Cleaning article with irregularly spaced tow tufts

The present invention relates to cleaning supplies having irregularly spaced tow fiber tufts for cleaning.

Various cleaning supplies have been developed for dust removal and light cleaning. For example, rags and paper towels, which are used dry or wet with polishing and cleaning compositions, have been used on relatively flat surfaces such as countertops, showers, sinks, and floors. Laminated wipes have been proposed as disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,296,176. However, wipes, wipes, and paper towels should be in good hygiene (user's hands may come in contact with chemicals, dirt, or surfaces being cleaned) and reach (cloth wipes, wipes, or paper towels). These items are usually difficult to reach when holding the user's hands, and inconvenience (when cleaning between items placed at narrow intervals). There is a problem due to reasons such as (need to move).

To overcome these problems associated with the use of rags and paper towels, use the felt and hair devices described in Hayden's 1906 US Pat. No. 823,725 and the threads described in No. 4,145,787. A variety of reusable dust collectors, such as felt devices, have been in use for over a century. Disposable cleaning products with limited reusability have been developed to address the problem of reusable dust collectors. These disposable dust collection articles are US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0171764, US Patent No. 6,143,393, No. 6,241,835, No. 6,319,593, No. 6,329,308, No. 6,554,937, No. 6,774,070, No. No. 6,813,801, No. 6,830,801, No. 6,984,615, No. 7,003,856, No. 7,566,671, No. 7,712,178, No. 7,779,502, No. 7,870,635, No. 7,937,797, No. 8,146,197 No. 8,151,402, No. 8,161,594, 8,186,001, No. 8,225,453, No. 8,245,349, No. 8,646,144, No. 8,528,151, No. 8,617,685, No. 8,646,144, No. 8,752,232, No. 8,756,746 , No. 8,763,197, No. 8,793,832, No. 9,113,768, No. 9,198,553, and No. 8,075,977 transferred to the same transferee as the present application. Can include synthetic fiber tufts called.

Tow fibers as disclosed in US Patent No. 7,566,671, No. 7,803,726 assigned to the same assignee as the present application, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0028560 assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The disposable duster to have may be provided for wet cleaning. However, tow fibers can become tangled when wet and are not suitable for cleaning large or heavily wet surfaces (eg, floors). Therefore, dusters may not be suitable for cleaning extremely wide or heavily soiled surfaces.

Therefore, various sheets have been proposed for cleaning larger target surfaces such as floors. A web with elastic behavior is proposed in US Pat. No. 5,691,035, which was assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Sheets with indentations have also been proposed, as disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 6,245,413 and 7,386,907. Sheets with cavities have been proposed as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,550,092. Adhesive cleaning sheets are proposed in US Pat. No. 7,291,359. The bunch is taught in US Pat. Nos. 7,682,686, 7,838,099, and / or 8,075,977, which were assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Yet another attempt uses a wax and / or oil coating. Coatings such as wax and oil are generally used in US Pat. Nos. 6,550,092, 6,777,064, 6,797,357, 6,936,330, 6,984,615, 7,386,907, 7,560,398, 7,786,030, It is disclosed in No. 8,536,074, No. 9,204,775, and No. 9,339,165. Certain amphipathic coatings are disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,851,776.

Some prior art attempts have been made to simply focus on large and small dust based on the intended size of the dust to be collected. However, these teachings do not necessarily address the use of appropriate tow fibers to collect the range of dust commonly found when cleaning floors. Dense granular dust such as mud is not always trapped by tow fibers. Low density but bulkier dust, such as hair, is not always captured by the non-woven fabric. Prior art attempts to incorporate tow fibers into cleaning sheets did not take into account such differences in volume and density. If the tow fibers are too closely spaced, it may not be possible to capture and retain lower density dust in larger volumes. If the tow fibers are too closely spaced, they will not even be able to come into contact with dense granular dust, making it almost impossible to clean such dust on the surface. Even if such dust is first captured, the prior art sheet does not address the question of how such dust is retained by the sheet.

<p><patcit num="1"><text>US Pat. No. 9,296,176</text></patcit><patcit num="2"><text>US Pat. No. 823,725</text></patcit><patcit num="3"><text>US Pat. No. 4,145,787</text></patcit><patcit num="4"><text>US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0171764</text></patcit><patcit num="5"><text>US Pat. No. 6,143,393</text></patcit><patcit num="6"><text>US Pat. No. 6,241,835</text></patcit><patcit num="7"><text>US Pat. No. 6,319,593</text></patcit><patcit num="8"><text>US Pat. No. 6,329,308</text></patcit><patcit num="9"><text>US Pat. No. 6,554,937</text></patcit><patcit num="10"><text>US Pat. No. 6,774,070</text></patcit><patcit num="11"><text>US Pat. No. 6,813,801</text></patcit><patcit num="12"><text>US Pat. No. 6,830,801</text></patcit><patcit num="13"><text>US Pat. No. 6,984,615</text></patcit><patcit num="14"><text>US Pat. No. 7,003,856</text></patcit><patcit num="15"><text>US Pat. No. 7,566,671</text></patcit><patcit num="16"><text>US Pat. No. 7,712,178</text></patcit><patcit num="17"><text>US Pat. No. 7,779,502</text></patcit><patcit num="18"><text>US Pat. No. 7,870,635</text></patcit><patcit num="19"><text>US Pat. No. 7,937,797</text></patcit><patcit num="20"><text>US Pat. No. 8,146,197</text></patcit><patcit num="21"><text>US Pat. No. 8,151,402</text></patcit><patcit num="22"><text>US Pat. No. 8,161,594</text></patcit><patcit num="23"><text>US Pat. No. 8,186,001</text></patcit><patcit num="24"><text>US Pat. No. 8,225,453</text></patcit><patcit num="25"><text>US Pat. No. 8,245,349</text></patcit><patcit num="26"><text>US Pat. No. 8,646,144</text></patcit><patcit num="27"><text>US Pat. No. 8,528,151</text></patcit><patcit num="28"><text>US Pat. No. 8,617,685</text></patcit><patcit num="29"><text>US Pat. No. 8,752,232</text></patcit><patcit num="30"><text>US Pat. No. 8,756,746</text></patcit><patcit num="31"><text>US Pat. No. 8,763,197</text></patcit><patcit num="32"><text>US Pat. No. 8,793,832</text></patcit><patcit num="33"><text>US Pat. No. 9,113,768</text></patcit><patcit num="34"><text>US Pat. No. 9,198,553</text></patcit><patcit num="35"><text>US Pat. No. 8,075,977</text></patcit><patcit num="36"><text>US Pat. No. 7,803,726</text></patcit><patcit num="37"><text>US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0028560</text></patcit><patcit num="38"><text>US Pat. No. 5,691,035</text></patcit><patcit num="39"><text>US Pat. No. 6,245,413</text></patcit><patcit num="40"><text>US Pat. No. 7,386,907</text></patcit><patcit num="41"><text>US Pat. No. 7,291,359</text></patcit><patcit num="42"><text>US Pat. No. 7,682,686</text></patcit><patcit num="43"><text>US Pat. No. 7,838,099</text></patcit><patcit num="44"><text>US Pat. No. 6,550,092</text></patcit><patcit num="45"><text>US Pat. No. 6,777,064</text></patcit><patcit num="46"><text>US Pat. No. 6,797,357</text></patcit><patcit num="47"><text>US Pat. No. 6,936,330</text></patcit><patcit num="48"><text>US Pat. No. 7,560,398</text></patcit><patcit num="49"><text>US Pat. No. 7,786,030</text></patcit><patcit num="50"><text>US Pat. No. 8,536,074</text></patcit><patcit num="51"><text>US Pat. No. 9,204,775</text></patcit><patcit num="52"><text>US Pat. No. 9,339,165</text></patcit><patcit num="53"><text>US Pat. No. 8,851,776</text></patcit></p>

<p>Therefore, the present invention uses tow fibers in hard surface cleaning supplies to capture and retain the various ranges of dust encountered in daily cleaning by preferably arranging the tow tufts on the cleaning sheet. Address the issue of how to incorporate.</p>

<p>The present invention includes cleaning supplies having a longitudinal axis and including a non-woven carrier sheet. The cleaning product also has a plurality of discretely spaced tufts of tow fibers joined to the carrier sheet. The tufts are arranged in separate rows. At least part of this row is unevenly spaced from adjacent rows. This row may be oriented within plus or minus 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis and may be separated from adjacent rows by a space having a certain width. The width of this space can decrease as it approaches the longitudinal axis.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a top view of the cleaning article according to the present invention, and has separate tufts spaced apart from each other in a row.</figref><figref num="1A-1">FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="1A-2">FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="2">It is a top view of the cleaning article according to the present invention, has separate tufts, and has a tapered tufted space between them.</figref><figref num="2A-1">FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="2A-2">FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is a top view of the cleaning article according to the present invention, and has separate tufts, and a herringbone-shaped space that traverses the tufts between them.</figref><figref num="3A-1">FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="3A-2">FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies of FIG.</figref><figref num="4.1">It is a top view of the cleaning article according to the present invention, which has two rows of separate tufts, one row on each side of the longitudinal axis, and a central space between the rows. It is arranged on the longitudinal axis.</figref><figref num="4.2">It is a top schematic of the cleaning article according to the present invention, it has three separate tufts, one row on each side of the longitudinal axis, and a central row between those rows, which is the central row. It is arranged on the longitudinal axis.</figref><figref num="4A-1">FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies in Figure 4.1.</figref><figref num="4A-2">FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of the processes that can be used to manufacture the cleaning supplies in Figure 4.1.</figref><figref num="5.1">Top schematic of a hybrid cleaning product according to the invention, with separate tufts, features of FIGS. 1 to 4, and a flexible strip and a central cleaning strip element.</figref><figref num="5.2">It is a schematic bottom view of the cleaning product according to the present invention that is broken in the middle, and the connection pattern aligned on the transverse axis is shown on the left side of the cleaning product, and the coupling pattern aligned on the longitudinal axis is shown on the right side of the cleaning product. The coupling pattern and the coupling pattern inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis are shown.</figref><figref num="6A">FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a floor cleaning appliance to which a cleaning tool is attached, which is suitable for use with the claimed invention.</figref><figref num="6B">FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a floor cleaning device that sprays a liquid cleaner onto the floor, which is suitable for use with the invention.</figref><figref num="6C">It is a perspective view of the handle suitable for use with the duster type cleaning article by the invention of claim.</figref>

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.2, the cleaning article 10 can be generally an elongated rectangle, but other shapes are also conceivable and feasible. The cleaning product 10 may include two or more components joined in a laminated form to provide the cleaning product 10 suitable for cleaning the floor. The cleaning article 10 can have a carrier sheet 12, which forms a chassis for mounting other components. The cleaning product 10 has a plurality of tufts 15. The tufts 15 are arranged in rows 30, with spaces 31 between the rows 30. Space 31 may be located in a lane that provides a distance between rows 30 of tufts 15. This configuration provides advantageous dust collection and retention over the uniform tuft 15 shape found in the prior art.

Cleaning supplies 10 may be disposable. "Disposable" means that cleaning supplies 10 can be used for a single cleaning operation, or generally less than a few square meters, and then discarded. In contrast, the reusable cleaning supplies 10 are washed or otherwise restored to their original condition after use.

The cleaning product 10 may have a longitudinal axis LA and a transverse axis TA orthogonal to it. The cleaning product 10 and its respective components may have two longitudinal edges 20 parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and two transverse edges 22 parallel to the transverse axis TA.

The length of the cleaning article 10 is measured in the longitudinal direction. The width of the cleaning article 10 is perpendicular to the length direction and corresponds to the transverse direction arranged in the plane of the sheet 12. Thickness is defined as a dimension in the Z direction. The XY plane is defined by the plane defined by the cleaning article 10. The Z direction of the cleaning product 10 is a direction perpendicular to the plane of the cleaning product 10. The cleaning product 10 can have a length of 20 to 50 cm and a width of 10 to 20 cm. Specifically, the cleaning appliance 10 has a length of 30 +/- 2 cm and a width of 30 +/- 2 cm when measured at maximum dimensions to fit the head 74 of a typical cleaning appliance 70, as described below. It may be 14 +/- 2 cm. The optional core may specifically be 6.5 +/- 2 cm wide and 26 +/- 2 cm long. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes are feasible and within the scope of the present invention.

The cleaning product 10 may have a cleaning surface facing outward and a mounting surface on the opposite side. Although the cleaning product 10 is intended to be used in a dry state, wet cleaning is also conceived and is within the scope of the present invention. Cleaning supplies 10 may also have any absorbent core for wet cleaning.

More specifically, the cleaning product 10 may include a structure having at least one tow fiber tuft 15 and at least one carrier sheet 12. The tow fiber tufts 15 and carriers are joined by at least one permanent bond 38 in a face-to-face relationship to form a laminate. The tow fiber tufts 15 (s) may extend outward from the plane of the carrier sheet 12.

The tufts 15 may be placed directly on the carrier sheet 12. If desired, the tufts 15 may be attached to the precursor sheet 13, which is then attached to the carrier sheet 12 as described below.

The carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 may particularly contain a synthetic non-woven fabric. Carrier sheets 12 and / or precursor sheets 13 with synthetic fibers provide favorable bonding of tow fibers to them. As is known in the art, non-woven fabrics include spunbond, card, and airlaid materials, which are made from synthetic fibers. Suitable non-woven sheets may be made in accordance with US Pat. No. 6,797,357, assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 optionally comprises a polyolefin film or microfiber and may be liquid permeable or impermeable.

The carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 may contain cellulose to provide absorbency. As is known in the art, a resin having a permanent wet strength may be added to the cellulosic sheet. Alternatively, the carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 is preferably cellulosic fibers and synthetics to provide both absorbency and barrier properties and to be convenient for joining the cleaning strip elements 25. It may contain a mixture of fibers. By "cellulosic" is meant that the cellulosic fibers make up the majority of the weight percent of the constituents.

The carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 may contain a water flow confounding spunbonded non-woven fabric having a basis weight of 20 to 80 gsm. Avgol Nonwovens (Tel-Aviv, Israel) 45gsm nonwoven fabrics have been found to be suitable. The carrier sheet 12 and / or the precursor sheet 13 are two, three, or more layers bonded to each other using an adhesive 32 and / or a thermal bond 38, as is known in the art. May contain a laminate of. An optional mounting stripe of loop or similar material may be joined to the mounting surface to detachably join the cleaning tool 10 to the handle 72 or appliance 70. One or more layers may include microfibers, especially nylon microfibers, as is known in the art.

The cleaning article 10 may have any cleaning strip element 25. In particular, the carrier sheet 12 may serve as a chassis for mounting the cleaning strip element 25. The cleaning strip element 25 may include a polyolefin film with an integral overhang disclosed in US Pat. No. 8,407,848, which was assigned to the same assignee as the present application, or a tow fiber rope. The cleaning strip element 25 may preferably contain a mixture of wet raid fibers formed as a tissue bonded to a synthetic non-woven fabric using a process such as spunlacing or water flow entanglement. The cleaning strip element 25 may specifically include a composite material of 23 gsm thin fabric and 17 gsm polypropylene spunbond, sold by Suominen (Helsinki, Finland) under the name Genesis tissue. Alternatively, the cleaning strip element 25, precursor sheet 13 and / or carrier sheet 12 may optionally or additionally contain nylon microfibers.

The tow fiber, and the tufts 15 formed thereby, may be synthetic and may include polymers including polyesters, polypropylenes, polyethylenes, biopolymers (eg, polylactic acid, biopolyethylene, biopolyesters, etc.) and the like. .. Tow fibers may also contain fibers derived from natural sources such as cellulose, acetyl cellulose, flax, hemp, jute, and mixtures thereof, in which case the individual fibers are relatively long strands made in bundles. Is. Preferred tow fibers are polypropylene with a polyethylene sheath or binary fibers with a polyethylene core. The tow fiber can have 1.5-8.0 denier per filament and 15,000-95,000 denier at total crimp of the tow bundle. Tow fiber is a component of Swiffer® Duster® sold by the Transferee.

The carrier sheet 12, the precursor sheet 13, and the tow fiber tuft 15 (s) can be joined by a plurality of permanent binding portions 38. The joint 38 is intended to minimize or prevent unraveling of separated or detached tow fibers. Such sheets 12 and tow fiber tufts 15 (s) may typically be directly superimposed on each other with or without intervening members or intervening components in between. The bond 38 may be an ultrasonic bond 38, an adhesive 32 bond 38, a thermal bond 38, or a combination thereof, as is known in the art.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 1, cleaning supplies 10 may have separate tow fiber tufts 15 arranged in row 30. Rows 30 of tufts 15 may be continuous in steps to form a grid of tufts 15. The rows 30 may be parallel to the transverse axis or may be substantially aligned in the anterior-posterior direction during normal use. This arrangement provides the benefit that larger dust can be caught in the space between rows 30 during normal use, while smaller dust can be caught by the tuft 15.

Six parallel and evenly spaced columns 30 are shown, but the invention is not so limited. Predictively 2 to 15 columns 30 can be used with equal or unequal spacing, equal or unequal widths, and equal or unequal tuft 15 densities. The rows 30 may be parallel to each other with respect to the transverse axes, may be oblique to each other with respect to the transverse axes, or may be oblique to each other with respect to the other rows 30. Optionally, the adhesive 32 may be placed in the space 31 between the rows 30. Row 30 may extend transversely as shown or may be interrupted along the longitudinal axis.

In one specific non-limiting embodiment, the tufts 15 have a row-to-row pitch T1 of 1-3 cm, a distance T2 from the center to the marginal tufts 15 of 0.5-1.5 cm, and a transverse tuft 15 spacing T4. Is 0.1-0.5 cm and can be spaced apart. Rows 30 may have a length of 8 to 16 cm in the transverse direction C1 and may be 0.5 to 1.5 cm apart in the longitudinal direction C2.

This geometry allows columns 30 and space 31 to be cleaned when used with a common size cleaner 70, such as the Swiffer Wet Mower 70 appliance sold by the transferee. Provides the benefit of being able to wrap the tip of the head 74. Wrapping the tip of the head 74 of the cleaning tool 70 is believed to improve cleaning along walls and skirting boards.

With reference to FIG. 1A, the cleaning article 10 can be made by providing the precursor sheet 13 as in step 1. The tow fibers are longitudinally stretched across the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 2. The tow fibers are bonded to the precursor sheet 13 in the transverse direction as shown in step 3. The tufts 15 are made by making slits between the joints 38 of the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 3. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are cut and separated into separate rows 30 as shown in steps 4-5. The carrier sheet 12 is provided as shown in step 6. The carrier sheet 12 is coated with the adhesive 32 as shown in step 7. Row 30 of tufts 15 is placed on the carrier sheet 12 and held in place by the adhesive 32 as shown in step 8. Optionally, the tufts 15 may be fluffed with blown air to inflate the tufts 15 as shown in step 9.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 2, cleaning supplies 10 may have separate tow fiber tufts 15 arranged in variable width rows 30. The variable width row 30 may be substantially parallel to the transverse axis and may be substantially aligned in the front-rear direction during normal use. Between rows 30 of tufts 15 is a variable width space 31. This arrangement provides the benefit that larger dust can be caught within the space 31 between rows 30 during normal use, while smaller dust can be caught by the tuft 15. This variable width provides the benefit that larger dust enters space 31 in the transverse direction and penetrates further inward, eventually being caught by the adjacent row 30. The space 31 may taper inward as it approaches the longitudinal axis.

Although four parallel and evenly spaced columns 30 are shown, the invention is not so limited. Predictively 2 to 15 columns 30 with equal or unequal spacing, equal or unequal variable width, and equal or unequal tuft 15 densities can be used. The rows 30 may be parallel to each other with respect to the transverse axes, may be oblique to each other with respect to the transverse axes, or may be oblique to each other with respect to the other rows 30. Optionally, the adhesive 32 may be placed in the space 31 between the rows 30. Row 30 may extend transversely and may be interrupted along the longitudinal axis. The tapered tuft 15 interior space 31 between tufts 15 provides the benefit that tufts 15 are not interrupted by space 31. Therefore, all tufts 15 can be selected to be large enough for effective cleaning.

In one specific non-limiting embodiment, space 31 may have an opening T1 of 1-3 cm. The row 30 may have a width T2 of 0.5 to 1.5 cm at the edge of the cleaning article 10 and a width T3 of 0.5 to 1 cm near the edge of the space 31. The transverse tuft 15 spacing T4 used may be 0.1-0.5 cm. The space 31 may have a length of 3 to 8 cm in the transverse direction C1 and may be separated by 0.5 to 1.5 cm in the longitudinal direction C2. Rows 30 may be longitudinally separated by a distance S1 of 2-8 cm.

This geometry allows columns 30 and space 31 to be cleaned when used with a common size cleaner 70, such as the Swiffer Wet Mower 70 appliance sold by the transferee. Provides the benefit of being able to wrap the tip of the head 74. Wrapping the tip of the head 74 of the cleaning tool 70 is believed to improve cleaning along walls and skirting boards. The amount of tufts 15 on the tip can be controlled by space 31 and is inversely proportional to the width of space 31.

With reference to FIG. 2A, the cleaning product 10 can be made by providing the precursor sheet 13 as in step 1. The tow fibers are longitudinally stretched across the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 2. The tow fibers are bonded to the precursor sheet 13 in the transverse direction as shown in step 3. The tufts 15 are made by making slits between the joints 38 of the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 3. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are cut to provide the planned space 31 as shown in step 4. The waste material and unused tufts 15 of the precursor sheet 13 are evacuated to obtain space 31 as shown in step 5. The carrier sheet 12 is provided as shown in step 6. The carrier sheet 12 is coated with the adhesive 32 as shown in step 7. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are placed on the carrier sheet 12 and held in place by the adhesive 32 as shown in step 8. Optionally, the tufts 15 may be fluffed with blown air to inflate the tufts 15 as shown in step 9.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 3, the cleaning article 10 may have a row 30 defined by a space 31 across between the tufts 15. These columns 30 and spaces 31 may be arranged in a herringbone pattern. Spaces 31 and rows 30 may have a constant width as shown, or separate tow fiber tufts 15 may be arranged in variable width rows 30. The rows 30 may be substantially oblique to the transverse axis and may not be entirely aligned with respect to the anteroposterior direction during normal use. Between rows 30 of tufts 15 is a constant or variable width space 31. This arrangement provides the benefit that larger dust can be caught within the space 31 between rows 30 during normal use, while smaller dust can be caught by the tuft 15. The direction of the diagonal row 30 provides the benefit that during normal cleaning, the dust captured during the back and forth movement will not be dislodged and released.

Seven parallel and evenly spaced columns 30 are shown, but the invention is not so limited. Predictively 2 to 15 columns 30 can be used with equal or unequal spacing, equal or unequal widths, and equal or unequal tuft 15 densities. The widths of columns 30 and space 31 may be constant or variable. The rows 30 adjacent to one longitudinal edge may be diagonal to each other with respect to the transverse axis, or may be diagonal to each other with respect to the other row 30. The rows 30 of the opposing longitudinal edges may be herringbone-shaped, parallel to each other, or arranged in any other suitable pattern. Optionally, the adhesive 32 may be placed in the space 31 between the rows 30. Row 30 may extend transversely or be interrupted along the longitudinal axis. The space 31 across between the tufts 15 provides the benefit of forming tufts 15 of various sizes against dust buildups of various sizes. Therefore, as dust adheres to the smaller tufts 15, the larger tufts 15 can catch the dust that is subsequently encountered during the cleaning process.

In one specific non-limiting embodiment, space 31 may have an opening T1 of 0.5-3 cm. The row 30 may have a width T2 of 0.5 to 1.5 cm at the edge of the cleaning article 10. Space 31 may have a length C1 of 3-8 cm. Rows 30 may be longitudinally spaced by a transverse distance S1 of 2-8 cm.

This geometry allows columns 30 and space 31 to be cleaned when used with a common size cleaner 70, such as the Swiffer Wet Mower 70 appliance sold by the transferee. Provides the benefit of being able to wrap the tip of the head 74. Wrapping the tip of the head 74 of the cleaning tool 70 is believed to improve cleaning along walls and skirting boards. The amount of tufts 15 on the tip can be controlled by space 31 and is inversely proportional to the width of space 31.

With reference to FIG. 3A, the cleaning article 10 can be made by providing the precursor sheet 13 as in step 1. The tow fibers are longitudinally stretched across the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 2. The tow fibers are bonded to the precursor sheet 13 in the transverse direction as shown in step 3. The tufts 15 are made by making slits between the joints 38 of the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 3. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are cut to provide the planned space 31 as shown in step 4. The waste material of the carrier sheet 13 and the unused tufts 15 are evacuated to obtain space 31 as shown in step 5. The carrier sheet 12 is provided as shown in step 6. The carrier sheet 12 is coated with the adhesive 32 as shown in step 7. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are placed on the carrier sheet 12 and held in place by the adhesive 32 as shown in step 8. Optionally, the tufts 15 may be fluffed with blown air to inflate the tufts 15 as shown in step 9.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3A as a whole, the tufts 15 may be arranged on different pitches. This pitch is the distance between the centers of the tufts 15 taken parallel to the longitudinal axis or parallel to the transverse axis. As shown in imaginary lines 99A and 99B, the pitch may vary as it approaches the longitudinal axis, providing different pitches and thus different tufts 15 densities. The pitch may increase as the longitudinal edge (parallel to the longitudinal axis) approaches, or vice versa. This configuration provides the benefit that dust is more easily captured and retained by the cleaning supplies 10.

If desired, the precursor sheet 13 with cutouts may be used without the carrier sheet 12. This configuration offers the advantage of saving material, but can sacrifice strength.

