Melamine Foam Composite with Hollow Microspheres for Low-Crumble Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Melamine-formaldehyde foam cleaning implements face challenges in effectively removing greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces while maintaining durability and surface safety, as they tend to crumble when used with solvents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating hollow microspheres with a melamine-formaldehyde resin shell and a core benefit agent into the foam structure, which enhances mechanical properties and fixation within the foam, allowing for improved cleaning performance without excessive particle formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If melamine-formaldehyde foam is used to clean hard surfaces with solvents, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but the foam crumbles and forms small particles reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite material by incorporating hollow microspheres into the melamine-formaldehyde foam matrix. The foam comprises 5-50 wt% hollow microspheres with melamine-formaldehyde resin shells, forming a composite structure that combines the cleaning effectiveness of melamine foam with the structural integrity provided by the hollow microspheres, thereby reducing crumbling and particle formation during use
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the foam by controlling the hollow microsphere content (5-50 wt%), shell thickness (0.1-10 μm), and incorporating crosslinking agents (0.1-5 wt% silane-based crosslinking agent). These parameter changes enhance the foam's mechanical properties and durability while maintaining its cleaning performance
2Reliability
If substantial amounts of solvent are used to optimally remove soils and stains, then cleaning performance is improved, but the foam structure deteriorates and crumbles
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow microsphere-reinforced composite foam maintains structural stability during solvent application. The foam structure comprises a continuous melamine-formaldehyde matrix with dispersed hollow microspheres that act as structural support, preventing excessive crumbling when substantial amounts of solvent are applied for optimal cleaning of greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow microspheres are distributed throughout the foam matrix at a concentration of 5-50 wt%, providing localized reinforcement at multiple points within the foam structure. This distributed local reinforcement prevents structural deterioration during solvent-based cleaning while maintaining overall foam integrity
3Strength
If hollow microspheres are incorporated at high loadings to improve durability, then mechanical properties are enhanced, but fixation of microspheres in foam becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hollow microsphere loading to 5-50 wt% and controls the shell thickness at 0.1-10 μm to achieve adequate fixation. Additionally, crosslinking agents (0.1-5 wt% silane-based crosslinking agent) are incorporated to enhance the bonding between hollow microspheres and the foam matrix, enabling secure fixation even at higher microsphere loadings while maintaining good mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow microspheres are uniformly distributed throughout the foam matrix at controlled concentrations, with their melamine-formaldehyde resin shells providing local bonding sites that integrate with the foam structure. This uniform local distribution and chemical compatibility facilitate ease of manufacture while achieving high loading concentrations for improved durability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning implement that includes a melamine-formaldehyde foam and hollow microspheres. The hollow microspheres have a core that includes at least one benefit agent and a shell that includes at least one melamine-formaldehyde resin. Additionally the present invention encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.