Cleaning sheet and laminates therefor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning sheets with reduced basis weight materials compromise cleaning mileage, requiring frequent replacements and increasing costs when trying to conserve materials, as higher liquid loading is not effectively held by these sheets.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning sheet laminate comprising a 35-50 gsm hydroentangled spunbond nonwoven floor layer and a 100-140 gsm airlaid core layer with a latex binder, allowing for efficient liquid retention and distribution, decoupling basis weight from cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If reduced basis weight materials are used to conserve materials and reduce costs, then material usage and costs are reduced, but cleaning mileage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning sheet is divided into two functional plies: a floor layer (35-50 gsm) for contact and debris collection, and a core layer (100-140 gsm) for liquid retention. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, enabling the floor layer to be lightweight while the core layer provides sufficient liquid capacity to maintain cleaning mileage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite laminate structure combining two different nonwoven materials with distinct properties. The floor layer uses hydroentangled spunbond material for effective floor contact and debris pickup, while the core layer uses airlaid material with latex binder for superior liquid absorption and retention. This composite approach achieves performance that neither material could provide alone at reduced basis weight.
2Reliability
If higher liquid loading is applied to compensate for reduced basis weight, then cleaning effectiveness may be maintained, but the reduced basis weight material cannot hold sufficient liquid
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cleaning sheet are assigned different material properties: the floor layer is designed with specific porosity and surface characteristics for effective liquid distribution across the floor surface, while the core layer is designed with higher porosity and absorption capacity specifically for liquid retention. This local optimization ensures liquid is both distributed effectively and held in sufficient quantity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate spray systems are used to apply liquid, then liquid application is possible, but additional supplies and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The core layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs and retains the cleaning liquid, distributes the liquid to the floor layer through capillary action, and maintains adequate moisture levels throughout the sheet's service life. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spray systems while achieving the same liquid application capability.
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
The solution provides improved cleaning mileage with reduced material usage and costs, outperforming higher basis weight nonwovens in normalized conditions, demonstrating unexpected performance improvements with lower material expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
The first ply is a floor layer having a basis weight of from about 35 gsm to about 50 gsm, and a cumulative volume at 204 mm H2O of about 2 to about 2.7 cubic millimeters per mg of nonwoven material
Implementation Method 2
The second ply is a core layer for holding and releasing a cleaning liquid and comprises a synthetic and/or cellulosic material
Implementation Method 3
a 100-140 gsm airlaid core layer with a latex binder
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A multi-ply cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet has a preferred basis weight/cumulative volume combination. This combination decouples wet cleaning performance from the cost of the sheet associated with the basis weight of the constituent plies. The cleaning sheet may be pre-wetted.