U.S. patent application number 11/241438 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for absorbent cleaning pad and method of making same.
Invention is credited to Frank S. Glaug, Ryan K. Hood, Brian McGinty, Joan Rodgers.
Application Number | 20070074366 11/241438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900555 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070074366 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glaug; Frank S. ; et
al. |
April 5, 2007 |
Absorbent cleaning pad and method of making same
Abstract
A surface cleaning pad is provided having a pad body configured
for attachment to a cleaning implement and a tab coupled to the pad
body and extending beyond an edge of the pad body. The tab is
configured to be grasped by a user of the cleaning implement to
facilitate detachment of the pad body from the cleaning
implement.
Inventors: |
Glaug; Frank S.; (Chester
Springs, PA) ; Hood; Ryan K.; (Livermore, CA)
; McGinty; Brian; (Collegeville, PA) ; Rodgers;
Joan; (Brookhaven, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Family ID: |
37900555 |
Appl. No.: |
11/241438 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 ;
15/209.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/228 ;
015/209.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/10 20060101
A47L013/10 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body configured for
attachment to a cleaning implement; and a tab coupled to said pad
body and extending beyond an edge of said pad body, wherein said
tab is configured to be grasped by a user of the cleaning implement
to facilitate detachment of said pad body from the cleaning
implement.
2. The surface cleaning pad of claim 1, wherein said tab extends
outwardly from said pad body in a plane substantially parallel to a
plane of a cleaning surface of said pad body.
3. The surface cleaning pad of claim 1, further comprising means
for attaching said pad body to the cleaning implement.
4. The surface cleaning pad of claim 3, said attaching means
comprising at least one attachment member coupled to said pad body
and configured for attachment to a bottom side of the cleaning
implement.
5. The surface cleaning pad of claim 3, said attaching means
comprising attachment members coupled to said pad body and
configured to wrap around a portion of the cleaning implement and
to couple to each other, thereby fastening said pad body to the
cleaning implement.
6. The surface cleaning pad of claim 3, said attaching means
comprising an attachment member configured for attachment to a top
side of the cleaning implement.
7. The surface cleaning pad of claim 6, said attachment member
comprising a hook or loop fastener.
8. The surface cleaning pad of claim 6, said attachment member
comprising a perforated sheet configured for attachment to a bottom
side of the cleaning implement, said perforated sheet being
separable into independent segments configured to couple with the
top side of the cleaning implement.
9. A surface cleaning implement comprising: a head portion; a pad
body coupled to said head portion; and a tab coupled to said pad
body and extending beyond an edge of said pad body and an edge of
said head portion, wherein said tab is configured to be grasped by
a user of said surface cleaning implement to facilitate detachment
of said pad body from said head portion of said surface cleaning
implement.
10. The surface cleaning implement of claim 9, wherein said tab
extends outwardly from said pad body in a plane substantially
parallel to a plane of a cleaning surface of said pad body.
11. The surface cleaning implement of claim 9, further comprising
means for attaching said pad body to said head portion of said
surface cleaning implement.
12. The surface cleaning implement of claim 11, said attaching
means comprising at least one attachment member coupled to said pad
body and attached to a bottom side of said head portion of said
surface cleaning implement.
13. The surface cleaning implement of claim 11, said attaching
means comprising attachment members coupled to said pad body and
wrapped around said head portion of said surface cleaning implement
and coupled to each other, thereby fastening said pad body to said
head portion of said surface cleaning implement.
14. The surface cleaning implement of claim 11, said attaching
means comprising an attachment member attached to a top side of
said head portion of said surface cleaning implement.
15. The surface cleaning implement of claim 14, said attachment
member comprising a hook or loop fastener.
16. The surface cleaning implement of claim 14, said attachment
member comprising a perforated sheet, said perforated sheet being
attached to a bottom side of said head portion of said surface
cleaning implement or said perforated sheet being separated into
independent segments and coupled to the top side of said head
portion of said surface cleaning implement.
17. A method of assembling a surface cleaning pad comprising the
steps of: a) applying a barrier to a surface of an airlaid
composite; and b) folding the barrier over at least one width-wise
edge of the airlaid composite, thereby encapsulating the width-wise
edge of the airlaid composite.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of folding
the barrier over at least one length-wise edge of the airlaid
composite, thereby encapsulating the length-wise edge of the
airlaid composite.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of applying a barrier
comprises positioning the barrier to extend beyond a width-wise
edge of the airlaid composite.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of applying a barrier
comprises applying the barrier to surfaces of two or more airlaid
composites.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of applying a barrier
comprises positioning the barrier to extend beyond a width-wise
edge of each of the airlaid composites.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of cutting
the barrier at a location between the airlaid composites.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of folding the
barrier comprises folding the barrier over at least one width-wise
edge of each of the airlaid composites, thereby encapsulating the
width-wise edge of each of the airlaid composites.
24. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling
at least one attachment member to the barrier at a position
configured for coupling with a cleaning implement.
25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the steps of cutting
a hook or loop fastener into strips and adhering the strips to the
barrier.
26. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of coupling
at least one dirt entrapment member adjacent a cleaning surface of
the airlaid composite.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of cutting
a dirt entrapment material into strips, folding the strips, and
adhering the folded strips to the cleaning surface of the airlaid
composite.
28. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body formed from an
airlaid composite; and a barrier applied to a surface of said
airlaid composite and folded over at least one width-wise edge of
said airlaid composite, thereby encapsulating said width-wise edge
of said airlaid composite.
29. The surface cleaning pad of claim 28, said barrier additionally
folded over at least one length-wise edge of said airlaid
composite, thereby encapsulating said length-wise edge of said
airlaid composite.
30. The surface cleaning pad of claim 28, further comprising at
least one attachment member coupled to said barrier of said pad
body, said attachment member being positioned for attachment to a
bottom side of a cleaning implement.
31. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body; means coupled to
said pad body for attaching said pad body to a cleaning implement
and facilitating use of said surface cleaning pad to clean a
surface with the cleaning implement; and means coupled to said pad
body for engaging said surface cleaning pad to a hand of a user and
facilitating use of said surface cleaning pad to clean a surface
without use of the cleaning implement.
32. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, said attaching means
comprising: means for attaching said pad body to a bottom side of a
head portion of the cleaning implement; and means for attaching
said pad body to a top side of the head portion of the cleaning
implement.
33. The surface cleaning pad of claim 32, said attaching means
comprising a perforated sheet fastened to said pad body and
configured to couple with a bottom side of a head portion of the
cleaning implement, said perforated sheet separable into
independent segments configured to couple with a top side of the
head portion of the cleaning implement.
34. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, said engaging means
comprising a hand strap having end portions coupled to said pad
body, said hand strap and said pad body together defining a passage
sized and positioned to receive the hand of the user.
35. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, said pad body being
formed from an airlaid composite.
36. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, said mechanical attaching
means comprising a hook or loop fastener.
37. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, further comprising a tab
coupled to said pad body to facilitate detachment of said pad body
from the cleaning implement.
38. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body having a width
generally corresponding to that of a head portion of a cleaning
implement; and a perforated sheet oriented to extend substantially
across said pad body in a width-wise direction, said perforated
sheet having end portions fastened to the pad body and a surface
extending in said width-wise direction configured to couple with a
bottom side of the head portion of the cleaning implement, said
perforated sheet being separable into independent segments
configured to couple with a top side of the head portion of the
cleaning implement.
39. The surface cleaning pad of claim 38, said perforated sheet
being formed from an elastic material.
40. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body formed from an
airlaid composite, said pad body having a cleansing surface
configured for cleansing contact with a surface to be cleaned and
an opposite surface configured to be positioned facing a cleaning
implement; a barrier adhered to and substantially covering said
opposite surface of said pad body; and a pair of dirt entrapment
members adhered to said cleansing surface of said pad body.
41. The surface cleaning pad of claim 40, said dirt entrapment
members each comprising a strip of dirt entrapment material folded
over and adhered.
42. A surface cleaning pad configured for attachment to a cleaning
implement, said surface cleaning pad comprising a pad body and a
barrier coupled to said pad body, wherein at least one portion of
said barrier is folded and coupled to itself in a first
configuration to be stored between the pad body and the cleaning
implement and wherein said at least one portion of said barrier is
attached to the cleaning implement in a second configuration.
43. The surface cleaning pad of claim 42, further comprising an
attachment member coupled to said barrier for attaching said pad
body to a surface of the cleaning implement.
44. The surface cleaning pad of claim 42, further comprising a
cohesive positioned to couple said folded portion of said barrier
to itself.
45. The surface cleaning pad of claim 31, said means for attaching
said pad body to a cleaning implement comprising at least one strap
positionable to secure said pad body to said cleaning
implement.
46. A surface cleaning pad comprising: a pad body formed from an
airlaid composite, said pad body having a first surface configured
to face a surface to be cleaned and an opposite surface configured
to be positioned facing a cleaning implement; a barrier adhered to
and substantially covering said opposite surface of said pad body;
and a pair of dirt entrapment members coupled to said pad body and
positioned to be interposed between said first surface of said pad
body and the surface to be cleaned.
47. The surface cleaning pad of claim 46 wherein the entrapment
members are adjacent said first surface.
48. The surface cleaning pad of claim 46 wherein the entrapment
members are coupled directly to said first surface.
49. The surface cleaning pad of claim 46 wherein at least opposite
ends of each of the dirt entrapment members are fixed with respect
to said pad body across their width.
50. The surface cleaning pad of claim 49 wherein the opposite ends
of said entrapment members are fixed to said pad body.
51. The surface cleaning pad of claim 49 wherein each of the dirt
entrapment members are fixed with respect to said pad body along
their length.
52. The surface cleaning pad of claim 51 wherein a longitudinally
extending edge of each dirt entrapment member is fixed with respect
to said pad body.
53. The surface cleaning pad of claim 51 wherein each of the dirt
entrapment members is fixed to said pad body.
54. The surface cleaning pad of claim 51 wherein a longitudinally
extending edge of each of the entrapment members is not fixed with
respect to said pad body.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an absorbent cleaning pad
and to a method for fabricating the absorbent cleaning pad.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional floor mops comprise a handle rotatably
connected to a mop head and a disposable absorbent cleaning pad
coupled to the mop head. One side of the disposable absorbent
cleaning pad is placed in direct contact with a surface to be
cleaned and the opposing side of the cleaning pad is coupled to the
mop head. The absorbent pad absorbs and retains fluids, and loosens
and traps dirt particles on the cleaning surface.
[0003] There are several mechanisms used to attach a cleaning pad
to a mop head. These mechanisms generally allow for releasable
attachment of the cleaning pad to the mop head so that it can be
removed and discarded after use.
[0004] For example, a disposable absorbent cleaning pad coupled to
a mop head is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,552. The disposable
absorbent cleaning pad provides VELCRO loop fasteners which couple
with VELCRO hook fasteners positioned on the underside of a mop
head. A disposable absorbent cleaning pad coupled to a mop head is
also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,554 and 6,807,702. In these
examples, the disposable cleaning pad provides attachment tabs
which are configured for insertion into retaining apertures
positioned on the topside of the mop head.
[0005] Nevertheless, there continues to be a need to further refine
and improve absorbent cleaning pads and the mechanisms used to
attach a disposable cleaning pad to a cleaning implement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a surface cleaning
pad is provided having a pad body configured for attachment to a
cleaning implement and a tab coupled to the pad body and extending
beyond an edge of the pad body. The tab is configured to be grasped
by a user of the cleaning implement to facilitate detachment of the
pad body from the cleaning implement.
[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is
provided for assembling a surface cleaning pad. A barrier is
applied to a surface of an airlaid composite. The barrier is then
folded over at least one width-wise edge of the airlaid composite,
thereby encapsulating the width-wise edge of the airlaid
composite.
[0008] According to still another aspect of this invention, a
surface cleaning pad is provided having a pad body. The surface
cleaning pad also includes means coupled to the pad body for
attaching the pad body to a cleaning implement and facilitating use
of the surface cleaning pad to clean a surface with the cleaning
implement. Also included is a means coupled to the pad body for
engaging the surface cleaning pad to a hand of a user and
facilitating use of the surface cleaning pad to clean a surface
without use of the cleaning implement.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention provides a surface cleaning
pad having a pad body with a width generally corresponding to that
of a head portion of a cleaning implement. A perforated sheet is
oriented to extend substantially across the pad body in a
width-wise direction. The perforated sheet has end portions
fastened to the pad body, a central portion between the end
portions that is not fastened to the pad body, and a surface
extending across the central portion in the width-wise direction
configured to couple with a bottom side of the head portion of the
cleaning implement. The perforated sheet is separable into
independent segments configured to couple with a top side of the
head portion of the cleaning implement.
[0010] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a surface
cleaning pad having a pad body formed from an airlaid composite and
having a cleansing surface configured for cleansing contact with a
surface to be cleaned and an opposite surface configured to be
positioned facing a cleaning implement. The surface cleaning pad
also has a barrier adhered to and substantially covering the
opposite surface of the pad body and a pair of scrubbing members
adhered to the cleansing surface of the pad body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described
with reference to the drawings, of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an end view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a right side view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 7-16 illustrate exemplary assembly and fabrication
steps for making the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIG.
6;
[0019] FIG. 17 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 18 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 17;
[0021] FIG. 19 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 20 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 19;
[0023] FIGS. 21-25 illustrate exemplary assembly and fabrication
steps used to make the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIGS.
19 and 20;
[0024] FIG. 26 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 27 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 26;
[0026] FIG. 28 is a top view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 29 is a partial end view of the absorbent cleaning pad
illustrated in FIG. 28, showing an overlapping flap portion;
[0028] FIG. 30 is a right side view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0029] FIG. 31 is a top view of an absorbent cleaning pad in
accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various
modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the
invention. Also, the embodiments selected for illustration in the
figures are not shown to scale and are not limited to the
proportions shown.
[0031] Referring to the overall structure of one exemplary
embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an absorbent cleaning pad
designated generally by the numeral "10". Generally, the absorbent
cleaning pad 10 has a pad body formed from an airlaid composite and
having a cleansing surface configured for cleansing contact with a
surface to be cleaned and an opposite surface configured to be
positioned facing a cleaning implement. The surface cleaning pad
also has a barrier adhered to and substantially covering the
opposite surface of the pad body and a pair of dirt entrapment
members adhered to the cleansing surface of the pad body.
[0032] More specifically, the exemplary absorbent cleaning pad 10
is provided with an absorbent layer in the form of an airlaid
composite 20, dirt entrapment surfaces in the form of two lofty
cuffs 25, a barrier layer 40, and two attachment members 45.
[0033] Each lofty cuff 25 is folded into two equal segments and
positioned along the length "B" of the airlaid composite 20. A
single 3-D apertured film strip 35 is sandwiched between the folded
layers of each lofty cuff 25. An adhesive 30 binds both sides of
the 3-D apertured film strip 35 to the inner surfaces of the lofty
cuff 25. A portion of the width of each lofty cuff 25 is bonded to
a cleaning side 21 of the airlaid composite 20 using an adhesive
30. The lofty cuffs 25 are positioned so that the closed-face
folded ends 26 face each other. The barrier layer 40 is adhered to
the backing side 22 of the airlaid composite 20 using an adhesive
30.
[0034] Two attachment members 45 are adhered to the barrier layer
40 using an adhesive 30. In this embodiment, the attachment members
45 are composed of hook or loop material such as VELCRO loop
material available from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. The
functional side of the VELCRO loop material faces away from the
barrier layer 40. The attachment members 45 are optionally
positioned along the entire length of the barrier layer 40 and are
separated by a distance "C" from the side edges of the barrier
layer 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0035] In functional terms, the airlaid composite 20 of the
exemplary embodiment absorbs and retains fluids and/or other matter
residing on a surface to be cleaned. The lofty cuff 25 serves to
facilitate the removal of soils from the surface being cleaned by
contacting and trapping larger soil particles. The lofty cuff 25
may provide structural integrity and rigidity by being folded and
adhered to itself or a single ply of lofty cuff material could be
selected to provide these properties. The 3-D apertured film strip
35 within each cuff 25 provides structural integrity and improved
rigidity to the lofty cuff 25 and further traps particles from
small solid particles to those suspended in liquid. However, the
use of 3-D apertured film strip 35 within each cuff 25 is optional.
The barrier layer 40 substantially prevents fluid from passing from
the airlaid composite 20 to the mop head or other structure to
which the cleaning pad 10 may be attached. If the cleaning pad 10
is configured to be attached to a mop head, the barrier is
configured to keep the mop head substantially free of fluid.
[0036] The attachment members 45 provide a single attachment
mechanism to temporarily couple the absorbent cleaning pad 10 to
the mop head. In other words, the attachment members 45 facilitate
releasable engagement of the cleaning pad 10 to a surface of a
cleaning implement. That surface may be the bottom side surface of
a mop head or another portion of a cleaning implement.
[0037] In the exemplary embodiment and still referring to FIG. 1
and 2, the attachment members 45 are VELCRO loop fasteners adhered
to the barrier layer and optionally configured to couple with hook
fasteners such as a VELCRO hook fastener(s) on a bottom-side
surface of a commercially available mop head. The VELCRO loop and
hook fasteners are configured to withstand the pressure and stress
associated with typical mopping and scrubbing motions against a
surface being cleaned. The VELCRO loop and hook fasteners
substantially limit the absorbent cleaning pad 10 from shifting,
bunching, or otherwise becoming unattached, either partially or in
whole, from the mop head. The attachment member(s) 45 may
optionally be designed in such a way as to allow for attachment to
multiple types of commercially available mop systems as described
in further detail later.
[0038] While the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2
utilizes a loop fastener for attachment to a hook fastener of
another component, the cleaning pad is alternatively provided with
a hook fastener for attachment to a loop fastener of another
component. Also, other forms of fasteners are contemplated as well,
including adhesives, co-adhesives, and other known fastening
mechanisms.
[0039] Referring now to the material composition of the exemplary
embodiment, the airlaid composite 20 is a unitized body with an
absorbent core optionally composed of wood pulp and binder fibers.
The binder fibers form the overall structure of the airlaid
composite 20, and the wood fibers provide absorbency. The term
"unitized" refers to the airlaid as being composed of one material
composite. However, the airlaid composite 20 may be composed of
multiple material layers adhered to one another.
[0040] The airlaid composite 20 is commonly fabricated using an
airlaying process, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,276, which
is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. According to
U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,276, airlaying is a process by which a fibrous
non-woven layer is formed. In the airlaying process, bundles of
small fibers, i.e. binder fibers according to the exemplary
embodiment, are separated and entrained in an air supply and then
deposited by a forming head onto a forming screen in multiple
stages, usually with the assistance of a vacuum supply. The
randomly deposited fibers then are bonded to one another using, for
example, hot air or a spray adhesive.
[0041] Additional benefits and features of an airlaid composite
construction are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx,
filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No. TCO4-118US). The
disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. Although this embodiment
includes a absorbent pad body formed from an airlaid composite,
this invention is not limited to an absorbent pad body having an
airlaid structure. Other absorbent pad body materials, structures
and/or processes are contemplated as well. For example, an
absorbent core made of long polymeric filaments prepared by
expanding a polymer tow, disclosed in International Publication No.
WO 2004/017883, is also contemplated for use as an absorbent pad.
The disclosure of International Publication No. WO 2004/017883 is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0042] The barrier layer 40 may be composed of a semi-pervious or
impervious material. The barrier layer 40 can be made of any
material known in the art, which substantially limits the passage
of fluid. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include
plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and
similar materials, as well as hydrophobic foams, airlaids,
wetlaids, and laminations thereof. The barrier optionally takes the
form of a film, sheet, or similar substrate. Further details of
exemplary barriers are described in U.S. application Ser. No.
xx/xxx,xxx, filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No.
TCO4-122US). The disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0043] The lofty cuff 25 material has a relatively large and open
pore structure to trap particles and is configured to be flexible,
sustain multiple uses and resist tearing or deformation. The lofty
cuff 25 may optionally be composed of apertured polyethylene or
polypropylene films, foams, airlaids, wetlaids, or laminations and
combinations thereof. The lofty cuff 25 component may be either
hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Further details of exemplary cuffs are
described in U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx, filed
concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No. TCO4-129US). The
disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0044] The attachment member 45 may be composed of any structure or
material providing an attachment mechanism to a cleaning implement
such as a commercial mop head. Some examples include hook and loop
fasteners, adhesives, cohesives, snap-in structures, magnetic
elements or any other attachment mechanism commonly known in the
art. These materials may optionally have elastic functionality.
[0045] The 3-D apertured film strip 35 may optionally be composed
of polyethylene or polypropylene films. The adhesive 30 of the
exemplary embodiment may be composed of any material sufficient to
provide a bond between the absorbent cleaning pad components. In
the exemplary embodiment and by way of non-limiting example, one
exemplary adhesive is manufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St.
Paul, Minn., e.g., Part Number 1696. However, one skilled in the
art will recognize that other types of adhesive and other fastener
mechanisms are suitable for this application.
[0046] Referring to the size of the exemplary embodiment components
as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the width "A" of the airlaid
composite 20 may be any dimension sufficient to cover all or a
portion of the width of a surface of a cleaning implement, such as
a mop head for example. For the purposes of illustration only, the
width "A" may be about 5.7 inches. The length "B" of the airlaid
composite 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be any dimension
sufficient to cover all or a portion of the length of the cleaning
implement. For the purposes of illustration only, the length "B"
may be about 11.6 inches.
[0047] The thickness "E" of the airlaid composite 20, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, may be any dimension sufficient to absorb an
appropriate volume of fluid and retain its structural integrity
when wet. The length and width of the attachment member 45 may be
any dimension suitable to adequately couple with another structure
such as a mop head. The distance "C" separating the side of the
airlaid composite 20 and the side of the attachment member 45 may
be any dimension suitable to adequately couple the attachment
member with the cleaning implement. The length and width of the
barrier layer 40 may be any dimension sufficient to cover all or a
portion of the airlaid composite 20.
[0048] The length of the lofty cuff 25 may be any dimension
sufficient to cover all or a portion of the length "B" of the
airlaid composite 20. The width "D" of the folded lofty cuff 25 may
be any dimension sufficient to cover a portion of the width "A" of
the airlaid composite 20. The width "D" should be small enough to
provide adequate surface area for the airlaid composite 20 and
large enough to provide an adequate scrubbing surface area to
remove particles from the cleaning surface.
[0049] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning
pad 110 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The absorbent cleaning pad
110 is provided with an airlaid composite 120, two lofty cuffs 125,
a barrier layer 140, and two attachment members 145. The absorbent
cleaning pad 110 is additionally provided with Super Absorbent
Particles (SAP) 150 dispersed throughout at least a discrete zone
of the airlaid composite 120. In other words, the SAP 150 may be
"zoned" as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively the SAP
150 may be dispersed evenly throughout the body of the airlaid
composite 120.
[0050] Resulting from the addition of SAP 150, the barrier layer
140 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 is especially advantageous. To
prevent the escapement of the zoned SAP 150 during usage, handling,
or shipping of the cleaning pad 110, the barrier layer 140 is
folded over the two width-wise sides or edges 124 of the airlaid
composite 120. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the folded sides 141 of
the barrier layer 140 are adhered to the airlaid composite 120,
using an adhesive 130.
[0051] The SAP 150 in this embodiment is concentrated in the center
of the width of the airlaid composite 120 designated by dimension
"F", and is isolated from the open and exposed length-wise sides
123. The SAP 150 is substantially concentrated in the center of the
width of the airlaid composite 120 to prevent the SAP 150 from
escaping out of the exposed length-wise sides 123 of the airlaid
composite 120. Though not illustrated, it is also envisioned that
the SAP 150 may be concentrated in the center of the width
"A.sub.1" and the length "B.sub.1" of the airlaid composite 120,
thereby isolating SAP 150 from the entire periphery of the airlaid
composite 120. In such case, the barrier layer 140 is not required
to cover the length-wise sides 123 or the width-wise sides 124 to
prevent the escapement of SAP 150 along the periphery of the
airlaid composite 120.
[0052] Additional benefits and features of a "zoned" SAP
construction are disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx,
filed concurrently herewith (Attorney Docket No. TCO4-119US). The
disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. xx/xxx,xxx is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0053] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent
cleaning pad 210 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with an airlaid
composite 220, two lofty cuffs 225, a barrier layer 240, two
attachment members 245, and super absorbent particles (SAP) 250. In
this exemplary embodiment, the Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 250
are dispersed throughout the entire airlaid composite 220.
Accordingly, to reduce or prevent the escapement of SAP 250 from
the exposed sides of the airlaid composite 220, the barrier layer
240 is especially advantageous. The barrier layer 240 is folded
over the length-wise of the airlaid composite 220, and the
cut-and-place barrier layer 260 is attached to the width-wise sides
of the airlaid composite 220, with some overlap, in order to
prevent the SAP 250 from escaping along the periphery of the
airlaid composite 220.
[0054] Exemplary steps used to fabricate the embodiment of cleaning
pad 210 shown in FIG. 6 are illustrated in FIGS. 7-16. Many of the
following steps illustrated in FIGS. 7-16 are also relevant to the
fabrication of the prior exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS.
1-5. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the material used to form lofty cuff
225 is unwound and cut (designated by the triangle symbol) to a
predetermined length and width. An adhesive 230 is then applied to
a single side of the lofty cuff 225. The lofty cuff 225 is folded
over itself, maintaining the adhesive 230 on the interior of the
fold, as illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0055] A portion of the width of the lofty cuff 225 is adhered to
the airlaid composite 220 using an adhesive 230, as illustrated in
FIG. 9. An adhesive 230 is then applied to the barrier side 222 of
the airlaid composite 220, before the barrier side 222 is centered
and applied to the sheet used to form barrier layer 240, as
illustrated in FIG. 10. At this stage, a plurality of airlaid
composites 220 are centered and applied to the sheet forming
barrier layer 240, and the airlaid composites 220 are separated by
a distance "G", also illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0056] An adhesive 230 is applied to a single side of a
"cut-and-place" barrier layer 260 (FIG. 11) that is cut to a
predetermined length and width. The width "H" of the cut-and-place
barrier layer 260 may optionally be smaller than the width "J" of
the barrier layer 240. The adhesive side of the cut-and-place
barrier layer 260 is centered and applied over the width-wise ends
of adjacent airlaid composites 220, as illustrated in FIG. 11. The
adhesive 230 on the underside of the cut-and-place barrier layer
260 bonds the cut-and-place barrier layer 260 to the airlaid
composite 220 and the sheet forming barrier layer 240. In other
words, the cut-and-place barrier layer 260 traverses the gap "G"
between two adjacent airlaid composites 220 and overlaps the
width-wise ends of the airlaid composites 220.
[0057] Referring now to FIG. 12, the material forming attachment
member 245 is unwound and cut (designated by the triangle symbol)
to a predetermined length and width, as illustrated schematically
in FIG. 12. An adhesive 230 is then applied to the non-functional
side of the attachment member 245, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The
non-functional, adhesive side of the attachment member 245 is
applied to the barrier layer 240, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The
free ends of the barrier layer 240 extending along the length of
the airlaid composite 220 are each folded over and adhered to the
cut-and-place barrier layer 260 and the lofty cuff 225, as
illustrated in FIG. 15. The barrier layer 240 partially overlaps
the lofty cuffs 225, thereby encapsulating a portion of the lofty
cuffs 225. The absorbent cleaning pads 210 are finally cut and
separated from one another, as illustrated in FIG. 16.
[0058] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIG. 6, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad
310 illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 is provided with an airlaid
composite 320, two lofty cuffs 325, a barrier layer 340, and two
attachment member strips 345. In this exemplary embodiment, the
airlaid composite 320 does not include Super Absorbent Particles
(SAP), and the periphery of the airlaid composite 320 need not be
sealed. However, it is envisioned that SAP is optionally
concentrated in the center of the airlaid composite 320, to prevent
SAP from escaping from the airlaid composite.
[0059] The barrier layer 340 differs from the barrier layer
illustrated in the previous exemplary embodiment. The barrier layer
340 of this exemplary embodiment serves two purposes, i.e.
preventing fluid from contacting the cleaning implement to which it
is attached and providing an attachment mechanism to fasten the
absorbent cleaning pad 310 to the cleaning implement.
[0060] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18
provides attachment members 345 (e.g., loop strips) configured to
couple with an attachment member(s) on the underside of a cleaning
implement such as a mop head (not shown). By way of non-limiting
example, the attachment members 345 may be VELCRO loop strips and
the attachment members on the underside of the mop head may be
VELCRO hook strips, or visa versa.
[0061] In addition to the attachment mechanism provided by the
attachment members 345, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 17
and 18 provides a secondary mop head attachment mechanism. The
barrier layer forms two tab portions 355 that may be inserted into
retaining structures of an cleaning implement, such as the ones
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,046. However, one skilled in the
art will understand that a wide variety of other types of retaining
structures are suitable to retain an absorbent cleaning pad and
provide the same benefits.
[0062] The retaining means located on the top surface of a cleaning
implement such as a mop head are suitable for mechanically engaging
and retaining a sheet of material incorporated with or attached to
an absorbent cleaning pad. Non-limiting examples of retaining means
located on the top surface of a mop head include clamps, clips,
mechanical fasteners such as hook or loop fasteners, pins and the
like such as the ones described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,250 and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,698,030. One skilled in the art will also understand
that the previously described retaining means can also be located
on the sides or other surfaces of a mop head and still provide the
same benefits.
[0063] Referring still to FIGS. 17 and 18, the barrier layer 340 is
adhered to the barrier side 324 of the airlaid composite 320 using
an adhesive 330. Both side edges of the barrier layer 340 are
folded a first time forming two wing portions 356. A portion of
each wing portion 356 is adhered to the barrier layer 340 using an
adhesive 330. The barrier layer 340 is folded a second time to form
four tab portions 355, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18. The tab
portions 355 are adhered to the wing portions 356 using an adhesive
or cohesive strip 330. The four tab portions 355 are free to
separate from the airlaid composite 320, as illustrated by the
dotted line segment in FIG. 17. The tab portions 355 are configured
to insert into retaining structures on the top or side of a mop
head.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, similar to the absorbent
cleaning pad embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the exemplary
embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 410 is provided with an
airlaid composite 420, two lofty cuffs 425, a barrier layer 440,
Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 450 dispersed throughout the
airlaid composite 420, and two attachment members 445 configured to
couple with a portion of a cleaning implement such as a mop
head.
[0065] In this exemplary embodiment, the SAP 450 are dispersed
throughout the entire airlaid composite 420. Similar to the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the barrier layer 440 is folded
over the length-wise sides of the airlaid composite 420 to prevent
the SAP 450 from escaping along the longitudinal periphery of the
airlaid composite 420. The cut-and-place barrier layer 460 prevents
the SAP 450 from escaping along the transverse periphery of the
airlaid composite 420.
[0066] In addition to the mop head attachment mechanism provided by
the attachment members 445, this exemplary embodiment provides a
secondary means for attachment. The exemplary embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 is provided with four flap portions
470. The tab portions 470 are free to separate from the airlaid
composite 420, as illustrated by the dotted line segment in FIG.
19. The four flap portions 470 can be inserted into retaining
structures positioned on the top or side of a mop head, such as the
ones described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,046. However, one skilled in
the art will recognize that many other types of retaining means are
suitable to retain an absorbent cleaning pad and provide the same
benefits.
[0067] The flap portions 470 are configured to withstand the
pressure and stress associated with typical mopping and scrubbing
motions against a surface being cleaned and are configured to limit
the absorbent cleaning pad 410 from shifting, bunching, or
otherwise becoming unattached, either partially or in whole, from
the mop head. In this exemplary embodiment, the length "K", width
"L" and thickness of the flap portions 470 may be any dimension
sufficient to reach and be adequately retained by the retaining
structures disposed on the cleaning implement.
[0068] The flap portions 470 may be composed of numerous materials.
Some examples include loop material, polyethylene or polypropylene
films, wetlaids, wovens, nonwovens, airlaids, polyester films, or
laminations and combinations thereof. These materials may be either
hydrophilic or hydrophobic and optionally have elastic
functionality.
[0069] The four flap portions 470 may be individually adhered to
the barrier layer 440 using adhesive 430. The four flap portions
470 may also provide an optional attachment member 465 configured
to couple with the attachment members 445. As a non-limiting
example, the attachment member 445 may be a loop fastener and the
attachment member 465 may be a hook fastener (or visa versa), but
one skilled in the art will understand that other kinds of
retaining means are suitable to retain the flap portions 470 to the
absorbent cleaning pad 410.
[0070] Exemplary steps that can be used to fabricate cleaning pad
410 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 are
illustrated in FIGS. 7-16 and 21-25. FIGS. 7-16 were previously
described with reference to another exemplary cleaning pad
embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 21, material used to form each of
the four attachment members 465 is unwound and cut to a
predetermined length. An adhesive 430 is then applied to the
non-functional side of each attachment member 465. The material
used to form each flap portion 470 is unwound and cut to a
predetermined length and width, as illustrated in FIG. 22.
[0071] The adhesive side of the attachment member 465 is positioned
and applied to each flap portion 470, as illustrated in FIG. 23. An
additional bead of adhesive 430 is applied to the ends of the four
flap portions 470, as illustrated in FIG. 24. The flap portions 470
are each adhered to the barrier layer 440 using the adhesive 430 as
illustrated in FIG. 25. The optional attachment members 465 are
coupled with the attachment members 445. The final fabrication
steps are illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0072] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 19 and 20, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent
cleaning pad 510 illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27 is provided with an
airlaid composite 520, two lofty cuffs 525, a barrier layer 540
folded over the length-wise sides of the airlaid composite 520, and
Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 550 dispersed throughout the entire
airlaid composite 520. The cut-and-place barrier layer 560 prevents
the SAP 550 from escaping along the transverse periphery of the
airlaid composite 520. An additional bead of adhesive 530 is
applied to the ends of the perforated flap portions 570.
[0073] The exemplary embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad
provides two means for attachment to a conventional mop head, as
the perforated flap portions 570 are capable of separating along
the perforation line 574. In a united state, the two perforated
flap portions 570 are configured to couple with the bottom side of
a mop head. In a separated state, the de-perforated flap portions
570 form four flap portions 570. The separate flap portions 570 can
be inserted into retaining structures on the top or side of a mop
head, such as the ones described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,046.
