shell cavity, at least one opening extending through the wall of the shell between the inner and outer surfaces of the shell, a dispensable cleaning agent at least partially disposed within the shell cavity, and an attachment portion at least partly coupled to the shell. The attachment portion is configured to removably couple the stain removal device to a fabric or article of clothing such that the rim of the shell contacts the fabric and at least partially surrounds a stain located on the fabric. So configured, the dispensable cleaning agent may activate in a targeted manner relative to the stain during a wash cycle.