MX2008009063A - Cleaning implement with erodible foam substrate and controlled release system of active agent - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning implement (1) comprises an erodible foam substrate (2), such as a melamine foam substrate (2) and a controlled release system comprising an active agent. The controlled release system comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a polymer matrix, a microcapsule, a particulate porous carrier, a complexing agent, a semi -permeable film and a combination thereof and the active agent is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a limescale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture thereof.

Description

CLEANING IMPLEMENT WITH EROSIONABLE FOAM SUBSTRATE AND CONTROLLED RELEASE SYSTEM OF ACTIVE AGENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a cleaning implement. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cleaning implement that contains an erodible foam substrate, such as a melamine foam substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known to use erodible foam, such as a melamine formaldehyde resin foam, referred to in the present melamine foam, and phenolic foam, in the cleaning of hard surfaces. Effectively, cut / molded melamine foam cleaning implements are popular for removing dirt or stains from hard surfaces. Melamine foams are currently available in some countries under the trade name "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser ™". Melamine foams exhibit excellent performance to remove dirt or stains when cleaning hard surfaces; they are used moistened in an appropriate solvent, for example, tap water, and gets in contact with a dirty surface to clean it. By "clean", "rubbed" or "cleaning" is meant to clean, slide over a surface, scrub or the like in order to exert a manual force on the surface to be cleaned. While, in general, melamine foam is quite effective at removing dirt or stains from hard surfaces, consumers still find it difficult to remove certain types of stubborn stains with melamine foam, even when a greater rubbing force is applied. For example, common stains of semisolid or resin-type denatured oil from food, colored stains, such as stains of tea, coffee, fruit juices, grass and carotenoids, ink and permanent markers, of different types of mold, fungi, etc .; They are often difficult to remove with a common melamine foam. To improve the cleaning performance of a sponge, for example, a melamine foam, over a certain type of stubborn stains, a sponge may be used together with a detergent composition. The sponge and detergent can be supplied either separately or in a case, or the sponge can be impregnated with the detergent. However, consumers may also find it inconvenient to apply a detergent composition and then scrub. A sponge impregnated with an active agent tends to release the active agent too quickly, which entails a significant loss of the active agent after the first of several uses. Therefore, a reduction in the cleaning properties is observed as the active agent is consumed. Also, when a Active agent is released very quickly in the first or second use, the high concentration of the active agent may require additional rinses. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cleaning implement that is capable of cleaning stubborn stains, providing a controlled release of an active agent and offering ease of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a cleaning implement that contains an erodible foam substrate and a controlled release system that includes an active agent selected from the group comprising a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a scale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture of these. The present invention also encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement of the present. Surprisingly, it has now been found that by combining a controlled release system with an active agent and an erodible foam substrate, the cleaning performance of the cleaning implement on stubborn stains on hard surfaces is significantly improved. At the same time, the duration of the active agent in the cleaning implement is increased and a better cleaning performance is provided for a longer period of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning implement of the present having an erodible foam substrate and a second substrate; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning implement of the present with three substrate layers in a rectangular oblique prism type shape; Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the cleaning implement of the present with a second substrate and two layers of semipermeable films; and Figure 4 is an exploded view of the cleaning implement shown in Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Unless otherwise specified, all percentages, ratios and ratios herein are "by weight"; all temperatures in the present are in degrees Celsius (° C). As used herein, "average particle size" refers to the average particle size by volume of a particulate material as determined by conventional analysis techniques, e.g., microscopic determination.

Cleaning attachment The cleaning implement of this is an industrial production item of any suitable shape or size or volume to clean, that is, remove dirt or stains from hard surfaces. The cleaning implement herein includes an erodible foam substrate and a controlled release system containing an active agent. In the present, "erodible foam" refers to a foam that crumbles into small particles that detach by friction. Erodable foams useful herein include, but are not limited to, melamine foam, phenolic foam, etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the erodible foam is an open cell foam having a density ranging from about 5 to about 1000 kg / m3, or from about 6 to about 500 kg / m3, or about 7 to about about 300 kg / m3 and a BET surface area ranging from about 0.1 to about 50 m2 / g, preferably from about 0.5 to about 20 m2 / g, as determined in accordance with DIN 66131. As used in the present, "open cell foam" refers to a foam in which at least 50%, or from about 60% to about 100%, or from about 65% to about 99.9% of all the lamellae are open, as determined in accordance with DIN ISO 4590. These cells may be molded, for example, as channels, and may have an average pore diameter (numerical average) ranging from about 1 μm to about 1 mm, or about 50 μm to approximately 500 μm, determined by means of the evaluation of section micrographs. In another embodiment of the present, about 5% a %, or approximately 10% to 15%, by weight of the active agent contained in the cleaning implement, is presented in said implement in free form to ensure that the active agent is available in the first of several uses when the active agent in the controlled-release system it may not yet be sufficiently released. Used in contrast to the controlled release system, "active agent in free form" means that the active agent is supplied to the cleaning implement in its pure form and the release from the cleaning implement is not controlled or maintained intentionally. The suitable forms of the cleaning implements herein can be selected from the group comprising a cubic shape, a rectangular shape, a pyramidal shape, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a rectangular oblique prism shape, a cuboid shape, a tetrahedral shape, a spherical shape, a globular shape and an ellipsoid shape. In the present "rectangular oblique prism shape" means a bulky body that has six walls, where three pairs of walls are parallel and of the same shape and size, and where one pair of walls have a parallelogram shape and the other two pairs of walls have a rectangular shape. The cleaning implement can have any thickness and volume appropriate for its intended use. The erosionable foam substrate can have a thickness of less than about 30 mm, or from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 10 mm and has a total volume of about 50 cm3 to about 600 cm3, or about 80 cm3 to about 300 cm3, or from about 150 cm3 to about 275 cm3. Where the cleaning implement contains one or more additional substrates, each additional substrate can have any thickness and volume appropriate for its intended use. In one embodiment of the present, each additional substrate has a thickness of less than about 30 mm, or from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, or from about 5 mm to about 10 mm. By "thickness" is meant the length in millimeters of the side that has the least extension compared to the other sides of the substrate (the height of the substrate). Where the cleaning implement is based on an irregular shape or the thickness extension of the substrate varies, it is sufficient that the thickness of the substrate comprises at least once the thickness in the present. The erodible foam substrate may be a melamine foam substrate available commercially, for example, Basotect ™ from BASF. The preparation of the melamine foam is known in the industry and is described, for example, in WO 2006/017298. The melamine foam generally has a pore size of about 20 μm to about 500 μm, or about 50 μm to about 200 μm. A controlled globule or powder release system can be loaded into the melamine foam substrate using dry spray. In that case, the melamine foam of the present may have a pore size larger than that of the globule or powder to facilitate the penetration of the controlled release system into the melamine foam substrate. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the erodible foam substrate is a phenolic foam substrate. The cleaning implement herein may include one or more additional substrates, such as a second erodible foam substrate or substrates of a material other than the erodible foam substrate. One or more of these additional substrates may be attached directly to the first erodible foam substrate or to another additional substrate (s). Figure 1 shows a cleaning implement (1) with a melamine foam substrate (2) and a second substrate (3) adhered to the melamine foam substrate (2) by means of an adhesive bond (4). The additional substrate can play a function different from that of the first erodible foam substrate, for example, serving as an absorbency substrate, cleaning substrate, support substrate, scrubbing substrate or substrate serving as a handle. Where the additional substrate is designed as a substrate that serves as a handle, the controlled release system will be loaded into the first erodible foam substrate and expelled from the first erodible foam substrate during use. The contact of the hands with the active agent can be minimized by grasping only the substrate that serves as the handle. Preferably, distinguishing marks are included, such as a different color, an indication, a word, etc. to guide the user on how to hold the substrate serving as a handle and to contact the surface to be cleaned with the first erodible foam substrate. Where one or more of the additional substrates is not an erodible foam substrate, the additional substrate may be made of a cellulose foam sponge, a sponge of natural origin or a non-woven fabric, or even a foam of a polymer comprising a monomer selected from the group comprising a urethane, a propylene, an ethylene, a vinyl acetate, an ester, an acrylate, an ether and a mixture thereof, such as polyurethane, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylacetate, polyester, ether-polyurethane, ester -polyurethane, polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene methacrylate, etc. The second substrate may be a hydrophilic polyurethane ester foam, for example, Cellulex ™ from Foamex L.P., capable of absorbing liquids, but which does not swell considerably. See U.S. Pat. no. 6,756,416.

