Melamine Foam Cleaning Block Structure for Reduced Crumbling
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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 require substantial amounts of solvent, resulting in reduced durability and increased manual effort.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement with a foam density of 8 to 36 kg/m3 and a thickness of at least 22 mm, designed to distribute force over a wider area, enhancing durability and reducing manual effort while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If melamine foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but the foam crumbles and forms particles when wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the melamine foam by controlling its density (8-36 kg/m³) and thickness (at least 22 mm), which resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and structural integrity during use
2Reliability
If substantial amounts of solvent are used with melamine foam, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but durability of the foam is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the foam density to 8-36 kg/m³ and thickness to at least 22 mm, the patent enables the foam to maintain its structural integrity and durability while effectively utilizing solvent for cleaning purposes
3Productivity
If melamine foam is brought into contact with hard surface, then soil removal occurs, but manual effort increases due to crumbly nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes foam density (8-36 kg/m³) and thickness (at least 22 mm) to create a structure that maintains integrity during contact with hard surfaces, reducing manual effort while preserving soil removal efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes melamine-formaldehyde foam as a composite material with specific density and thickness parameters, creating a cleaning implement that combines effective soil removal with reduced manual effort through its optimized structural properties
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 thicker, denser foam design improves cleaning efficiency by reducing particle shedding and extending the lifespan of the cleaning tool, allowing for effective stain removal with less manual effort and improved ergonomics.
Implementation Method 1
said implement is capable of improved cleaning from hard surfaces while showing excellent durability upon use. Attributes as described in this disclosure produce an implement that holds up for longer while cleaning and better utilizes the force applied by distributing that force over a wider area
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement includes a foam having a density from 8 to 36 kg/m3. The cleaning implement has a thickness, a width, and a depth. The thickness is at least 22 mm, the width is less than or substantially equal to the depth, and the width is greater than the thickness. Methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement include bringing the cleaning implement into contact with a hard surface.