Melamine foam pads for motorized floor cleaning machines

Abstract

A cleaning pad system for use on a motorized floor cleaning or polishing machine is described wherein the pad has melamine resin based foam.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 152,079 filed Feb. 12, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to tools, implements, systems, and methods for cleaning hard surface floors, and more particularly to melamine foam for use on motorized floor cleaning or polishing machines.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventional motorized floor cleaning or polishing machines have typically included abrasive floor cleaning / polishing pads that do not conform to floor surface irregularities and therefore do not adequately clean hard surface floors. Tile floors having grout lines can be a problem in themselves, but even floors without grout lines can have depressions and scratches with a similar or even greater impact on cleanability.[0004]Further, brush-block attachments also do not adequately clean grouted floors. The grout lines are ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Another embodiment is a no-strip method of cleaning a waxed floor by using a rotary cleaner and water or a detergent solution and a rotary machine at low speed with a circular melamine foam pad having a polyuretha

Problems solved by technology

Conventional motorized floor cleaning or polishing machines have typically included abrasive floor cleaning / polishing pads that do not conform to floor surface irregularities and therefore do not adequately clean hard surface floors.

Tile floors having grout lines can be a problem in themselves, but even floors without grout lines can have depressions and scratches with a similar or even greater impact on cleanability.

Further, brush-block attachments also do not adequately clean grouted floors.

The grout lines are typically recessed to adjacent tiles and the cleaning action of a moving (rotating) brush does not adequately scrub the surface of the grout lines.

Existing pads are typically abrasive and can therefore scratch hard surface floors.

In the cleaning of hard surface floors, even without grout lines, soiled conditions may be particularly problematic.

The scuff marks as in (1) or soil as in (2), typically have been repeatedly buffed (or just worn down) into the wax, and are very hard to remove.

This emulsification sludge is quite slippery and can be hazardous.

This procedure is very time consuming, labor intensive, and involves transporting, using, and disposing-of strong chemicals.

The latter process is not very effective in soil removal, and the stripping pad wears down quickly.

Erasers, whether used by hand, or with machinery, tend to wear down rapidly due to uneven pressure of the eraser.

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