Hybrid Foam Cleaning Implement to Reduce Crumbling and Material Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning implements using open-cell foams, such as melamine foam, are effective for removing soils and stains from hard surfaces but lack durability and require substantial amounts of solvent, leading to crumbling and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement comprising a hybrid foam made from melamine formaldehyde resin and a substrate material, such as mineral or synthetic fibers, which provides improved durability and effectiveness in removing greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open-cell foam (melamine foam) is used to clean hard surfaces, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but durability deteriorates due to crumbling and particle formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining melamine foam with at least one other type of foam (such as polyurethane foam, polyester foam, or acrylic foam) to create a hybrid cleaning implement. This composite structure allows the melamine foam to provide effective soil and stain removal while the additional foam materials contribute to improved durability and reduced crumbling, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and durability.
2Reliability
If substantial amounts of solvent (water) are used with open-cell foam, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but loss of substance increases due to foam crumbing and particle formation
Solution Approach 1:
The composite foam structure reduces foam material loss by incorporating more durable foam types that resist crumbling when wetted with substantial amounts of water. The alternative foam materials provide structural support and reduce the disintegration of melamine foam particles, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while minimizing substance loss.
3Ease of operation
If open-cell foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to reduced effectiveness after repeated use
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid foam combines the user-friendly properties of melamine foam with the durability of alternative foam materials, allowing the cleaning implement to maintain its effectiveness over repeated use. The composite structure prevents rapid degradation, ensuring that productivity is sustained while preserving the ease of operation characteristics.
4Reliability
If melamine foam is used to clean greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt, then cleaning performance is improved, but durability worsens due to crumbling when wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials where melamine foam is combined with foams having different structural properties that resist water-induced crumbling. The alternative foam materials provide mechanical strength and structural integrity when wetted, allowing the hybrid implement to maintain both high cleaning performance for greasy soils and improved durability upon wetting.
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 hybrid foam cleaning implement effectively removes greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces while maintaining durability, as demonstrated by its ability to withstand repeated use and absorb excess water, enhancing cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the open-cell foam (and melamine foam in particular) when wetted with an appropriate solvent, such as tap water
Implementation Method 2
melamine formaldehyde resin as foamable reactive resins
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprising hybrid foam and to a method of cleaning a hard surface with said cleaning implement.