Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
IMPROVED CLEANING PAD
,,
15 T'E NICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to cleaning implements and cleaning sheets
particularly
suitable for removal and entrapment of dust, lint, hair, sand, food crumbs,
grass and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many sorts of cleaning sheets are known in the art that can be used in synergy
with
cleaning implements. Those cleaning sheets have been shown to be rather
efficient is allowing
the trapping of relatively small particles which compose the dirt ar soil
covering the surface to be
cleaned. However, those cleaning sheets are not as successful to trap larger
particles or larger lint,
hair and dirt. One of the solutions to this problem was to add functional
cuffs to the leading and
trailing edges of a cleaning pad to trap larger particles as the mop is wiped
back and forth.
However, one of the drawback of those functional cuffs is that depending on
the kind of surface
to be cleaned, the kind of implement they are used with or the amount of
pressure applied by the
user, some functional cuffs tend to slide on the floor instead of rolling back
and forth and
therefore do not perform their function of trapping particles optimally. It is
therefore another
object of this invention to provide an improved pad including improved
functional cuffs.
SUMMt~R_Y OF THE nVVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a cleaning pad comprising:
at least a cleaning layer; and
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at least a functional cuff attached to said pad comprising a cuff material and
having an
inner surface and an outer surface capable of contacting a surface to be
cleaned wherein
the ratio of the glide force resulting from the contact of the inner surface
of said cuff
material against itself relative to the glide force resulting from the contact
of the outer
surface of said cuff material against the material of the surface to be
cleaned is smaller
than 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly
claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be
better understood from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a floor mop suitable for use with the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a floor mop suitable for use with the present
invention,
wherein a cleaning sheet is shown disposed about the mop head;
Fig. 3 is perspective view of another floor mop suitable for use with the
present invention;
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the stepped design pad of Fig. 1,
taken along line
3-3 thereof,
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another stepped design pad of a floor
mop further
showing a cleaning sheet;
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the bottom surface of a cleaning pad
used with a
flat mop head;
Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the bottom surface of a cleaning pad
used with a
stepped design mop head;
Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a cross sectional side view of a
cleaning pad used
with a flat mop head;
Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a cross sectional side view of a
cleaning pad used
with a stepped design mop head;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a cleaning pad comprising a functional cuff;
Fig. 11 is a plan view of a cleaning pad of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view of the cleaning pad shown in Figure 11;
Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a cross sectional side view of a
cleaning pad
comprising a pair of functional cuffs when mopping is done in a forward
motion;
Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of a cross sectional side view of a
cleaning pad
comprising a pair of functional cuffs when mopping is done in a backward
motion;
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Definitions
As used herein, the term "comprising" means that the various components,
ingredients, or
steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing the present invention.
Accordingly, the term
"comprising" encompasses the more restrictive terms "consisting essentially
of" and "consisting
of."
As used herein, the term "direct fluid communication" means that fluid can
transfer
readily between two cleaning pad components or layers (e.g., the scrubbing
layer and the
absorbent layer) without substantial accumulation, transport, or restriction
by an interposed layer.
For example, tissues, nonwoven webs, construction adhesives, and the like can
be present
between the two distinct components while maintaining "direct fluid
communication", as long as
they do not substantially impede or restrict fluid as .it passes from one
component or layer to
another.
~ As used herein, the term "macroscopically expanded", when used to describe
three-
dimensional plastic webs, ribbons, and films, refers to webs, ribbons, and
films which have been
caused to conform to the surface of a three-dimensional forming structure so
that both surfaces
thereof exhibit the three-dimensional pattern of said forming structure, said
pattern being readily
visible to the naked eye when the perpendicular distance between the viewer's
eye and the plane
of the web is about 12 inches. Such macroscopically expanded webs, ribbons and
films are
typically caused to conform to the surface of said forming structures by
embossing, i.e., when the
forming structure exhibits a pattern comprised primarily of male projections,
by debossing, i.e.,
when the forming structure exhibits a pattern comprised primarily of female
capillary networks,
or by extrusion of a resinous melt directly onto the surface of a forming
structure of either type.
By way of contrast, the term "planar", when utilized herein to describe
plastic webs, ribbons and
films, refers to the overall condition of the web, ribbon or film when viewed
by the naked eye on
a macroscopic scale. In this context, "planar" webs, ribbons and films can
include webs, ribbons
and filins having fine scale surface aberrations on one or both sides, said
surface aberrations not
being readily visible to the naked eye when the perpendicular distance between
the viewer's eye
and the plane of the web is about 12 inches or greater.
As used herein, the term "z-dimension" refers to the dimension orthogonal to
the length
and width of the cleaning pad of the present invention, or a component
thereof. The z-dimension
therefore corresponds to the thickness of the cleaning pad or a pad component.
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CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
As used herein, the term "x-y dimension" refers to he plane orthogonal to the
thiclmess
of the cleaning pad, or a component thereof. The x and y dimensions correspond
to the length and
width, respectively, of the cleaning pad or a pad component. In general, when
the cleaning pad is
used in conjunction with a handle, the implement will be moved in a direction
parallel to the y-
dimension (or width) of the pad. (See Figure 1, and the discussion below.) Of
course, the present
invention is not limited to cleaning pads having four sides. Other shapes,
such as circular,
elliptical, and the like, can also be used. When determining the width of the
pad at any point in
the z-dimension, it is understood that the pad is assessed according to its
intended use.
As used herein, the term "layer" refers to a member or componenE of a cleaning
pad
whose pri~ooary dimension is x-y, i.e., along its length and width. It should
be understood that the
term layer is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of material.
Thus a layer can
comprise laminates or combinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite
type of materials.
Accordingly, the term "layer" includes the terms "layers" and "layered."
As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" is used to refer to surfaces that are
wettable by
aqueous fluids deposited thereon. Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically
defined in terms of
contact angle and the surface tension of the fluids and solid surfaces
involved. This is discussed
in detail in the American Chemical Society publication entitled Contact Anele,
Wettability and
Adhesion, edited by Robert F. C3ould (Copyright 1964),
A surface is said to be wetted by a fluid (i.e., hydrophilic) when either the
contact
angle between the fluid and the surface is less than 90°, or when the
fluid tends to spread
spontaneously across the surface, both conditions normally co-existing.
Conversely, a surface is
considered to be "hydrophobic" if the contact angle is greater than 90°
and the fluid does not
spread spontaneously across the surface.
As used herein, the term "scrim" means any durable material that provides
texture to the
surface-contacting side of the cleaning pad's scrubbing layer, and also has a
sufficient degree of
openness to allow the requisite movement of fluid to the absorbent layer of
the cleaning pad.
Suitable materials include materials that have a continuous, open structure,
such as -synthetic and
wire mesh screens. The open areas of these materials can be readily controlled
by varying the
number of interconnected strands that comprise the mesh, by controlling the
thiclmess of those
interconnected strands, etc. Othea suitable materials include those where
texture is provided by a
discontinuous pattern printed on a substrate. In this aspect, a durable
material (e.g., a synthetic)
can be printed on a substrate in a continuous or discontinuous pattern, such
as individual dots
and/or lines, to provide the requisite texture. Similarly, the continuous or
discontinuous pattern
can be printed onto a release material that will then act as the scrim. These
patterns can be
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repeating or they can be random. It will be understood that one or more of the
approaches
described for providing the desired texture can be combined to form the
optional scrim material.
The z direction height and open area of the scrim and or scrubbing substrate
layer help to control
and or retard the flow of liquid into the absorbent core material. The z
height of the scrim and or
scrubbing substrate help provide a means of controlling the volume of liquid
in contact with the
cleaning surface while at the same time controlling the rate of liquid
absorption, fluid
communication into the absorption core material.
For purposes of the present invention, an "upper" layer of a cleaning pad is a
layer that is
relatively further away from the surface that is to be cleaned (i.e., in the
implement context,
relatively closer to the implement handle during use). The term "lower" layer
conversely means a
layer of a cleaning pad that is relatively closer to the surface that is to be
cleaned (i.e., in the
implement context, relatively further away from the implement handle during
use). As such, the
scrubbing layer is preferably the lower-most layer and the absorbent layer is
preferably an upper
layer relative to the scrubber layer. The terms "upper" and "lower" are
similarly used when
referring to layers that are multi-ply (e.g., when the scrubbing layer is a
two-ply material). In
terms of sequential ordering of layers (e.g., first layer, second layer, and
third layer), a first layer
is a "lower" layer relative to a second layer. Conversely, a third layer is an
"upper" layer relative
to a second layer. The terms "above" and "below" are used to describe relative
locations of two or
more materials in a cleaning pad's thickness. By way of illustration, a
material A is "above"
material B if material B is positioned closer to the scrubbing layer than
material A. Similarly,
material B is "below" material A in this illustration.
All of the documents and references referred to herein are incorporated by
reference,
unless otherwise specified. All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the
Specification,
Examples, and Claims, are by weight and all numerical limits are used with the
normal degree of
accuracy afforded by the art, unless otherwise specified.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of
the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings
wherein like numerals
indicate the same elements throughout the views and wherein reference numerals
having the
same last two digits (e.g., 20 and 120) connote similar elements.
In one aspect, the present invention is used in combination with hard surface
cleaning
compositions, preferably for use with the cleaning pads and/or cleaning
implements described
herein, comprising:
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(a) optionally, from about 0.001% to about 0.5% by weight of the composition
of
surfactant, preferably selected from the group consisting of
alkylpolysaccharides,
alkyl ethoxylates, alkyl sulfonates, and mixtures thereof;
(b) optionally, a hydrophilic polymer, preferably less than about 0.5% by
weight of the
composition;
(c) optionally, organic solvent, preferably from about 0.25% to about 7% by
weight of
the composition and preferably having a boiling point of from about
120°C to about
180°C;
(d) optionally, from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the composition of
mono- or
polycarboxylic acid;
(e) optionally, from about 0.01% to about 1% by weight of the composition of
odor
control agent, preferably cyclodextrin;
(fj optionally, a source of peroxide, preferably from about 0.05% to about,,5%
by weight
of the composition and preferably selected from the group consisting of
benzoyl
peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof;
(g) optionally, from about 0.001% to about 0.1% by weight of the composition
of
thickening polymer;
(h) aqueous solvent system, preferably at least about 80% by weight of the
composition;
(i) optionally, suds suppressor;
(j) optionally, from about 0.005% to about 0.2% by weight of the composition
of a
perfume comprising:
(i) optionally, from about 0.05% to about 90% by weight of the perfume of
volatile, hydrophilic perfume material;
(ii) optionally, at least about 0.2% by weight of the perfume of volatile,
hydrophobic perfume material;
(iii) optionally, less than about 10% by weight of the perfume of residual,
hydrophilic perfume material;
(iv) less than about 10% by weight of the perfume of residual, hydrophobic
perfume material;
(k) optionally, a detergent adjuvant, preferably selected from the group
consisting of
detergency builder, buffer, preservative, antibacterial agent, colorant,
bleaclung
agents, chelants, enzymes, hydrotropes, corrosion inhibitors, and mixtures
thereof.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a cleaning pad, preferably
disposable, for
cleaning a hard surface, the cleaning pad comprising:
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(a) at least one absorbent layer;
(b) optionally, a liquid pervious scrubbing layer; wherein the liquid pervious
scrubbing layer is preferably an apertured formed film, more preferably a
macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic web, having tapered or
funnel-shaped apertures and/or surface aberrations and preferably comprising
a hydrophobic material;
(c) optionally, an attachment layer, wherein the attachment layer preferably
comprises a clear or translucent material, more preferably a clear or
translucent polyethylene film, and wherein the attachment layer preferably
comprises loop and/or hook material for attachment to a support head of a
handle of a cleaning implement;
(d) optionally, multiple planar surfaces;
(e) at least one functional Buff, preferably at least one free-floating,
looped
functional cuff;
(f) optionally, a density gradient throughout at least one absorbent layer;
wherein
the density gradient preferably comprises a first absorbent layer having a
density of from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.15 g/cm3, preferably from about
0.03 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3, and more preferably from about 0.04 g/cm3 to
about 0.06 g/cm3, and a second absorbent layer having a density of from
about 0.04 g/cm3 to about 0.2 g/cm3, preferably from about 0.1 g/cm3 to about
0.2 g/cm3, and more preferably from about 0.12 g/cm3 to about 0.17 g/cm3;
wherein the density of the first absorbent layer is about 0.04 g/cm3,
preferably
about 0.07 g/cm3, and more preferably about 0.1 g/cm3, less than the density
of the second absorbent layer;
(g) optionally, at least one adhesive scrubbing strip, preferably comprising a
material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester,
polypropylene, abrasive material, and mixtures thereof; and
(h) optionally, perfume Garner complex, preferably selected from the group
consisting of cyclodextrin inclusion complex, matrix perfume microcapsules,
° and mixtures thereof; wherein the perfwne carrier complex is
preferably
located in an absorbent layer.
In one aspect of the invetion, the cleaning pad comprises at least two
absorbent layers, wherein
the absorbent layers have multiple widths in the z-dimension and comprises
functional cuffs,
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preferably free-floating, double-layer loop functional cuffs. Preferably, the
cleaning pad has a
11200 absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a cleaning sheet,
preferably disposable,
for cleaning hard surfaces, the cleaning sheet comprising functional cuffs,
preferably free-
floating, double-layer loop functional cuffs.
During the effort to develop the present cleaning pads and sheets, Applicants
discovered
that an important aspect of cleaning performance is related to the ability to
provide a cleaning pad
having apertured formed films, a liquid impervious attachment layer, and/or
density gradients,
and/or functional cuffs and a cleaning sheet having functional cuffs. In the
context of a typical
cleaning operation (i.e., where the cleaning pad and/or sheet is moved back
and forth in a
direction substantially parallel to the pad's or sheet's y-dimension or
width), each of these
structural elements provide the cleaning pads and/or sheets improved cleaning
performance, both
separately and in combination with one or more additional elements. Apertured
formed films,
preferably utilized in the scrubbing layer, are pervious to liquids and
provide efficient transfer of
liquid from the surface being cleaned to other layers of the cleaning pad,
preferably one or more
absorbent layers, while reducing the tendency for such liquid to be squeezed
back onto the surface
being cleaned. Functional cuffs are preferably free-floating so as to "flip"
back and forth in the y-
dimension during a typical cleaning operation, thus trapping particulate
matter and reducing the
tendency for such particulate matter to be redeposited on the surface being
cleaned. Density
gradients are preferably incorporated in the absorbent layers) of the cleaning
pad to "pump" or
"wick" liquid away from the surface being cleaned to areas in the cleaning pad
furthest away from
the surface being cleaned. The liquid impervious attachment layer provides a
barrier which helps
to better distribute the liquid in the x-y direction after liquid reaches the
back of the pad which is
further set away from cleaning surface. These aspects of the present
invention, and the benefits
provided, are discussed in detail with reference to the drawings.
The skilled artisan will recognize that various materials can be utilized to
carry out the
claimed invention. Thus, while preferred materials are described below for the
various cleaning
implement, pad, and sheet components, it is recognized that the scope of the
invention is not
limited to such descriptions.
It has been found that incorporating a density gradient throughout the
absorbent layers)
of the cleaning pad used in combination with the present invention has an
important effect on
cleaning performance and ability of the cleaning pad to quickly absorb
liquids, especially liquid
containing particulate matter. Although density gradients have been used in
absorbent articles
such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence devices, and the like,
Applicants have discovered
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CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
specific density gradients uniquely useful for the absorbent layer in cleaning
pads. Density
gradients in cleaning pads are unique for at least two identifiable reasons.
