On-Demand Wipe Pre-Wetting Reservoir for Disinfection Contact Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pre-wet disposable wipes and towels often dry out over time, leading to ineffective disinfection due to user error and evaporation of disinfectant solutions, compromising infection control in healthcare and other industries.
Innovation Solution
A disposable towel pre-wetting device with a lid and bowl reservoir that releases fluid on demand as towels are extracted, allowing for adjustable fluid volume and ensuring towels remain wet at the point of use, addressing uneven liquid distribution and evaporation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If towels are pre-wetted with disinfectant solution at manufacturing, then disinfection capability is provided, but the solution evaporates over time causing the towels to dry out and become ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the disinfectant solution storage from the towel storage, with the solution held in a reservoir and applied on-demand to individual towels as they are dispensed. This segmentation prevents premature evaporation by isolating the solution until the moment of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-prevents evaporation by storing the disinfectant solution in a sealed reservoir and only releasing it when a towel is pulled through the dispensing mechanism. This preliminary protection of the solution ensures it remains effective until application.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If towels are kept wet to maintain disinfection, then infection control is improved, but evaporation and drying out occur over time compromising effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is designed so that the act of pulling a towel through the device automatically triggers the release of the appropriate amount of disinfectant solution. The system self-regulates the wetting process without requiring user intervention, ensuring consistent application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static pre-wetted state to a dynamic on-demand wetting mechanism. The disinfectant solution is released in response to user action (towel withdrawal), adapting the wetting timing and amount to actual usage needs and minimizing evaporation losses.
3Ease of operation
If towels are dispensed from a container, then convenient access is provided, but uneven liquid distribution and drying occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device introduces a fluid delivery mechanism as an intermediary between the disinfectant reservoir and the towels. This intermediary system ensures uniform distribution of the solution across the towel surface as it passes through the dispensing channel, eliminating the uneven distribution problem.
4Adaptability or versatility
If disinfectant solution is applied to towels at manufacture, then product readiness is achieved, but user error in application leads to insufficient contact time
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures proper disinfectant application by design rather than relying on user knowledge or skill. The mechanical dispensing mechanism automatically applies the correct amount of solution to each towel, eliminating user error in application and ensuring compliance with contact time requirements.
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
Ensures consistent wetting of towels, enhancing disinfection efficacy and reducing the risk of infection by maintaining the required contact time for disinfectants, thereby improving infection control and user confidence.
Implementation Method 1
A disposable towel pre-wetting device with a lid and bowl reservoir that releases fluid on demand as towels are extracted
Implementation Method 2
releases fluid on demand as towels are extracted
Implementation Method 3
current pre-wet disposable wipes and towels often dry out over time, leading to ineffective disinfection due to user error and evaporation of disinfectant solutions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally provides a towel wetting or pre-wetting device for the wetting of towels at the point of use. More specifically, the present invention provides for disposable towel pre-wetting devices which provide a point of use wetting for cleaning and disinfecting wipes or towels. Embodiments allow for activation of the towel pre-wetting device with a towel through the lid which temporarily unseals the bowl from the cap allowing fluid to be released from the reservoir to pre-wet a towel as it is extracted through the lid. Embodiments allow for the adjustment of the bowl relative to the cap which controls the volume of fluid to be released to wet the towel. The pre-wetting device is intended to be affixed to the top of a cylinder of towels. Thus the present invention solves the unmet need of providing for wet cleaning wipes or towels at the point of use.