Water-Based Cleaning Solution with Natural Polyols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface cleaning solutions often result in glossy, sticky, and oily surfaces that attract dust and dirt, requiring frequent cleaning, and contain volatile organic compounds that are hazardous to health and the environment.
Innovation Solution
A water-based cleaning solution comprising non-volatile polyols and surfactants derived from natural sources, which is non-toxic, odor-free, and free of waxes, oils, and silicones, providing a mild and effective cleaning and conditioning agent for various surfaces without leaving a residue that attracts dust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If waxes, oils, silicones, and emulsions are added to enhance surface appearance, then the surface becomes glossy and protected, but dust and dirt accumulate more quickly on the sticky, oily surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by eliminating waxes, oils, silicones, and volatile organic compounds from the formulation. Instead, it uses water as the primary solvent with mild surfactants, creating a non-glossy, non-sticky surface treatment that does not attract dust and dirt, thereby reducing cleaning frequency while maintaining surface protection
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies a localized quality change by creating a surface treatment that is specifically non-attractive to particulates. The cleaning solution leaves a residue-free or minimal residue surface that has different properties than traditional glossy surfaces - specifically, it does not create the sticky, oily conditions that cause dust accumulation, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and cleaning frequency
2Ease of manufacture
If volatile organic compounds are used as solvents to dissolve ingredients, then the formulation is effective, but the compounds become skin and eye irritants and emit undesirable odors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes volatile organic compounds from the formulation entirely. It replaces these harmful solvents with water as the primary solvent and uses mild, water-soluble surfactants and ingredients that do not require VOCs for dissolution. This extraction eliminates skin and eye irritation risks and undesirable odors while maintaining formulation effectiveness through the use of appropriate water-based ingredients
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces water as an intermediary solvent that mediates between the need for effective ingredient dissolution and the requirement to eliminate harmful VOCs. Water serves as a safe, non-irritating, odor-free medium that can effectively dissolve and deliver the cleaning ingredients without the harmful effects associated with traditional organic solvents
3Ease of operation
If fragrances are added to mask odors, then user experience is improved, but user exposure to volatile chemicals is not limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates volatile organic compounds from the formulation, which are the source of both the unpleasant odors and the harmful chemical exposure. By removing the need for fragrances to mask odors (since the base formulation is inherently odor-free or mildly scented without VOCs), the invention simultaneously improves user experience and reduces chemical exposure, resolving the contradiction between these two factors
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 removes dirt and grease, restores the appearance of surfaces, and reduces dust buildup, making subsequent cleaning easier, while being safe for humans and the environment with a long shelf life and simple manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
surfactant in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 2% by weight
Implementation Method 2
non-volatile polyols... provide a non-glossy, non-sticky, non-oily surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning formulation includes water in an amount in the range of about 95 to about 99 weight percent, non-volatile polyols in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 3.0 weight percent, and surfactant in an amount in the range of about 0.001 to about 2.0 weight percent. The surfactant is not limited to non-ionic surfactants and the ingredients are derived from natural sources or food-grade materials.