Modified Open-Cell Foam Composition for Durable Grease Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current open-cell foam-based cleaning implements, such as those made from melamine foam, are ineffective in removing greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces and have short durability, leading to rapid loss of cleaning performance and recommended disposal after a brief service time.
Innovation Solution
A modified open-cell foam with a density range of 5 to 1000 kg/m3 and average pore diameter of 1 μm to 1 mm, incorporating 1 to 2500% by weight of water-insoluble polymers like polystyrene, polybutadiene, and polyurethanes, which enhances cleaning performance and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open-cell foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then good soil and stain removal performance is achieved, but the foam crumbles and loses cleaning action after short service time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines open-cell foam with water-insoluble polymer particles to create a composite cleaning implement. The polymer particles are incorporated into the foam structure, creating a material that maintains the foam's cleaning capabilities while adding durability and resistance to crumbling. This composite structure allows the cleaning implement to maintain its cleaning action for extended service times without losing effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If open-cell foam is used for cleaning hard surfaces, then cleaning action is provided, but the foam crumbles into small particles when wetted and brought into contact with surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating water-insoluble polymer particles into the open-cell foam matrix, the patent creates a composite material where the polymer provides structural reinforcement. This prevents the foam from crumbling into small particles when wetted, while maintaining the foam's ability to effectively clean hard surfaces. The polymer particles act as a binding network that holds the foam structure together during use.
3Reliability
If currently available open-cell foam cleaning implements are used, then cleaning performance is provided, but they fail to effectively remove greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the cleaning implement by incorporating water-insoluble polymer particles with specific properties into the open-cell foam. These polymer particles have surface characteristics and chemical compositions that enhance the foam's ability to interact with and remove greasy soils, soap scum, and kitchen dirt, while maintaining effectiveness on other types of soils.
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 modified open-cell foam effectively removes greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt while maintaining excellent durability, significantly improving cleaning performance and extending the service life of cleaning implements.
Implementation Method 1
a modified open-cell foam with a density range of 5 to 1000 kg/m3 and average pore diameter of 1 μm to 1 mm, incorporating 1 to 2500% by weight of water-insoluble polymers
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning implement comprises a modified open-cell foam with a density in the range from about 5 to about 1,000 kg/m3 and with an average pore diameter in the range from about 1 μm to about 1 mm, comprising an amount in the range from about 1 to about 2,500% by weight, based on the weight of the unmodified open-cell foam, of at least about one water-insoluble polymer (b), selected from polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polybutadiene, butadiene copolymers, polyvinylesters, polyvinylethers, copolymers from (meth)acrylic acid with at least one (meth)acrylate, and polyurethanes, with the proviso that styrene-acrylonitrile-C1-C10-alkyl (meth)acrylate terpolymers, styrene-butadiene-n-butyl acrylate terpolymers, and styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers are excluded.