Nonwoven melamine fiber surface preparation and cleaning material

Abstract

Provided is a nonwoven surface preparation or cleaning material comprising melamine fibers and a process for preparing the material. The nonwoven material, in one embodiment, comprises from 20 to 100% by weight melamine fibers. Other synthetic and natural fibers can be used in conjunction with the melamine fibers. However, it is the melamine fibers which are important, and the actual amount can be varied based on the nature of the surface to be cleaned, cleaning difficulty and material cost.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 755,201, filed Jan. 22, 2013 and 61 / 889,803, filed Oct. 11, 2013, which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to nonwoven surface preparation and cleaning materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to nonwoven surface preparation and cleaning materials comprising melamine fibers.[0004]2. Related Art[0005]Nonwoven cleaning pads are well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,852,114 discloses a renewable surface dust cloth that is composed of a plurality of thin, fibrous, loosely compacted layers.[0006]U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,929 describes cleaning a surface by rubbing the surface with a non-abrasive fabric comprised of a multitude of nonwoven polyest...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]In one embodiment, there is provided a method for preparing the nonwoven cleaning material. The process comprises the steps of carding melamine fibers with a carding machine and then hydroentangling the carded melamine fibers. The carding machine is a particular carding machine that has no main roll cylinder, only a number of smaller cylinders. This type of carding machine reduces breakage of the melamine fibers and results in a much better cleaning material. In another embodiment, the method for preparing the nonwoven material comprises carding and then needlepunching a web comprising melamine fibers. In another embodiment, the method for preparing the nonwoven material comprises wetlaying the melamine fibers, generally in combination with other fibers.

[0016]Among other factors, the present invention is based upon the recognition that melamine fibers can be successfully used in a surface preparation or cleaning material, such as a pad or wipe, with excellent results. The material can be effectively and efficiently made using a number of methods, such as a spunlace nonwoven process or a needlepunch process. The cleaning material need only be wet with water to provide an effective cleaner of dirt, soap scum, etc. No other cleaning chemicals are required, but can be used as desired. The cleaning material can be free of surfactants, cleaning detergents and binders. Such melamine fiber cleaning materials are significantly lower in cleaning cost, per use and are even more durable than melamine foam block cleaners.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is the melamine fibers which are important, and the actual amount can be varied based on the nature of the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning difficulty expected, and the material cost.

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