Optional attachment member 565 may be a loop fastener that is
adhered to the barrier layer 540 with adhesive 530. The optional
attachment member 565 is advantageous if the two tab portions 570
are not comprised of a loop material that could attach to a mop
head.
[0074] Two tab portions 575, optionally contiguous with the flap
portions 570, are provided to ease the removal of the absorbent
cleaning pad 510 from the mop head. In use, the user tugs on the
two tab portions 575 to remove the absorbent cleaning pad 510 from
the mop head without having to contact dirty airlaid composite 520,
dirty lofty cuff 525 or the mop head. The two tab portions 575
extend outward from the airlaid composite 520, lofty cuff 525 and
mop head. It is optional that only one tab portion may be provided
on flap portion 570 and the tab portions 575 could be positioned on
any longitudinal side of the absorbent cleaning pad 510. The tab
portion 575 may also extend outward at each or one transverse end
580 of the absorbent cleaning pad 510, if so desired.
[0075] The length "M", width "N" and thickness of the flap portions
570 may be any dimension suitable to permit the user to remove the
absorbent cleaning pad 510. The flap portions 570 may be composed
of many different materials. Some examples include loop material,
polyethylene or polypropylene films, wetlaids, wovens, nonwovens,
airlaids, polyester films, or laminations and combinations thereof.
These materials may be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic and
optionally have elastic functionality.
[0076] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 26 and 27, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent
cleaning pad 610 illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 is provided with an
airlaid composite, two lofty cuffs, a barrier layer folded over the
length-wise and the width-wise sides of the airlaid composite,
Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) dispersed throughout the entire
airlaid composite, and two attachment members 645 configured to
couple with a mop head 680.
[0077] In addition to the mop head attachment mechanism provided by
the attachment members 645, this exemplary embodiment provides a
secondary means for attachment. The four overlapping flap portions
670 are configured to engage a mop head 680. In use, the flap
portions 670 wrap around the mop head 680 and attach to each other,
thereby coupling the absorbent cleaning pad 610 to the mop head, as
illustrated in FIG. 29. The flap portions 670 may be composed of
VELCRO fasteners, or any other material capable of coupling one
flap portion 670 to another.
[0078] A third attachment member 645 adhered to the barrier layer
640 is optionally provided to couple with the mop head to further
limit the absorbent cleaning pad 610 from shifting, bunching, or
otherwise becoming unattached, either partially or in whole, from
the mop head.
[0079] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 19 and 20, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent
cleaning pad 710 illustrated in FIG. 30 is additionally provided
with an extendable tab portion 770. The extendable tab portion 770
has a "Z" shape when viewed from the side and is configured to
unfold and extend in the indicated direction. The extended tab
portion 770 unfolds to provide a greater distance between the user
and the dirty cleaning pad and mop head. The extendable tab
portions 770 could optionally be positioned on any side of the
absorbent cleaning pad 710.
[0080] In use, the extendable tab portion 770 is stored in a
Z-shape position as shown to avoid contact with the dirty cleaning
surface. To separate the absorbent cleaning pad 710 from the mop
head, the user pulls and extends the tab portion 770 until the
absorbent cleaning pad 710 separates from the mop head.
[0081] Similar to the absorbent cleaning pad embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 26 and 27, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent
cleaning pad 810 illustrated in FIG. 31 is additionally provided
with a mechanism for engaging the hand of a user such that the
cleaning pad can be used, without the need for a cleaning
implement, for hand-cleaning a surface. In this embodiment, the
cleaning pad 810 is provided with a hand strap 880, for example.
The material used to form hand strap 880 is optionally elastic,
though a wide variety of materials can be used. An additional bead
of adhesive 830 is applied to the ends of the perforated flap
portions 870 and hand strap 880.
[0082] The absorbent cleaning pad 810 also provides perforated flap
portions 870 that can be used to couple with a top or bottom side
of a mop head. In this manner, the absorbent cleaning pad 810 is
similar to several embodiments described previously.
[0083] The elastic hand strap 880 is configured to permit the user
to operate the absorbent cleaning pad 810 independent from a
cleaning implement such as a mop. The elastic hand strap 880
provided on the absorbent cleaning pad 810 may be useful for
cleaning any small, delicate, or non-planar surface that a mop head
can not clean or is unable to access.
[0084] The elastic hand strap 880 may be composed of any elastic
material flexible enough to stretch around a child and an
adult-sized hand and rigid enough to firmly grip a child and an
adult-sized hand. In another embodiment (not shown), the perforated
flap portions 870 themselves are optionally composed of an elastic
material to provide a hand strap to permit the user to operate the
absorbent cleaning pad 810 independent from a mop. In such an
embodiment, the hand strap 880 can be eliminated.
[0085] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various
modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range
of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the
invention. Also, the embodiments selected for illustration in the
figures are not shown to scale and are not limited to the
proportions shown.
* * * * *