The additional substrate may be more hydrophobic than melamine foam and used as a substrate that serves as a handle. Illustrative hydrophobic substrates include a closed cell foam of a polymer having a monomer selected from the group comprising a urethane, a propylene, an ethylene, a butadiene, a styrene, a vinylacetate, a silicone, an ester, an acrylate, an ether, cellulose acetate, styrene, silicone, natural latex, rubber, vinyl chloride, fluoroethylene and a mixture of these, distributed as Plastazote ™, Evazote ™, Supazote ™, Propazote ™ by Zotefoams foot (Croydon, England) and grades of FR foam, FM, CN or SD made with a significant fraction of polymers / hydrophobic materials. Figure 2 shows a cleaning implement (10) with three layers of substrate in an interleaved configuration having a rectangular oblique prism shape, wherein at least one of the two external substrates (11) and (12) is a substrate of melamine foam. The central substrate (13) is a substrate impervious to liquids and the controlled release system is contained in one of the substrates (11) and (12). For example, the controlled release system containing an active agent can be loaded only on the substrate (12), and the central substrate (13) is a liquid impervious substrate. In this case, the active agent is released only from the substrate (12); the substrate (11) can be used as a substrate that serves as a handle. Useful materials are known as liquid impervious substrates, such as the hydrophobic foam substrates described above or plastic films or non-woven fabrics of high hydrophobic barrier, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, Teflon ™, etc. Where the cleaning implement herein includes more than one substrate or semipermeable film, the erodible foam substrate, the semipermeable film and the additional substrate (s) may be joined by any suitable bond to bond the substrates and the films. As desired, the bond can be either permanent (where the two substrates can not be separated without substantially damaging) or temporary (where the two substrates can be separated without substantial damage). Suitable permanent bonds include permanent adhesives, flame lamination of the foam, stitching or punching of the substrates or films together, and a combination thereof. The substrates or films can also be joined together using a permanent adhesive. Useful adhesives include vinyl emulsions, such as those based on vinylacetate or other vinylesters, for example, homo- and copolymers of ethylene or acrylic monomers (vinyl acrylics); homo- or copolymers of acrylic emulsions; a crosslinked adhesive including those created by the inclusion of a reactive comonomer (eg, a monomer containing a carboxyl, hydroxyl, epoxy, amide, isocyanate, etc. functional group) which can by itself crosslink the polymer (eg. eg, carboxyl groups that react with hydroxyl, epoxy or isocyanate groups) or by reaction with an external crosslinker (eg, urea formaldehyde resin, isocyanates, polyols, epoxides, amines and metal salts, especially zinc ). The adhesives herein may also include limited amounts of resins adhesives for improving adhesion, such as the addition of hydrogenated pitch ester adherent to the vinyl acetate / ethylene copolymer latex. See also the adhesive compositions of U.S. Pat. no. 5,969,025. The adhesives can be applied, for example, with a spray coating to produce a discontinuous bond, curtain cover, roll coating, slot coating or brush coating to produce a continuous bond. A suitable temporary joint includes a weak adhesive, such as a low release strength adhesive, a repositionable adhesive, for example, pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), which have permanent adhesions (some are also they refer to soft gel adhesives or hydrogel, such as Dispomelt ™ distributed by National Starch); and a hook and loop fastening system (eg, Velero ™); a water-based and water-soluble adhesive or coating; an interlaced substrate shaping that provides stability and adjustment of the coupling components, and combinations thereof. With reference to Figure 1, the controlled release system has an active agent in the adhesive bond (4). In another embodiment, the adhesive bond (4) is impermeable to liquids and the controlled release system with an active agent is contained in the melamine foam substrate (2). In this case, the active agent is released only from the substrate (2), therefore, the second substrate (3) can be used as a substrate that serves as a handle. The useful adhesive materials that are The liquid impermeables include PM17 and LA hot melt adhesives distributed by Savare (Milano, Italy), Propel ™ hot melt adhesives, SolarCure ™, Optimelt ™, Claríty ™, Fullback ™ distributed by Fuller (Minnesota, USA), adhesives with solvent Fulaprene, Bondseal distributed by Fuller, and water-based adhesives Rakoll ™, AirSperse ™, LiquiLoc ™, Casemate ™, distributed by Fuller, etc.

