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Patent 2625866 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2625866
(54) English Title: CLEANING ARTICLE
(54) French Title: ARTICLE DE NETTOYAGE
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47L 13/20 (2006.01)
  • A47L 13/16 (2006.01)
  • A47L 13/255 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • TAKABAYASHI, KEIMA (Japan)
  • OMORI, CHIHARU (Japan)
(73) Owners :
  • KAO CORPORATION (Japan)
(71) Applicants :
  • KAO CORPORATION (Japan)
(74) Agent: SMART & BIGGAR LP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2014-01-14
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2006-10-06
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2007-04-26
Examination requested: 2011-08-09
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/JP2006/320051
(87) International Publication Number: WO2007/046251
(85) National Entry: 2008-04-14

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
2005-306697 Japan 2005-10-21

Abstracts

English Abstract


A cleaning article 10 having a pair of flat tubular pockets 15 and attachable
to a
holder 20 by inserting the holder 20 into the pockets 15. The cleaning article
10
includes fiber layers 11a and 11b and fiber layers 11c and 11d each formed of
a fiber
bundle on the upper and lower side, respectively, of the pockets 15. The
pockets 15
are formed by joining two oblong sheets 13a and 13b interposed between the
upper and
lower fiber layers 11b and 11c by making joining zones extending in the
longitudinal
direction of the sheets 13a and 13b to define both longer sides of each pocket
15. The
pockets 15 each have an unjoined region in an end portion on the side of their
inlets
151.


French Abstract

Cet article de nettoyage (10) comporte une paire de sections d'insertion de prises tubulaires plates (15, 15); des couches de fibres (11a, 11b) et (11c, 11d) formées de faisceaux de fibres, sont disposées respectivement au niveau des parties supérieure et inférieure de la paire de sections d'insertion de prises (15, 15). Une prise (20) peut être insérée dans, et fixée à, la partie intérieure de la paire de sections d'insertion de prises (15, 15). Chacune de la paire de sections d'insertion de prises (15, 15) est formée en réunissant deux feuilles d'installation de prises (13a, 13b) des deux côtés de la section d'insertion de prises (15) de telle sorte qu'il se forme des joints s'étendant dans la direction longitudinale de la section d'insertion de prise. Les feuilles d'installation de prises (13a, 13b) sont des feuilles allongées longitudinalement qui sont interposées entre les couches de fibres supérieure et inférieure (11b, 11c). La section d'insertion de prises (15) a une section sans joint au niveau de son extrémité du côté de l'ouverture d'entrée de prise (151).

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


16
CLAIMS:
1. A cleaning article having a flat tubular pocket and attachable to a
holder by
inserting the holder into the pocket and comprising a fiber layer on an upper
side of the pocket
and a fiber layer on a lower side of the pocket,
the pocket being formed by joining two sheets interposed between the fiber
layers of the upper and lower sides by making joining zones extending to
define both longer
sides of the pocket, wherein
the two sheets each have an end portion extending outwards from an inlet side
of the joining zones and the fiber layers, and are unjoined.
2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the two sheets are
oblong.
3. The cleaning article according to claim 2, wherein the two sheets are
superposed on each other with their inlet-sided end edges uneven.
4. The cleaning article according to claim 2 or 3, the end portion of each
of the
sheets is folded back over an outer side of the pocket to have increased
strength.
5. The cleaning article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the end portion
of each
of the sheets is wider than other portions of the sheet.
6. The cleaning article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the
sheets is
made of heat fusible fibers, and the end portion thereof is fused to form a
cohesive film-like
portion having increased strength.
7. The cleaning article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the end portion
of the
sheet has another sheet of strip shape bonded thereto to have increased
strength.
8. The cleaning article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the inlet-
sided end
portion of the pocket has an engaging means engageable with the holder.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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Description
CLEANING ARTICLE
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a cleaning article, particularly a cleaning
article
having a holder-receiving pocket and a fiber layer on both the upper and lower
sides of
the pocket and adapted to be attached to a holder by inserting the holder into
the pocket.
Background Art
[0002]
Cleaning articles having a holder-receiving pocket (hereinafter simply
referred
to as a pocket) and attachable to a holder by inserting the holder into the
pocket are
widely known. Cleaning articles having a fiber layer on both the upper and
lower
sides of the pocket so that both sides of the cleaning article may be usable
for cleaning
purposes are also known. Cleaning articles of this type are advantageous in
that, after
the fiber layer on one side is soiled, the fiber layer on the other side is
then used. In
cleaning tight spaces such as a gap between a piece of furniture and a wall,
it is possible
with this type of cleaning articles to clean both the furniture and wall
simultaneously.
[0003]
However, when a fiber layer is provided on both the upper and lower sides of
the pocket, the fibers can cover the inlet opening of the pocket to interfere
with inserting
the holder into the pocket. When a fiber layer is provided on both sides, and
only the
fiber layer on one side is soiled, the cleaning article must be once detached
from and
re-attached to the holder to change the fiber layers.
Cleaning articles designed to facilitate inserting a holder therein have been
proposed.
[0004]
For example, the patent document 1 (J1P2003-265390 A) discloses a mop
(cleaning
article) and a mop holder. The holder has two insertion portions forked from
the end of a handle.

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The mop has two spaces as pockets extending in parallel with each other. The
inner
size of each of the spaces is wider than the width of each insertion portion.
Each
insertion portion has projections. When the pair of insertion portions are
inserted into
the respective spaces, the projections slide with the inside of the spaces so
that the pair
of insertion portions are deformed inboard to narrow the gap therebetween.
[0005]
The patent document 1: JP2003-265390A
[0006]
According to the patent document 1, the pocket is provided with a region
where the insertion portion of a holder having entered the pocket can slide
with ease,
but there is no measure for helping the insertion portion enter through the
inlet opening
of the pocket of the cleaning article. When the insertion portion of a holder
having
entered the pocket is slid inside the pocket, a user or an operator usually
does this
operation while having the handle of the holder in one of his or her hands and
the
cleaning article in the other hand. In the cases where the cleaning article is
formed out
of soft materials such as fibers, which means that the pocket is soft, it is
not easy to
insert stick-shaped insertion portion to the intended deepest position of the
pocket.
That is, the insertion portion of a holder can fail to reach the intended
position in the
pocket, and the cleaning article may be used in such a halfway-attached state.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0007]
The present invention provides a cleaning article having a flat tubular pocket

and attachable to a holder by inserting the holder into the pocket. The
cleaning article
includes a fiber layer on both the upper and lower side of the pocket. The
fiber layer
includes a fiber bundle. The pocket is formed by joining the upper and lower
fiber
layers or two members interposed between the upper and lower fiber layers by
making
joining zones. The joining zones extend to define both longer sides of the
pocket.
The pocket has an unjoined region at an inlet-sided end portion thereof

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[0007a]
An aspect of the invention relates to a cleaning article having a flat tubular

pocket and attachable to a holder by inserting the holder into the pocket and
comprising a
fiber layer on an upper and a fiber layer on a lower side of the pocket, the
pocket being
formed by joining two sheets interposed between the fiber layers of the upper
and lower sides
by making joining zones extending to define both longer sides of the pocket,
wherein the two
sheets each have an end portion extending outwards from an inlet side of the
joining zones
and the fiber layers, and are unjoined.
Brief Description of the Drawing

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[0008]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning article according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning article illustrated in
Fig.
1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating substrate sheets of the cleaning article
according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning article with a shorter substrate
sheet
being pinched between fingers at its inlet-sided end.
Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating substrate sheets of a cleaning article
according
to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 6 is a plane view illustrating substrate sheets of a cleaning article
according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0009]
A first preferred embodiment of the cleaning article according to the present
invention will be illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 through 4.
[0010]
The cleaning article (hereinafter referred to as "mop") 10 of the first
embodiment is oblong and flat as a whole as illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3.
The mop
10 has a pair of flat tubular pockets 15. The mop 10 has fiber layers 11 a and
lib and
fiber layers 11c and lid each formed of a fiber bundle; the former two on the
upper
side, and the latter two on the lower side of the pockets 15. The mop 10 is
adapted to
be attached to a holder 20 by inserting the holder 20 into the pair of pockets
15.
In the mop 10 of the first embodiment, the pair of pockets 15 are each formed
by joining two oblong substrate sheets 13a and 13b interposed between the
upper and
lower fiber layers ii b and 11c at joints extending in the longitudinal
direction of the
pockets on both sides of each pocket while making inlets 151 for inserting a
holder.
The pockets 15 each have an unjoined region in the inlet-sided end portions
131a and
131b.

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[0011]
Going into detail on the mop 10 of the first embodiment, the two oblong
rectangular substrate sheets 13a and 13b have their longitudinal directions
coinciding
with the longitudinal direction of the mop 10. The substrate sheets 13a and
13b are
longer and narrower than the fiber layers ha, lib, 11c, and 11d.
[0012]
Going into more detail on the mop 10 of the first embodiment, the pair of
pockets 15 are formed by joining two substrate sheets 13a and 13b at three
joining
zones 16a 16b, and 16c spaced in the lateral direction of the sheets and
extending in the
longitudinal direction of the sheets as illustrated in Fig. 3.
[0013]
The inlet-sided ends 151 of the two substrate sheets 13a and 13b are not even.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the two substrate sheets 13a and 13b have
different
lengths. They are joined together with their longitudinal ends opposite to the
inlet-sided ends 151 being even. In this particular embodiment, the upper
substrate
sheet 13a is shorter.
[0014]
In the mop 10 of the first embodiment, the pair of pockets 15 are formed to
extend in the longitudinal direction of the substrate sheets 13a and 13b as
illustrated in
Fig. 3. While the mop 10 is in a packaged state, each of the pockets 15 is the
substrate
sheets 13a and 13b overlying and contacting each other. On inserting a holder
20
(described later) into the pockets 15, the substrate sheets 13a and 13b are
separated
apart to form flattened tubular spaces.
[0015]
The tubular pockets 15 have their respective openings at one of the
longitudinal
ends of the sheets 13a and 13b, i.e., in end portions 131a and 131b of the
sheets 13a and
13b, respectively. The openings are inlets 151 of the respective pockets 15.
The
holder 20 is insertable through the inlets 151 into the inside of the pockets
15. In
carrying out cleaning, the mop 10 of the first embodiment is used with the
holder 20

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inserted into the paired pockets 15 as illustrated in Fig. 1.
[0016]
In the mop 10 of the present embodiment, the joining zone 16b is located at
the
laterally central position of the paired pockets 15. The joining region 16b is
a
5 straight-linear heat seal extending in the longitudinal direction of the
sheets 13a and
13b. The position of the joining zone 16b is on the laterally central position
of the
substrate sheets 13a and 13b.
[0017]
The two joining zones 16a and 16c are located on each side of the joining zone
16b and indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 3. Each of the joining zones 16a
and 16c
consists of circular, heat-embossed bonds 18 aligned in the longitudinal
direction of the
sheets 13a and 13b at regular intervals. The sheets 13a and 13b are not joined
together
in the areas between adjacent embossed bonds 18 in the joining zones 16a and
16c.
Each of the joining zones 16a and 16c is equally away from the joining zone
16b in the
lateral direction.
[0018]
The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b are linearly joined by heat sealing along

their longitudinal ends opposite to the inlet-sided ends as illustrated in
Fig. 3.
Therefore, each of the pockets 15 provides a bag-shaped space with its distal
end closed
to restrict passage of the distal end of the insertion portions 22 of the
holder 20.
[0019]
As stated above, the pair of pockets 15 are formed of the two substrate sheets

13a and 13b. The end portions 131a and 131b of the respective sheets 13a and
13b are
each folded over the outer side of the pockets 15 to make a turnback cuff
having
increased strength as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The turnback cuff of each
of the end
portions 131a and 13 lb is bonded to the facing part of the sheet to increase
the
thickness than the other portion. The bonding is preferably effected by known
fixing
means such as heat sealing or adhesion with an adhesive. Each of the end
portions
131a and 13 lb may be folded back to a partial length as in this particular
embodiment

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or may be folded into equal halves.
The folded area of the substrate sheet 13a forms the inlet-sided end edge of
the
sheet 13a. The same applies to the sheet 13b.
[0020]
The turnback cuff of each of the end portions 131a and 131b of the two
substrate sheets 13a and 13b preferably has a strength of 0.5 N/mm or more,
more
preferably 0.6 N/nun or more, per unit width as measured in a common tensile
test at a
tensile speed of 300 mm/min. A test piece was prepared by cutting the turnback
cuff at
20 mm inside from the edge of the inlets 151 of the two substrate sheets 13a
and 13b.
There is no particular upper limit to the strength.
[0021]
The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b have an unjoined region in their
respective inlet-sided end portions 131a and 131b as illustrated in Figs. 3
and 4. More
specifically, the two sheets 13a and 13b are not joined to each other in the
vicinity of the
inlets 151 by any of the joints of the joining zones 16a, 16b, and 16c. In the
present
invention, the end portion 131a of the substrate sheet 13a refers to a portion
from the
end edge to the inlet-sided ends of the joining zones 16a, 16b, and 16c. The
same
applies to the end portion 131b of the substrate sheet 13b.
[0022]
Each of the inlet-sided end portions 131a and 131b is preferably used as a
flap
tab to be pinched in inserting a holder 20 into the pockets 15. The end
portions 131a
and 131b each include a turnback cuff that makes the end portions stiffer and
easier to
pinch.
[0023]
To go into still more detail of the mop 10 of the first embodiment, the four
fiber
layers 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and lid are oriented fiber bundles having a
prescribed thickness.
The fiber bundles are substantially oriented in the lateral direction of the
mop 10 as
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
The mop 10 further includes an oblong rectangular scraping sheet 12a between

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the adjacent fiber layers 11 a and 11b. Similarly, the mop 10 has an oblong
rectangular
scraping sheet 12b between the adjacent fiber layers 11c and 11d. The two
scraping
sheets 12a and 12b are of the same shape and have their longitudinal direction

coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the mop 10.
[0024]
The fiber layers ha, 11b, 11 c, and 11d, the two oblong substrate sheets 13a
and
13b, and the two scraping sheets 12a and 12b are stacked with the fiber
orientation
direction in the fiber layers 11 a to lid being in a substantially
perpendicular relation to
longitudinal direction of the scraping sheets 12a and 12b and the substrate
sheets 13a
and 13b. The fiber layers, substrate sheets, and scraping sheets are joined
together
along the longitudinal direction of the substrate sheets and the scraping
sheets with
aligned longitudinal centerlines. Joining is done along a straight linear
joint 14 having
a prescribed width. The linear joint 14 is formed on the aligned longitudinal
centerlines of the fiber layers, substrate sheets, and scraping sheets by a
known joining
means, such as heat fusion bonding or adhesion with an adhesive. In the case
where
the fiber layers, substrate sheets, and scraping sheets are all made out of
heat fusible
material, the linear joint 14 is conveniently formed by fusion bonding.
Formation of
the linear joint 14 is preferably done simultaneously with formation of the
joining zone
16b defining the pair of pockets 15.
[0025]
It is preferred that the fiber layer 11b, the substrate sheets 13a and 13b,
and the
fiber layer 11 c be joined together by fusion bonding at the embossed bonds 18
in the
joining zones 16a and 16b to impart stiffitess to the mop 10 while retaining
the
flexibility of the mop 10.
[0026]
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the holder 20 includes a handle 21 and a pair of
insertion portions 22 that are forked from one end of the handle 21. The
handle 21 and
the insertion portions 22 make a prescribed angle. The insertion portion 22 is
a flat,
strip-shaped plate. Being so shaped, the insertion portions 22 are endowed
with
flexibility to help the mop 10 conform to a curved or uneven surface of an
object being

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cleaned and achieve increased efficiency of dust removal. The two insertion
portions
22 each are adapted to be inserted into the respective pockets 15 formed by
the two
substrate sheets 13a and 13b.
[0027]
It is preferred that the holder 20 have a hook etc. shorter than the insertion
portions 22 provided between the insertion portions 22 and that the inlet-
sided end
portions 131a and 13 lb have an engaging means engageable with the holder 20
such as
a slit. Such a configuration is preferred in that the hook etc. can be engaged
with the
end portions 131a and 13 lb to make the holder 20 less likely to come off the
mop 10.
[0028]
In the above-described mop 10 of the present invention, the length Li (see
Fig.
3) of the unjoined region of the inlet-sided end portions 131a and 131b of the
respective
substrate sheets 13a and 13b measured in the longitudinal direction of the mop
10 is
decided in relation to the position of the inlet-sided end of the fiber layers
and ease of
inserting the holder 20, i.e., the distance between 16b and 16a or 16c. From
the
standpoint of ease of inserting the holder 20, the length Li is preferably
about 1 to 10
mm when that distance is relatively large to provide loose pockets 15, or
about 3 to 30
mm when that distance is relatively small to provide tight pockets 15. In the
case
where the unjoined region of the end portions 131a and 131b partly overlaps
the fiber
layers, the length of the part of the unjoined region covered by the fiber
layers is
preferably up to 20 mm, more preferably up to 10 mm, while the length of the
part
of the unjoined region sticking out from the end of the fiber layers is
preferably 1
to 30 mm, more preferably 2 to 20 mm. The sum of these lengths gives the
length Li. The term "length Li of the unjoined region" as used herein refers
to the
length from the inlet-sided end edge of the substrate sheet 13a to the inlet-
sided ends of
the joining zones 16a, 16b, and 16c as illustrated in Fig. 3. In referring to
the length
Li, the dimension of the tumback cuff of the sheet 13a in the end portion 131a
is left
out of consideration.
[0029]
The length L2 (see Fig. 3) of the tumback cuff (the region folded over the
outer

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side of the pockets 15) of the end portion 131a and that of the end portion
131b do not
have to be the same. Specifically, the length L2 is preferably 3 to 30 mm,
more
preferably 3 to 15 mm, from the same standpoint described above.
The length L3 (see Fig. 3), the distance between the inlet-sided end edges of
the substrate sheets 13a and 13b measured in the longitudinal direction of the
sheets is
preferably 0 to 10 mm, more preferably 1 to 5 mm.
[0030]
Each of the inlet-sided end portions 131a and 13 lb is preferably used as a
flap
tab to be pinched in attaching the mop 10 to the holder 20. For instance, a
user or an
operator grasps the handle 21 of the holder 20 in one of his or her hands and
pinches the
end portion 131a of the upper substrate sheet 13a between fingers of the other
hand as
illustrated in Fig. 4. Whereupon the end portions 131a and 131b of the
substrate sheets
13a and 13b are separated away from each other to open the pair of inlets 151.
With
the paired inlets 151 open, the forked insertion portions 22 of the holder 20
are easily
inserted into the respective inlets 151.
[0031]
While pinching the end portion 131a with one hand, the user or operator then
inserts the holder 20 inside the pockets 15 with the other hand. Since the mop
10 with
its end portion 131a pinched has the opposite end hanging by its own weight,
the
tubular spaces in the pockets 15 extend in their longitudinal direction with
their
thickness expanded. As a result, the insertion portions 22 of the holder 20
proceed
smoothly in the tubular spaces of the pockets 15 without catching on the inner
wall of
the pockets 15 and successfully reach the opposite ends of the pockets 15.
[0032]
The members constituting the mop 10 of the present embodiment will be
described. Materials that can be used to make the substrate sheets 13a and 13b
include
fibrous sheets used in conventional cleaning articles such as nonwovens and
plastic
films commonly used as wrapping material. Air-through nonwovens containing a
heat-fusible component, spun-bonded nonwovens, and plastic films are
particularly
preferred.

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The fibers constituting the fiber layers 11 a to lid preferably have a length
of
30 to 150 mm, more preferably 50 to 120 mm, in view of dust trapping
capabilities. In
the present embodiment, fibers having such a length are used in the form of a
fiber
bundle (tow). It is preferred that the tow be sufficiently splited with a
known tow
5 opening device beforehand.
[0033]
According to the first embodiment of the mop 10, the inlet-sided end portions
131a and 131b of the substrate sheets 13a and 13b are each folded back and
superposed
on each other with their end edges uneven. Therefore, the mop 10 of the first
10 embodiment is designed to help insert the holder therein.
[0034]
The fiber layer lid that is the undermost fiber layer with respect to the
upward
angled holder 20, particularly the distal end portion of the fiber layer lid
opposite to the
holder 20 can be the first to get soiled as a result of cleaning. When the
fiber layer lid
gets soiled, it is recommended that a user once removes the holder 20 from the
mop 10,
turns the mop 10 upside down to bring the unsoiled fiber layer 11 a undermost,
and
again fits the holder 20 into the mop 10. Since the mop 10 of the first
embodiment
features ease of inserting the holder 20 into the pockets 15, the operation of
turning over
the mop 10 is easily done.
[0035]
The mop 10 incorporating the second to fourth embodiments of the present
invention are now illustrated with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. The description
on the
first embodiment applies to the second to fourth embodiments described
hereunder
unless otherwise specified. Members common to both Figs. 1 to 4 and Figs. 5
and 6
are given the same numerical and/or alphabetical designations.
[0036]
In the second preferred embodiment of the mop 10 accordng to the present
invention, the pair of pockets 15 are formed by joining two substrate sheets
13a and
13b. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the inlet-sided end portions 131a and 131b of
the

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substrate sheets 13a and 13b are both wider than the other portion of the
sheets and are
therefore easy to pinch.
The wider end portions 131a and 131b each extend outward from the
longitudinal ends of the fiber layers. In the second embodiment, each of the
two end
portions 131a and 131b is not folded back.
[0037]
The end portions 131a and 131b each have a constant, increased width from
their respective inlet-sided end edges to a prescribed length in the
longitudinal direction
of the mop 10. The two end portions 131a and 131b preferably have the same
width.
In order to help pinch and not to interfere with a cleaning operation, the end
portions
131a and 131b are wider than the other portion preferably by 2 to 20 mm. For
the
same purposes, the length L4 (see Fig. 5) of the wider region of the shorter
substrate
sheet 13a is preferably 0.3 to 2 cm.
[0038]
The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b are not joined to each other in the end
portions 131a and 131b by any of the joints of the joining zones 16a, 16b, and
16c.
According to the second embodiment of the mop 10, the end portions 131a and
131b of the substrate sheets 13a and 13b are widened to facilitate pinching to
produce
the same effects as by the first embodiment.
[0039]
In the third preferred embodiment of the mop 10 according to the present
invention, the pair of pockets 15 are formed by joining the two substrate
sheets 13a and
13b made out of heat fusible fibers. As illustrated in Fig. 6, each of the
inlet-sided end
portions 131a and 131b of the two substrate sheets 13a and 13b is fused along
the end
edge to provide a cohesive, film-like portion that has an enhanced strength
and is
therefore easier to pinch.
[0040]
The wide end portions 131a and 131b each extend outward from the
longitudinal ends of the fiber layers. In the third embodiment, each of the
end portions

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131a and 131b is not folded back.
The cohesive film-like portion of each of the end portions 131a and 131b is
the
result of heat-fusing an inlet-sided end edge portion of prescribed length as
measured
from the edge inward. The prescribed length L5 (see Fig. 6) in the sheet 13a
and that
in the sheet 13b are preferably the same. Specifically, the length L5 is
preferably 1 to
30 mm to facilitate pinching and not to interfere with a cleaning operation.
[0041]
The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b are not joined to each other in the end
portions 131a and 13 lb by any of the joints of the joining zones 16a, 16b,
and 16c.
[0042]
The cohesive film-like portion of each of the end portions 131a and 131b of
the
substrate sheets 13a and 13b preferably has a strength of 0.35 N/mm or more,
more
preferably 0.38 N/mm or more, per unit width as measured in a common tensile
test on
a test piece measuring 80 mm length and 50 mm width at a gauge length of 50 mm
and
a tensile speed of 300 mm/min. The test piece is cut out of a region within 20
mm
from the inlet-sided edge of the sheet 13a or 13b.
[0043]
Materials that can be used to make the substrate sheets 13a and 13b used in
the
third embodiment of the mop 10 include fibrous sheets for use in conventional
cleaning
articles such as nonwovens made of heat fusible fibers and plastic films
commonly used
as wrapping material. Preferred examples of the heat fusible fibers that can
be used to
make the fibrous sheets include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene
terephthalate, and conjugate fibers prepared therefrom. These materials
recited are
also preferred materials of the plastic films referred to above.
[0044]
According to the third embodiment of the mop 10, the two substrate sheets 13a
and 13b have their inlet-sided end edge portions converted into a cohesive
film-like
portion that has an increased strength and is easier to pinch thereby to
produce the same
effects as by the first embodiment.

CA 02625866 2013-05-31
50337-5
13
[0045]
In the fourth preferred embodiment of the mop 10 according to the present
invention, the pair of pockets 15 are formed by joining two substrate sheets
13a and
13b. The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b each have another sheet of strip-
shape
bonded to the edge portion of the inlet-sided end portions 131a and 13 lb. As
a result,
the edge portion of each of the end portions 131a and 131b has an increased
strength
and is thereby easier to pinch.
[0046]
The wide end portions 131a and 131b each extend outward from the
longitudinal end edge of the fiber layers. In the fourth embodiment, each of
the end
portions 131a and 131b is not folded back.
The strip sheets 3 bonded to the sheets 13a and 13b preferably have the same
shape. Specifically, the length of each of the strip sheets is preferably the
same as
the width of the substrate sheets 13a and 13b, and the width of the strip
sheet is
preferably 2 to 30 mm to facilitate pinching and not to interfere with a
cleaning
operation.
[0047]
The strip sheet is bonded to each of the substrate sheets 13a and 13b with one

of its longer side edge even with the inlet-sided end edge of the substrate
sheet.
The two substrate sheets 13a and 13b are not joined to each other in the end
portions 131a and 131b by any of the joints of the joining zones 16a, 16b, and
16c.
[0048]
The edge portion of each of the end portions 131a and 131b of the substrate
sheets 13a and 13b where the strip sheet is bonded preferably has a strength
of 0.5
N/rnm or more, more preferably 0.6 N/mm or more, per unit width as measured in
a
common tensile test at a tensile speed of 300 mm/min. A test piece was
prepared by
cutting the edge portion having the strip sheet at 20 mm inside from the edge
of the
inlets 151 of the two substrate sheets 13a and 13b.
[0049]

CA 02625866 2013-05-31
50337-5
14
According to the fourth embodiment of the mop 10, the two substrate sheets
13a and 13b each have their inlet-sided end portions 131a and 13 lb reinforced
with a
strip sheet. The reinforced portions have increased stiffness and are easier
to pinch
thereby to produce the same effects as by the first embodiment.
[0050]
The present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and various

changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the
scope thereof.
For instance, the pockets of the mop may be formed of the upper and lower
fiber layers. For example, it is also a preferred embodiment that two adjacent
fiber
layers are joined to form tubular pockets. In that case, the inlet-sided end
portions of
the two fiber layers remain unjoined.
In each of the foregoing embodiments, the pair of pockets may be replaced
with a single pocket.
[0051]
While in the foregoing embodiments the two substrate sheets are longer than
the fiber layers, they may have the same length as the fiber layers.
[0052]
Particulars of one embodiment that have been omitted to avoid redundancy can
appropriately be complemented by the corresponding description of other
embodiments.
Particulars characteristic of one embodiment can apply to other embodiments
appropriately.
The mop of the present invention may have the fibers of every fiber layer
fuzzed. In that case, the mop assumes a cylindrical shape as a whole,
providing an
increased area of the tips of the fiber layers to exhibit enhanced dust
trapping effects.
[0053]
The mop 10 of the present invention preferably has one or more fiber layers on

each of the upper and lower substrate sheets. The fibers forming each fiber
layer are
preferably oriented in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the

CA 02625866 2008-04-14
substrate sheets. The fibers forming the fiber layers are preferably fuzzed so
that the
mop takes on a cylindrical shape as a whole.
[0054]
The cleaning article according to the present invention is used usually in a
dry
5 state
to clean furniture such as tables, desks, and drawers, appliances such as TV
sets,
VCRs, and refrigerators, and like objects. It is also useful to clean hard-to-
reach areas
such as corners of rooms and tight spaces between a wall and a piece of a
furniture.
Industrial Applicability
[0055]
10 The
present invention provides a cleaning article having a pocket into which a
holder is easily inserted.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2014-01-14
(86) PCT Filing Date 2006-10-06
(87) PCT Publication Date 2007-04-26
(85) National Entry 2008-04-14
Examination Requested 2011-08-09
(45) Issued 2014-01-14

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $473.65 was received on 2023-08-30


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-10-07 $624.00
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-10-07 $253.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $400.00 2008-04-14
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2008-10-06 $100.00 2008-08-15
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2009-10-06 $100.00 2009-08-07
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2010-10-06 $100.00 2010-08-12
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2011-10-06 $200.00 2011-08-08
Request for Examination $800.00 2011-08-09
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2012-10-09 $200.00 2012-08-10
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2013-10-07 $200.00 2013-08-29
Final Fee $300.00 2013-10-31
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2014-10-06 $200.00 2014-09-10
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2015-10-06 $200.00 2015-09-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2016-10-06 $250.00 2016-09-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2017-10-06 $250.00 2017-09-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2018-10-09 $250.00 2018-09-12
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2019-10-07 $250.00 2019-09-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2020-10-06 $250.00 2020-09-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2021-10-06 $459.00 2021-09-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 16 2022-10-06 $458.08 2022-09-01
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 17 2023-10-06 $473.65 2023-08-30
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
KAO CORPORATION
Past Owners on Record
OMORI, CHIHARU
TAKABAYASHI, KEIMA
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2008-04-14 1 16
Claims 2008-04-14 1 40
Drawings 2008-04-14 3 69
Description 2008-04-14 15 617
Representative Drawing 2008-04-14 1 8
Cover Page 2008-07-18 1 40
Description 2013-05-31 16 628
Claims 2013-05-31 1 37
Abstract 2013-09-03 1 16
Representative Drawing 2013-12-12 1 5
Cover Page 2013-12-12 1 37
PCT 2008-04-14 4 194
Assignment 2008-04-14 3 108
Prosecution-Amendment 2011-08-09 2 70
Prosecution-Amendment 2013-05-31 10 381
Prosecution-Amendment 2013-01-11 3 117
Correspondence 2013-10-31 2 74