Foamed Polymeric Abrasives for Surface-Safe Liquid Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current scouring compositions face a trade-off between effective cleaning performance and surface safety, often causing damage due to high abrasive particle content, and are perceived as outdated by consumers.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cleaning composition with 0.1% to 20% abrasive cleaning particles by weight, featuring a packing density between 10 kg/m³ and 150 kg/m³ and HV Vickers hardness from 3 to 50 kg/mm², derived from reduced foamed polymeric materials, provides efficient cleaning while ensuring surface safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high levels of abrasive particles are used to achieve good cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surface damage increases and formulation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of abrasive particles from traditional high-density inorganic materials to low-density foamed polymeric particles with densities of 10-150 kg/m³. This parameter change allows achieving effective cleaning performance with significantly reduced abrasive content (0.1-20 wt%), thereby preventing surface damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite foamed polymeric particles that combine polymeric material with foam structure. These composite particles provide adequate hardness (HV 3-50 kg/mm²) for cleaning while the foam structure reduces density and surface aggressiveness, resolving the contradiction between cleaning power and surface safety.
2Productivity
If high levels of abrasive particles are used to achieve good cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but formulation cost and process cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the density parameter of abrasive particles to very low values (10-150 kg/m³), the patent achieves volumetric cleaning effectiveness with much lower mass loading (0.1-20 wt%). This reduces both formulation cost (less abrasive material needed) and process cost (easier handling, rinsing, and processing).
3Productivity
If traditional inorganic abrasive particles are used, then cleaning performance is adequate, but surface safety is poor and consumer perception is outdated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs soft, low-density foamed polymeric particles that are less aggressive than traditional inorganic abrasives. These particles provide sufficient cleaning for routine applications while being gentle on surfaces, effectively replacing harsh inorganic abrasives with softer alternatives that prevent surface scratching.
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 composition achieves effective cleaning on various surfaces with reduced abrasive content, enhancing surface safety and aesthetics, while maintaining or exceeding cleaning performance compared to traditional high-abrasive compositions.
Implementation Method 1
scouring compositions such as particulate compositions or liquid (incl. gel, paste-type) compositions containing abrasive components are well known in the art. Such compositions are used for cleaning a variety of surfaces; especially those surfaces that tend to become soiled with difficult to remove stains and soils.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning and/or cleansing composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles.