U.S. patent application number 11/308792 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for cleaning cloth assembly.
Invention is credited to Israel JR. Benitez, Mary Sarao.
Application Number | 20070256261 11/308792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38659874 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070256261 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benitez; Israel JR. ; et
al. |
November 8, 2007 |
CLEANING CLOTH ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A cleaning cloth assembly has a microfiber fabric layer, a knit
mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer, and the
layers connected about perimeter edges.
Inventors: |
Benitez; Israel JR.; (Plano,
TX) ; Sarao; Mary; (Plano, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DANIEL V. THOMPSON
9330 LBJ FWY.
SUITE 1185
DALLAS
TX
75243
US
|
Family ID: |
38659874 |
Appl. No.: |
11/308792 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/118 ;
15/209.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 19/00 20130101;
A47K 7/02 20130101; A47L 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/118 ;
015/209.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/10 20060101
A47L013/10 |
Claims
1. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising: a microfiber fabric
layer; a knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric
layer; and the layers being connected about perimeter edges of the
layers.
2. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the microfiber
fabric layer having a nubbly weave pattern.
3. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the knit mesh
netting layer having openings of about 1/8 inch.
4. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with a stitch in the
center of the layers to prevent them from separating.
5. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the layers being
connected by a binding joining the layers.
6. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising: a microfiber fabric layer
having a nubbly weave pattern; a knit mesh netting layer adjacent
to the microfiber fabric layer and having openings of about 1/8
inch; and the layers being connected about perimeter edges of the
layers by a binding joining the layers.
7. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 6 with a stitch in the
center of the layers to prevent them from separating.
8. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising: a microfiber fabric
layer; the microfiber fabric layer having a nubbly weave pattern; a
knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer;
the knit mesh netting layer having openings of about 1/8 inch; a
stitch in the center of the layers to prevent them from separating;
and a binding joining the layers about perimeter edges of the
layers.
Description
[0001] Microfiber is relatively recent fabric development that is
typically a blend of polyester and polyamide. Most commonly
microfiber fabric is constructed in a blend of 80/20, 75/25, or
70/30, ratios of polyester/polyamide.
[0002] Microfiber performs better for cleaning tasks than other
types of material, because the micro-fibers are split in such a way
that their surface area is greatly increased. This creates a
capillary action that makes microfiber super absorbent, and makes
it cling to all kinds of dust, dirt and grime.
[0003] Microfiber has many applications relating to cleaning in
general. The blend of microscopic polyester and polyamide fibers
are split in such a way as to create microscopic "hooks" which act
as claws that scrape up and hold dust, dirt, and grime.
[0004] The present invention combines microfiber and knit mesh
layers to obtain a surprisingly effective cleaning cloth assembly.
In one embodiment, the cleaning cloth assembly is a washcloth for
use in human skin cleaning. Other versions of the cleaning cloth
may be incorporated into such implements as mops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning cloth constructed in
accordance with the invention.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a back view of the cleaning cloth of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially broken-away front view of
the cleaning cloth, and
[0009] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially broken-away back view of the
cleaning cloth.
[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, where like numerals indicate like and
corresponding elements, cleaning cloth assembly 10 includes a a
microfiber fabric layer 12 and a knit mesh netting layer 14
adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer 12. The microfiber fabric
layer has a nubbly weave pattern, as shown in FIG. 5, and is
preferably of a 70/30 ratio of polyester/polyamide. The knit mesh
netting layer 14 has openings 16 of about 1/8 inch. Openings 16 in
the range of 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch would be equivalently
effective. An optional stitch 18 in the center of the layers 12,14
may be provided to prevent them from separating. A binding 20 joins
the layers 12,14 about perimeter edges of the layers 12,14. A
hanging loop 22 extends from one corner of the cleaning cloth
assembly 10, though other equivalent locations for the loop may be
used alternatively. Loop 22 may be made of the material of binding
20 or it may be a rope, a piece of fabric, or other
construction.
[0011] In the preferred embodiment cleaning cloth assembly 10 is
made of a nubbly weave microfiber fabric, knit mesh netting and a
binding. It can also be made of other variations of microfiber
fabric or similar materials containing the same characteristics.
The preferred knit mesh netting has approximately 1/8 inch
openings, but it may be made using knit mesh of other diameters of
openings as well. It may also be made of other types of microfiber
materials so long as they are absorbent and relatively quick
drying.
[0012] Cleaning cloth assembly 10 is made by sewing the two fabrics
together with a binding. The binding is also used to form a hook
for hanging the cloth for drying. There is one stitch in the center
of the cloth to prevent the cloths from separating completely.
[0013] In operation, when cleaning cloth assembly 10 is used as a
human skin washcloth, it creates generous lather, exfoliates the
skin and cleans the skin by removing soap, dirt, exfoliated skin
and oil from the surface of the skin. It is quick drying and can be
used reused after washing.
[0014] The advantage of cleaning cloth assembly 10 is that it
lathers like a mesh sponge or scrunchie but has the feel and weight
of a washcloth. The knit mesh side exfoliates the skin removing
dead skin cells. The microfiber side provides superior cleaning by
removing the dead skin, soap, dirt and oil from the surface of the
skin. The cleaning cloth assembly of the present invention can be
used on all areas of the body including face, ears, nose and
genital areas for which mesh sponges or scrunchies are unsuitable.
Cleaning cloth assembly 10 provides superior lather, like a mesh
sponge, without the limitations on use that encumber mesh sponges.
The fibers of the microfiber push through the netting slightly,
holding the netting in place and preventing it from twisting or
rolling up.
[0015] Conventional washcloths are generally made of terrycloth
which do not provide any of the benefits offered by the cleaning
cloth assembly 10. They do not exfoliate the skin, they do not
lather well, and they do not provide the superior removal of dirt,
oil, dead skin and soap that the cleaning cloth assembly 10
provides. In addition, washcloths do not air dry as efficiently as
microfiber cloths. Mesh sponges exfoliate the skin and lather well,
but they do not effectively remove soap, dirt and oil from the
skin.
[0016] The surprising results of the combination of microfiber and
knit mesh in a washcloth include that cleaning cloth assembly 10
cleans and invigorates the skin in a superior manner. Women who
have used the cleaning cloth assembly 10 report that their faces
feel so clean that it feels like they have had a facial. Their
faces and complexions have a healthy glow after using the cleaning
cloth assembly 10. Users also report that the exfoliation (knit)
side of the cleaning cloth assembly 10 gently removes calluses and
dead skin from their entire bodies. It is especially helpful on
their feet and elbows. Users enthuse that they have never felt as
clean after a bath or shower as when they use the cleaning cloth
assembly 10. The users are completely baffled as to why the
cleaning cloth assembly 10 combination of the microfiber cloth and
the knit mesh works in the extraordinary way that it does, but once
they have used it they frequently state that they never want to
return to using just washcloths, just mesh sponges or a combination
of the two. Another surprising result is that less soap or body gel
is required during the shower or bath. The unexpected results make
the user feel cleaner than traditional methods.
[0017] In creating cleaning cloth assembly 10, several combinations
were tried that did not work. We tried adding the knit mesh to a
terrycloth washcloth. It lathered well but did not leave the skin
feeling extraordinarily clean. It did not remove the soap, oil and
dirt as well as the microfiber cloth.
[0018] We also tried various types of mesh. Cotton meshes were too
soft to provide effective exfoliation of the skin. Nylon meshes
were too abrasive. We also tried mesh with various sizes of holes.
Some of the mesh did not provide the superior lathering because the
holes were either too large or two small.
[0019] We tried plain cotton knit material and it was not absorbent
enough to hold the water. It also felt too light and insubstantial.
Regular cotton, polyester and other types of materials were also
tried and found to be unsuitable due to poor absorbency and/or
texture.
[0020] Cleaning cloth assembly 10 is exactly the right combination
to provide the advantages of both washcloths and mesh sponges with
none of the drawbacks of either of those items. This unique
combination produces an all in one solution for bathing.
[0021] The cleaning cloth assembly of the present invention, while
described above in one embodiment used as a human skin washcloth,
may also be incorporated in other cleaning situations and
implements, such as floor mops.
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