Melamine Foam Cleaning Implement With Controlled Perfume Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Melamine foam cleaning implements face challenges in maintaining effective odor control and extended usage life without malodor buildup, especially when used repeatedly on hard surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement comprising melamine foam with a thickness of at least 5 mm and a matrix polymer-assisted perfume source, which ensures consistent perfume delivery throughout its lifespan and multiple uses, integrated with supporting materials like foams or non-wovens for structural support and odor control, and potentially embedded with odor control agents like cyclodextrin or zeolites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If melamine foam is used repeatedly for cleaning, then cleaning performance is maintained, but malodour builds up due to repeated wetting and soil accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates odor control agents (such as cyclodextrin or zeolites) that convert the harmful malodour buildup into a beneficial function by actively neutralizing odors. The melamine foam structure, which naturally accumulates soils and moisture during repeated use, now also accumulates and neutralizes odors through the integrated odor control agents, transforming the harmful effect into a useful odor-neutralizing function throughout the product's lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning implement combines melamine foam with odor control agents (cyclodextrin or zeolites) to create a composite material system. This composite structure integrates the cleaning functionality of melamine foam with the odor-neutralizing properties of the added agents, allowing the product to simultaneously perform cleaning and odor control functions during repeated use
2Productivity
If melamine foam thickness is increased for better cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but product size and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies odor control agents at specific locations within the melamine foam structure rather than uniformly throughout. The agents are incorporated into the foam matrix or applied to specific surfaces, creating localized odor-neutralizing zones where they are most needed during cleaning operations, thereby maintaining effectiveness while minimizing overall product volume
3Object-generated harmful factors
If perfume is added to mask odors, then pleasant odor is achieved, but perfume delivery becomes inconsistent during storage and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses odor control agents (cyclodextrin or zeolites) as intermediary substances that mediate between the perfume and the environment. These agents form inclusion complexes with perfume molecules, controlling their release rate and ensuring consistent perfume delivery during both storage and use, while also providing odor-neutralizing capabilities
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 excellent hard surface cleaning with a pleasant odor throughout its lifespan and multiple uses, preventing malodor buildup and ensuring consistent performance, thus enhancing user acceptance and product longevity.
Implementation Method 1
melamine foam shows an excellent soil and/or stain removal performance when used on hard surfaces
Implementation Method 2
melamine foam can be used for hard surface cleaning
Implementation Method 3
matrix polymer-assisted perfume source, which ensures consistent perfume delivery
Implementation Method 4
consistent perfume delivery throughout its lifespan
Implementation Method 5
embedded with odor control agents like cyclodextrin or zeolites
Implementation Method 6
odor control agents like cyclodextrin or zeolites
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention envisages a cleaning implement comprising a melamine foam preferably having a thickness of at least about 5mm and a perfume source, processes for making them and methods for using them.