Cleaning implement comprising hybrid foam

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning implement comprising hybrid foam and to a method of cleaning a hard surface with said cleaning implement.

1 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) comprising a hybrid foam ( 2 ) wherein said hybrid foam comprises a melamine formaldehyde resin as foamable reactive resins, and a substrate material, wherein said substrate material is selected from the group consisting of mineral fibres, animal fibres, plant fibres, chemical fibres, natural fibres, synthetic fibres, fibers of nonwoven fabrics, fibres of woven materials and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         2 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the substrate material is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resins, polyester resins, epoxides and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said cleaning implement has a thickness of at least 15 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 3 , having a shape selected from the group consisting of: cube shape, rectangular shape, pyramid shape, cylindrical shape, cone shape, pencil eraser shape, cuboid shape, and tetrahedron shape. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 4 , having a volume of from 1 cm 3 to 10,000 cm 3 . 
     
     
         6 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said hybrid foam forms ( 2 ) a first layer and wherein said cleaning implement additionally comprises a second layer of material. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said second layer of material is second foam layer ( 3 ). 
     
     
         8 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 7 , wherein said second foam layer ( 3 ) is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foams; polypropylene foams;
 polyethylene foams; cellulose foam sponges; naturally occurring sponges; open-cell polyester foams; and cross-lined polyethylene foams; and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         9 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said layer of hybrid foam and said layer of second foam ( 3 ) are joined by means of a permanent attachment or a temporary attachment. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 9 , wherein said layer of said hybrid foam ( 2 ) and said layer of a second foam ( 3 ) are joined by an attachment means providing a permanent attachment selected from the group consisting of foam flame laminating the two layers together; use of a permanent adhesive; sewing the two layers together; and needle-punching the two layers together; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of said hybrid foam ( 2 ) layer is from about 5 mm to about 100 mm. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein said cleaning implement comprises at least one additional layer. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said cleaning implement comprises two outer layers of said hybrid foam (a) and an inner layer of material. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 13 , wherein said inner layer is a second foam material. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 14 , wherein said inner layer of a second foam material is made of a foam material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foams, polypropylene foams, polyethylene foams, cellulose foam sponges, naturally occurring sponges, open-cell polyester foams, and cross-lined polyethylene foams, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said hybrid foam comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of biocides, solids, surfactants, colorants, lubricants, cross-linkers, fragrances, plasticizers, odor scavengers, microcapsules and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method of cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A cleaning implement ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein said solids are abrasive materials, filler materials, or combinations thereof.