Wet Wipe Stack Inversion to Reduce Wetness Gradients

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wetness gradients in stacks of wet wipes lead to uneven lotion distribution, causing upper wipes to become dry while lower wipes become over-saturated, resulting in consumer complaints of dryness and uneven cleaning performance.

Innovation Solution

Inverting the stack of wet wipes according to a predetermined turning schedule allows a second wetness gradient to form, reducing the initial steady state wetness gradient from values greater than 1.5 to 1.3 or less, thereby maintaining uniform lotion distribution throughout the stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wet wipes are stacked in a fixed orientation for storage and shipping, then packaging and handling are simplified, but a wetness gradient develops causing uneven lotion distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging and handling simplicityVSAvoidlotion distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic reorientation of wet wipe stacks during storage. Packages are rotated between upside-down and right-side-up positions at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 12-24 hours) to prevent permanent wetness gradient formation. This periodic action redistributes the lotion uniformly throughout the stack while maintaining simplified packaging structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies inversion by storing packages of wet wipes in an upside-down orientation rather than the conventional right-side-up position. This reverses the direction of gravitational force on the lotion, causing it to migrate toward what becomes the top of the stack, thereby equalizing the wetness distribution that would otherwise occur in a fixed orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Volume of stationary object

If wet wipes are stored in a fixed orientation, then storage space utilization is maximized, but the wetness gradient causes consumer complaints of dryness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoiddryness and uneven cleaning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic reorientation cycles during storage to prevent wetness gradient formation. By rotating packages every 12-24 hours between inverted and upright positions, the lotion redistributes uniformly throughout the stack, eliminating dryness complaints while maintaining efficient storage space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The storage system utilizes the existing gravitational force and package design to enable self-service lotion redistribution. The packages are designed with features that allow automatic or manual inversion without requiring complex active mechanisms, letting gravity do the work of equalizing wetness distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If no reorientation is performed, then processing time is minimized, but wetness gradient leads to product quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidlotion distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic reorientation at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 12-24 hours) during storage. This time-efficient approach uses simple inversion actions rather than complex active control systems, achieving uniform lotion distribution while minimizing processing time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively reduces the wetness gradient, ensuring a more uniform composition loading across the stack, enhancing consumer satisfaction by preventing dryness and maintaining effective cleaning performance.

Implementation Method 1

locating the package of wet wipes in a first orientation such that a first side of the package of wet wipes faces downward and an opposite second side of the package of wet wipes faces upward to form a first wetness gradient after a preselected amount of time. Inverting the package of wet wipes according to a predetermined turning schedule to place the package of wet wipes in a second orientation such that the first side of the package of wet wipes faces upward and the second side of the package of wet wipes faces downward to form a second wetness gradient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8899003B2Methods of providing stacks of wet wipes with improved wetness gradients

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A method of reducing a wetness gradient development for a package of wet wipes is provided. The method includes, after wet wipes are enclosed within a package to form the package of wet wipes, locating the package of wet wipes in a first orientation such that a first side of the package of wet wipes faces downward and an opposite second side of the package of wet wipes faces upward to form a first wetness gradient after a preselected amount of time. Prior to opening the package of wet wipes to access the wet wipes enclosed within the package of wet wipes, inverting the package of wet wipes according to a predetermined turning schedule to place the package of wet wipes in a second orientation such that the first side of the package of wet wipes faces upward and the second side of the package of wet wipes faces downward to form a second wetness gradient that is different from the first wetness gradient.