This pitch, i.e. the density of tufts 15, may be constant at any predetermined spacing from the longitudinal edge. The tufts 15 may be staggered on either side of the longitudinal and transverse axes. Tufts 15 are adjacent tufts in both directions to provide adequate spacing between them and to provide dust retention during back and for the sweeping. It may completely overlap with the 15 positions. Alternatively, the pitch between each tuft 15 having the maximum diameter, or other max dimension taken parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the adjacent tufts 15 of a particular row 30 may be greater than the maximum diameter / dimension. good.

Such cleaning supplies may be folded in three, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis, as is common in the art. This configuration provides the outer two of the trisections for general use in attaching cleaning appliances to the head 74. If desired, tufts 15 may be placed in at least one of the outer trisections and optionally in both to provide cleaning along the walls and skirting boards. ..

In particular, with reference to FIGS. 4.1 and 4.2, cleaning supplies 10 may have separate tow fiber tufts 15 arranged in row 30 with at least one longitudinal space 31 between them. The rows 30 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis or may be substantially aligned across the anterior-posterior direction during normal use. This arrangement provides the benefit that larger dust can be caught within the space 31 between rows 30 during normal use, while smaller dust can be caught by the tuft 15. The space 31 between rows 30 can be used to capture dust when turning sideways or by using a pressing motion against the floor at the end of the cleaning process. This configuration provides effective hair uptake and is suitable for homes with pets.

Although two parallel and identically sized columns 30 are shown, the invention is not so limited. Predictively 2-10 columns 30 with equal or unequal spacing, equal or unequal widths, and equal or unequal tufts 15 densities can be used. Column 30 may have a constant width or a variable width. The rows 30 may be parallel to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis, may be oblique to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis, or may be oblique to each other with respect to the other rows 30. Optionally, the adhesive 32 may be placed in the space 31 between the rows 30. Row 30 may extend longitudinally as shown or may be interrupted at the transverse axis.

In one specific non-limiting embodiment having two rows 30 as shown in Figure 4.1, the rows 30 can have a width S1 of 2-8 cm. S2, which is the space 31 between rows 30, can be 1-4 cm. In one specific non-limiting embodiment having three rows 30 as shown in FIG. 4.2, the outer row 30 may have a width S1 of 1-8 cm. The central row 30 may have a width S3 of 1-6 cm. S2, which is the space 31 between rows 30, can be 0.5-4 cm.

This geometry allows columns 30 and space 31 to be cleaned when used with a common size cleaner 70, such as the Swiffer Wet Mower 70 appliance sold by the transferee. Provides the benefit of being able to wrap the tip of the head 74. Wrapping the tip of the head 74 of the cleaning tool 70 is believed to improve cleaning along walls and skirting boards. Wrapping the tip of a cleaning tool is believed to improve cleaning along walls and skirting boards.

With reference to FIG. 4A, the cleaning article 10 of FIG. 4.1 can be made by providing the precursor sheet 13 as in step 1. The tow fibers are longitudinally stretched across the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 2. The tow fibers are bonded to the precursor sheet 13 in the transverse direction as shown in step 3. The tufts 15 are made by making slits between the joints 38 of the precursor sheet 13 as shown in step 3. The precursor sheet 13 and tufts 15 are cut and separated into separate rows 30 as shown in steps 4-5. The carrier sheet 12 is provided as shown in step 6. The carrier sheet 12 is coated with the adhesive 32 as shown in step 7. Row 30 of tufts 15 is placed on the carrier sheet 12 and held in place by the adhesive 32 as shown in step 8. Optionally, the tufts 15 may be fluffed with blown air to inflate the tufts 15 as shown in step 9. Cleaning supplies 10 in Figure 4.2 and similar cleaning supplies 10.

With reference to FIG. 5.1, the cleaning article 10 may optionally have a strip 17. Strip 17 has a length-to-width aspect ratio greater than 1. If desired, an elongated tow fiber rope that is oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and optionally coincides with the longitudinal axis LA can be used. The cleaning strip element 25 may be disposed partially on the longitudinal axis LA or over the longitudinal axis LA. Using a combination of in-cell 15 space 31 and inter-cell 15 space 31, constant, parallel to longitudinal axis, parallel to transverse axis, and slanted relative to them Width, variable width, evenly spaced, and unevenly spaced rows 30 can be formed.

Different pitches can be achieved as a function of the size of tufts 15. Tufts 15 can increase in size, and thus pitch, as they approach the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the tufts 15 may maintain a constant pitch with respect to the longitudinal axis and may decrease in size as they approach one or both longitudinal edges. Therefore, the tufts 15 can increase in size and decrease in pitch as they approach the longitudinal axis. One tuft 15 may be in contact with or separated from an adjacent tuft 15.

As shown in FIGS. 5.1 and 5.2, different spacing between adjacent tufts 15 can simply be achieved by arranging different tufts 15, preferably their rows, at different pitches. This configuration offers the benefit of being able to obtain different intervals without complicated and irrelevant manufacturing processes. Preferably, this different pitch increases by at least 25%, 50%, 100% or 200% of the smaller pitch being considered. This difference is considered suitable for capturing large dust, while smaller differences may not be effective.

With particular reference to FIG. 5.2, different pitches of tufts 15 can be achieved by different spacing of joints 38. This configuration advantageously results in tufts 15 of different sizes. If the cuts are not aligned and the joints 38 are aligned without a sandwiched cut, this arrangement also advantageously provides a bridge portion of the bonded toe fibers between the tufts 15.

