U.S. patent application number 12/116427 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-12 for cleaning sponge.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to MOE S. NOZARI.
Application Number | 20090276971 12/116427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41265660 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090276971 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NOZARI; MOE S. |
November 12, 2009 |
CLEANING SPONGE
Abstract
A cleaning sponge with improved gripping for providing enhanced
scouring and/or wiping ability is disclosed. In one embodiment, the
cleaning sponge comprises a foam body having a side perimeter
contained between a first surface and a second surface, a first
outer layer of material attached to the first surface of the body,
and a second outer layer of material attached to the second surface
of the body. At least a portion of the side perimeter includes a
recessed groove extending along a length of the foam body.
Inventors: |
NOZARI; MOE S.; (North Oaks,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
41265660 |
Appl. No.: |
12/116427 |
Filed: |
May 7, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/118 ;
15/244.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 2307/546 20130101;
B32B 2307/73 20130101; B32B 2266/0228 20130101; B32B 2266/0221
20130101; B32B 2432/00 20130101; B32B 5/245 20130101; B32B
2266/0214 20130101; B32B 2307/726 20130101; B32B 2262/103 20130101;
A47L 13/16 20130101; B32B 7/08 20130101; B32B 2262/02 20130101;
B32B 2266/025 20130101; B32B 3/02 20130101; B32B 2266/0235
20130101; B32B 2307/3065 20130101; B32B 5/026 20130101; B32B 5/024
20130101; B32B 2266/0264 20130101; B32B 2266/0285 20130101; B32B
2266/08 20130101; B32B 2262/06 20130101; B32B 2264/105 20130101;
B32B 5/022 20130101; B32B 2307/728 20130101; B32B 2255/02 20130101;
B32B 2255/26 20130101; A47L 17/08 20130101; B32B 2262/08 20130101;
B32B 2266/02 20130101; B32B 2266/0278 20130101; B32B 5/18 20130101;
B32B 7/14 20130101; B32B 5/32 20130101; B32B 27/065 20130101; B32B
5/08 20130101; B32B 7/12 20130101; B32B 2266/06 20130101; B32B
2255/102 20130101; B32B 2266/0242 20130101; B32B 3/266 20130101;
B32B 2262/14 20130101; B32B 2266/0207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/118 ;
15/244.4 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20060101
A47L013/12; A47L 17/08 20060101 A47L017/08; A47L 13/16 20060101
A47L013/16 |
Claims
1. A cleaning sponge comprising: a foam body having a side
perimeter contained between a first surface and a second surface; a
first outer layer comprising a cellulose sponge attached to the
first surface of the body; a second outer layer of material
attached to the second surface of the body; wherein at least a
portion of the side perimeter includes a recessed groove extending
along a length of the foam body.
2. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the foam body is
hydrophobic.
3. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the second outer layer
is a scouring material.
4. The cleaning sponge of claim 3, wherein the scouring material is
selected from the group consisting of woven, knitted, nonwoven,
foam and sponge any of which includes at least a partial resin
coating.
5. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the second outer layer
is a wiping material.
6. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the first outer layer is
attached to the first surface of the body by a discontinuous
coating of adhesive.
7. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the recessed groove
extends along opposite sides of the side perimeter.
8. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the recessed groove
extends along the entire side perimeter.
9. The cleaning sponge of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at
least a third of a thickness of the sponge.
10. A cleaning sponge comprising: a scouring layer of material; a
cellulose sponge; and a foam body having a side perimeter contained
between a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first
surface; wherein the scouring layer of material is attached to the
first surface of the foam body and the cellulose sponge is attached
to the second surface of the foam body; wherein at least a portion
of the side perimeter of the foam body includes a recessed
groove.
11. The cleaning sponge of claim 10, wherein the scouring material
is selected from the group consisting of woven, knitted, nonwoven,
foam and sponge any of which includes at least a partial resin
coating.
12. The cleaning sponge of claim 10, wherein the recessed groove
extends along opposite sides of the side perimeter.
13. The cleaning sponge of claim 10, wherein the recessed groove
extends along the entire side perimeter.
14. The cleaning sponge of claim 10, wherein the foam body
comprises at least a third of a thickness of the sponge.
15. A cleaning sponge consisting of; a first scouring layer of
material; a second scouring layer of material; and a foam body
having a side perimeter contained between a first surface and a
second surface, opposite the first surface; wherein the first
scouring layer of material is attached to the first surface of the
foam body and the second scouring layer of material is attached to
the second surface of the foam body; wherein the side perimeter of
the foam body includes recessed grooves.
16. The sponge of claim 15, wherein the foam is cellulose sponge or
polymeric foam.
17. The sponge of claim 15, wherein the first and second scouring
material are each independently selected from the group consisting
of woven, knitted, nonwoven, foam and sponge any of which includes
at least a partial resin coating.
18. The sponge of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first or
second scouring materials is melamine.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning sponge. In
particular, the present invention relates to a cleaning sponge
having multiple layers and recesses for gripping.
[0002] Sponges useful for cleaning can be constructed from
regenerated cellulose or synthetic foam. The sponges may be used
alone or in combination with a scouring web secured to a surface of
the sponge. Typically, sponges or scouring sponges are block shaped
and to grip the sponge, the user either squeezes tightly onto the
sides of the sponge or wraps his or her fingers around the block.
Both of these gripping techniques impair the user's ability to
effectively use the sponge. Gripping tightly onto the sponge may
cause water or other liquid absorbed into the sponge to leak on to
the surface being cleaned, such as a counter top. Wrapping fingers
around the block cause the fingers, especially the fingernails, to
be in direct contact with the surface being cleaned. Further,
gripping tightly onto the body of the sponge distorts the scouring
surface and the user's ability to use the large surface area of the
scouring surface.
SUMMARY
[0003] A cleaning sponge with improved gripping for providing
enhanced scouring and/or wiping ability is disclosed. In one
embodiment, the cleaning sponge comprises a foam body having a side
perimeter contained between a first surface and a second surface, a
first outer layer of material attached to the first surface of the
body, and a second outer layer of material attached to the second
surface of the body. At least a portion of the side perimeter
includes a recessed groove extending along a length of the foam
body. In one embodiment, at least one of the outer layers is a
cellulose sponge.
[0004] In another embodiment, a cleaning sponge comprises a
scouring layer of material, a cellulose sponge, and a foam body
having a side perimeter contained between a first surface and a
second surface, opposite the first surface. The scouring layer of
material is attached to the first surface of the foam body and the
cellulose sponge is attached to the second surface of the foam
body. At least a portion of the side perimeter of the foam body
includes a recessed groove.
[0005] In another embodiment, a cleaning sponge consists of a fist
scouring layer of material, a second scouring layer of material,
and a foam body having a side perimeter contained between a first
surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. The first
scouring layer of material is attached to the first surface of the
foam body and the second scouring layer of material is attached to
the second surface of the foam body. The side perimeter of the foam
body includes recessed grooves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning
sponge.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
cleaning sponge.
[0008] While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth
embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this
invention.
The figures may not be drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning
sponge 100. The cleaning sponge 100 includes a body 110, a first
outer layer 120, and a second outer layer 130. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the material of each of the layers has been
generically depicted.
[0010] The body 110 includes a first surface 112 and second surface
114, opposite the first surface 112. As shown the first surface 112
and second surface 114 are generally planar. The first outer layer
120 is secured to the first surface 112 of the body 110, and the
second outer layer 130 is secured to the second surface 114 of the
body 110. The body 110 separates the first outer layer 120 from the
second outer layer 130.
[0011] The body 110 includes recessed grooves 116, 118. The
recessed grooves 116, 118 are indented from the perimeter wall 111
of the body 110. In this embodiment, the recessed grooves 116, 118
located along opposite sides of the body 110 and extend linearly
along the entire side. The recessed grooves 116, 118 provide a
place to the user's fingers to rest within while gripping the
sponge 100.
[0012] The body 110 comprises at least one third the thickness of
the total sponge thickness. More typically, the body 110 comprises
at least half the thickness of the total sponge thickness. The body
110, along with the recessed grooves 116, 118, provides a
handle-like structure for allowing the user to more easily grip the
sponge 100. Therefore, having a majority of the thickness of the
overall sponge 100 at the body 110, further aids in a more
comfortable grip in that the fingers can be in a more open and
relaxed position.
[0013] The body 110 may be constructed from a variety of materials
for aiding in providing a comfortable grip. The material may be
relatively compliant or may be relatively rigid. The material may
be solid or porous such that the body 110 may be able to hold
and/or retain liquids. Exemplary materials for the body 110 include
all types of foam, porous rubber, silicon, synthetics, synthetic
foams, formed polyester, cellulose materials, and sponge materials.
Specific exemplary materials include polyether or polyester, low or
high density, small, large or twin pore sizes, closed or open cell,
non-flammatory or flame retardant, flexible or semi-rigid, plain,
melamine or post treated impregnated foams, and the like. Also,
neoprene, natural rubber, SBR, butyl, butadiene, nitrile, EPDM,
ECH, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, EVA,
EMA, metallocene resin, polyurethane, PVC, blends of any of the
above, and the like are also suitable materials. Natural sponges
can be used and include those from the aquatic animal phylum
Porifera, and from the dried, processed skeletons of certain
species used to hold water, for example. Cellulose-based sponges
can be used. Cellulose-based sponges can include those which are
derived from plant products for example. More preferably, synthetic
foam can be used. Synthetic sponges can be constructed of porous
rubber, synthetic foam, other plastic and rubber derivatives, and
the like.
[0014] The first outer layer 120 and second outer layer 130 may be
formed from a variety of different materials depending on the
desired function of the cleaning sponge 100. The material of the
second outer layer 130 may be the same as, or different from the
material of the first outer layer 120.
[0015] For wiping, suitable materials for the outer layers include
woven, knitted, nonwoven or foam materials. Woven, knitted, or
nonwoven materials may be made from natural, synthetic, or a
combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The foam materials may
be a synthetic or a cellulose-based sponge. In one embodiment, the
wiping material is hydrophilic such that it is capable of holding
and retaining water. Examples of hydrophilic materials include
cellulose sponge, cellulose-based woven and knitted materials such
a cotton, rayon, or microfiber woven and knitted materials.
[0016] In another embodiment, for wiping, a microreplicated film
may be used. A microreplicated film includes a plurality of small,
protruding, flexible stems. The microreplicated film is
particularly effective in gathering and entangling fibrous material
such as lint and hair. Further, the microreplicated film may
provide a squeegee-like wiping ability over planar surfaces.
Examples of microreplicated film are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,372,323; 6,610,382; 6,904,615; and US patent application
publication 2008-0035173. The microreplicated film can have holes,
perforations, or slits to allow water to pass through or be
squeezed out of the body.
[0017] For scouring, suitable materials include woven, knitted,
nonwoven or foam materials. Woven, knitted, or nonwoven materials
may be made from natural, synthetic, or a combination of natural
and synthetic fibers. The foam material may be any of the foam
materials described above.
[0018] For woven materials, the looping of the weave may be angled
in such a way to provide a scouring ability. For example,
WO2007/067413 discloses a flat yarn with an angled loop for
scouring.
[0019] A coating of resin may be applied to a portion or the entire
surface of the woven, knitted, nonwoven or foam material to impart
a rigidity and stiffness to the surface that can aid in scrubbing
and scouring. An example of a printed resin on the surface of a
substrate, such as a nonwoven, is disclosed in US patent
application publication 2003/0228813. Another example of a printed
resin onto surfaces such as woven, knitted substrates is disclosed
in US patent application publication nos. 2003-0124935 and
2007-0212965. Other examples of suitable nonwoven materials
including coatings of resins include Scotch-Brite.TM. Heavy Duty,
Multi-Purpose, and Light Duty Scouring Pads, available from 3M
Company of St. Paul Minn.
[0020] The surface of the material for scouring may be textured,
including raised and recessed portion, which further enhance the
scrubbing and scouring of the stiff material. Further, an abrasive
particle may be included with the resin or separately applied over
the resin to further enhance the scrubbing and scouring ability of
the material.
[0021] The scouring material may include metal fibers or metal
particles such that the scouring surface may also be suitable for
polishing metal surfaces. An example of a metal fiber web is
disclosed in US patent application publication 2007/0079462.
[0022] The first outer layer 120 is secured to the first surface
112 of the body 110 and the second outer layer 130 is secured to
the second surface 114 of the body. A variety of attachment
mechanisms may be used. The attachment mechanisms used for the
first outer layer 120 and second outer layer 130 may be the same
for both layers or may be different attachment mechanisms.
[0023] One attachment mechanism is by laminating to the body 110 by
adhesive bonding. The adhesive may cover some or the entire surface
of the first and/or second outer layer 120, 130. Depending on the
materials chosen for the body 110 and the first and/or second outer
layer 120, 130, needletacking, stitching, melt bonding, ultrasonic
welding, or a removable attachment like hook/hook or hook/loop may
be used for attachment. The attachment mechanism chosen should
provide suitable durability for the intended function of the sponge
100. Further, the attachment mechanism chosen may be selected to
provide fluid passage from the body to the first outer layer 120
and/or second outer layer 130. For example, a spot coating or
otherwise discontinuous coating of adhesive would aid in providing
fluid passage from the body 110 to the first outer layer 120 and/or
second outer layer 130.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
cleaning sponge 200. The cleaning sponge 200 includes a body 210, a
first outer layer 220, and a second outer layer 230. The body 210
includes a first surface 212 and second surface 214, opposite the
first surface 212. As shown the first surface 212 and second
surface 214 are generally planar. The first outer layer 220 is
secured to the first surface 212 of the body 210, and the second
outer layer 230 is secured to the second surface 214 of the body
210. The body 210 separates the first outer layer 220 from the
second outer layer 230.
[0025] In this embodiment, the body 210 includes a recessed groove
216. The recessed groove 216 is indented from the entire perimeter
wall 211 of the body 210. In this embodiment, the recessed groove
216 is located around the entire body 210. The recessed groove 216
provides a place to the user's fingers to rest within while
gripping the sponge 200.
[0026] In this embodiment, the body 210 is constructed from a foam.
In particular, the foam is a synthetic foam such as a urethane
foam. Synthetic foams are particularly well suited for the body
because the foam is a flexible, compliant material that can absorb
liquid. Synthetic foams are typically hydrophobic and therefore do
not readily retain liquid within the structure. Therefore, although
fluid is easily absorbed in the material, the fluid is also easily
flushed from the hydrophobic foam. This fast flushing through the
pores of the hydrophobic foam causes soap to become very sudsy as
it passes in and out of the hydrophobic foam. Further, because the
hydrophobic foam does not readily retain liquid within the
structure, the body 210 will dry faster than a hydrophilic material
such as cellulose sponge. Retaining less moisture in the body 210
may aid in less moisture being retained in the entire sponge 200
during storage. Minimizing moisture content should minimize
microorganism growth within the sponge 200.
[0027] In this embodiment, the first outer layer 220 is a scouring
surface and the second outer layer 230 is a wiping surface. Having
opposed scouring surfaces and wiping surfaces gives the user the
ability to both aggressively scrub a surface and then wipe the
scoured surface clean. In this embodiment, the scouring surface is
a lofty, nonwoven web, similar to a Scotch-Brite.TM. scour pad,
available from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn. Having the scouring
surface as an independent surface with its own support structure
may provide more strength and durability than if the scouring
surface was integrally formed with the material of the body. For
example, directly coating a resin on the body may provide a
scouring surface; however, the material of the body may wear and
degrade faster than a self supported scouring surface such as a
nonwoven scouring pad.
