Erodible Foam Cleaning Implement with Controlled Release System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning implements, such as melamine foam, struggle to effectively remove tough stains like adhesive resin-like oils, colored stains, and mold, and often require additional detergent which can lead to quick depletion of active agents and inconvenient use.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement combining an erodible foam substrate with a controlled-release system containing active agents like surfactants, bleaching agents, or biocides, which enhances cleaning performance and prolongs the active agent's lifespan by controlled release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sponge is impregnated with detergent to improve cleaning performance on tough stains, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the active agent releases too quickly leading to significant loss after first several uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous foam substrate as the cleaning implement base. The porous structure provides high surface area and capillary action to hold and gradually release the detergent composition, preventing rapid depletion while maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout the life of the implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the detergent composition by formulating it with specific viscosity, surface tension, and solubility characteristics that enable controlled release from the foam substrate. The composition is designed to release active agents at a controlled rate rather than all at once, extending its effective lifespan.
2Reliability
If an active agent releases very quickly in the first or second use to provide strong cleaning action, then initial cleaning performance is improved, but extra rinsing is required and the agent is depleted rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through controlled release mechanisms that provide bursts of active agent followed by slower release phases. The foam substrate structure and composition formulation work together to create periodic release patterns that maintain cleaning effectiveness while reducing the need for frequent rinsing and extending overall agent lifespan.
3Ease of operation
If plain melamine foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then the structure is simple and easy to use, but it struggles to remove certain tough stains like adhesive resin-like oils, colored stains, and mold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning implement by combining the mechanical cleaning action of erodible foam substrate with the chemical cleaning power of a specifically formulated detergent composition. This composite structure integrates both physical abrasion and chemical dissolution mechanisms to effectively remove tough stains while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the physical cleaning function of the foam substrate with the chemical cleaning function of the detergent composition into a single integrated implement. The detergent is applied to and becomes part of the foam structure, combining mechanical and chemical cleaning actions in one tool that remains simple to use.
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 combination significantly improves cleaning performance on tough stains and extends the active agent's effectiveness over a longer period, providing improved cleaning convenience.
Implementation Method 1
Melamine foams show excellent soil and/or stain removal performance in cleaning hard surfaces, when wetted with an appropriate solvent, such as tap water, and is brought into contact with and used to wipe a soiled surface
Implementation Method 2
cleaning implement containing an erodible foam substrate and a controlled-release system
Implementation Method 3
controlled-release system including an active agent selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a limescale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture thereof
Implementation Method 4
when an active agent releases very quickly in the first or second use, the high level of active agent may require extra rinsing
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement comprises an erodible foam substrate, such as a melamine foam substrate and a controlled release system comprising an active agent. The controlled release system comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a polymer matrix, a microcapsule, a particulate porous carrier, a complexing agent, a semi-permeable film and a combination thereof and the active agent is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a limescale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture thereof.