Adhesive 32, wax, Newtonian fluid oil, any of the carrier sheet 12, precursor sheet 13, and / or tow fiber tufts 15 15 with general reference to any of Figures 1-5.2. Cleaning can be improved and the retention of absorbed dust can be increased by coating with and / or non-Newtonian fluid oils, or a combination thereof, if desired, completely or partially. In particular, the tow fiber tufts 15 of any configuration may be coated with a mineral oil coating. The coating may include a mixture of mineral oil and surfactant with an oil to surfactant ratio of approximately 90% to 10%. Surfactants provide the benefit of inducing oil to moisten the tow fibers by reducing surface energy. The surfactant can be a nonionic surfactant.

Both the carrier sheet 12 and the precursor sheet 13 may contain a non-woven fabric or may be ultrasonically coupled. Alternatively, the carrier sheet 12 and the precursor sheet 13 may be bonded with an adhesive 32. This configuration has the benefit that if the carrier sheet 12 is coated with adhesive 32 throughout, the adhesive 32 is located within the space 31 between rows 30 and is available for dust collection and retention. I will provide a.

The space 31 between the tufts 15 may range from 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.5 cm to 8, 7, 6, 5, or 4 cm, especially 0.5 to 3 cm, 0.5 to 2.5 cm, 0.8 cm to 2 cm. , Or 1 to 1.5 cm, or any range between them, and in any combination includes any of the endpoints described above. The space 31 having this width between the adjacent tufts 15 can form a lane between the adjacent tufts 15 and is considered suitable for capturing large dust that is not necessarily trapped by the tow fibers. This lane may form a straight line to allow the entry of dust. The width of the space 31 is measured between the closest parts of adjacent tufts 15 when the tufts are in a normal configuration where they are lightly pressed against the target surface.

This interval may provide different pitches between the tufts 15. The different pitches are measured on straight lines 99A, 99B between the centers of adjacent tufts 15 and are independent of the size of tufts 15. The lines 99A and 99B may be parallel to the longitudinal axis LA and the transverse axis TA, or may be oblique. This pitch can have a difference of 25%, 50%, 100% or 200% of the smaller pitch being considered to provide effective collection of both large and small dust.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cleaning article 10 may be removablely attached to the cleaning appliance 70 for use with drying, wetting, and / or pre-wetting cleaning, depending on the particular task. good. The cleaning tool 70 may have a head 74 for receiving the cleaning tool 10 and an elongated handle 72 joined to the head 74. A typical floor cleaning appliance 70 has a handle 72 that is gripped by the user and a head 74 that is attached to this handle, preferably pivotally attached to it. The head 74 moves in contact with the floor or other target surface. The cleaning article 10 may be detachably attached to the bottom of the head 74. The mounting system can provide a removable mounting of the cleaning article 10 on a suitable and optional handle 72. Detachable attachment of cleaning supplies 10 to appliance 70 can be achieved using adhesive 32, hook-and-loop fastener systems, elongated sleeves, grippers, and the like. The gripper and suitable cleaning device 70 are disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,484,356, which was assigned to the same assignee.

With reference to FIG. 6B, cleaning supplies 10 are optionally used with a cleaning solution or other solution that can be used for other purposes such as treating the surface for appearance or for sterilization. You may. The floor cleaner 70 can allow the user to clean the floor while standing upright, and also a cleaning solution or other from the reservoir 75 to the floor via one or more nozzles 76. Can be provided to spray the liquid. Suitable spray appliances 70 have been assigned to the same assignee as the present application, US Pat. Nos. 5,888,006, 5,988,920, 6,842,936, 7,182,537, 7,536,743, 7,676,877, and 7. It is disclosed in Nos. 8,186,898. The cleaning solution may be pre-applied to the cleaning product 10 to make a pre-moistened cleaning product 10 or housed inside a separate reservoir 75 for application on the cleaning product 10 and / or the target surface. May be done. The wash solution is predominantly water and may contain at least about 0.5, 2, 5 or 10% by weight solid, or at least about 30 or 50% by weight aqueous solvent, non-aqueous solution, or a mixture thereof. A suitable instrument 70 with an optional vacuum is disclosed in US Pat. No. 7,137,169.

With reference to FIG. 6C, the appliance 70 may have a handle 72 and a head 74 that are used in a fixed relationship and include one or more teeth 73. The teeth 73 may be inserted into the sleeve within the cleaning article 10. This configuration allows the cleaning article 10 to be conveniently used as a duster for cleaning small objects and tightens the space 31. Suitable appliances 70 for duster-type cleaning supplies 10 are disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 8,578,564 and D674,949 S, which were assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

If desired, the cleaning article 10 may be used with an autonomously moving robot with an unmanned aerial vehicle and may be detachably attached to it. Suitable examples of robots and drones for use with the cleaning supplies of the present invention are US Pat. Nos. 6,941,199, 6,810,305, 6,779,217, 6,481,515, and 6,481,515, which were assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Found in Nos. 6,459,955 and Serial Nos. 14 / 992,195 (filed January 11, 2016, P &amp; G Case No. 14189). Examples of robots for use with wet and drywall can be found in US Pat. Nos. 7,389,156, 8,774,966, and 8,855,813. The data control system may be used with cleaning supplies 10, as described in US Pat. No. 7,431,524.

Cleaning supplies 10 can also be used by hand without the use of handles 72 or appliances 70. If desired, the various cleaning supplies 10 described herein may be packaged and sold as a kit. This configuration provides the benefit of the user having 10 different cleaning supplies for different tasks. For example, if desired, multiple sizes of cleaning supplies 10 can be sold together as a single kit. This configuration allows the user to select a particular cleaning product 10 that is best suited for urgent work.

The cleaning supplies according to the invention can be made in any combination according to any of the following non-limiting paragraphs.

A. A cleaning product with a longitudinal axis, a non-woven carrier sheet and a plurality of discretely spaced tow fiber tufts joined to the carrier sheet, the tufts arranged in separated rows. The rows are oriented within plus or minus 45 degrees of the longitudinal axis and are separated from adjacent rows by a space, each of which has a width and at least some of the spaces. The widths of the tow fibers are not equal, including multiple discretely spaced tufts of tow fibers, including cleaning supplies.

B. The cleaning supplies described in paragraph A, wherein the tufts in the row are the same size.

C. The cleaning supplies according to paragraphs A and B, wherein the tufts are staggered on both sides and the rows are non-monotonically tapered as they approach the longitudinal axis.

D. Cleaning supplies according to paragraphs A, B and C, wherein the space does not block the longitudinal axis.

E. Cleaning supplies according to any one of paragraphs A to D, wherein the space crosses the longitudinal axis.

F. The cleaning article according to any one of paragraphs A to E, which has two longitudinal edges parallel to the longitudinal axis and further comprises a strip that crosses each of the longitudinal axes.

G. A cleaning product having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, which is a non-woven carrier sheet and a plurality of discretely spaced tow fibers bonded to the carrier sheet. The tufts are arranged in separated rows, which are oriented within plus or minus 45 degrees of the transverse axis and are separated from the adjacent rows by some space, and the rows are arranged in a herringbone pattern. Cleaning supplies, including multiple discretely spaced tow fiber tufts.

H. The cleaning supplies described in paragraph G, wherein the column is of substantially constant width.

I. The cleaning supplies according to paragraphs G and H, wherein the row is of substantially constant width and further includes tufts arranged on the longitudinal axis.

J. Cleaning supplies according to paragraphs G, H, and I, wherein the column is substantially constant width and the space is substantially constant width.

K. Cleaning supplies according to paragraphs G, H, I and J, further comprising an adhesive in the space between the columns.

L. A cleaning product having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to it, a pair of separated longitudinal edges, and a pair of spaced transverse edges that are joined to the non-woven carrier sheet and the carrier sheet. A plurality of discretely spaced tufts of tow fibers, the tufts arranged in spaced rows, the row having a certain row width and of the longitudinal axis or the transverse axis. Oriented substantially parallel to one of them, each row is spaced from adjacent rows by a space having a certain space width, the space width being at least 0.5 cm, multiple discrete. Cleaning supplies, including, with tufts of tow fibers spaced apart from each other.

M. The rows are substantially parallel to the transverse axis, each row has a width parallel to the longitudinal axis, the space width is at least 1 cm, and the space is the transverse edge. The cleaning supplies described in paragraph L, which are substantially extended between.

N. The rows are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, each row has a width parallel to the longitudinal axis, the space is linear, and the space is the transverse edge. The cleaning supplies described in paragraph L, which are substantially extended in between.

O. The rows are substantially parallel to the transverse axis, each row has a width parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the width of the rows is defined by at least two adjacent tufts. The cleaning supplies according to paragraphs L and M, wherein the space between the rows is across both of the longitudinal edges without interruption by the tufts.

P. The rows are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, each row has a width parallel to the transverse axis, and the space between the rows crosses the transverse edge. , Cleaning supplies described in paragraphs L and N.

Q. I have two rows that are placed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, one on each side of the longitudinal axis, so that the longitudinal axis does not contain tufts. , Paragraphs L, N, and P.

R. Containing at least two rows, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, one row on each side of the longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis not containing tufts. The cleaning supplies according to paragraphs L, N, P, and Q, wherein the columns and the spaces between them have substantially equal widths to each other.

S. Contains at least two rows that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, one row on each side of the longitudinal axis, whereby the longitudinal axis contains tufts. The cleaning supplies according to paragraphs L, N, P, Q, and R, which are located outside the row and further include an outer trisection that does not include the tuft.

T. Containing at least two rows, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, one row on each side of the longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis not containing tufts. Cleaning supplies according to paragraphs L, N, P, Q, R and S, further comprising an adhesive in the space between the rows.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numbers listed. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to mean both the enumerated values and the functionally equivalent range surrounding the values. For example, the dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm" and the pressure disclosed as "about 1100 kPa" is intended to include 1103.2 kPa.

All documents cited herein, including either cross-referenced or related patents or applications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. Be incorporated. No citation of any document is considered prior art to any invention disclosed or claimed herein, or it may be used alone or in combination with any other reference (s). At times, it is not considered to teach, suggest or disclose all such inventions. In addition, if any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with the meaning or definition of the same term in the document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition given to that term in this document applies. Shall be. All of the limitations presented herein as defining the scope may be used in conjunction with any other limitation defining the scope. That is, the upper limit of one range may be used with the lower limit of another range, and vice versa.

Having illustrated and described specific embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such modifications and modifications within the scope of the present invention are covered by the appended claims.