U.S. patent application number 10/841332 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for utility textile with microfiber core.
Invention is credited to Clarke, George.
Application Number | 20050250404 10/841332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35240019 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050250404 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clarke, George |
November 10, 2005 |
Utility textile with microfiber core
Abstract
A utility textile having, in one embodiment, three layers: a
working layer, a core layer, and a backing layer. The working layer
can include any suitable cleaning material, but preferably contains
microfibers. The core layer preferably contains microfibers instead
of, or in addition to, the traditional sponge core layer. In one
embodiment the core layer also contains antimicrobial properties.
Lastly, the backing layer preferably contains a surface that allows
the utility textile to be attached to a frame using, for instance,
a hook and loop attachment system.
Inventors: |
Clarke, George; (Wilmette,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Daniel H. Shulman
Mayer Brown Rowe & Maw LLP
P.O. Box 2828
Chicago
IL
60690-2828
US
|
Family ID: |
35240019 |
Appl. No.: |
10/841332 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
442/340 ;
442/123; 442/189; 442/286; 442/304; 442/308; 442/334; 442/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 5/02 20130101; B32B
5/14 20130101; Y10T 442/608 20150401; Y10T 442/425 20150401; B32B
5/024 20130101; Y10T 442/40 20150401; A47L 13/20 20130101; B32B
5/022 20130101; Y10T 442/614 20150401; Y10T 442/674 20150401; B32B
2432/00 20130101; Y10T 442/2525 20150401; B32B 5/26 20130101; B32B
2307/7145 20130101; B32B 27/36 20130101; Y10T 442/3854 20150401;
Y10T 442/3065 20150401; B32B 5/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/340 ;
442/286; 442/304; 442/394; 442/123; 442/189; 442/308; 442/334 |
International
Class: |
D04H 001/00; D04H
005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A utility textile comprising: a working layer; a core layer
adjacent said working layer; and a backing layer adjacent said core
layer, wherein said core layer comprises microfibers.
2. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer contains
antimicrobial properties.
3. The utility textile of claim 2, wherein said antimicrobial
properties are imparted using an antimicrobial compound that is
permanently bonded to fibers in both the working layer and the core
layer.
4. The utility textile of claim 2, wherein said antimicrobial
properties are imparted after the flat mop is assembled.
5. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer is in
the form of a woven sheet of microfibers.
6. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer is in
the form a knitted sheet of microfibers.
7. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer is in
the form of a non-woven, non-knitted web of microfiber
material.
8. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein the core layer is in the
form of a loose filling-type microfiber material.
9. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer is
substantially said microfibers
10. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said core layer further
comprises polyester fibers blended with said microfibers.
11. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said utility textile is
a flat mop.
12. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said utility textile is
an applicator.
13. The utility textile of claim 1, wherein said applicator is used
to apply flooring finishes.
14. A utility textile comprising: a layer of microfiber material
and no other layers, wherein said layer of microfiber material
performs the functions of a working layer, a core layer and a
backing layer.
15. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer contains
antimicrobial properties.
16. The utility textile of claim 15, wherein said antimicrobial
properties are imparted using an antimicrobial compound that is
permanently bonded to fibers in the core layer.
17. The utility textile of claim 15, wherein said antimicrobial
properties are imparted after the flat mop is assembled.
18. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer is in the
form of a woven sheet of microfibers.
19. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer is in the
form a knitted sheet of microfibers.
20. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer is in the
form of a non-woven, non-knitted web of microfiber material.
21. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein the layer is in the
form of a loose filling-type microfiber material.
22. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer is
substantially said microfibers
23. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said layer further
comprises polyester fibers blended with said microfibers.
24. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said utility textile
is a flat mop.
25. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said utility textile
is an applicator.
26. The utility textile of claim 14, wherein said applicator is
used to apply flooring finishes.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to utility textiles, and
more particularly to utility textiles used, for instance, with mops
or applicators.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, flat mops have gained in popularity. As
opposed to traditional string mops that must be submerged in a
cleaning solution and wrung out before use, a flat mop can be
easily used by applying a light mist of cleaning solution on a
floor and then mopping up that solution with the flat mop.
Alternatively, the flat mop can come pre-loaded with a cleaning
solution, and a user needs only to place the mop on a floor and
begin mopping. In both instances, using flat mops obviates the
traditional problem with string mops, in that a dirty flat mop
never has to come into contact with a cleaning solution in a bucket
that has been contaminated by virtue of prior mopping operations.
However, because flat mops do not utilize a traditional bucket and
wringer arrangement, the mops depend substantially on their removal
and absorption qualities to allow for an efficient cleaning
operation. A flat mop that has limited absorption qualities or that
looses its absorption qualities over time (i.e., due to multiple
washings of the flat mop or due to repeated exposure to cleaning
agents) will not be effective and will require a user to frequently
change a used flat mop with a new flat mop. It is desirable,
therefore, that a flat mop can be used over and over again without
losing its absorption qualities.
[0003] Traditionally, flat mops have utilized a synthetic sponge
material as a core layer of the flat mop to impart the majority of
the mop's absorption qualities. However, sponge material tends to
break down and become less absorbent the more it is used,
especially if it is cleaned after each use in a washing machine or
has prolonged exposure to a cleaning solution. Moreover, flat mops
with sponge material cores can allow bacteria and other organisms
to grow and propagate, which is an undesirable result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One embodiment of the invention comprises a utility textile
having three layers, a working layer, a core layer, and a backing
layer. The working layer can include any suitable material, but
preferably contains microfibers. The core layer preferably contains
microfibers instead of, or in addition to, the traditional sponge
core layer. In one embodiment, the core layer contains at least
antimicrobial properties. Lastly, the backing layer preferably
contains a surface that allows the utility textile to be attached
to a frame using, for instance, a hook and loop attachment
system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
utility textile of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
utility textile of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a cut-away side view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0009] While the present invention is capable of embodiment in
various forms and sizes, there is shown in the drawings and will be
hereinafter described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of the utility
textile of the present invention, in the form of a flat mop and
designated generally as reference numeral 10, contains a working
layer 12, a core layer 14 and a backing layer 16. The working layer
12 is preferably a microfiber material, but can comprise any type
of material that will provide the desired abrasion, absorption, and
removal qualities, which will vary from application to application.
The working layer therefore can comprise microfibers combined with
traditional polyester fibers, polyester fibers alone, etc. It
should be understood that the term "microfiber", as that term is
used herein includes all products having a denier of approximately
1.0 denier or less, which may be referred to as "microfibers",
"ultra-microfibers", "micro-filaments", "nanofibers", etc.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the core layer
14 comprises a microfiber material. Because of the increased
surface area of a microfiber material, it has the capability of
holding and absorbing vast amounts of water, cleaning solution,
finish or any other liquid, as the case may be. Also, to improve
performance and longevity, the microfibers may be mixed with
polyester fibers to give the microfibers added strength. It has
been found that a core layer 14 comprising a microfiber material
absorbs better than a sponge material and maintains its structural
integrity better than a sponge material through multiple uses. It
should be noted, however, that the present invention is not limited
to a core layer 14 having only a microfiber material. Indeed, the
core layer can comprise any additional materials that may assist
with a moping operation. For instance, the core layer can comprise
a microfiber material sandwiched between two layers of sponge
material. Alternatively, the core layer can comprise a sponge
material sandwiched between two layers of a microfiber material.
Thus, any other type of material in addition to a microfiber can be
added to the core layer 14 in the practice of the present
invention. However, it is preferred in one embodiment of the
invention to have a core layer comprising substantially a
microfiber material.
[0012] It should also be noted that the core layer 14 comprising
microfibers can be a woven or knitted sheet of microfiber material
that can be of a varying density, or alternatively can comprise a
non-woven, non-knitted web of microfiber material. Further, the
core layer 14 can be in the form of a loose filling-type microfiber
material that is held in place by enclosing the filling material
between the working layer and the backing layer and joining the
edges thereof, similar to the way in which a pillow holds a down
filling material.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the core layer 14 also contains
an antimicrobial, antiviral agent, such as triclosan, to inhibit
the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, viruses and/or fungi, etc. in
the core layer. One possible material choice for the core layer is
the material disclosed in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,455, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As those
with skill in the art will recognize, the antimicrobial, antiviral
agent can be added before or after the material is formed, may be
permanently bonded to the fibers of the core layer or be
rechargeable in the presence of chlorine, such as is shown in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,882,357, and may constitute compounds other than
triclosan that have the desired antimicrobial, antiviral
properties.
[0014] The backing layer 16 preferably comprises a sheet of
polyester material that can be attached to a mop frame or other
frame by use of a hook and loop attachment system Thus, the mop
frame will preferably contain the hook portion of the attachment
system and these hooks will attach to the strands of polyester
(loops) from the backing layer. Alternatively, the backing layer 16
can contain hook and loop specific strips attached thereto, which
typically will be more dense in terms of the number of fiber loops
that the hooks of the attachment system can attach to than the bare
polyester material. As those with skill in the art will appreciate,
the utility textile can utilize any type of attachment method,
instead of a hook and loop system, such as snaps, zippers, glue,
etc. Also, those with skill in the art will appreciate that the
utility textile of the present invention can be manufactured in any
size, as dictated by the intended use of the utility textile.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the backing layer 16 can
also have contained thereon a label 17, which preferably covers a
substantial portion of one side of the utility textile for ease of
use and viewing, and which can be used to help identify the utility
textile's owner. This is particularly beneficial, for instance, in
hospital settlings, where the utility textile may be shipped
off-site for cleaning. Having such a label will help to increase
the chances that the utility textile will be returned to its proper
owner after cleaning.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flat mop of the present
invention can also comprise a microfiber material without any
discrete layers. In this embodiment, generally designated as
reference numeral 18, the flat mop 18 comprises a dense layer 20 of
microfiber material mixed with polyester fibers (for strength).
Preferably, the layer 20 also contains antimicrobial properties,
just as in the core layer 14 discussed above. In this embodiment,
the single layer 20 provides the all of the functions of the
working layer, core layer and backing layer, discussed above.
Indeed the microfiber, in addition to having excellent cleaning and
absorption qualities, also is amenable to being attached to a mop
frame using a hook and loop attachment system due the fiber
structure and nap of the microfiber. As those with skill in the art
will recognize, the layer 20 can be varied in density and
thickness, depending on the intended use for the flat mop.
[0017] It should be appreciated the that utility textile of the
present invention is not limited to use with flat mops. Indeed, the
utility textile of the present invention could be easily used as an
applicator of, for instance, flooring or other finishes. In such an
embodiment, the core layer is preferably not be as thick as in a
flat mop application, namely because the core layer's absorptions
qualities would not be as important when applying a finish.
[0018] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. For example, although a
utility mop with three layers is shown, a flat mop comprising more
or less than three layers can be used without departing from the
teachings of the present invention. The description was selected to
best explain the principles of the invention and their practical
application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the
invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the
scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be
defined by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *