Cleaning cloth comprising an absorbent nonwoven material and method of manufacture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning cloths lack sufficient absorption and sliding properties, especially on rougher surfaces such as floors and wooden surfaces, which affects their cleaning efficiency and usability.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning cloth made from a flat, non-woven material comprising a mixture of absorbent natural fibers and synthetic melt-binding fibers, with an embossed surface and a partial abrasive coating, enhancing absorption and sliding properties while maintaining strength and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a full-surface coating is applied to increase cleaning power, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but sliding properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsliding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a partially coated surface design where coating is applied only to specific areas rather than the entire surface. This creates local zones of enhanced cleaning power while leaving other areas uncovered to maintain sliding properties, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If absorbent natural fibers are used to increase liquid storage capacity, then absorption is improved, but strength and durability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid storage capacityVSAvoidwiping strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite fiber structure combining absorbent natural fibers (cotton, cellulose) with synthetic reinforcing fibers (polyester, polypropylene). This composite material achieves both high liquid storage capacity from the natural fibers and adequate strength for wiping applications from the synthetic fibers, resolving the contradiction between absorption and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If a flat smooth surface is used to maintain simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but sliding properties on rough surfaces deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsliding properties on rough surfaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional textured surface with raised and recessed areas. This dimensional change creates micro-structures that enhance sliding properties on rough surfaces while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through conventional texturing techniques applied during the nonwoven fabric production process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 performance, enhanced sliding properties, and increased durability, making it suitable for various surfaces including rougher floors and wooden surfaces, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly due to its high renewable and biodegradable material content.

Implementation Method 1

They can be brought into a molten and (partially) flowable state by the influence of heat, which enables partial embedding and bonding of other fibers.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3944803B1Cleaning cloth comprising an absorbent nonwoven material and method of manufacture
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 CMC CONSUMER MEDICAL CARE
  • EP3944803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning cloth made of a planar non-woven nonwoven material with a bottom and a top, comprising absorbent natural fibers and synthetic melt-bonding fibers, wherein at least one side of the cleaning cloth has a partially non-full-surface coating, characterized in that the cleaning cloth has an embossing on at least one side, with raised unembossed areas and lower-lying embossed areas, and a method for its manufacture.