Controlled release system The controlled release system of the present contains an active agent and is in communication with the erodible foam substrate. The controlled release system may be impregnated or dispersed within the erodible foam substrate, applied over the joint joining the substrates or applied between a semipermeable film and a second film bonded to the erodible foam substrate. Exemplary controlled release systems useful herein include those that have a polymer matrix, a microcapsule, a porous particulate carrier, a complexing agent, or a semipermeable film. The controlled release system of the present may be a liquid, a gel, a paste, a globule, a powder or a film, etc. and can be applied to the cleaning implement using any conventional means, such as dipping, spraying, impregnation, coating, etc. When the controlled release system is a globule or powder, the globule or powder can be deposited or sprayed dry on the substrate while vibrating the substrate to allow a better penetration of the globule or powder into the substrate. Preferably, the average particle size of the globule or powder is less than the average pore diameter of the melamine foam substrate, ie, the average particle size of the controlled release system is from about 1 μm to about 400 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 100 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 30 μm. When the controlled release system comprises a semipermeable film, it can adhere to the substrate using an adhesive. The controlled release system may further comprise a plasticizer, an adherent, a solid mineral or organic filler, or a preservative agent. These materials can provide other additional advantages, such as binding the substrates or films together, facilitating the immobilization of the controlled release system within the substrate, further controlling the release of the active agent, etc. Suitable plasticizers include citric acid esters, such as acetyltributyl citrate and triethyl citrate, low molecular weight polyesters, polyethers, liquid pitch esters (e.g., Foralyn ™ 5020F), aromatic sulfonamides, phthalates, benzoates, sucrose esters, diacetin , derivatives of polyfunctional alcohols, adipates, tartrates, sebacates, esters of phosphoric acid, acids and diacids, diols and fatty alcohols, epoxidized vegetable oils, and mixtures thereof. Adhesives are used in hot-melt adhesives to improve adhesive properties and are, in general, organic compounds with polycyclic structures. Adherents are thermoplastic materials, stable at about 200 ° C, of amorphous vitreous consistency at room temperature and have a Tg greater than about 50 ° C, or from about 80 ° C to about 125 ° C and a molecular weight of about 8.30E -22 g (500 Daltons) to about 3.32E-21 g (2000 Daltons). The tackifier can be a pitch or a derivative thereof, which is solid at room temperature, such as an alpha-methylstyrene copolymer distributed as Kristalex ™ by Hercules with an average molecular weight of about 1200. When present, the tackifier will represent about 2% to about 60%, or about 5% to about 40% by weight of the controlled release system. Suitable solid organic or mineral fillers may be oxides, chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, carbonates of Mg, Mn, Ba, Ca, W, Zr, Ti, Si, Mo, especially Ti02, Si02 and Al203. Other suitable materials are water-insoluble sodium polymetaphosphate, hydrated alumina, dicalcium orthophosphate dihydrate, calcium pyrophosphate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium polymetaphosphate. The amount of the controlled release system in the cleaning implement can vary widely due to the diversity of factors including the ability of the erodible foam and any additional substrate to absorb the controlled release system, the viscosity of the controlled release system, etc. In one embodiment of the present, the cleaning implement contains from about 0.1 to 500 parts, or from about 0. 5 to 100 parts, or from about 1 to 50 parts by weight of the controlled release system per 100 parts by weight of the erodible foam substrate.

Polymeric Matrix In one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled release system comprises a polymeric matrix and an active agent. The active agent is absorbed or dissolved in the polymer matrix or chemically linked to the polymer matrix. The weight ratio between the polymer matrix and the active agent is from about 19: 1 to about 1: 19, or from about 3: 2 to 2: 3. The controlled release system comprising the polymer matrix and the active agent can be prepared by any known process to make thermoplastic polymer compositions and will comprise, in general, the steps of melting the polymer, homogeneously mixing the plasticizer or the adherent, if present, and the active agent to form a homogenous mass which is then cooled to obtain the controlled release system. The preferred polymer matrix has a low melting temperature and viscosity and is therefore suitable for use as a hot melt. The controlled release system can also be prepared using a polymer solution. Typical steps include dissolving the polymer, the adherent or plasticizer, if present, and an active agent in an effective solvent, heating, if necessary, to prepare a solution or a gel and removing the solvent by evaporation. Alternatively, the controlled release system can be prepared in the form of an aqueous emulsion or dispersion.

The active agent can be released from the controlled release system by migration, activation by water before use, degradation, such as hydrolysis of the weak bond of the chemical bond between the active agent and the polymer matrix, or mechanical erosion of the the polymer matrix by friction. Polymers useful as a polymer matrix herein include thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers, water soluble polymers, water expandable polymers, mechanically rubbleable polymers, polymers comprising at least one group of primary or secondary amines, polymers with nanoparticles comprising cationic monomers. In the present "water-soluble polymers" it relates to polymers whose solubility in water (pH of 7 to 25 ° C) is greater than 1.5 g / L, preferably, greater than 2 g / L. Here, "water-expandable polymers" relates to polymers having a water uptake at 20 ° C of at least 10% by weight, or at least 20% by weight, measured according to ISO 8361. The polymers useful herein may be those having a monomer selected from the group comprising an olefin, an acrylic acid, an acrylate, an ether, a vinyl alcohol, a vinylpyrrolidone, a urethane, a siloxane, a saccharin, an ethylene imine, an amide, an ester or a vinylacetate, and can have a molecular weight (Mn) ranging from 500 to 1,000,000 g / mol, or from 1,500 to 500,000 g / mol, or from 2,000 to 200,000 g / mol, or from up to 20,000 g / mol, determined, for example, by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

