Soil Resistant Polymer Coating for Hard Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface treatments fail to effectively impart soil resistance to clean surfaces, leading to rapid soiling and difficulty in maintaining the cleanliness of hard, non-porous surfaces, as they either attract soil or require frequent detergent application.
Innovation Solution
A soil-resistant laminate composition is applied to clean surfaces using a multilayer composition of a clean surface and a dried layer of a soil-resistant agent, such as maleic/olefin or olefin/acrylate copolymers, which creates a barrier that prevents soil adhesion and allows for easy removal with minimal mechanical force, eliminating the need for detergents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If soil release agents are applied to clean surfaces, then soil removal capability is improved, but the surface becomes soiled again at a faster rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a polymer intermediary layer that acts as a mediator between the surface and soil particles. This polymer layer modifies the surface properties to prevent soil adhesion without requiring the surface to be soiled first, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of soil removal and duration of soil resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters by applying a polymer coating that alters the surface energy and morphology. This parameter change enables the surface to resist soil adhesion over extended periods while maintaining ease of cleaning, without requiring the surface to be soiled first as with traditional soil release agents.
2Reliability
If traditional surface treatments are used, then initial cleaning is achieved, but frequent detergent application is required to maintain cleanliness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a polymer coating in advance that pre-establishes soil resistance properties. This preliminary action creates a protective layer that prevents soil adhesion over time, reducing the frequency of cleaning operations and maintaining reliability of cleanliness without requiring frequent detergent applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer coating provides continuous soil resistance over extended periods, maintaining the useful action of soil repellency without interruption. This continuous protection reduces cleaning frequency and maintains cleanliness reliability, eliminating the need for repeated detergent applications.
3Reliability
If soil resistant agents are used, then soil adhesion is prevented, but the surface requires specific polymer treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies surface parameters through polymer treatment to achieve soil resistance. By changing the surface energy and morphology parameters through the polymer layer, the treatment achieves reliable soil resistance while managing the complexity of the composition through focused parameter modification rather than multiple additive systems.
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 long-lasting soil resistance, allowing for extended periods without soiling, even in water-scarce conditions, and enables easy cleaning with compressed air or water flow, reducing the frequency and intensity of cleaning activities.
Implementation Method 1
the soil resistant surface impairs the binding of soil through an intermediary polymer layer which makes it difficult for oily materials to wet the surface and enhances the wetting of water
Data Source
AI summary
A soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided. In particular, a laminate composition comprising a multilayer composition of a clean surface and a dried layer of a soil resistant agent are disclosed. Soil resistant agents according to the invention include copolymers of a maleic/olefin, an olefin/acrylate and combinations thereof and are suitable for delivery with a water or other organic solvent carrier. A kit and methods for treating a clean surface using a soil resistant laminate composition and a soil resistant treatment use composition are provided by the present invention.