WC Cage Gel Coating for Sustained Fragrance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gel compositions for WCs tend to lose water and change physically when exposed to air, affecting their appearance and functionality, while solid tablets require complex cage structures for dual components, limiting perfuming performance and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of a perfuming gel composition in a liquid phase, applied to the outer surface of a WC cage using pouring, spraying, or rolling, followed by cooling and gelling, creating a translucent/transparent gel with a high volatile perfuming component and a polyamide-based gelling agent, ensuring adhesion and long-lasting fragrance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If gel compositions are used for WCs, then aesthetic appearance and perfuming efficiency are improved, but water loss and physical changes occur when exposed to air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidwater loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the gel composition from water-rich to water-free by using a eutectic mixture of fragrant substances. This parameter change eliminates water loss while maintaining the desired aesthetic appearance and perfuming efficiency, as the eutectic mixture remains stable when exposed to air without solvent evaporation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the eutectic phase transition phenomenon where a mixture of fragrant substances forms a stable solid or semi-solid state at specific ratios. This phase transition allows the composition to maintain its physical integrity and aesthetic appearance without water loss, as the eutectic structure prevents solvent evaporation while enabling controlled fragrance release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Reliability

If solid tablets with dual components are used, then cleaning function is provided, but cage structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionVSAvoidcage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cleaning and perfuming functions into a single integrated eutectic composition applied directly to the cage surface. This eliminates the need for separate dual-component tablet structures and complex cages, while maintaining reliable cleaning function through the combined action of surfactants and fragrant substances in the eutectic mixture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The eutectic composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides cleaning action through surfactants, sustained perfuming through the eutectic structure, and aesthetic appearance through its stable physical form. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex multi-component systems and simplifies the overall cage design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If gel compositions with high water content are used, then gel structure is formed, but consumption profile changes after water loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegel structureVSAvoidconsumption profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the composition from water-based gel to water-free eutectic mixture, fundamentally altering the stability parameter. The eutectic mixture maintains its physical and chemical composition stable when exposed to air, preventing the consumption profile changes that occur in water-based gels after water loss. This allows sustained, predictable fragrance release over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method allows for a single-compartment cage design with improved aesthetic appeal and sustained fragrance diffusion, maintaining product integrity and performance through 300 flushes without water solubility issues, reducing structural complexity and cost.

Implementation Method 1

preparation of a perfuming gel composition in a liquid phase, applied to the outer surface of a WC cage using pouring, spraying, or rolling, followed by cooling and gelling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change