Suitable thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers are described in patents WO 99/64077, WO 99/64505 and European patent EP 1193289. Particularly preferred thermoplastic hydrophilic polymers are ethylene-vinyl acetate thermoplastic copolymers (eg, Elvax ™ 250 Dupont, a resin of a random copolymer of ethylene-vinylacetate with 28% by weight of vinylacetate and 72% by weight of ethylene), poly-ether-amide thermoplastic block copolymers (e.g., Pebax ™ MH1657, from Atofina , a block polymer co-poly-e-caprolactam-polyethylene oxide, each block has a molecular weight of about 1500 g / mol Fusing temperature: 204 ° C in accordance with ASTM D3418), block thermoplastic copolymers of polyester (eg Dupont's Hytrel ™ 8171, a copolyether of hydrophilic block of butylenes / polyethylene glycol phthalate), thermoplastic polyurethanes, usually non-reactive polyurethanes (eg, Estañe ™ 5170 N) oveon, a polyethylene block polyethylene glycol) and mixtures thereof. Suitable water soluble or swellable polymers may be polyethylene glycols (polyethylene oxide) which are solid at room temperature (eg, Pluriol ™ E9000 having a molecular weight of about 9000 g / mol and Pluriol ™ E400 which it has a molecular weight of approximately 400 g / mol), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol and partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylamide, polysaccharides, such as agar, dextran, gatti gum, acacia, guar, starch, etc., polynucleotides, polypeptides ( polyglutamics), polyacrylates, polyacrylates cross-linked, physically crosslinked polyethylene oxide, such as Aquacalk ™ from Sumitomo, polyalkylene glycol-vinylacetate graft copolymers, (meta) acrylic acid copolymers and (meta) acrylates, such as C1-10 alkyl esters of (meta) acrylic acid and copolymers of (meta) acrylic acid and ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, such as fumaric acid, itaconic acid and, especially, maleic acid. Suitable erodible polymers may be waxes. Examples of waxes are natural waxes, such as paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, biocides, such as lanolin, candelilla, carnauba, mineral wax, such as mountain wax, and synthetic wax, such as polyethylene wax with an average molecular weight (Mn). ) which varies from 500 to 20, 000 g / mol, and polypropylene wax with an average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from 500 to 20,000 g / mol. Polymers with suitable nanoparticles comprising cationic monomers may contain from about 0.1% to about 50%, or from about 1% to about 10% by weight of cationic monomers and have a particle size of from about 100 nm to about 50 μm. The cationic monomers useful herein comprise a cationic unit. A cationic unit is understood as a portion which, when incorporated into the structure of the polymeric particle, is capable of maintaining the cationic charge within a pH ranging from about 2 to about 8. It is not necessary for the cationic unit to be protonated at each pH value within the range of about 2 to about 8. Suitable cationic monomers include dimethylamino alkyl acrylates, especially, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, vinylpyrrolidones, vinyl imidazoles, vinyl ethers having dialkylamino groups, vinylpyridines, alkylacrylamides, dialkyl acrylamides, dialkylaminoalkylacrylamide and amino alkyl acylamides. Suitable polymers comprising at least one group of primary or secondary amines can be a linear homo- or copolymer and, optionally, a branched, grafted or cross-linked polymer. Preferably, these polymers comprise more than 10 amino groups and have a number average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from about 150 to about 2.10E6, or from about 600 to about 40,000. Examples of these polymers include polyethyleneimine, commercially distributed as Lupasol ™ by BASF, polyvinylamine, polyvinylamine-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinylamine-vinyl formamide copolymer, polyamino acid (L-lysine / lauric acid in a molar ratio of 10: 1, L -lysine / aminocaproic acid / adipic acid in a molar ratio of 5: 5: 1, L-lysine / aminocaproic acid / ethylhexanoic acid in a molar ratio of 5: 3: 1), polylysine-cocaprolactam, polylysine hydrobromide, cross-linked polylysine, polyvinyl amine substituted alcohol. In one embodiment of the present invention, the polymer matrix is a polyalkylene glycol vinyl acetate graft copolymer having an average molecular weight (Mn) of 3000 to 100,000 g / mol. The examples of polyalkylene glycol vinyl acetate graft copolymer can be prepared from a base polymer (A) selected from: (A1) polyethylene glycols, which may be capped with one or two C C alkyl groups, or unfinished polyethylene glycols, having an average molecular weight (Mn) which varies from 1500 to 20,000 g / mol, or from 2500 to 15,000 g / mol; (A2) copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide or butylene oxide with an ethylene oxide content of at least 50% by weight, topped with one or two C, .25 alkyl groups, or unfinished, with a average molecular weight (Mn) in the range of 1500 to 20,000 g / mol, or 2500 to 15,000 g / mol; (A3) extended chain products obtained by the conversion of polyethylene glycols (A1) or copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide or butylene oxide (A2) with dicarboxylic acids C2.12 or (m) ethyl esters of dicarboxylic acid C2.12 or diisocyanates C6.18. Especially preferred extended chain products (A3) have an average molecular weight (Mn) ranging from 2500 to 25,000 g / mol. To graft any of the base polymers (A1) with (A3), vinyl esters, such as vinylacetate or vinylpropionate, are preferred. In one embodiment of the present, vinyl esters are the only monomers for the graft. In another embodiment of the present, from 1 to 50% moles of vinyl ester are replaced by (meta) acrylic acid.

Microcapsule In one embodiment of the present, the controlled release system includes a microcapsule that encapsulates the active agent. The microcapsule may be any capsule that can be broken containing an active agent therein or a capsule that is penetrable in a controlled manner by the active agent encapsulated therein. The rupture force of the microcapsules must be within a range that can withstand handling and spraying without breaking and still break before an external force of friction or wetting. The outer shell of the microcapsules can be made from a wide variety of materials known in the industry. Microcapsule outer jacket materials or methods for making the microcapsules that are suitable are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. num. 2,800,458; 3,159,585; 3,516,846; 3,516,941; 3,533,958; 3,697,437; 3,778,383; 3,888,689; 3,965,033; 3,996,156; 4,010,038; 4,016,098; 4,087,376; 4,089,802; 4,100,103; 4,251, 386; 4,269,729; 4,303,548; 4,460,722; 4,610,927; and 5,591, 146; British Patent Nos. 1, 156,725; 1, 483,542; 2,006,709; 2,041, 319; 2,048,206 and 2,062,570; and in Benita, Simón (editors), "Microencapsulation: METHODS AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS "(Microencapsulation: industrial methods and applications) (Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1996) The microcapsule of the present has an average size of about 0.1 μm to about 1000 μm, or about 1 μm to about 500 μm, or from about 10 μm to about 100 μm The concentration of the active agent contained in the microcapsule is from about 1% to about 99%, or from about 10% to about 95%, or from about 30% to about 90%, by weight of the microcapsule.

Porous particulate carrier In one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled release system contains a porous particulate carrier, and the active agent is loaded, so that it can be released, into the pores of the carrier. The porous particulate carrier absorbs the active agent and then releases it either for a prolonged period of time or as a result of external pressure, wetting, etc. Generally, the porous particulate carrier is selected from silica, silicate, clay, metal oxides, zeolite, sodalite, chitin microbeads, carboxyalkylcellulose, starch, sugar, porous carbon, or their derivatives. Preferably, the porous particulate carrier is a zeolite A having a primary particle size of about 0.1 μm to about 10 μm.

A typical method for charging an active agent into a porous particulate carrier includes the steps of spraying an active agent or a solution of an active agent onto the porous particulate carrier and then stirring the suspension or solid mixture to obtain the porous particulate carrier loaded with the active agent. Alternatively, the porous particulate carrier can be deposited on the substrate and then sprayed with the active agent or a solution of the active agent on the substrate. The weight ratio of the porous particulate carrier to the active agent is from about 100: 1 to 1: 1, or from about 100: 20 to 100: 60.

Complexing Agent In one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled release system comprises a complexing agent that binds an active agent. A useful complexing agent can be cyclodextrin. Both natural and chemically modified cyclodextrins, for example, α-, β- and β-cyclodextrin, glucosyl-α-cyclodextrin, maltosyl-α-cyclodextrin, glucosyl-β-cyclodextrin and maltosyl-β-cyclodextrin can be used herein. The polymerized cyclodextrin can also be used and can form a complex with the active agent. The adequate solubility in water of the cyclodextrin / active agent complex is from about 0.1 g to about 100 g, or from about 0.5 g to 20 g, or from about 1 g to 5 g of complexes per 100 g of water at 25 ° C. In one embodiment of the present, cyclodextrin is a β-cyclodextrin which has a Water solubility of about 1.8 g to about 2 g per 100 g of water at 25 ° C. The same method can be used to load an active agent into a porous particulate carrier, as described above, to bind cyclodextrin with an active agent. In one embodiment of the present, the molar ratio between the cyclodextrin and the active agent is from about 20: 1 to about 1: 1 equivalents per mole, or from about 10: 3 to about 10: 8 equivalents per mole.

Semipermeable film The controlled release system may contain a first semipermeable film that is bonded to the erodible foam substrate, a second film of a semipermeable film or a liquid impermeable film that binds to a second substrate, and an active agent applied between the first semi-permeable film and the second film. The active agent can be used in its pure form, or in a form of any of the controlled release systems herein. Figures 3 and 4 show a cleaning implement (20) with a melamine foam substrate (21), a second substrate (22) and two layers of semipermeable film (23) laminated together and attached to the melamine foam substrate (21) and the second substrate (22) separately. An active agent (24) is applied between the two semi-permeable films (23). Semipermeable films suitable herein include flexible liquid impervious films that have pores open, such as polyolefin films based on polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polyester-ether copolymer, polyamide-ether, Teflon ™ films, etc. These films generally have a basis weight of 1-250 g / m2, or 2-60 g / m2. Semi-permeable films are available on the market through Clopay, RKW, Mitsui, Tacolin, 3M, Dupont, International Plástic, etc. The pore size and pore density (number of pores per square meter of film) can be adjusted to adapt the kinetics of release of the active agent through the pores. Generally, the pore size is from about 100 μm to about 10 mm, or from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, and the pore density is from about 100 pores / m2 to about 500,000 pores / m2, or about 3000 pores / m2 to approximately 30,000 pores / m2. In general, microporous film is defined by its water vapor permeability (WVTR) as measured, for example, with a PERMATRAN-W ™ Mocon Model 398 (eg,: standard ASTM E-398). The suitable microporous film has a WVTR of from about 100 to about 25,000 g / m2 / day, or from about 2000 to about 6000 g / m2 / day. Another suitable semipermeable film is a nonwoven fabric with excellent barrier properties for liquids containing a high fraction of fibers made of hydrophobic material. Typical non-woven fabrics with excellent barrier properties for liquids have a basis weight of 1-500 g / m2, or 10-150 g / m2, or of 40-80 g / m2. Preferably, the nonwoven fabric with excellent barrier properties for liquids is made of 100% polypropylene fibers and formed by spun bonding (S), melt blown (M) and combinations thereof, such as SMS fabrics, SMMS , etc. Non-woven fabrics with excellent barrier properties for liquids are available on the market through BBA, PGI, Freudenberg, Alsthom, Jacob Holm, etc.

Active Agent The cleaning implement herein contains an active agent selected from a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a scale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture thereof. The surfactants may be nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the alkoxylated fatty alcohols having the formula RO (EO) e (PO) pH, wherein R is a hydrocarbon chain of 2 to 24 carbon atoms, EO is ethylene oxide and PO is oxide of propylene, e and p, representing the average degree of ethoxylation and propoxylation respectively, are, independently, from 0 to 24, or R is a linear alkyl chain having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms, e is from 5 to 12 and p is 0 Cationic surfactants suitable herein include derivatives of quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, imidazolium and sulfonium compounds. The preferred cationic surfactants herein are the quaternary trimethylammonium compounds. Suitable amphoteric surfactants in the present include oxides of amine, betaine or ammonium sulfate or ammonium carboxylate with the following formula: or R1R2R3NR4C02, wherein R1 (R2 and R3 is, independently each, a saturated straight or branched alkyl group, substituted or unsubstituted from 1 to 30, or from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, except R4, which preferably contains 3 carbons The preferred amine oxides herein are, for example, C8-C10 amine oxides of natural mixtures, and C12-Cl6 amine oxides, such as cetyldimethylamine oxide The preferred betaine herein is cocamidopropyl betaine and lauramidopropyl Betaine Suitable anionic surfactants include alkyl diphenyl ether sulfonate and alkyl carboxylate Other suitable anionic surfactants herein include acids or water soluble salts of the formula ROS03M, wherein R is preferably a C10-C24 hydrocarbyl or C12 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl C18, and M is H or a cation, such as sodium, potassium, lithium or ammonium or substituted ammonium Other suitable anionic surfactants include salts of fatty acids (soap), linear C9-C20 alkylbenzene sulphonates, C8-C22 primary or secondary alkylsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, C8-C24 alkyl polyglycol ether sulphates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfonates, alkylalpolysaccharide sulfates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates, such as those of the formula RO (CH 2 CH 20) kCH 2 COO M +, wherein R is a C 8 -C 22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble cation forming of salts. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable.

Other examples are provided in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Voltage I and II of Schwartz, Perry and Berch). Several of these surfactants are also described, in general terms, in U.S. Pat. no. 3,929,678. The bleaching agent herein is selected from a source of hydrogen peroxide, a preformed peroxycarboxylic acid, a hypohalide bleaching source and a mixture thereof. The sources of hydrogen peroxide herein include persulfate, dipersulfate, persulphuric acid, percarbonate, perborate, metal peroxide, perfosphate, persilicate, urea peroxyhydrate and a mixture thereof. The preformed peroxycarboxylic acids herein include those containing one, two or more peroxy groups and may be aliphatic or aromatic. When the organic percarboxylic acid is aliphatic, the unsubstituted acid suitably has the linear formula: HO-0-C (0) - (CH2) nY, where Y is H, CH3, CH2CI, COOH or C (0) OOH; n is an integer from 1 to 20. Branched analogs are also acceptable. When the organic percarboxylic acid is aromatic, the unsubstituted acid suitably has the formula: HO-OC (0) -C6H4-Y, where Y is hydrogen, alkyl, alkylhalogen, halogen, -COOH or -C (0) OOH The monoperoxycarboxylic acids useful as oxygen bleaches herein are also illustrated with alkyl percarboxylic acids and aryl percarboxylic acids, such as peroxybenzoic acid and substituted ring peroxybenzoic acids, for example, a-naphthoic acid peroxy; aliphatic, aliphatic substituted monoperoxy acids and arylalkyl, such as peroxylauric acid, peroxystearic acid and N, N-phthaloylamino peroxycaproic acid (PAP); and 6-octylamino-6-oxo-peroxyhexanoic acid. The peracids can be used in the form of an acid or of any suitable salt with a stable bleach cation. Suitable hypohalide bleaching agents herein include those which form halide ions or positive hypohalide ions, and bleaching agents which are organic based sources of halides, such as chloroisocyanurates. Suitable hypohalide bleaching agents herein include alkaline earth metal and alkali metal hypochlorites, hypobromites, hypoiodites, chlorinated trisodium phosphate dodecahydrates, potassium and sodium dichloroisocyanurates, potassium and sodium trichlorocyanurates, N-chloroimides, N-chloroamides, N- chloroamines and chlorohydantoins. Scale reducing agents of the present include, but are not limited to, acids and chelating agents. Illustrative acids useful herein include hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, acetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, and mixtures thereof. A mixture of organic and inorganic acid is preferred. Chelating agents useful herein may include, but are not limited to, carboxylates, phosphates, phosphonates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatics, polyamines, biodegradable compounds, alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or complexes of these chelating agents, and mixtures of these. Other examples of suitable chelating agents and their Use levels are described in U.S. Pat. num. 3,812,044 4,704,233; 5,292,446; 5,445,747; 5.531, 915; 5,545,352; 5,576,282 5,641, 739; 5,703,031; 5,705,464; 5,710,115; 5,710,115; 5,712,242 5,721, 205; 5,728,671; 5,747,440; 5,780,419; 5,879,409; 5,929,010 5,929,018; 5,958,866; 5,965,514; 5,972,038; 6,172,021; and 6,503,876. Biocide refers to any known ingredient that has the ability to reduce or even kill or eliminate microorganisms that exist on a surface, such as those described in U.S. Pat. no. 6,613,728. Bromoids useful herein include a surface-active quaternary compound, a guanidine, an alcohol, a glycerol, a phenolic compound, a heavy metal salt, an organic and inorganic acid, a halogen, a halogen-containing compound, a dye, an essential oil, an oxidizing compound, an adsorbent, a fungicide, an algicide and a mixture of these. Exemplary surface-active quaternary compounds include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, dichlorobenzalkonium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, cetyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide. Exemplary guanidines include chlorhexidine hydrochloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, dodecylguanidine hydrochloride, poly-hexamethylene biguanidine hydrochloride, and 6-acetoxy-2,4-dimethyl methoxane. Illustrative alcohols include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc. Illustrative phenolic compounds include cresol, resorcinol and related compounds, phenol; phenols-cresols substituted, metacresyl acetate, creosote, guaiac, resorcinol, hexylresorcinol, pyrogallol, thymol, thymol iodide, picric acid, chlorinated phenols-dichlorophen, hexachlorophene, tars. Halogens and illustrative halogen-containing compounds include iodine and iodoform. Illustrative oxidizing agents include peroxide, sodium perborate, potassium permanganate, zinc permanganate, potassium chlorate. Exemplary heavy metal salts include mercuric chloride, various ionizable mercury salts, organic mercurials, silver nitrate, silver lactate, silver piccrate, silver proteins, silver halides, zinc oxide, zinc stearate, copper sulfate. and organic tin derivatives. Illustrative dyes include azo dyes, acridine dyes, fluorescein dyes, phenolphthalein dyes and triphenylmethane dyes. Illustrative organic and inorganic acids include hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, acetic acid, boric acid, formic acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid and mixtures of these. Illustrative essential oils are thyme oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil, ajava oil, peppermint oil or mixtures thereof. Other biocides useful herein include furan derivatives, nitrofurantoin, sulfur, sulfur dioxide, ictamol, chrysoarabine, anthralin, betanaphthol, balsams, volatile oils, chlorophyll.

The biocides useful herein also include fungicides and algicides that act against different types of mold. It is difficult to remove algae and fungi from hard surfaces. In addition, fungi and algae reappear quickly if not inhibited or eliminated completely. Suitable fungicides and algicides include metal salts, such as zinc sulfate, zinc acetate, zinc bromide, zinc chloride, zinc iodide, zinc nitrate, zinc bromate and zinc chlorate, copper halide, copper sulfate , organic tin derivatives, fungicides and algicides insoluble in water or partially soluble in water, such as diiodomethyl p-tolyl sulfone, N- (trichloromethyl thio) phthalimide, NN-dimethyl-N'-phenyl N'-flurododichloromethyl thio) sulfamide, 2- (thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole / methylene bis (thiocyanate), 3-iodo-2-propynyl butyl carbamate, etc., all distributed by ALDRICH Chemical. The above biocides are optionally mixed with concentrated acids, such as acetic, formic, propyonic, n-butanoic, n-pentanoic, trimethylacetic, n-hexanoic, lactic, methoxyacetic, cyanoacetic, chloroacetic, citric, partic, etc. The active agent can be a solvent that has a good ability to dissolve grease spots. Solvents useful herein include those which are at least partially miscible in water, such as alcohols, ethers, for example, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether , dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, short chain esters of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol monoalkyl ethers, such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, N-methyl pyrrolidone and tetrahydrofuran. Mixtures of various solvents can also be used.

Packaging means The cleaning implement of the present invention can be combined in an industrial production article with a known packaging means for packaging cleaning implements. Specifically, the packaging means suitable herein can be paper bags, plastic bags, cartons, cardboard boxes, wrappers produced by automatic packaging, plastic wrappers and paper wrappers, and the like and combinations thereof.

Method for cleaning a hard surface In another embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement hereof. In still another embodiment, the present invention encompasses a method of cleaning a hard surface by contacting a cleaning implement of the present with that hard surface. By "cleaning / cleaning" is meant removing dirt or stains from hard surfaces. The hard surfaces suitable here are tiles, walls, floors, faucets and sanitary fittings such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, sinks, toilets, appliances that include, without limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, etc. Methods for cleaning a hard surface herein can also include the step of wetting the cleaning implement with a suitable solvent, preferably tap water, before contacting the cleaning implement with that hard surface. The following examples will further illustrate the present invention. In all the examples that follow, the erodible foam substrate is an open cell foam having an open cell factor of 99.6% in accordance with DIN ISO 4590, a density of 10.0 kg / m3 determined in accordance with the standard EN ISO 845, an average pore diameter of 210 μm determined by the evaluation of section micrographs and a BET surface area of 6.4 m2 / g determined in accordance with DIN 66131. Open cell foam is commercially available as Basotec ™ melamine foam from BASF. All melamine foam substrates and any other additional substrate, if present, have a cuboid shape with a length of approximately 125 mm and a width of approximately 65 mm.

EXAMPLES 1 TO 8 A controlled release system comprising a polymer matrix of a hot melt of low melting point and a active agent by mixing the compositions shown in Table 1 below in a high shear mixer for hot melt (TM 20 double screw extruder from Maris, Torino, Italy). All percentages of the table are by weight based on the total weight of the controlled release system. About 1.5 g of the controlled release system is extruded onto the surface of a melamine foam substrate having a thickness of about 23 mm and a weight of about 1.85 g in a series of separate rows, at about 70 ° C, with a nozzle for slot coating (EP-11 from Nordson, Germany, or an LH-3 laboratory laminator / coater from Acumeter, USA). After applying the melt controlled release system on the melamine foam substrate, a second substrate of an open cell polyurethane foam (from the Sweetane ™ series of Recticel), having a thickness of about 6 mm, is adhered to Melamine foam substrate along the surface coated with the controlled release system using a liquid-impervious polyamide hot melt adhesive (Fuller Fullback ™). After adhering the two substrates, they are compressed a few times or heated to a higher temperature to facilitate the penetration of the controlled release system into the melamine foam substrate and the polyurethane foam substrate. Cleaning implements that have a controlled release system are obtained located on the contact surface of a melamine foam substrate and an open cell polyurethane foam substrate. TABLE 1 1. ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, from DuPont 2. polymer block amides-polyether, from Atofina Chemicals 3. block copolymer from polyether-polyester, from DuPont 4. thermoplastic elastic polyurethane, from Noveon 5. polyethylene glycol, from BASF 6. adhesive from pitch ester, from Eastman Chemical 7. adhesive of a-methylstyrene copolymer hydrocarbon resin, from Hercules 8. C10 alkyl polyethylene glycol ether with an ethoxylation grade of 7, from BASF 9. C10 alkyl polyethylene glycol ether with a degree of ethoxylation of 8, from BASF 10. C10 alkyl polyethylene glycol ether with an ethoxylation grade of 10, from BASF 11. straight chain, non-ionic, oxyethylated primary alcohol, from BASF EXAMPLES 9 - 16 A liquid controlled release system comprising a polymeric matrix and an active agent is prepared by mixing the compositions set forth in Table 2. All percentages in Table 2 are by weight based on the controlled release system. Approximately 1 g of the liquid controlled release system is sprayed onto the surfaces of two melamine foam substrates, each with a thickness of about 10 mm, using an A7A spray gun or Nordso AD hand equipment. The melamine foam substrates weigh approximately 0.8 g each before applying the controlled release system. The surfaces of the melamine foam substrates coated with the controlled release system are adhered to a third closed cell polypropylene foam substrate (from Zotefoam, England) having a thickness of about 10 mm in an interleaved configuration. This third substrate adheres between the two substrates of melamine foam with a hot melt polyamide adhesive (commercially available as Fuller ™ Fullback ™ liquid-melt hot melt adhesive). The three-sheet laminate is then manually compressed to allow penetration of the controlled release system into the melamine foam substrates. The cleaning implements obtained in this way are then dried in air to evaporate water and ethanol.

TABLE 2 1. A viscous solution mixture containing 70% by weight of polyethylene glycol grafted with vinylacetate, 20% by weight of ethanol and 10% by weight of water 2. A viscous solution mixture distributed by Hartow Chemical Company Ltd containing 60% by weight of polyvinyl alcohol (88% of which is hydrolyzed), 10% by weight of ethanol and 30% by weight of water 3. Nacconol ™ distributed by Stepan EXAMPLES 17-19 A controlled release system comprising beta-cyclodextrin particles having an average particle size of about 150 microns, water and an active agent is prepared by mixing and stirring the compositions set forth in Table 3 for four hours to produce a suspension. The suspension is then sprayed onto the surface of a melamine foam substrate having a thickness of about 14 mm and weighing about 1.1 g before being loaded with the controlled release system. Then the melamine foam substrate is adhered to a second melamine foam substrate of equal thickness using Fuller's Fullback ™ adhesive. The cleaning implements are thus obtained TABLE 3 1. Cavamax W7, from Wacker 2. Neodol 91-8, a Cg., Alkyl polyethylene glycol surfactant with an approximately 8 degree of ethoxylation, from Shell EXAMPLE 20 A mixture of a porous particulate carrier of 0.15 g of zeolite A and 0.15 g of mesoporous silica ZSM-5 with a particle size of about 150 microns is deposited on one of the two largest surfaces of a melamine foam substrate having a thickness of approximately 14 mm and a weight of approximately 1.1 g before being loaded with the controlled release system. Then a mixture of active agent comprising 0.067 g of primary alcohol nonionic surfactant C12-13 ethoxylate with an ethoxylation of about 3 (Shell's Neodol ™ 23-3), 0.033 g of cocoamidopropylbetaine surfactant (Amphosol ™ Stepan) and 1 g of water on the zeolite / silica particles deposited on the surface of the melamine foam substrate. A second melamine foam substrate of approximately the same thickness is then adhered to the surface of the first melamine foam substrate loaded with the active agent using the Fullback ™ adhesive. Cleaning implements are thus obtained with a controlled release system of porous particulate carrier and active agent located on the entire contact surface of the two substrates of melamine foam.

