Cleaning implement comprising a layer of melamine foam

Abstract

A cleaning implement comprising a layer of melamine foam, having a thickness of at least 15 mm, and a layer of a second foam having a water-absorbency of at least 0.35 g of water per cm3 of said second foam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 587,070 filed Jul. 12, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprising a layer of melamine foam and a layer of a second foam. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Melamine-formaldehyde resin foams, also referred to herein as melamine foams, are well known in the art for use in industrial applications, for example, as heat or sound insulating materials as well as for fire protection purposes. Indeed, in the automotive industry, melamine foam is commonly used to insulate motor compartments and driver cabins of cars and trucks. [0004] Recently, a novel application for such melamine foams in the area of hard surface cleaning has been discovered. Indeed, cleaning implements of cut or molded pieces of melamine foam have become popular to remove s...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although the melamine foam itself is capable of absorbing water and / or milky melamine-water suspension, the absorbance of water and / or milky melamine-water suspension by the melamine foam is regarded as not sufficient by the users.

The same applies to the currently marketed sponges combining melamine foam and a stabilising material, as the stabilising material therein alone or in combination with the melamine foam is not capable of absorbing sufficient amounts of water and / or milky melamine-water suspension.

Furthermore, it is inconvenient for a user of melamine foams, when removing soils and / or stains from hard surfaces, to use a separate absorbent utensil, like an absorbent paper towel, a sponge or a cloth, in addition to the melamine foam to absorb excessive amounts of water that has been used as well as the formed milky melamine-water suspension.

Indeed, it has been found that non-stabilised melamine foam is prone to breakage or puncturing when used to remove soils and / or stains from hard surfaces due to its relative fragility as well as the user's uneven pressure when bringing it into contact with the hard surfaces to be cleaned.

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