Melamine-Formaldehyde Foam Cleaning Implement with Enhanced Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Melamine-formaldehyde foams used for cleaning hard surfaces tend to crumble when wetted, leading to inefficient soil and stain removal, and lack durability.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement comprising melamine-formaldehyde foam with a d90/d10 ratio above 1.65 and a compression deflection force above 3.25 psi, incorporating at least one linear polymer, is developed, which can be structured in various shapes and configurations with additional layers for enhanced durability and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If melamine-formaldehyde foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but the foam crumbles and lacks durability upon use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the foam's physical parameters by controlling the d90/d10 ratio to above 1.65 and compression deflection force to above 3.25 psi, which changes the cell size distribution and mechanical properties to reduce crumbling while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure within the foam by incorporating linear polymers into the melamine-formaldehyde matrix, combining the cleaning properties of melamine foam with the structural integrity and durability of linear polymers to prevent disintegration during use
2Reliability
If substantial amounts of solvent are used to optimally remove soils and stains, then cleaning performance is improved, but the process becomes less efficient and more resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the foam's pore structure by controlling the d90/d10 ratio, which enhances capillary action and solvent retention within the foam matrix, allowing effective cleaning with reduced solvent quantities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of the foam with controlled cell size distribution to trap and retain cleaning solvent within the foam matrix, enabling the foam to deliver concentrated cleaning action without requiring excessive solvent application
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 durability and effective removal of greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces while ensuring surface safety, outperforming commercially available cleaning implements in terms of robustness and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
melamine foam in particular, when wetted with an appropriate solvent, such as tap water, removes soils and/or stains from a hard surface when said hard surface is brought into contact with said wetted modified open-cell foam
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam. The melamine-formaldehyde foam cleaning implement has a d90/d10 ratio above 1.65 and a compression deflection force above 3.25 psi. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.