EXAMPLES 21 TO 22 The same steps of Example 20 are repeated, except that the active agent mixture is 0.1 g of N, N-phthaloylamino peroxycaproic acid dissolved in 1 g of water (Example 21) and 0.1 g of cetylpyridinium chloride dissolved in 1 g of water (Example 22).

EXAMPLE 23 A controlled release system is prepared by mixing 0.3 g of polyethyleneimine (Lupasol ™ from BASF) and 0.15 g of Nacconol ™ in 5 mL of water to form a suspension. The suspension is then deposited on one of the two largest surfaces of a melamine foam substrate having a thickness of about 14 mm and weighing about 1.1 g before being loaded with the controlled release system. Then a second melamine foam substrate of approximately the same thickness and weight to the surface of the first melamine foam loaded with the controlled release system. This way, a cleaning implement is obtained.

EXAMPLE 24 The active agent described in the previous examples is sprayed in an amount of about 25 g / m 2 onto a polyethylene film having a basis weight of 30 g / m 2, of Tacolin or Clopay. Then, the polyethylene film loaded with the active agent is laminated with another virgin polyethylene film using a discontinuous ultrasonic bonding pattern and then a needle punching treatment is performed with needles of 1 mm diameter at a pore density of 1500 pores. m2 (the punching treatment can be carried out before the ultrasonic lamination). Subsequently, the laminated and punched polyethylene films are laminated between two melamine foam substrates, each with a thickness of 14 mm and a weight of approximately 1.1 g before being loaded with the controlled release system. The cleaning implements are thus obtained EXAMPLE 25 The same steps as in Example 24 are followed, except that the polyethylene films are replaced by non-woven polypropylene fabric (Melten SMS, 100% PP, 65 g / m2 from Tenotext).

EXAMPLE 26 The same steps of Example 24 are followed, except that one of the polyethylene films is not subjected to the punching treatment and the polyethylene film laminates are then laminated between a melamine foam substrate having a thickness of approximately 23 mm and a weight of approximately 1.85 g before applying the controlled release system and an open cell polyurethane foam substrate (Sweetane ™ series of Recticel ™) having a thickness of approximately 6 mm, wherein the non-punched film adheres to the polyurethane foam substrate.

EXAMPLE 27 The same steps as in Example 26 are followed, except that the punched polyethylene film is replaced by a microporous polyethylene film (HBBS 40 g / m2 with machine direction elasticity, from RKW AG).

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are incorporated, in the relevant part, as a reference herein; the mention of any document should not be construed as an admission that it constitutes a prior industry with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document contradicts any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated as a reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this document shall govern. While specific embodiments of the present have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those with industry experience that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It has been intended, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all changes and modifications that are within the scope of the invention.

Claims (21)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A cleaning implement; the implement comprises (a) an erodible foam substrate, and (b) a controlled release system comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a bleaching agent, a scale reducing agent, a biocide, a solvent and a mixture of these.

2. The cleaning implement in accordance with the claim 1, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a polymer matrix, a microcapsule, a porous particulate carrier, a complexing agent, a semipermeable film and a combination thereof.

3. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, further characterized in that the erodible foam substrate is a melamine foam substrate.

4. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, further characterized in that the controlled release system is in the form of a globule or powder having a particle size of about 1 miera to about 400 microns.

5. The cleaning implement according to claim 2, further characterized by the release system The controlled agent comprises a polymeric matrix, and the active agent is absorbed or dissolved in the polymeric matrix or chemically linked therewith.

The cleaning implement according to claim 5, further characterized in that the polymer matrix comprises a monomer selected from the group comprising an olefin, an acrylic acid, an acrylate, an ether, a vinyl alcohol, a vinylpyrrolidone, a urethane, a siloxane, a saccharide, an ethyleneimine and a mixture of these.

The cleaning implement according to claim 2, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprises a microcapsule comprising an outer shell that encapsulates the active agent.

The cleaning implement according to claim 2, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprises a porous particulate carrier, and the active agent is loaded, so that it can be released, into the pores of the porous particulate carrier.

9. The cleaning implement according to claim 8, further characterized in that the porous particulate carrier is selected from the group comprising a zeolite, a silica, a porous carbon and a mixture thereof.

10. The cleaning implement in accordance with the claim 2, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprises a complexing agent that agglutinates the active agent.

11. The cleaning implement according to claim 10, further characterized in that the complexing agent is cyclodextrin.

The cleaning implement according to claim 2, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprises a first semipermeable film and a second film of a semipermeable film or a liquid impermeable film, and wherein the active agent is applied. between the first semi-permeable film and the second film.

13. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a second substrate adhered to the erodible foam substrate by an adhesive bond.

The cleaning implement according to claim 13, further characterized in that the second substrate is a closed cell foam substrate of a polymer comprising a monomer selected from the group comprising a urethane, a propylene, an ethylene, a vinyl acetate , an ester and a mixture of these.

15. The cleaning implement according to claim 13, further characterized in that the controlled release system comprising an active agent is contained in the adhesive bond.

16. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cleaning implement comprises three layers of substrate in an interleaved configuration, wherein the erodible foam substrate is located at least as one of the outer layers bonded to a core layer by adhesion.

17. The cleaning implement according to claim 16, further characterized in that the central layer is a liquid impermeable layer.

18. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, further characterized in that from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the active agent contained in the cleaning implement is presented in the free-form cleaning implement.

19. A method for cleaning a hard surface by placing a cleaning implement in accordance with claim 1 in contact with that hard surface.

The method for cleaning a hard surface according to claim 19, further characterized in that the method also includes the step of wetting the cleaning implement with an appropriate solvent before putting said cleaning element in contact with that hard surface.

21. The method for cleaning a hard surface according to claim 20, further characterized in that the appropriate solvent is water.