Modified Open-Cell Melamine Foam for Durable Grease Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning implements using melamine-formaldehyde foams are not effective in removing greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces while maintaining durability and surface safety.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning implement comprising melamine-formaldehyde foam with a d90/d10 ratio above 1.65 and a compression deflection force above 22.41 kPa, incorporating at least one linear polymer, and optionally a second foam layer, designed for improved durability and effectiveness in cleaning hard surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If melamine-formaldehyde foam is used to clean hard surfaces, then soil and stain removal performance is improved, but the foam crumbles and forms a milky suspension, reducing durability
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 22.41 kPa, which changes the pore size distribution and mechanical properties to reduce crumbling while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by incorporating linear polymers into the melamine-formaldehyde foam matrix, combining the cleaning properties of melamine foam with the structural integrity of linear polymers to prevent disintegration during use
2Reliability
If substantial amounts of solvent are used to optimize soil and stain removal, then cleaning performance is improved, but the foam requires more water and creates more waste
Solution Approach 1:
The modified foam structure with controlled pore distribution (d90/d10 > 1.65) enhances solvent retention and distribution, allowing effective cleaning with reduced solvent quantities by optimizing the foam's capillary action and surface area characteristics
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the foam structure is made more robust to improve durability, then resistance to crumbling is improved, but cleaning effectiveness on greasy soils may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The linear polymer additive (0.1-10 parts by weight per 100 parts foam) creates a composite material that simultaneously enhances structural integrity for durability and maintains the open-cell architecture necessary for absorbing and removing greasy soils through the foam's porous structure
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 cleaning implement effectively removes greasy soap scum and kitchen dirt from hard surfaces with enhanced durability and safety, outperforming commercially available options 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
Implementation Method 2
a milky suspension of small modified melamine foam in particular particles in water is formed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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 3.25psi. Additionally the present invention encompasses processes for making and methods for cleaning hard surfaces with a cleaning implement according to the present invention.