Cleaning implement comprising a modified open-cell foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Melamine-formaldehyde foams used for cleaning hard surfaces are effective but lack durability and efficiency in removing greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt, often crumbling when used with solvents.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a linear polymer with a number average molecular weight between 500 to 10,000 g/mol into melamine-formaldehyde foams to create a cleaning implement with improved durability and cleaning performance, potentially in a layered configuration with additional foam or materials for enhanced robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If melamine-formaldehyde foam is used to clean hard surfaces, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but durability and structural integrity deteriorate (foam crumbles when wetted)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines melamine-formaldehyde foam with a polymeric binder to create a composite cleaning implement. The binder acts as a matrix that holds the foam particles together, preventing crumbling while maintaining the foam's cleaning effectiveness. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating two materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If substantial amounts of solvent are used to optimize soil removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but material loss increases (foam crumbles into particles)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil removal efficiencyVSAvoidfoam material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric binder creates a durable composite structure that reduces foam material loss during cleaning operations. The binder holds foam particles together, allowing effective soil removal with solvents without the foam crumbling into small particles that are lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If linear polymer is added to improve durability, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfoam composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a linear polymer with particular molecular weight parameters (number average molecular weight in a specific range) to achieve the desired balance between durability and simplicity. By controlling the polymer's physical parameters, the invention optimizes performance without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11224328B2Cleaning implement comprising a modified open-cell foam

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam includes from about 0.1 to about 5 weight % of at least one linear polymer with a number average molecular weight Mn in the range from 500 to 10,000 g/mol. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.