Cleaning implement with a rheological solid composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning implements, such as melamine foam, struggle to effectively remove tough stains from hard surfaces, and compositions like rheological solid compositions lack sufficient firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement combining an erodible foam with a rheological solid composition that includes a crystallizing agent forming a crystalline mesh, allowing for firmness, aqueous phase expression, and thermal stability, with a composition comprising greater than 80% water and a crystallizing agent with an elongated, fiber-like crystal habit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If melamine foam is used for hard surface cleaning, then soil and stain removal is effective, but tough stains cannot be removed even with extra rubbing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines melamine foam with a rheological solid composition containing crystallizing agents (sodium carboxylate-based) to create a hybrid cleaning implement. The foam provides mechanical exfoliation and structure, while the rheological solid composition provides chemical cleaning action and controlled liquid expression, synergistically improving tough stain removal without requiring excessive rubbing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning implement uses a composite structure combining erodible foam material with a rheological solid composition. This composite approach integrates the mechanical cleaning properties of foam with the chemical cleaning and controlled liquid release properties of the rheological composition, enhancing overall cleaning performance on tough stains.
2Productivity
If detergent is applied separately with melamine foam, then cleaning performance improves, but application convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detergent function into the melamine foam structure by impregnating or coating the foam with a rheological solid composition. This integration eliminates the need for separate detergent application steps, improving convenience while maintaining enhanced cleaning performance through the combined mechanical and chemical actions.
3Productivity
If sponge is impregnated with detergent, then cleaning performance improves, but active agent is released quickly leading to significant loss after first several uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and release parameters of the active agent by using a rheological solid composition instead of conventional liquid detergent impregnation. The rheological properties (yield stress, viscosity) control the release rate, allowing the active agent to remain retained in the foam structure and release gradually during use, significantly reducing loss after multiple uses while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
4Strength
If conventional rheological solid composition uses sodium stearate as gelling agent, then firmness is achieved, but processing requires high levels of polyols eliminating crunch and glide feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the crystallizing agent parameters by selecting sodium carboxylate-based agents with specific chain lengths (C12-C22) instead of conventional sodium stearate. This parameter change allows the formation of a firm rheological solid structure through crystallization while eliminating the need for high levels of polyols, thereby preserving the desired crunch and glide feel sensory properties.
5Strength
If traditional soap bars use high concentration of sodium carboxylate, then firmness is achieved, but aqueous phase expression is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration and type parameters of the crystallizing agent, using lower concentrations of sodium carboxylate (C12-C22) combined with specific rheological modifiers. This allows the formation of a firm structure through controlled crystallization while maintaining adequate aqueous phase expression, unlike traditional soap bars that require high concentrations and lose liquid expression capability.
6Ease of manufacture
If gelling agent with high solubility is used in rheological solid composition, then processing is easier, but thermal stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solubility parameter of the crystallizing agent by selecting sodium carboxylates with specific chain lengths (C12-C22) that have appropriate solubility characteristics. These agents provide sufficient processing ease while forming thermally stable crystalline structures, unlike highly soluble gelling agents that compromise thermal stability and cannot reliably survive shelf life or supply chain conditions.
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 a cleaning implement with improved firmness, thermal stability, and aqueous phase expression, enabling effective removal of tough stains and maintaining performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
a rheological solid composition comprising more than about 80% water having a crystallizing agent with an elongated, fiber-like crystal habit
Implementation Method 2
the rheological solid composition allows for a unique aqueous phase expression when rubbed on a hard surface
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement for cleaning a target surface is provided that includes an erodible foam adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned and a rheological solid composition comprising a crystallizing agent and an aqueous phase.