U.S. patent application number 15/002146 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for cleaning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to EZ PRODUCTS OF SOUTH FLORIDA, L.L.C.. The applicant listed for this patent is Joseph M Colangelo. Invention is credited to Joseph M Colangelo.
Application Number | 20160135659 15/002146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49323753 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160135659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Colangelo; Joseph M |
May 19, 2016 |
CLEANING DEVICE
Abstract
A cleaning cloth constructed of an upper sheet and lower sheet
that are joined together for form an interior cavity into which
additional cleaning cloths, cleaning materials, abrasive materials,
scented materials, etc. can be placed. The cleaning cloth includes
strips that can be used to connect the cleaning cloth to a mop head
or other surface.
Inventors: |
Colangelo; Joseph M; (Delray
Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Colangelo; Joseph M |
Delray Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EZ PRODUCTS OF SOUTH FLORIDA,
L.L.C.
Boca Raton
FL
|
Family ID: |
49323753 |
Appl. No.: |
15/002146 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14689015 |
Apr 16, 2015 |
9271625 |
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15002146 |
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14296459 |
Jun 5, 2014 |
9032577 |
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14689015 |
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13685381 |
Nov 26, 2012 |
8776300 |
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14296459 |
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29418019 |
Apr 11, 2012 |
D674566 |
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13685381 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/105 ;
15/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/17 20130101;
A47L 13/16 20130101; A47L 25/00 20130101; A47L 13/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/50 20060101
A47L013/50; A47L 13/16 20060101 A47L013/16 |
Claims
1. A cleaning device comprising: at least one top sheet having a
length and a width; at least one bottom sheet having a length and
width corresponding to the length and width of the at least one top
sheet and is stacked with the at least one top sheet such that the
edges of the at least one top sheet and the at least one bottom
sheet are in alignment; the at least one top sheet and the at least
one bottom sheet being joined together to form an interior cavity;
at least two interior sheets being inserted into the cavity wherein
the at least two interior sheets have a length and width that is
less than the length and width of the at least one top sheet and
wherein said interior sheets consists of an absorbent material
formed from an absorbent air-laid substrate, substantially made of
cellulosic wood pulp fibers; the at least two interior sheets
causing an interior portion of the at least one top sheet and an
interior portion of the at least one bottom sheet to be defined by
a ridge that transitions to a ledge extending from the edges of the
at least two interior sheets towards the edges of the at least one
top sheet and the at least one bottom sheet wherein proximate to an
outer surface of the at least one top sheet comprises a woven
material that can be used to secure the cleaning device to a
cleaning head of a cleaning element; and wherein the cleaning
device includes an enhancement feature.
2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the enhancement feature
comprises a heat pack within the interior cavity that when actuated
generates heat within the cleaning device.
3. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the enhancement feature
comprises a glowing substance within the interior cavity that when
actuated generates light within the cleaning device whereby the
light fades as the cleaning devices wears.
4. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the total basis weight
of the absorbent material of the at least two interior sheets is
from about 200 grams to about 400 grams per square meter.
5. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the length and width of
the at least two interior sheets are equal.
6. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the at least two
interior sheets have the same thickness.
7. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the at least two
interior sheets have the same thickness.
8. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the woven material
comprises one or more strips that can be used for attaching the
cleaning device to the cleaning head of the cleaning element.
9. The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the one or more strips
are positioned such that they cover at least a portion of the
interior portion of the top sheet.
10. The cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the one or more strips
are positioned such that they cover at least a portion of the
ledge.
11. The cleaning device of claim 10, wherein at least one
additional strip is positioned such that it covers at least a
portion of the ledge of the at least one bottom sheet, wherein the
at least one additional strip is suitable for scrubbing.
12. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the woven material
comprises one or more strips that can be used for attaching the
cleaning device to the cleaning head of the cleaning element and
the at least one bottom sheet of the cleaning device includes two
strips positioned on the ledge and are suitable for attachment to
the cleaning head of the cleaning element and are suitable for
scrubbing.
13. A cleaning element in combination with the cleaning device of
claim 12.
14. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the woven material
comprises two strips that can be used for attaching the cleaning
device to the cleaning head of the cleaning element and are also
suitable for scrubbing t and the at least one bottom sheet includes
two strips positioned such that they cover at least a portion of
the ledge of the at least one bottom sheet and the strips are
suitable for attachment to the cleaning head of the cleaning
element and are also suitable for scrubbing.
15. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the woven material
comprises two strips positioned such that they cover at least a
portion of the ledge of the at least one top sheet and that can be
used for attaching the cleaning device to the cleaning head of the
cleaning element and are also suitable for scrubbing, and the at
least one bottom sheet of the cleaning device includes two strips
positioned such that they cover at least a portion of the ledge of
the at least one bottom sheet and the strips are suitable for
attachment to a cleaning head and are suitable for scrubbing.
16. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the enhancement feature
comprises a colored material that fades with use.
17. A cleaning device comprising: one or more top sheets and at
least one bottom sheet that are stacked such that the edges of the
one or more top sheets and the at least one bottom sheet are in
alignment; the one or more top sheets and the at least one bottom
sheet being joined together to form an interior cavity; at least
two interior sheets being inserted into the interior cavity,
wherein the at least two interior sheets have a length and width
that is less than a length and width of the one or more top sheets
and, wherein said interior sheets consists of an absorbent material
formed from an absorbent air-laid substrate, substantially made of
cellulosic wood pulp fibers; the at least two interior sheets
causing an interior portion of the one or more top sheets to be
defined by a ridge that transitions to a ledge extending from the
edges of the at least two interior sheets towards the edges of the
one or more top sheets and the at least one bottom sheet wherein a
surface of at least one of the one or more top sheets and the at
least one bottom sheet of the cleaning device comprising a woven
material suitable for being attached to a cleaning element; and
wherein the cleaning device includes an enhancement feature.
18. The cleaning device of claim 17, wherein the enhancement
feature comprises a heat pack within the interior cavity that when
actuated generates heat within the cleaning device.
19. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the enhancement feature
comprises a glowing substance within the interior cavity that when
actuated generates light within the cleaning device whereby the
light fades as the cleaning devices wears.
20. A cleaning device comprising: at least a first sheet and at
least a second sheet that are stacked such that the edges of the at
least first sheet and the at least second sheet are in alignment;
the at least first sheet and the at least second sheet being joined
together to form an interior cavity; at least two interior sheets
being inserted into the cavity wherein the at least two interior
sheets have a length and width that is less than a length and width
of the at least first sheet and, wherein said interior sheets
consists of an absorbent material formed from an absorbent air-laid
substrate, substantially made of cellulosic wood pulp fibers; the
at least two interior sheets causing an interior portion of the at
least first sheet to be defined by a ridge that transitions to a
ledge extending from the edges of the at least two interior sheets
towards the edges of the at least first sheet and the at least
second sheet wherein a woven attachment material is attached
proximate to the at least first sheet or the at least second sheet;
and wherein the cleaning device includes one or more of a heat pack
within the interior cavity that when actuated generates heat within
the cleaning device and comprises a glowing substance within the
interior cavity that when actuated generates light within the
cleaning device whereby the light fades as the cleaning devices
wears.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] From the beginning of time, man has had a special
relationship with dust. As set forth in Genesis 3:19, the Creator
is quoted as saying "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bred,
till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken:
for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return". And thus,
ensues the never-ending battle between man and dust. Maybe our
fixation with cleanliness is an attempt to combat our own
mortality. Maybe we believe that if we eradicate the dust from our
life, from our presence, and we distance ourselves from the dust,
then maybe, just maybe it will prolong our separation from the same
and thus, delay our return to dust. Regardless of the cause, it is
clear that in our modern day society, dust and dirt are simply not
acceptable and as such, a multi-billion dollar industry thrives on
creating products to help us control and remove the dust from our
lives.
[0002] In recent years, the cleaning industry has been flooded with
a variety of disposable cleaning products. These disposable
cleaning products have ranged from handheld wipes to handled wipes
and even attachments to brooms or mop handles. In the quest to
eradicate dust and grime, the industry continues to seek out and
create the ideal disposable cleaning pad or cleaning cloth that can
rigorously attack tough tasks, break through dirt and grime, and
provide a nice clean surface. Thus, there is a need in the art for
an improved cleaning cloth.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] Various embodiments of a cleaning cloth including, features,
elements, functions, and aspects thereof are presented within this
description. In one embodiment, the cleaning cloth includes an
upper sheet having a length and a width and a lower sheet having a
length and width corresponding to the length and width of the upper
sheet. The upper sheet and lower sheet can be joined together to
form an interior cavity. One or more interior sheets can then be
inserted into the cavity. In some embodiments, the one or more
interior sheets cause an interior portion of the upper sheet and an
interior portion of the lower sheet to be defined by a ridge that
transitions to a ledge corresponding to the edge of the one or more
interior sheets.
[0004] In some embodiments, at least two interior sheets are
inserted into the cavity and the length and width of the interior
sheets are equal. In some embodiments, two interior sheets may
further have the same thickness.
[0005] One embodiment includes a cleaning cloth that has an upper
sheet having a length and a width and a lower sheet having a length
and width corresponding to the length and width of the upper sheet.
The upper sheet and lower sheet are joined together to form an
interior cavity. One or more interior sheets can be inserted into
the cavity and the one or more interior sheets cause an interior
portion of the upper sheet and an interior portion of the lower
sheet to be defined by a ridge that transitions to a ledge
corresponding to the edge of the one or more interior sheets. In
some embodiments, the lower surface of the cleaning pad has a
uniformly textured surface. In other embodiments, the upper surface
of the cleaning pad features one or more uniformly longitudinal
woven attachment strips.
[0006] In various embodiments, the interior sheet material may
include or be constricted of an absorbent air-laid substrate,
substantially made of cellulosic wood pulp fibers. In the various
embodiments, the total basis weight of absorbent material from the
one or more interior absorbent sheets is from about 200 grams to
about 400 grams per square meter although this range can expand or
contract depending on materials.
[0007] In some embodiments, the length and width of at the at least
two interior sheets are equal and further, in some embodiments, the
at least two interior absorbent sheets have the same thickness.
[0008] In some embodiments a cleaning solution can be placed within
the cavity. In some embodiments, a scented material can be placed
within the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the interior sheets
may be impregnated, doused, saturated or otherwise affiliated with
the cleaning solution and/or scented material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cleaning cloth;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1 with a cross-section proximate to line 3 as
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a first side elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a second side elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a first end elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a second end elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates one side of an embodiment of the cleaning
cloth that includes strips on the ledge of the cleaning cloth.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a cleaning element that
could be used for various embodiments of the cleaning cloth but
that most suitably illustrates the use of the embodiment of the
cleaning cloth illustrated in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present disclosure is directed towards various
embodiments of a cleaning cloth, as well as features and aspects of
the new cleaning cloth. In one embodiment, the cleaning cloth
includes two external sheets that are joined together in a
sandwiched configuration. The two external cloths may be used to
enclose one or more internal sheets. In a particular embodiment,
the cleaning cloth includes two external sheets with two sheets of
absorbent material sandwiched there between and attachment strip(s)
placed along at least one surface of the cleaning cloth. Now
turning to the figures, the various embodiments, features, elements
and aspects are more fully described.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the cleaning cloth. The
cleaning cloth 100 is shown as including a top sheet 120 with a
first strip 102 that extends the longitudinal length of the top
sheet 120 and a second strip 104 that extends the longitudinal
length of the top sheet 120. It should be appreciated that in some
embodiments, the strips may not extend the entire length of the top
sheet 120 and in other embodiments, the strip may be broken into
multiple segments. Further, although the strip is shown as having
two straight and parallel edges in the longitudinal direction, the
strips may also be curved, arched, include undulations, zigzagged,
etc.
[0020] The top sheet 120 is illustrated as being textured 127,
however, it will be appreciated that the illustrated texture is
just one non-limiting example of a texture and, any of a variety of
textures or surfaces could be utilized in the various embodiments
of the cleaning cloth. The top sheet 120 is illustrated as having a
rectangular shaped interior portion 128, and an exterior border or
ledge 122 that extends around the periphery of the interior portion
128. A ridge 124 is shown as existing at the junction of the
interior portion 128 and the ledge 122 which basically defines a
transition from a thicker portion of the cleaning cloth 100 to a
thinner portion as is shown in more detail below. The first strip
102 and the second strip 104 are illustrated as extending from the
surface of the interior portion 128, across the ridge 124 and onto
the surface of the ledge 122. Although as previously described, in
some embodiments the strip may fall short of the ledge 122 or may
extend partly across the width of the ledge 122 or entirely across
the width of the ledge 122 as illustrated.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, a bottom sheet 130 of the
cleaning cloth 100 is illustrated as including a ledge 132 that
transitions at ridge 134 to an interior portion 138. Similar to the
top side illustrated in FIG. 1, the interior portion 138 stands
higher, or is thicker than the ledge 132 portions as further
described below. Similar to the top side illustrated in FIG. 1, the
surface of the bottom sheet 130 can be textured 136, as illustrated
or textured in any of a wide variety of other manners or, not
textured at all in some embodiments.
[0022] The upper sheet and lower sheet may be constructed of a
variety of materials including cotton, superabsorbent materials,
gauze like material, cheesecloth, non-woven fiber sheets, etc. The
texture on the top and bottom sheets may range from smooth, fine,
medium to course and extra course. Thus, depending on the
particular use of the cleaning cloth, different textures may be
utilized.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1 with a cross-section proximate to line 3 as
illustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning
cloth 100 is shown as housing a plurality of interior sheets 332
and 334 sandwiched between the top sheet 120 and the bottom sheet
130. The interior sheets are of the same length and width but, may
have varying thickness. In fact, in some embodiments, the thickness
may vary from one interior sheet to the next and, in other
embodiments, even the thickness across a single sheet may vary. For
instance, the thickness may vary between 1% to 25% on some
embodiments. The interior sheets have the same length and width
such that the ridges 124 and 134 have a clean and sharp transition
from the interior portions 128 and 138, to the ledges 122 and 132
respectively.
[0024] The thickness of the interior sheets 332 and 334 is shown as
being thicker than the upper sheet 120 and the lower sheet 130 but,
in other embodiments, the thickness may be the same or thinner.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a first side elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 is a second side elevation view of
the cleaning cloth illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the front
edges of the upper sheet 120 and the lower sheet 130 are visible
and, the ridges 124 and 134 are also visible. Along the right side
of FIG. 4, the first strip 102 is visible. In FIG. 5, the front
edges of the top sheet 120 and the bottom sheet 130 are visible
and, the ridges 124 and 134 are also visible. Along the left side
of FIG. 5, the second strip 104 is visible.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a first end elevation view of the cleaning cloth
illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7 is a second end elevation view of
the cleaning cloth illustrated in FIG. 1. In these views, the edges
of the top sheet 120 and the bottom sheet 130 are visible, along
with the ridges 124 and 134 respectively. In both views, the first
and second strip 102 and 104 are visible as the strip traverses
from the interior portion 128 of the upper sheet 120, down the
ridge 124 and to the ledge 126.
[0027] In the various embodiments, a variety of techniques may be
used to connect the upper sheet 120 to the lower sheet 130. A few
non-limiting examples include melting, gluing, thermoplastic seals,
and sewing.
[0028] It should also be appreciated that although the top sheet
120 and bottom sheet 130 are illustrated as having the same length
and width, in some embodiments one sheet may be larger in one or
more dimensions than the other. In such embodiments, the sheets
with the larger dimensions may be folded over the edges of the
sheets with smaller dimensions. In addition, rather than being two
distinct sheets, the structure may be formed by a single sheet that
is folded over, either along the width or the length of the sheet.
It should also be appreciated that in a folded embodiment, the
ledge may not extend around each side of the interior portions. It
should also be appreciated that the ledges 126 and 136 may be
folded under or over the interior portions 128 and 138 in some
embodiments. In other embodiments, the edges of the cleaning cloth
may be hemmed.
[0029] In the various embodiments, the interior sheet can be made
of a variety of materials. For instance, in one embodiment, the
interior sheets may be fabricated from wood pulp or cotton like
material. In other embodiments, the interior sheets may include a
highly absorbent material. In yet other embodiments, the interior
sheets may comprise an abrasive material or may be constructed with
an abrasive structure. Further, in some embodiments a combination
of two or more of these variations may be employed.
[0030] In some embodiments, the interior sheet may include a heat
pack that when actuated, generates heat throughout the cleaning
cloth to further facilitate the ability to clean. In such
embodiments, the interior surfaces of the upper sheet 120 and the
lower sheet 130 may be impervious to liquid, thereby keeping
moisture away from the heat pack and, preventing the liquid within
the heat pack from seeping out in the event that the heat pack
becomes punctured.
[0031] In some embodiments, the strip may include a material that
fades with use, thus providing an indication of the life span of
the cleaning cloth. For example, one or more of the strips 102 and
104 may be coated with a special material that slowly fades when it
is in contact with moisture. Thus, as the color fades from the
strip, the user is aware that the life span of the cleaning cloth
is being depleted. In other embodiments, a color strip may be
included on the cleaning face of the cleaning cloth. In such
embodiments, the color strip may fade due to moisture and/or fade
due to abrasion. In any such embodiments, the strip is used to
indicate whether or not the cleaning cloth had further life in it
or, if it should be disposed of.
[0032] In some embodiments, the strips 102 and 104 may be
constructed of hooks and loops to facilitate the cleaning cloth
being attached to another surface. For instance, if the strips are
made of hook or loop material, mating strips or surfaces
constructed of loop or hook material, respectively, may be used for
the other surface. In some embodiments, strips may include an
adhesive material, such as tape, to allow the cleaning cloth to be
attached to another surface. In such embodiments, a cover strip may
be placed over the adhesive and then only removed when the cleaning
cloth is ready to be used.
[0033] In another embodiment, the cleaning cloth may include the
element of a lighting substance or a glowing substance in the
interior cavity. For instance, the technology utilized in a
light-stick may be employed within the interior of the cleaning
cloth. Advantageously, such an element may facilitate the user
being able to see the surface that is being cleaned and, as the
glow begins to fade, the user knows that the life span of the
cleaning cloth is lapsing.
[0034] A light stick is a plastic tube with a glass vial inside of
it. To activate a light stick, the plastic stick is bent to break
the glass vial. This allows the chemicals inside the glass vial to
mix with the chemicals in the plastic tube. Once these substances
contact each other, a reaction starts taking place. The reaction
releases light, causing the stick to glow--this is
chemiluminescence.
[0035] Thus, this technology can be employed within the interior of
the cleaning cloth by including one or more light sticks within the
cavity or a pocket within the cavity (such as between the absorbent
cloths interior to the cavity), ensuring that the cavity or pocket
is impervious to liquid and simply include the necessary chemicals
and glass vials within the interior cavity. Although the
light-producing reaction is not caused by heat and may not produce
heat, the rate at which it occurs is affected by temperature. If a
light stick is placed in a cold environment (like a freezer), then
the chemical reaction will slow down. Less light will be released
while the light stick is cold, but the stick will last much longer.
On the other hand, if a light stick is immersed in hot water, the
chemical reaction speeds up. The stick will glow much more
brightly, but will wear out faster too.
[0036] There are three components of a light stick--two chemicals
that interact to release energy and also a fluorescent dye to
accept this energy and convert it into light. Although there is
more than one recipe for a light stick, a common commercial light
stick uses a solution of hydrogen peroxide that is kept separate
from a solution of a phenyl oxalate ester together with a
fluorescent dye. The color of the fluorescent dye is what
determines the resulting color of the light stick when the chemical
solutions are mixed. The basic premise of the reaction is that the
reaction between the two chemicals releases enough energy to excite
the electrons in the fluorescent dye. This causes the electrons to
jump to a higher energy level and then fall back down and release
light.
[0037] Specifically, the chemical reaction works like this: The
hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the phenyl oxalate ester, to form phenol
and an unstable peroxyacid ester. The unstable peroxyacid ester
decomposes, resulting in phenol and a cyclic peroxy compound. The
cyclic peroxy compound decomposes to carbon dioxide. This
decomposition reaction releases the energy that excites the
dye.
[0038] In some embodiments, the interior a cavity defined by the
inner surface of the top sheet 120 and the bottom sheet 130 may be
impregnated with cleaning solution. Thus, when the cleaning cloth
is used, the cleaning solution seeps out through the top sheet 120
and/or bottom sheet 130 and is applied to a surface to be cleaned.
In other embodiments, various scents, perfumes, odor emitting
crystals, etc. may be placed into the cavity.
[0039] In some embodiments, the strips 102 and 104 are utilized to
connect the cleaning cloth to another surface, such as a mop head,
a hand held handle, a robo-cleaner, a bottom surface of a vacuum
cleaner, or the like. In other embodiments, the strips may serve as
scrubbing strips to help facilitate the cleaning of a surface. In
yet another embodiments, the strips may be multi-purpose being used
for connecting the cleaning cloth to another surface and also used
for scrubbing, depending on the orientation of the cleaning cloth
and the actual usage.
[0040] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the strips 102 and 104 are shown as
being inset from the edge of the interior portion 128. However, in
other embodiments, the strips could be located on the longitudinal
ledge, the side ledge or both.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates one side of an embodiment of the cleaning
cloth that includes strips on the ledge of the cleaning cloth. In
the illustrated embodiment, cleaning cloth 800 is constructed
similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 with the
exception that the strips 802 and 804 are located on the ledge 822
of the cleaning cloth 800. The strips are illustrated as being
positioned along the longitudinal ledge. In operation, the strips
802 and 804 can be attached to a surface, such as a mop head or
sweeper head (not shown), which includes an offset surface for
mating with the strips 802 and 804. In such an embodiment, the
entire surface of the interior portion 828 would be free from the
strips. Thus, the entire surface 828 of the cleaning cloth 800
could be used to clean a target surface.
[0042] It should also be appreciated that in such embodiments, the
strips may be included on the top sheet and the bottom sheet of the
cleaning cloth 800. As such, the side illustrated in FIG. 8 could
represent both sides of the cleaning cloth. By selecting interior
sheets that cause the ridge 824 of the cleaning cloth to rise to a
sufficient height such that the surface of the interior portion 828
is further extended from a plane existing through the interior of
the cleaning cloth and parallel with the top and bottom sheets.
Thus, the interior surface 828 of the top and bottom sheet 820
would be in contact with the surface to be cleaned but, the strips
802 and 804 located within the ledge 822 would not come in contact
with the surface to be cleaned during normal use. Once the interior
surface 828 of one side of the cleaning cloth is soiled, the
cleaning cloth can be turned over and the strips 802 and 804
located on the ledge 822 of the other side can be attached to the
cleaning implement. At this point, the interior surface 828 of the
other side of the cleaning cloth can then be used to clean the
desired surface. Thus it will be appreciated that such an
embodiment of the cleaning cloth provides a two-sided cleaning
cloth.
[0043] It should also be appreciated that although the ledges 822
of the cleaning cloth do not normally come into contact with the
surface to be cleaned in some embodiments, in other embodiments,
the cleaning implement can be constructed such that the surface of
the ledge 822 could be pressed against the surface to be cleaned.
In such an embodiment, the strips 802 and 804 on one side of the
cleaning cloth could be structured in such a manner that the
surface of the strip is naturally abrasive. For instance, the
strips 802 and 804 can be structured or modified to include
protrusions, apertures or other surfaces that can be used to scrub
the target surface. In other embodiments, the strip may be
constructed of an abrasive material. In yet other embodiments, the
strip may be structured so as to be abrasive and include an
abrasive material.
[0044] The inclusion of abrasive material as the strip or within
the strip may include materials similar to those used for making
scouring pads, typically polymers or polymer blends with or without
specific abrasives. Examples of suitable polymers include
thermoplastic polymers such as polypropylene, high density
polyethylene, polyesters (eg., polyethylene terephthalate), nylon,
polystyrene, polycarbonate, and blends and copolymers thereof.
[0045] An alternative to using materials found in typical scouring
pads is to use brushes containing bristles to achieve scrubbing.
Such bristles are typically composed of polymer or polymer blends,
with or without abrasives. In the context of brushes, bristles made
of nylon may be used because of rigidity, stiffness, and/or
durability. Other materials may also be used.
[0046] Another approach is to use netting or scrim materials to
form the scrubbing strip. Again, the netting or scrim is typically
composed of a polymer or polymer blend, either with or without
abrasives. The netting or scrim is typically wrapped around a
secondary structure to provide some bulk. The shape of the holes in
the netting can include, but is not limited to, a variety of shapes
such as squares, rectangles, diamonds, hexagons or mixtures
thereof. Typically, the smaller the area composed by the holes in
the netting the greater the scrubbing ability. This is primarily
due to the fact that there are more points where the scrim material
intersects, as it is these intersection points that will contact
the floor. An alternative to wrapping netting or scrim is to apply
molten extruded polymers directly onto a secondary structure such
as a non-woven. Upon solidifying the polymer would create high
point stiffer material as compared to the secondary non-woven, and
thereby provides scrubbing ability. In some embodiments, melamine
foam can be used as the scrubbing strip.
[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide variety
of other structures may be used to create a strip that is able to
operate as a scrubbing strip.
[0048] Thus, in some embodiments, the strips on one side of the
cleaning cloth 800 may be best suited for attachment to the
cleaning implement while the strips on the other side of the
cleaning cloth may be best suited for scrubbing. However, in other
embodiments, the strips maybe constructed such that they are
suitable both for scrubbing and attachment. In yet other
embodiments, the strips can be attached on the longitudinal edges
that are more suitable for scrubbing and on the side or lateral
edges that are more suitable for attachment, and visa versa.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a cleaning element that
could be used for various embodiments of the cleaning cloth but
that most suitably illustrates the use of the embodiment of the
cleaning cloth illustrated in FIG. 8. In the illustrated
embodiment, the cleaning implement 900 includes a handle 910, a
pivoting, semi-rigid, adjustable or rigid connection 920 and a head
930. The head 930 includes a primary surface 932 which corresponds
to the interior portion 828 of the cleaning cloth 800, and two
beveled side edges 934 and 936 which correspond to the ledges 824
of the cleaning cloth 800. The beveled side edges 934 and 936 are
configured such that they can receive and attach to the strips 802
and 804 located on the cleaning cloth 800. In addition, in
embodiments in which the strips on the opposing side are suitable
for scrubbing, by leaning or tilting the head 930, force can be
applied to the scrubbing strip to clean highly soiled areas of the
target surface. The beveled edges may be included on the
longitudinal edges, latitudinal (short) edges, or a combination of
both. The beveled edge may only exist on one edge of the head 930
or two or more edges. The handle 910 can be constructed such that
it pivots at connection point 920 to allow ease on reaching and
cleaning the target surface but, when the user needs to scrub a
spot, the handle can be fixed in position to force the beveled edge
against the surface. This can be accomplished in a variety of
manners. A few non-limiting examples include a latching mechanism,
a structural mechanism that allows the handle to rotate only in a
270 degree range, or approximately 270 degrees, but when forced in
the direction of the beveled edge, will not rotate or pivot and
thus, allows the user to apply force with the beveled edge. In
other embodiments, it should be appreciated that rather than
beveled, the edges may be curved, arched, perpendicular, textured,
etc.
[0050] In the description and claims of the present application,
each of the verbs, "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates
thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the
verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components,
elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
[0051] The present invention has been described using detailed
descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of
example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of
which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some
embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the
features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of
embodiments of the present invention that are described and
embodiments of the present invention comprising different
combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will
occur to persons of the art.
[0052] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the invention
is defined by the claims that follow.
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