First, the absorbent
layer in a cleaning pad needs to handle liquid with both dissolved components
and undissolved,
suspended components, such as insoluble particulate matter. In the case of
diapers, sanitary
napkins, incontinence devices, and the like, the absorbent layer typically
needs to handle only
liquids with dissolved components, such as bodily fluids. Second, the
absorbent layer of a
cleaning pad needs to absorb liquid against the force of gravity. In terms ~of
diapers, sanitary
napkins, incontinence devices, and the like, the absorbent layer typically has
the force of gravity
to pull liquid into, and distribute it throughout, the absorbent layer. Having
sufficient resiliency in
the cleaning pad is important, as described below, in maintaining good
cleaning performance,
especially in cleaning pads comprising a density gradient. The preferred
cleaning pads comprising
the specific density gradients described herein exhibit improvements in at
least three important
characteristics affecting hard surface cleaning performance: acquisition (the
time required to
transfer liquid from the surface being cleaned to the absorbent layers) of the
cleaning pad),
distribution (the liquid wicking ability of the absorbent layers) so as to
utilize as much of the pad
as possible), and rewet (the amount of dirty liquid retained within the
absorbent layers) and not
squeezed out during a cleaning process).
The absorbent layer can comprise a single absorbent layer with a continuous
density
gradient in the cleaning pad's z-dimension, or multiple absorbent layers
having different densities
resulting in a density gradient. A continuous density gradient is one in which
the material
comprising the cleaning pad is homogeneous, but has differing densities
throughout the material.
A process for creating a continuous density gradient is disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,818,315,
issued April 4, 1989 to Hellgren et al. Preferably, the
cleaning pad used in combination with the present invention comprises a
density gradient
resulting from multiple absorbent layers, preferably three, each having a
different density. A
density gradient is typically "strong" when the density of the absorbent
layers increase from a
lower absorbent layer to an upper absoxbent layer. Preferably, the present
cleaning pads comprise
a "strong" density gradient, which grovides fast acquisition, better core
utilization by effectively
wicking liquid in the z- and x-y directions, and a reduced tendency for
allowing absorbed liquids,
especially those containing undissolved particulate, to be squeezed out. A
strong density gradient
preferably comprises at least two absorbent layers, with a first absorbent
layer having a density of
from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.15 g/cm3, preferably from about 0.03 glcm3 to
about 0.1 g/cm3,
and more preferably from about 0.04 g/cm3 to about 0.06 g/cm3, and a second
absorbent layer
having a density of from about 0.04 g/cm3 to about 0.2 g/cm3, preferably from
about 0.1 g/cm3 to
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about 0.2 g/cm3, and more preferably from about 0.12 g/cm3 to about 0.17
g/cm3; wherein the
density of the first absorbent layer is about 0.04 g/cm3, preferably about
0.07 g/cm3, and more
preferably about 0.1 g/cm3, less than the density of the second absorbent
layer.
In another embodiment, the present cleaning pad comprises a density gradient
resulting
from three absorbent layers, wherein a first absorbent layer has a density of
from about 0.01 g/cm3
to about 0.08 g/cm3, preferably from about 0.03 g/cm3 to about 0.06 g/cm3, and
a second
absorbent layer has a density of from about 0.03 g/cm3 to about 0.12 g/cm3,
preferably from about
0.07 g/cm3 to about 0.1 g/cm3, and a third absorbent layer has a density of
from about 0.05 g/cm3
to about 0.2 g/cm3, preferably from about 0.08 g/cm3 to about 0.15 g/cm3;
wherein the difference
in density between the first absorbent layer and the second absorbent layer,
and between the
second absorbent layer and the third absorbent layer, is at least about 0.02
g/cm3, preferably at
least about 0.04 g/cm3.
In yet another embodiment, a cleaning pad comprises a first absorbent layer
having a
density of about 0.05 g/cm3, a second absorbent layer having a density of
about 0.1 g/cm3, and a
third absorbent layer having a density of about 0.15 g/cm3. It is recognized
that a such a density
gradient can be present in a cleaning pad with or without layers having
multiple widths in the z-
dimension.
As a result of the density gradient, the porosity, meaning the ratio of the
volume of
interstices of a material to the volume of its mass, of the absorbent layer
will typically decrease as
the density increases. The porosity is important, particularly in the context
of a cleaning pad for
cleaning hard surfaces, because the liquid to be absorbed by the cleaning pad
typically contains
moderate amounts of relatively large particulate matter. As the soiled liquid
enters the cleaning
pad through the scrubbing layer, the larger particulate matter becomes
entrapped in the interstices
of the lower absorbent layers. As the porosity of the absorbent layers
decreases, and the density
increases, the larger particulate matter becomes trapped in the larger
interstices of the lower
absorbent layers and the remaining liquid is then transferred to the upper
absorbent layers. This
allows the liquid to be more easily transferred towards the higher-density
layers and allows the
particulate matter to remain trapped in the interstices of the lower absorbent
layers. As a result,
the cleaning pad retains both liquid and particulate matter much more
effectively than cleaning
pads without a strong density gradient.
Where an absorbent layer has a density of less than about 0.1 g/cm3, the layer
tends to be
less resilient, which is another important property of the present cleaning
pad as discussed below.
In order to increase the resiliency of an absorbent layer having a relatively
low density, a
thermoplastic material, preferably a bicomponent fiber, is combined with the
fibers of the
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absorbent layer. Upon melting, at least a portion of this thermoplastic
material migrates to the
intersections of the fibers, typically due to interfiber capillary gradients.
These intersections
become bond sites for the thermoplastic material. When cooled, the
thermoplastic materials at
these intersections solidify to form the bond sites that hold the matrix or
web of fibers together in
each of the respective layers. This can be beneficial in providing additional
overall integrity to
the cleaning pad. While bicomponent fibers are known in the art, they are
typically used at levels
of less than about 15%. Applicants have found that in order to provide desired
resiliency, an
absorbent layer having a density of less than about 0.05 g/cm3 preferably
comprises at least about
20%, preferably at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 40%, of a
thermoplastic
material such as a bicomponent fiber. A preferable bicomponent fiber comprises
a copolyolefm
bicomponent fiber comprising a less than about 81% polyethylene terphthalate
core and a less
than about 51% copolyolefin sheath and is commercially available from the
Hoechst Celanese
Corporation under the tradename CELBOND° T-255.
As discussed more fully hereafter, one aspect of the present invention is
directed to a mop
for use with a removable cleaning sheet or cleaning pad which is attached to a
mop head having a
resilient bottom surface, a portion of which preferably has a substantially
stepped profile which
engages the disposable cleaning pad. While the present invention is discussed
herein with respect
to a floor mop for purposes of simplicity and clarity, it will be understood
that the present
invention can be used with other types of mops and cleaning implements which
have a cleaning
sheet or pad releasably secured there about.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a floor mop 20 made in accordance with the present
invention
is illustrated. The floor mop 20 comprises a mop head 22 having a leading edge
24 and a trailing
edge 26. As used herein, the term "leading edge" is intended to refer to the
furthest edge of the
mop head 22 which leads the mop head 22 when it is moved in a forward
direction away from its
user. Likewise, the term "trailing edge" is intended to refer to the furthest
edge of the mop head
22 which trails the mop head 22 when it is moved in a forward direction away
from its user. For
most floor mops, the 'leading edge 24 and the trailing edge 26 are
substantially parallel to the
longitudinal axis 28 of the mop head 22, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the
longitudinal axis 28 is
the axis along the length of the mop head 22. A pivotable joint, such as the
universal joint 30,
interconnects the handle 32 of the mop 20 with the mop head 22. The universal
joint 30
comprises two rotational axes which allow the handle 32 to pivot in directions
36 and 38. The
handle 32 is threadably interconnected with the universal joint 30 at the
connection 40. The
handle 32 can be provided as a unitary structure or can comprise three
sections 34, 36, and 38
which are threadedly interconnected with each other so that the floor mop 20
can be shipped
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CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
within a carton of convenient size and later assembled far use. The handle
section 38 can be
provided with an elastic and resilient portion suitable for gripping by a user
of the floor mop 20.
The mop head 22 also comprises a plurality of attachment struchues 42. The
attachment
structures 42 are configured to receive and retain a cleaning sheet or pad 44
about the mop head
22, as shown in Fig. 2, during uae. The attachment structures 42 are
preferably disposed at the
corners of the mop head 22, although these locations can be varied depending
upon the size and
shape of the mop head 22. The attachment structures 42 are preferably provided
in the form
described in issued U.S. Patent No. 6,305,046, issued October 23, 2001, naming
Kingry et
al. as joint inventors, The
floor mop 20 is preferably used in combination with the disposable cleaning
sheet 44 which is
releasably attached to the mop head 22 using the slibted attachment stmetures
42. In another
embodiment of the invention, the mop 20 comprises a handle 32, a support head
or mop head 22
attached to the boodle by a universal joint 30, and a container 34 in fluid
cooaonoamication with a
liquid delivery system which includes at least a spray nozzle 25 preferably
attached to the mop
head 22, one such arrangement being described in U.S. patent no. 5,888,006 to
Ping et al., issued
Match 30, 1999,
The cleaning sheet or pad can be provided in the form of a woven or non woven
fabric
capable of uniformly absorbing a liquid or having gradient of density of
absorption, as discussed
more fully hereafter.
Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 and in accordance with one aspect of the present
invention, a pad 48
having a stepped design and which can be adhesively attached to the base of a
mop head 22 is
illustrated. In Fig. 4, a stepped design pad comprising two elevational
elements 148 and 248 is
illustrated. In Fig. 5, a stepped design pad comprising three elevational
elements 148, 248 and
348 is illustrated. C?f course, the present invention is not limited to
stepped design pads
comprising two or three elevational elements. One skill in the art will
appreciate and understand
that other stepped design pads may offer similar benefits such as for instance
a stepped
comprising a single elevational element or a stepped design comprising more
than three
elevational elements. The bottom surface of the pad 48 engages at least a
portion, and, more
preferably, a substantial portion of the cleaning sheet 44 during use, as
shown in Fig. 5.
As illustrated in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the bottom surface of the pad 48 is
provided with a profile
shape, profile size, and gap which prod~es a repeated rocking motion of the
mop head during
use. Not intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the width
153 of the contact
surface 152 provides a mop which can repeatedly "rock" or 'divot" or "rotate"
about the contact
surface 152 during any single continuous forward andlor backward sweeping
motion of the mop
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
20, thereby increasing the surface of the cleaning sheet or pad 44 contacting
with the dirt directly
on the floor or in case of "wet cleaning" the liquid sprayed on the floor.
Therefore, this rocking
motion enables collection across a larger percentage of the surface area of
the cleaning sheet 44
as the bottom surface of the sheet repeatedly engages and disengages the hard
surface to be
cleaned due to the rocking motion. As used herein, the phrase "contact
surface" is intended to
refer the portion of the cross-sectional profile of the bottom surface of
either the mop head 22 or
the cleaning sheet 44 contacted by a straight line 56 tangent to the apex of
that bottom surface,
wherein the straight line 56 is substantially perpendicular to the transverse
axis 58 of the mop
head 22.
In one embodiment, the stepped design pad is obtained by attaching at least
one elevational
element 148 to the pad 48 with fasteners such as adhesive, double faced
adhesive tape, Velcro0
or any other fasteners know in the art. The stepped design can also be
obtained by molding the
elevational element directly during the molding process of the pad 48 or the
molding process of
the mop head 22 such that it is permanently built in. Preferably, the width of
the elevational
element is smaller than the width of the mop head. In another embodiment, the
elevational
element is centered on the mop head such that the mop head is equally capable
of pivoting
forward and backward. In another embodiment of the invention, the stepped
shape is obtained by
attaching or molding a plurality of elevational element to the mop head. It
will be appreciated that
the edges of those elevational elements can be squared, rounded, angled,
textured or any
combination thereof. The surface 152, 252, and 352 etc... of those elevational
elements, which is
facing the floor to be cleaned, is generally flat but a surface having
discontinuities may be used
with the same benefits. For instance, such discontinuities could be in the
form of a grid, bumps or
holes but other sorts of discontinuities might be used with the same benefits.
The elevational
elements can be made of a variety of material having different properties. For
instance, those
elevational elements can all be made of a material which is generally non-
deformable. In another
embodiment all the elevational elements can be made of a material which is
generally
deformable, such as foams, sponges, polyester wadding, encased gels or liquids
and the like.
Deformable materials would be defined as any materials that temporarily lose
their shape under
normal mopping pressures (about 0.1 to 0.2 psi), but which retrieve their
original shape when
pressure is relieved. The use of more deformable materials used to form the
elevational element
can also be beneficial by creating a pumping action improving liquid uptake as
the absorbent pad
is wiped across the surface, by improving rocking action, since such materials
are more easily
deformable as the implement is wiped in an back and forth motion and by
providing cushioning
which can protect the floor surface from possible damage and make wiping
easier especially
13
CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
when thinner pads are used or cleaning pads which have an absoa~bent core
narrower than the
width of the mop head or dusting sheets. In yet another embodiment, a
combination of generally
non-deformable and deformable material can be used for different elevational
eleu~ents. This
combination of elevational elements made of material having different
properties may increase or
improve the ability of the mop head to pivot relative the surface to be
cleaned. The mop head 22
and universal joint 26 arc preferably fozmcd from ABS type polymers (e.g.,
terpolymer from
aaylonitrile), polypropylene or other plastic material by injection molding.
The stepped design
pad 48 and each individual elevational element can be formed from polyurethane
by molding or
from ABS type-polym~as (e.g., t~xpolymer from acxylonitrile), polypropylene or
other plastic
material by injection molding. . The mop handle 32 can be farmed from
aluminum, plastic, or
other structural materials.
US Patent 6,101,661 to Policicchio et al.,
disclosed a cleaning pad comprising multiple planar surfaces
contacting the surface to be cleaned. In such a cleanung pad, the thickness of
all the layers
fornning the absorption substrate is sufficient to generate the desired
rocking motion. However, it
is believed that the combination of this cleaning gad with the improved
cleaning implement will
provide further improvement andlor allow optimization of the pad where the pad
could be made
thinner and/or less absorbent. Making the cleaning pad thinner and less
absorbent is particularly
useful in creating what would be referred to as a "light duty" pad. A light
duty pad is beneficial
for consumers with smaller homes who have less area to clean. Far these
consumers a standard
pad having several layer of absorbent material may have too much "absorptive
capacity"- which
is defined as the maximum amount of solution a pad can uptake before it is
exhausted. While
there are benefits to creating a "light duty" pad, reducing the absorbent
capacity and making the
pad thinner can substantially affect the way this cleaning pad functions and
performs. For
example reducing the absorptive capacity results in lower "absorptive
efficiency" - which is
defined as the amount of solution a pad can uptake at a given amount of
solution dosing and a
given amoamt of contact tip with the solution. In addition, as the pad is made
thinner the
"rocking action" during mopping is reduced. This results from a reduction in
the height of the
'divot point" which is defined as the distance of the gap between the center
part of the pad
contacting the floor and the edge of the pad away from the floor. By building
in a step design
onto the bottom of the mop head, it is believed that the height of the pivot
point created in the
mop head rather than the pad or the height of the pivot point created by a
combination of a step
design in the mop head and a step design in the pad provides the same
advantages than the
cleaning pad disclosed in US Patent 6,101,661.
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
The improved cleaning implement having a mop head with a stepped design pad
can also
advantageously be used in combination with a cleaning pad comprising
functional cuffs. It is
believed that a more effective "rocking action" also makes it easier for the
functional cuffs to
more freely roll or shift back and forth during mopping. This results from
more space being
available for the cuff to roll over on itself.
As mentioned above, it is one object of this invention to improve the cleaning
efficiency
of the cleaning pad which can be linked to the absorptive efficiency of the
cleaning pad. In order
to measure the improved absorptive efficiency the following test was
conducted.
Test Method To Measure the Absorptive Efficiency of a cleaning pad used with
an
improved cleaning implement:
Test Surfaces
Testing is done on both ceramic and pre-finished wood floors to measure under
different floor
quality conditions. The different results obtained can be explained in part by
different
"wetability" of the surfaces and by the fact that the ceramic tiles used in
this test have grout lines
(6 mm wide X 3 mm deep) where solution can settle and make it more difficult
for a cleaning pad
to absorb since the contact between the cleaning pad and the surface is
reduced. The test area is
composed of 5 X 1 sqm test surfaces of tile and 5 X 1 sqm area of finished
wood.
Test Protocol
In this test, a mop head with a flat pad and a mop head with a stepped design
pad are each tested
in combination with a two different "Standard Cleaning Pad" having different
characteristics and
one "Light Duty cleaning Pad. The stepped design pad comprises one elevational
element which
is attached with adhesive substantially in the center of the bottom of the mop
head. The actual
dimensions of the elevational element are 25 mm wide by 265 mm long by 1 mm
high. This
elevational element is attached to the bottom of a mop head which is 114 mm
wide by 265 mm
long. The flat mop head has the same dimension than the stepped design mop
head to the extent it
does not include an elevational element.
This test was performed with standard cleaning pads comprising 3 absorbent
layers having
different width, length and thickness. The first and second standard pad also
comprise different
pairs of "looped" functional cuffs. The "light duty" cleaning pad comprises
two absorbent layers
and a pair of "looped" functional cuffs similar to those used with the second
"standard cleaning
CA 02426628 2003-04-16
WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
pad". The pair of functional cuffs used with the second standard pad and the
light duty pad will
be described in greater details hereinafter.
The following chart gives the characteristics of the two "standard" cleaning
pads and the "light
duty" pad used for this test:
First "Standard"Second "Standard"Light Duty
Pad Pad Pad
Primary Absorbent
Layer
(Layer forming
closest to
the floor) 64 64 64
-Width - mm 300 300 300
-Length - mm 5 3 3
-Thickness - mm
Secondary Absorbent
Layer 88 88
-Width - mm 300 300 None
-Length - mm 3.5 3.5
-Thickness - mm
Storage Absorbent
Layer
(Layer forming
closest to
mop head) 120 120 120
-Width - mm 300 300 300
-Length - mm 1.5 1.5 1.5
-Thickness - mm
Total Pad Thickness10.0 8 4.5
-
mm 8.5 6.5 3.0
Total Pivot Height
- mm
Floor Sheet DesignApertured Apertured FormedApertured
covering the absorbentFormed Film Film Formed
Film
layer
Functional Cuff 60 gsqm hydra-Dual layer-AperturedDual layer-
Design
entangled film inner cuffApertured
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
polyester with 30 gsqm film inner
with thru-air
scrim polyethelene:polyestecuff
r bicomponent with 30
outer gsqm
cuff thru-air
polyethelene:
polyester
bicomponent
outer cuff
Total Absorptive 250 250 125
Capacity - mils
Over the first 1 sqm of test area apply 10 mils of cleaning solution (composed
of 2°Io Propoxy
Propanol solvent, 0.01 % non-ionic surfactant and 0.005 of sodium hydroxide to
pH 10.5) is
spread evenly over the entire 1 sqm area. A pre-weighed dry pad is attached
using Velcro~ at
the bottom of the mop head implement. Starting from the left side of the test
area, the cleaning
implement is wiped back and forth for 14 strokes until the end on the right
side is reached. Going
then from the right side to the left side of the test area, the cleaning
implement is wiped back and
forth for an additional 14 strokes. The person performing the test then moves
to the next 1 sqm
area and repeats the same procedure. When a total of 50 mils of liquid are
applied to a total 5
sqm of floor area and wiped up with the cleaning pad the test is completed and
the pad is re-
weighed. The absorptive efficiency is calculated by determining the ratio of
the amount of the
solution absorbed by the cleaning pad relative to the 50 mils applied to floor
and then multiplied
by 100 to convert it into a percentage.
Results
It has been found that the absorptive efficiency for both "standard" cleaning
pads and the "Light
duty" cleaning pad is improved when wiping is done with a stepped mop head
design as opposed
to a standard mop head with a flat bottom. By observing the used pads which
were tested with
each mop head, it is apparent that having a stepped design not only generates
a more pronounced
pivot height and better cuff movement as described above, but the stepped
design also creates an
area of pressure in the center part of the cleaning pad which causes the
cleaning solution to be
absorbed through the center of the pad rather than at the leading edge. As a
result, each cleaning
pad tested is capable of absorbing a greater quantity of liquid and thus the
cleaning efficiency of
the cleaning pad is improved. This observation is schematically illustrated by
Fig. 6 which shows
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
where the dirty solution Ds is absorbed on a cleaning pad tested with a flat
mop head and Fig. 7
which shows where the dirty solution Ds is absorbed on a cleaning pad tested
with a stepped
design mop head. The different layers of absorbent material forming the
cleaning pads create a
density gradient in the center area of the pads. As a result, those cleaning
pads absorb more
towards the center area. The stepped design mop head optimizes liquid uptake
through the center
area of the pad since the solution sprayed on the floor is forceably absorbed
through the center
portion of the cleaning pad and move in the z direction and the x y direction
to make optimum
use of the density gradient as illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 shows
the solution movement
Sm into a cleaning pad comprising three absorbent layers (the upper one having
a high density
Hd and the lower one having a low density Ld) used with a flat mop head. Fig.
9 shows the
solution movement Sm into a cleaning pad also comprising three absorbent
layers (the upper one
having a high density Hd and the lower one having a low density Ld) used with
a stepped design
mop head. With a flat mop head design, the point of absorbency is shifted
towards the leading
edge of the cleaning pad and the benefit of having a density gradient in the
pad is significantly
reduced.
An important feature of the preferred cleaning pads andlor sheets of the
present invention
is the inclusion of one or more improved functional cuffs. Applicants have
discovered that
functional cuffs) improve the cleaning performance of traditional cleaning
pads and sheets, as
well as the cleaning pads and sheets of the present invention. Functional
cuffs provide improved
particulate pick-up for traditional cleaning pads and sheets, as well as the
cleaning pads and
sheets of the present invention.
Cleaning pads comprising functional cuffs) are exemplified in Figures 10, 11
and 12 of the
drawings. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cleaning pad 200 comprising a
free-floating,
looped functional cuff 207. The looped functional cuff 207 has two surfaces
209 and 211. During
a typical cleaning method, such as mopping or wiping, the cleaning pad 200 is
moved forward in
the Yf direction, then backward in the Yb direction across the surface being
cleaned. As the
cleaning pad 200 is moved in the Yf direction, the functional cuff 207 will
flip such that its
surface 211 is in contact with the surface being cleaned. Particulate matter
on the surface being
cleaned is picked-up by the surface 211 of the functional cuff 207. When the
cleaning pad 200 is
then moved in the Yb direction, the functional cuff 207 will then flip over
such that its other
surface 209 is in contact with the surface being cleaned. The particulate
matter initially picked-up
by surface 211 will be trapped between surface 211 of the functional cuff 207
and layer 201 of the
cleaning pad 200. Surface 209 of the functional cuff 207 is then capable of
picking-up additional
particulate matter.
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Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a cleaning pad 400 comprising two free-floating,
looped
functional cuffs 411 and 413, similar to the functional cuff 207 in Figure 10.
Referring to Figure
12, during a typical cleaning method, the cleaning pad 400 is moved in the Yf
direction across a
hard surface and. functional cuffs 411 and 413 are flipped such that surfaces
417 and 425 are in
contact with the surface being cleaned and are capable of picking-up
particulate matter. The
cleaning pad 400 is then moved across the hard surface in the Yb direction,
causing the functional
cuffs 411 and 413 to flip over such that surfaces 419 and 423 are in contact
with the surface being
cleaned. The particulate matter picked-up by surface 425 is trapped between
surface 425 and
scrubbing layer 401. Surfaces 419 and 423 are then able to pick-up additional
particulate matter
from the surface being cleaned. When the cleaning pad 400 is moved back across
the hard surface
in the Yf direction, the additional particulate matter picked-up is trapped
between surface 423 and
scrubbing layer 401. Where functional cuffs) are incorporated in cleaning pads
having layers
with multiple widths in the z-dimension, as in Figure 12, the height (meaning
the z-dimension of a
fully-extended functional cuff) of the functional cuff is large enough so that
when the functional
cuff flips toward the mid-line of the cleaning pad, it overlaps the layer
having the narrowest
width. Figure 11 shows a cleaning pad 400 comprising two functional cuffs 411
and 413, wherein
the functional cuffs 411 and 413 are both flipped toward the mid-line of the
cleaning pad, which
is preferable for packaging the cleaning pad 400 for resale. The action of the
cuffs is
schematically illustrated Fig. 13 and 14 showing how large particles Lp are
trapped by the cuffs
207 attached to a cleaning pad or sheet 44 when the mop is moved in a forward
Yf and backward
Yb motion.
As a cleaning pad andlor sheet comprising functional cuffs) is wiped back and
forth
across a hard surface, the functional cuffs) "flip" or "roll" from side to
side, thus picking-up and
trapping particulate matter. Cleaning pads and sheets having functional cuffs)
exhibit improved
pick-up and entrapment of larger particulate matter, which are typically found
on a hard surfaces,
and have a reduced tendency to redeposit such particulate matter on the
surface being cleaned. In
addition to collecting larger particulate, the cuffs play an important role in
helping to spread
solution and smooth out any lines created by the textures in the floor sheet
in order to minimize
the formation of streaks during drying. This attribute of helping to spread
solution is particular
important in the context of a "wet" cleaning implement where the solution is
sprayed over a
specific concentrated area, often at lower dosing or floor wetness levels
compared to
conventional systems and then wiped over with an absorbent pad. Since the
dosing is low and
concentrated to an area covered by the spray pattern width, the pad needs to
loosen soil but
absorb at a controlled rate. If the pad absorbs too quickly, dry spots will be
created during
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
mopping which will lead to streaks from a dry pad wiping across a soiled
floor. When the outer
part of the cuff is composed of a non-woven material, the cuff is typically
able to absorb some
liquid between the interstitial spaces between the fibers which make-up the
non-woven material.
The liquid absorbed by the cuffs is subsequently released during the mopping
motion thus
helping to spread the liquid more uniformly during mopping and minimizing
creating streaks
from mopping with a dry cleaning pad. As indicated earlier, streaks from
mopping with a dry
pad result from the pad absorbing too quickly particularly when solution
dosing is very low or
actual spraying of solution is done at a lower frequency intervals (for
example, sprayed solution
applied every 2 sqm as compared to every 1/z sqm which is what would be
recommended since
this is the approximate width typically covered by the spray pattern). The
solution spreading
attribute provided by the cuff is also further enhanced when the cuff on the
leading edge is facing
towards the center during the forward mopping motion or the when a cuff on the
trailing edge is
facing the center during the back mopping motion.
When the cuff faces the center of the pad it breaks the contact between the
floor sheet
and the floor over the area covered by the cuff. The portion of the pad
covered by the cuff has a
reduced absorbing ability since the liquid needs to be absorbed through
multiple layers before
being able to enter into the core absorbent layer(s)(liquid needs to penetrate
through the layers
forming the cuff and through potentially the apertured formed film of the
cleaning pad).
As described earlier, the cuffs play an important role in providing large
particulate, hair
and lint "trapping" benefits as well as solution spreading. Those
characteristics are critical to the
overall performance of the cleaning pad. Also as described above, the cuffs
optimally function by
moving back and forth during the up and down mopping motion. To optimize this
ability for the
functional cuffs to move back and forth it has been found that the outer cuff
characteristics (outer
referring to part of cuff that actually contacts floor during mopping) should
be different from the
inner cuff characteristics (inner referring to part of cuff that rubs against
itself during mopping).
It has been found that for an optimized cuff design, the inner part of the
cuff has a lower friction
or "glide" when it rubs against itself as compared to the outer part of the
cuff which has a higher
friction or "glide" when it rubs against the floor. This differential in
friction leads to a different
level of force being required to cause the materials to slide or move. The
cuffs are better able to
freely move back and forth because the force required to break the temporary
bond formed
between the outer cuff and the floor is easily greater than the force required
to break the
temporary bond between the inner cuff on itself.
CA 02426628 2003-04-16
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Functional cuffs can comprise a variety of materials, including, but not
limited to,
appertured formed film, carded polypropylene, rayon or polyester,
hydroentangled polyester,
spun-bonded polypropylene, polyester, polyethlene, or cotton, polypropylene,
ox blends thereof.
Where free-floating functional cuffs are utilized, the material used for the
functional cuffs should
be sufficiently rigid to allow the cuffs to "flip" from side to side, without
collapsing or rolling-
over on itself. Rigidity of the functional cuffs can be improved by using high
basis weight
materials (e.g., materials having a basis weight of greater than about 30
g/m2) or by adding other
materials to enhance rigidity such as scrim, adhesives, elastomers, elastics,
foams, sponges,
scrubbing layers, and the like, or by laminating materials together.
Preferably, the functional cuffs
comprise a hydroentangled substrate including, but not limited to, polyester,
cotton,
polypropylene, and mixtures thereof, having a basis weight of at least about
20 g/mz and a scrim
material for stiffening.
In order to determine what material would be the most suitable to obtain a
cuff having the
desired characteristics described earlier, the following test was conducted.
°
Determination of Material for Inner Cuff:
The following testing is conducted to determine which materials exhibit
characteristics
where the least amount of resistance results when the material is rubbed
against itself in both a
dry and wet state.
Test Method:
Equipment: Force gauge (MF Shimpo Force gauge 0 - 2 lb.), 500 g weight (6 cm
round by 2 cm
thick), Substrates, Solution (0.04% Surfactant, 2% solvent in water), Tape
Procedure:
1. A sample of substrate to be tested of 20 cm wide by 30 cm long is prepared.
It is then stretched
and taped down onto a test surface with the part of the material which would
represent the inside
part of the cuff facing up.
2. Another sample of the same material is cut into 12 X 12 sqcm. This sample
is wxapped and taped
around the 6 cm round weight with the part representing the inside of a cuff
facing down.
3. With a pen, a mark is made at 2.5 cm in front of back edge of taped down
substrate (this
represents starting point) and another mark is made at 20 cm forward from the
first mark (this
represents ending point).
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4. The round weight with the wrapped substrate is positioned in front of
starting line. The force
gauge is attached to the round weight and reads zero. Then, the weight is
pushed forward at a
slow but constant speed until it passes the 20 cm mark. The force read on the
force gauge is then
recorded. The same procedure is repeated 3 times with same material. This is
test is referred as
the glide on the dry substrate.
5. To measure the wet glide, 10 full sprays of a cleaning solution contained
in a bottle is applied on
the substrate taped down onto the test surface (about 10 mils) and one full
spray of the same
solution is applied on the test side of substrate wrapped around the Weight.
6. Again, the weight with substrate is placed in front of the starting line
and pressed firmly. The
force gauge is attached to the round weight and reads zero. Then, the weight
is pushed forward at
a slow but constant speed until it passes the 20 cm mark. The force read on
the force gauge is
then recorded. The same procedure is repeated 3 times with same material. This
is test is referred
as the glide on the wet substrate.
The results of this test are reported in table 1 hereinafter:
Table 1
ExampleMaterial tested on Same MaterialDry Glide Wet Glide
- lb. of - lb. of
force force
(average 3 average 3
reps) reps)
1 20 gsqm apertured formed 0.7 0.25
film (DRI
WEAVE film with wide funnel standard deviation.standard deviation
- female
side representing the test 0.05 0
contact surface) -
2 20 gsqm apertured formed 2.4 2.0
film (DRI
WEAVE film with narrow funnelstandard deviation.standard deviation
-male
side representing test contact0.05 0.04
surface)
3 20 gsqm apertured formed 1.0 0.5
film with dual
hole size (DRI WEAVE film standard deviation.standard deviation
with wide
funnel - female side representing0.05 0
test
contact surface)
4 20 gsqm apertured formed 1.5 2.2
film with dual
hole size (DRI WEAVE FILM standard deviation.standard deviation
with
narrow funnel -male side 0.05 0.04
representing test
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contact surface)-
20 gsqm spun-bond polyester 0.38 0.35
(with binder)
standard deviation.standard deviation.
0.03 0.03
6 20 gsqm apertured film code 0.7 0.35
PF/12
(female side representing standard deviation.standard deviation
test contact
surface) 0.05 0.01
7 20 gsqm apertured film code 1.8 1.2
PF/12 (male
side representing test contactstandard deviation.standard deviation
surface)
0.05 0.03
8 20 gsqm polyethylene film 1.0 0.3
standard deviation.standard deviation
0.05 0.01
9 20 gsqm polypropylene carded0.65 0.67
process
standard deviation0.03
0.01
40 gsqm polyester needle 0.68 0.78
punched - Flow
Clean standard deviationstandard deviation
0.04 0.03
11 40 gsqm hydra-entangled polyester-0.88 0.85
standard deviationstandard deviation
.
0.03 0.05
12 50 gsqm hydra-entangled polyester0.67 0.55
one
side laminated with 10 gsqm standard deviationstandard deviation
polypropylene scrim facing 0.03 0.01
test surface-
13 30 gsqm thru-air bond polyester, 0.85 0.85
+
polyethylene:polyester bicomponentstandard deviationstandard deviation
0.03 0.02
Determination of Material for Outer Cuff:
The following testing is conducted to determine which materials exhibit
characteristics where the
greatest amount of resistance results when the material is rubbed against a
surface (simulating a
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
hard surface to be cleaned) in both a dry and wet state. A smooth, very shiny,
glazed ceramic tile
is chosen as the test surface since it very slippery.
Test Method:
Equipment: Force gauge (MF Shimpo Force gauge 0 - 2 lb.), 500 g weight (6 cm
round by 2 cm
thick), Substrates, Solution (0.04% Surfactant, 2% solvent in water), Tape,
Ceramic Floor tile 13"
X 13" Italian glazed tile manufactured by Valentino Kerastone- Ceramiche
Piemme - 41053
Maranello Italy
Procedure:
1. The ceramic tile is positioned on the test surface and taped down with a 2
sided tape to prevent it
from moving.
2. A sample of the material to be tested is cut into a12 X 12 sqcm sample. It
is then wrapped and
taped around the 6 cm round weight with the part representing the outside cuff
material facing
down against floor surface.
3. With a pen, a mark is made at 2.5 cm in front of back edge of taped down
substrate (this
represents starting point) and another mark is made at 20 cm forward from the
first mark (this
represents ending point).
204. The round weight with the wrapped substrate is positioned in front of
starting line. The force
gauge is attached to the round weight and reads zero. Then, the weight is
pushed forward at a
slow but constant speed until it passes the 20 cm mark. The force read on the
force gauge is then
recorded. The same procedure is repeated 3 times with same material. This is
test is referred as
the glide on the dry substrate.
255. To measure the wet glide, 10 full sprays of a cleaning solution contained
in a bottle is applied on
ceramic tile spread out uniformly (about 10 mils) and one full spray of the
same solution is
applied on the test side of substrate wrapped around the weight.
6. Again, the weight with substrate is placed in front of the starting line
and pressed fnmly: The
force gauge is attached to the round weight and reads zero. Then, the weight
is pushed forward at
30 a slow but constant speed until it passes the 20 cm mark. The force read on
the force gauge is
then recorded. The same procedure is repeated 3 times with same material. This
is test is referred
as the glide on the wet substrate.
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The results of this test are reported in table 1 hereinafter:
Table 2
Example Material Side Tested on SurfaceDry Glide Wet Glide
lb. of lb. of
force force
(average Average 3
3 reps) reps)
1 20 gsqm apertured formed film1.2 0.3
(DRI
WEAVE film with wide funnel standard standard deviation
- female side
representing test contact deviation. 0
surface) 0.05
2 20 gsqm apertured formed film2.2 0.8
(DRI
WEAVE film with narrow funnelstandard standard deviation
-male side
representing test contact deviation. 0.01
surface) 0.05
3 20 gsqm apertured formed film1.2 0.5
with dual
hole size (DRI WEAVE film standard standard deviation
with wide
funnel - female side representingdeviation. 0
test contact 0.05
surface)
4 20 gsqm apertured formed film2.4 1.8
with dual
hole size (DRI WEAVE film standard standard deviation
with narrow
funnel -male side representingdeviation. 0.04
test contact 0.05
surface)
20 gsqm spun-bond polyester 0.9 0.3
Remay
(with binder) standard standard deviation.
deviationØ030.03
6 20 gsqm apertured film code 1.3 0.4
PF/12 (female
side representing test contactstandard standard deviation
surface)
deviationØ050.01
7 20 gsqm apertured film code 1.7 0.7
PF112 (male
side representing test contactstandard standard deviation
surface)
deviationØ050.01
8 20 gsqm polyethylene film 2.0 0.35
standard standard deviation
deviationØ050.01
9 20 gsqm polypropylene carded 1.5 0.3
process
CA 02426628 2003-04-16
WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
standard standard deviation.
deviation 0.03
0.04
40 gsqm polyester needle punched1.5 0.6
- Flow
Clean EM 2000 standard standard deviation
deviation 0.03
0.03
11 40 gsqm hydra-entangled polyester1.0 0.6
standard standard deviation
deviation 0.03
0.03
12 50 gsqm hydra-entangled polyester0.8 0.65
one side
laminated with 10 gsqm polypropylenestandard standard deviation
scrim
facing away test surface deviation 0.01
0.03
13 30 gsqm thru-air bond polyester0.65 0.6
+'
polyethylene:polyester bicomponentstandard standard deviation
deviation 0.02
0.03
It is found that materials such as those shown in Examples 1, 3,5,6 and 8
provide good
characteristics for an inner cuff material because of the low friction as
indicated by the low glide
values on material to material when tested as inner cuffs shown in Table 1.
Preferred materials
5 are typically apertured film with the female side in to form inner cuff in
the case of examples 1, 3
and 6 or unapertured film in the case of Examples 8. Alternative materials can
be non-woven
materials where fibers that have been coated with a high degree of chemical or
adhesive coating
or binder making the structure smooth such as in Example 5.
In a dual layer cuff design, materials such as those shown in Examples 10, 11,
12 and 13
10 provide good characteristics for an outer cuff material because of the high
friction as indicated by
the high glide values when tested as outer cuffs shown in Table 2. These
materials are typically
non-wovens where the formation process leaves many free fibers. Additionally,
the fiber matrix
has certain degree of integrity and capillary spaces created by thermal
bonding (spun-bond,
meltblown or carding), differential melt-point fiber bonding (bicomponent
fibers put in through
air dryer) or entangling (hydro-spun-lacing). The free fibers and capillary
spaces allow structure
to absorb some liquid which is part of what results in the high friction when
contacting a wet
floor. Example 9 while being a thermally bonded non-woven has too much of its
fibers tacked
down from a tight embossed pattern. These leaves very few free-fibers and
capillary spaces
therefore resulting in a poor low glide when tested as an outer cuff. The free
fibers characteristic
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
in these materials are also beneficial in providing attachment hooks for
larger soils such as lint,
hair and dust (capturing these soils is key function for cuffs).
While the cuff can be formed by layering two different materials, it is also
possible to
form an effective cuff by choosing a material which has good characteristics
as an outer cuff and
on the inner side applying a scrim. Such a material is shown by Example 12
where the scrim side
was tested as an inner cuff and gave in a material to material wet glide of
0.55 lb. of force while
the opposite side was tested as an outer cuff and gave a material to surface
wet glide of 065 lb. of
force. It is also possible to form a unitary cuff structure by applying a
chemical treatments,
adhesives, and other polymers or any combination thereof to one side in order
to coat the fibers on
that side such that the resulting surface has a material to material wet glide
lowered after the
treatment. In addition, it has been found that specific apertured films like
those described in
Example 1-2; Examples 3-4; and Example 6-7 in Tables 1 and 2, could also be
used to form a
single layer cuff. In a dual layer cuff design, typically the smoother side of
the apertured film
(often referred to as female side) is placed inward since it has the lowest
material to material
friction (wet glide). The opposite side (referred to as male side) typically
has protrusions created
during the forming or puncturing process and which makes it more textured and
therefore result in
a higher material to material friction (wet glide). In fact the material to
surface glide for the
textured part of the described apertured films is higher than the material to
material friction (wet
glide) for the female part of the film. This is shown when comparing Example 1
to Example 2,
2,0 Example 3 to Example 4 and Example 6 to Example 7 in Tables 1 and 2 where
in each
comparison the female side consistently gave lower friction wet (glide)
relative to the male side.
This allows this material to be suitable as a unitary cuff design. In
particular, it has been found
that this type of material is beneficial for applications requiring scrubbing
of the surface to be
cleaned. While the texture of the male side also contributes to the trapping
of lint, hair and dirt, it
has been found that spraying, coating, screen printing etc. a layer of
adhesive, chemical treatment,
and the like, to some or all of its outer surface enhances these properties
and/or increase the
material to surface friction (wet glide) if needed. Alternatively, other good
materials used as outer
cuffs because of their fibrous characteristics such as those described in
Table 1 and 2 above
(examples 10, 11, 12 and 13), could be adhesively bonded, thermally bonded,
mechanically
bonded, ultrasonically welded as strips, squares, circles, diamonds and the
like such that the outer
cuff composed of an apertured film has some areas where the male protrusions
are exposed to
provide scrubbing. Optionally rather than complete non-wovens, the actual
fibers making up non-
wovens such polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, nylon, rayon etc. and/or
natural fibers such
as cellulose, hemp etc. could be applied as a complete coverage or partial
coverage as zones to the
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WO 02/41743 PCT/USO1/43355
outer part of the apertured film to form the cuff as a unitary layer.
Most of the discussion above has focused on cuffs designed to function
optimally in wet
environment such as wet mopping. However, having functional cuffs can be
beneficial to
improving the performance of dry dusting sheets. However, the inner cuff
characteristics and
outer cuff characteristics need to be based on friction without presence of
liquid (dry glide).
Similar to wet mopping applications, for dry dusting the preferred
characteristics are for the inner
cuff side to have a material to material friction dry (dry glide) that is
lower than the material to
surface friction dry (dry glide) for the outer cuff side.
When considering characteristics for inner cuff, the material to material
friction or glide
values should be less than about 0.6 lb. force, preferably less than about 0.5
lb. of force, and more
preferably less than about 0.4 lb. of force. For the outer cuff the material
to surface friction or
glide should be greater than about 0.4 lb. force, preferably more than about
0.5 lb. of force, and
more preferably more than about 0.6 lb. of force. Additionally, the ratio
between inner cuff
material to material friction or wet glide and outer cuff material to surface
friction or glide should
be less than about 1, preferably less than about 0.9, and more preferably less
than about 0.75.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least two layers of material are
used to form
the functional cuff. Those layers are partially attached to each other via
selective attachment
points between the inner cuff and outer cuff materials. Those selective
attachment points allow
for open spaces or channels between the layers. This not only provides spaces
for soil which
penetrates through the outer layer to get trapped, but provides the loop with
more bulk which
minimizes the cuffs propensity to flatten out and crease under the pressures
the cuff goes through
initially during manufacturing and then during mopping.
The functional cuffs can be in the form of a mono-layer or a multiple-layer
laminate
structure, and in the form of a loop or a non-loop structure. Preferably, the
functional cuffs
comprise a loop, as shown in Figures 2, 4a, and 4b of the drawings. A looped
functional cuff can
be constructed by folding a strip of cuff material in half to form a loop and
attaching it to the
substrate. Non-loop functional cuffs can also be used, particularly if the
material used has
sufficient rigidity. The cleaning pads and sheets of the present invention can
also comprise a
combination of loop and/or non-loop, mono-layer and/or multiple-layer
functional cuffs. In
addition, the functional cuffs can comprise an absorbent layer, as described
below.
Functional cuffs can be formed as an integral part of the lower layer of a
cleaning pad or
the substrate of a cleaning sheet, or separately adhered to a cleaning pad
and/or sheet. If the
functional cuffs are an integral part of the lower layer of the cleaning pad
and/or sheet, the
28
CA 02426628 2005-O1-13
functional cuffs are preferably a looped functional cuff forn~d by crimping
the cleaning pad
lower layer or cleaning sheet substrate, for example, in a Z-fold and/or C
fold. Alternatively, the
functional cuffs can be separately adhered to the lower layer of a cleaning
pad and/or cleaning
sheet via a variety of methods known in the art including, but not limited to,
double-sided
adhesive tape, heat bonding, gluing, ultrasonic welding, stitching, high-
pressure mechanical
welding, and the like.
Functional cuffs) can be incorporated in traditional cleaning pads and sheets
that are
wellacnown in the art which comprise a variety of cellulosic and. nonwoven
material, such as
sponges, foam, paper towels, polishing cloths, dusting cloths, cotton towels,
and the like, both in a
dry and pre-moistened form. In a preferred embodiment, functional cuffs are
particularly effective
when incorporated in the cleaning pads of the present invention, as well as
those described in
issued U.S. Patent No. 5,960,508 (Holt et al.), issued U.S. Patent 6,003,191
(Sherry et al.)~
and issued U.S. Patent No. 6,048,123 (Holt et al.)~
and issued U.S. Patent No. 6,101,661 (Policicchio et al.), issued August 15,
2000.
In another embodiment, a cleaning sheet comprises one or mare functional cuffs
and a
substrate, preferably a nonwoven substrate comprising a hydroentangled
material, including, but
not limited to, the substrates described in issued applications by
Fereshtehkhou et al., U.S.
Patent No. 6,645,604, issued November 11, 2003 (Case 6664M); g~~~g~On et 81.,
U.S. Patent No.
6,561,354, issued May 13, 2003 (Case 6798M);
and U.S. Patent No. 5,525,397, issued Tune 11, 1996 to Shizuno et al. In this
preferred
embodiment, the substrate of the cleaning sheet has at least two regions,
where the regions are
distinguished by basis weight. The substrate can have one or more high basis
weight regions
having a basis weight of from about 30 to about 120 g/m2, preferably from
about 40 to about 100
glm2, more preferably from about 50 to about 90 g/mz, and still more,
preferably from about 60 to
about 80 g/m2, and one or more low basis weight regions, wherein the low basis
weight regions)
have a basis weight that is not more than about 809b, preferably not more than
about 6096, more
preferably not more than about 4096, and still more preferably not more than
about 2096, of the
basis weight of the high basis weight region(s). The substrate of the cleaning
sheet will preferably
Dave an aggregate basis weight of from about 20 to about 110 g/m2, more
preferably from about
A.0 to about 100 g/mz, and still more preferably from about 60 to about 90
g/m2.
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One or more functional cuffs) can be applied to, or formed as an integral part
of,
cleaning pads and sheets in a variety of locations on the pads and sheets. For
example, the
functional cuffs) can be situated along the mid-line of the cleaning pad or
sheet (in the x-y plane)
along either the x-dimension or the y-dimension. Preferably, the cleaning pad
or sheet comprises
two functional cuffs situated at or near opposite edges (e.g., the leading and
trailing edges of the
pad and/or sheet, in terms of the y-dimension) of the cleaning pad or sheet.
Preferably, the
functional cuffs) are placed in a location such that their length is
perpendicular to the back and
forth mopping or wiping direction used by the consumer.
The present invention further encompasses articles of manufacture comprising
the above
described cleaning pad and/or sheet comprising improved functional cuffs in
association with a
set of instructions, which can be combined with a package, carton, or other
container. The present
invention also encompasses articles of manufacture comprising the above-
described improved
cleaning implement in association with a set of instructions, which can be
combined with a
package, carton, or other container. As used herein, the phrase "in
association with" means the set
of instructions are either directly printed on the cleaning sheet itself or
presented in a separate
manner including, but not limited to, a brochure, print advertisement,
electronic advertisement,
and/or verbal communication, so as to communicate the set of instructions to a
consumer of the
article of manufacture. The set of instructions preferably comprise the
instruction to use the
cleaning pad and/or sheet comprising improved functional cuffs for hard
surface cleaning with a
cleaning implement, such as a floor mop, having a handle and a mop head. The
set of instructions
can further comprise instructions to use the cleaning pad andlor sheet
comprising improved
functional cuffs or any other kind of cleaning pad with a floor mop having a
stepped design mop
head configured as previously described herein. For example, the instruction
might instruct using
the cleaning sheet with a floor mop having a stepped design mop head. Other
instructions might
instruct a user to attach the cleaning sheet or pad to the mop head, move the
floor mop, and then
remove the cleaning sheet from the mop head.