[0028] In this embodiment, the wiping surface is cellulose sponge.
Cellulose sponge provides a particularly unique wiping surface
because cellulose sponge is a hydrophilic sponge that is capable of
absorbing and retaining fluids. Therefore, when a damp cellulose
sponge is wiped over a surface, large amounts of liquid are not
deposited onto the surface being wiped. Further, spills of liquids
can be absorbed and retained in the cellulose sponge until the
cellulose sponge is transported to the sink to be squeezed.
[0029] The recessed grooves, whether as shown in the embodiment of
FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, provide a gripping mechanism for the user to
easily hold the sponge without squeezing or distorting the shape of
the sponge. Excessive squeezing or distorting the shape will tend
to release absorbed water from the sponge or may alter the shape
and therefore the performance of the outer surface that is
functioning as the working surface.
[0030] Use of a hydrophobic foam body with the recessed grooves at
the body limits the release of liquid from the sponge onto a
surface being cleaned or wiped because the hydrophobic foam has
limited amounts of liquid retained within it and the recessed
grooves prevent excessive squeezing of the entire sponge.
Therefore, when used in combination with at least one of the outer
surfaces of cellulose sponge, excess water is not passed to the
cellulose sponge from within the body leaving the cellulose sponge
with more absorption ability to wipe up and absorb spilled
liquid.
[0031] It is understood that any variety of combination of
materials may be used for the first and second outer layers. The
first and second outer layers may be wiping materials, both may be
scouring material, or one may be a wiping material while the other
is a scouring material. Further, different materials may be used
other than wiping or scouring materials. Materials may be use that
polish, abrade, brush, or squeegee the surface being cleaned.
[0032] The sponge may assume any variety of outer perimeter shapes.
FIG. 1 shows a sponge that is rectangular with symmetrical wavy
edges. FIG. 2 shows a sponge with a peanut or hour glass shape.
Other shapes include square, round, spherical, triangular, oval,
heart, wavy, or bow-tie shaped. The sponges shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
are generally symmetrical in that the first outer layer and second
outer layer are approximately the same thickness and the recessed
groove is positioned in a midsection of the thickness of the
sponge. A symmetrical shape aids in easily flipping from using the
first outer surface to the second outer surface.
[0033] The sponge is sized to fit comfortably as a hand tool. In
one embodiment, the sponge is less than six inches long and less
than six inches wide. In one embodiment, the sponge is less than
five inches thick. Generally, the body comprises at least one third
of the thickness of the total sponge thickness. More typically, the
body comprises at least half the thickness of the total sponge
thickness. The first and second outer layers may be of the same
thickness or may be of different thicknesses depending on the
materials chosen for each respective layer. In one embodiment, the
first outer layer is less than one inch thick and the second outer
layer is less than one inch thick.
[0034] To use the sponge, the user will hold the palm of his or her
hand over one of the first or second outer surfaces. The uncovered
first or second outer surface is available for cleaning. Then, the
user will comfortably position his or her fingers within the
recessed groove. The user can comfortably hold the sponge without
needing to position his or her fingers at the working surface,
without distorting the working surface of the sponge, and without
unnecessary squeezing of the sponge. Due to the generally
symmetrical shape, the user can easily move between using the first
outer surface and the second outer surface.
[0035] To make the sponge, typically the first outer layer and the
second outer layer are attached to the body, either sequentially or
simultaneously. Following the formation of a block, the recessed
groove is then formed in to the body. Depending on the final shape
of the sponge, the groove can be cut into individual hand sized
sponges or it can be cut into larger sized sponge materials that
are later converted into individual hand sized sponges. It is
possible to form the recessed groove prior to attachment of the
first and second outer layer. It is also possible to mold the body
to assume a form having recessed grooves.
[0036] Although specific embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments
are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements
that can be devised in application of the principles of the
invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in
accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to
the structures described in this application, but only by the
structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *