JP3371966B2 - Cleaning tools - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present application relates to cleaning tools useful for removing soil from hard surfaces. The present application is particularly concerned with cleaning implements comprising a handle and a removable absorbent cleaning pad. The present application also relates to absorbent cleaning pads useful with this cleaning implement. The rinsing pad exhibits the ability to initially absorb liquid slowly, but thereafter absorb and retain significant levels of liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The literature describes numerous products capable of cleaning hard surfaces such as ceramic tile floors, hardwood floors, counter surfaces, and the like. In the context of floor cleaning, a number of tools consisting of a handle and some means for absorbing liquid cleaning compositions are described. Such tools include reusable items including mops containing cotton strings, cellulosic and / or synthetic strips, sponges and the like. While these mops are effective at removing a lot of dirt from hard surfaces, they typically have a mop material that prevents them from filling with mud, dirt, and other debris. However, there is an inconvenience that the rinsing process must be performed once or more during use. As such, these mops require the use of a separate container to perform the rinsing step, and typically, these rinsing steps do not lend themselves to sufficient removal of sludge. This can cause a significant amount of dirt to redeposit during continued movement of the mop. Moreover, as the reusable mops are used many times, they become increasingly dirty and odorous. This negatively affects the subsequent cleaning operation.

Attempts have been made to provide mops with disposable cleaning pads to overcome some of the negative qualities associated with reusable mops. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,559 issued to Rivera et al. On March 10, 1992 describes a scrubber layer for removing stains from a surface having stains, a cleaning process. A mop is described that includes a disposable cleaning pad consisting of a blotting paper layer for later absorbing liquid and a liquid impermeable layer disposed between the scrubber layer and the blotting paper layer. The pad further includes breakable packet means disposed between the scrubber layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The breakable packet is positioned so that when broken, the liquid is directed toward the surface to be washed. The impervious sheet prevents liquid from migrating to the absorbent blotter layer during the scrubbing layer cleaning action. After the cleaning procedure is completed, the pad is removed from the mop handle and reattached with the absorbent paper layer in contact with the floor. While this tool may eliminate the need for multiple rinse steps, the user must physically handle the pad to complete the cleaning process.
The soiled moist pad must be reattached.

Similarly, US Pat. No. 5,419,015 issued to Garcia on May 30, 1995 describes a mop having a removable and washable work pad. The pad is described as consisting of an upper layer that can be attached to the hooks on the head of the mop, a central layer that is a microporous foam made of synthetic plastic, and a lower layer that contacts the surface during cleaning operations. .
The composition of the underlayer is stated to vary depending on the end use of the tool: cleaning, polishing, or scrubbing. Although this reference mentions the problems associated with mops that require rinsing during use, this patent does not remove dirt that is typical of hard surfaces in the home, especially floors. Has not yet provided a cleaning implement that removes enough to be perceived as essentially free of dirt. In particular, the synthetic foam for cleaning solution absorption described by Garcia has a relatively low absorption capacity for water and water-based solutions. Therefore, the user must use a small amount of cleaning solution to stay within the absorbent capacity of the pad. Otherwise, the user will have to leave a significant amount of cleaning solution on the surface being cleaned. In either case, the overall properties of the cleaning pad are not optimal.

While many known tools for cleaning hard surfaces are effective in removing most of the dirt typically encountered by typical consumers in the cleaning process, they require one or more cleaning steps. It is inconvenient in that it requires it. Prior art tools that address the convenience issue typically address this issue at the expense of cleaning performance. Therefore, there is a continuing need for tools that provide both convenience and stain removal. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning implement comprising a removable cleaning pad that eliminates the need to rinse the pad during use. In particular,
An object of the present invention is a removable cleaning pad which has a sufficient absorption capacity based on grams of absorbed liquid per gram of cleaning pad, which has a large area (e.g. An object is to provide a tool comprising a pad capable of cleaning a large area, such as a typical 100 ft ² ) hard surface floor. Further purpose is
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning tool in which the pad provides effective soil removal. It is a further object when the cleaning implement of the present invention is used with a cleaning solution to provide a substantially dry end result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a cleaning implement comprising a removable cleaning pad comprising a. Handle and bi scrubbing layer, and ii. An absorbent layer, wherein the cleaning pad has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of and about 10 percent of the t ₃₀ percent absorbency of deionized water onto the cleaning pad 1g is related tool having a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5g.

Depending on the means used to attach the cleaning pad to the handle of the cleaning implement, it may be preferable for the cleaning pad to further include a separate attachment layer. In this embodiment, the absorbent layer is located between the scrubbing layer and the mounting layer.

The present invention is not limited to wet cleaning applications, but is preferably used with a cleaning solution. That is, the tool initially exists in a dry state, but the most suitable cleaning work for performing typical hard surface cleaning is to use a cleaning liquid applied to the surface with dirt before cleaning with this tool. Use of. While striving to develop this cleaning implement, Applicants have surprisingly discovered that a key aspect of cleaning performance is to avoid the initial rapid wicking of liquid. did. That is, while it is important for a typical user to absorb essentially all of the liquid cleaning solution within the time it takes to clean the surface, it is also important to avoid immediate absorption by the cleaning pad. This is generally contrary to the teaching of the prior art relating to absorbent products where immediate rapid absorption is considered desirable.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that initially not being absorbed by the cleaning pad will allow the solution to spread sufficiently over the surface, thereby increasing liquid-dirt contact. Further, this controlled delay in absorbency exhibited by the pads of the present invention provides sufficient contact time for the wash solution to interact with and remove the soil. After this initial delay, liquids and dirt are rapidly absorbed leaving a clean and dry surface. In this regard, minimal total absorbency is an essential requirement for cleaning pads. This total absorbency is also important.
The total absorbency allows a sufficient amount of cleaning solution to be used (to maximize solution-dirt interaction) and ensures that essentially all solution and solubilized dirt is removed from the surface. Because it is done.

The tool of the present invention is designed to be compatible with any hard surface substrate such as wood, vinyl, linoleum, wax-free floors, ceramics, Formica®, porcelain, glass, wallboard and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention having a liquid dispenser incorporated therein.

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention that does not have a built-in liquid dispenser.

  FIG. 1b is a side view of the handle of the tool shown in FIG. 1a.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the removable cleaning pad of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an expanded perspective view of the absorbent layer of the removable cleaning pad of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the removable cleaning pad of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an apparatus for measuring the performance of the removable cleaning pad under pressure (Performance Under Pressure-PUP).

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the piston / cylinder assembly shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an expanded perspective view of another removable cleaning pad of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another removable cleaning pad of the present invention.

Detailed Description I. Definitions As used herein, the term "comprising" refers to various components in carrying out the invention.
It means that the components or the processes can be used together. Therefore, "consisting of (comprisin
The word "g)" consists of "consisting essentially of (consisting
essentially of) ”or“ consisting of ”
More specific terms are included, such as. As used herein, the term "psi" refers to a unit of pressure according to the imperial method (1 psi = 6.9 kPa). Further, the term "inch" used in the present specification indicates a unit of length by the yard bond method (1 inch = 2.54 cm). Furthermore, the term "ft ² " as used herein refers to a unit of area by the imperial method (1 ft ² = 0.093 m ³ ).

The term "direct fluid communication" as used herein refers to a layer in which liquid is sandwiched between two components or layers of a cleaning pad (eg, a scrubbing layer and an absorbent layer). It means that they can be easily moved without being substantially stored, transported, or restricted. For example, tissue paper, non-woven fabric, structural adhesives, etc., unless they do not substantially impede or limit the liquid as it passes from one component or layer to another. Can be present between two separate structural elements while maintaining "in communication".

As used herein, the term "Z-dimension" refers to a method that is orthogonal to the length and width of the cleaning pad of the present invention, or its components. The Z-dimension typically corresponds to the thickness of a cleaning pad or pad component including a scrim material.

As used herein, the term "X-Y dimension" refers to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the cleaning pad or its components. The X and Y dimensions typically correspond to the length and width of the cleaning pad or pad components, respectively.

As used herein, the term "layer" has a major dimension of XY.
That is, the members or components of the cleaning pad along the length and width of the cleaning pad. It goes without saying that the term layer is not limited to a single layer or sheet of material. Thus, a layer can include a laminate or combination of several sheets or webs of the requisite type of material. Therefore, the word "layer" means "(multiple)
Includes the words "layer" and "stratified".

As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" is used to refer to a surface that is wettable by an aqueous liquid deposited on the surface. Hydrophilicity, etc., and wettability are typically defined by the contact angle and the surface tension of the liquid and solid surfaces involved. This is "Contact Angle, Wettability and Adhesion" by Robert F. Gould (copyright
1964), published by the American Chemical Society, which is incorporated herein by reference. A surface is said to be wet by the liquid when the contact angle between the liquid and the surface is less than 90 °, or when the liquid spreads naturally over the surface.
Both of these states coexist. Conversely, a surface is considered to be "hydrophobic" if the contact angle is greater than 90 ° and the liquid does not spread naturally across the surface.

The term "scrim" as used herein also textures the surface-contacting surface of the scrubbing layer of the cleaning pad, and also has sufficient openness to allow the essential transfer of liquid to the absorbent layer of the cleaning pad. Means any durable material that has. Suitable materials include materials with a continuous open structure such as synthetic mesh screens. The open area of these materials can be easily controlled by changing the number of interconnecting strands forming the net or changing the thickness of the interconnecting strands. Other suitable materials include those which are discontinuously textured and textured on a substrate. In this aspect,
The robust material (eg, composite) can also be printed on the substrate as a continuous or discontinuous pattern such as individual spots and / or lines to give the required texture. Similarly, the release material may be patterned with a continuous or discontinuous pattern, which then acts as a scrim. These patterns may be repeated or random. It goes without saying that one or more of the techniques described for providing the desired texture may be combined to make the optimum scrim material. The height of the scrim and / or scrubbing matrix layer in the Z direction and the open area help control and / or delay the flow of liquid into the absorbent core material. The height in the Z direction of the scrim and / or scrubbing substrate serves to provide a means to control the volume of liquid in contact with the surface to be cleaned, while at the same time the rate of liquid absorption, which is the transfer of liquid to the absorbent core material. Control.

For purposes of the present invention, the "upper" layer of the cleaning pad is relatively far from the surface to be cleaned (ie, in the context of this device, compared to the handle of the device during use). Close to) layer. The term “bottom” layer, on the contrary, refers to a layer of cleaning pad that is relatively close to the surface to be cleaned (ie, in the context of this device, relatively far from the handle of the device during use). means. Therefore, the scrubbing layer is the bottom layer and the absorbing layer is the layer above the scrubber layer. The terms "top" and "bottom" are used similarly when referring to multiple layers (eg, where the scrubbing layer is a two-ply material).

All percentages, ratios, and proportions used herein are by weight unless otherwise noted.

II. Cleaning Tool The cleaning tool of the present invention comprises: a. A handle which preferably includes a pivotally mounted support head at one end, a bi scrubbing layer, and ii. An absorbent layer, preferably in communication with each other, and iii. A removable cleaning pad comprising an optional attachment layer for removably attaching the cleaning pad to the handle, preferably an optional support head. from it, cleaning pad, and less than about 10% t ₃₀ percent absorbency of t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of the pad, which deionized water onto the cleaning pad 1g has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5g Is.

As indicated above, Applicants' finding is based on the finding that an initial delay in the absorption of liquid by the absorbent pad improves overall cleaning performance. In particular, the absorbent pad is based on the t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency of the pad,
The percent absorbency at 30 seconds under a confining pressure of 0.09psi (hereinafter referred to as "t ₃₀ percent absorbency") is about 10%.
It is the following. Preferably, t ₃₀ percent absorbency of about 5
% Or less, more preferably about 2% or less, and even more preferably about 1% or less.

While it is desirable to avoid rapid initial liquid uptake by the pad, the cleaning pad still needs to absorb most of the liquid used in the cleaning process. Therefore, the absorption capacity of the cleaning pad at 1200 seconds when measured under a confining pressure of 0.09 psi (hereinafter referred to as "t
₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity) is at least about 5 g of deionized water per gram of cleaning pad. The cleaning pad preferably has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency of at least about 10 g / g, more preferably at least about 20 g / g, and even more preferably at least about 30 g / g. The cleaning pad should be at least about
T ₉₀₀ absorptivity of 10 g / g, more preferably at least about 20 g / g
It preferably has a t ₉₀₀ absorbency of.

t ₃₀ percent absorbency, and the value for t ₁₂₀₀ and t ₉₀₀ absorbent capacity are under pressure performance (hereinafter, referred to as "PUP") is measured by a method. This method is described in detail in the Test Methods section below. Briefly, the PUP method uses a cleaning pad at various times under an initial confinement pressure of 0.09 psi, which reflects the typical in-use pressure during cleaning operations. It measures the absorbency.

The cleaning pad is at least about 100 g, more preferably at least about 200 g, and even more preferably at least about 30 g.
It is preferred, but not necessary, to have a total liquid capacity (deionized water) of 0 g, most preferably at least about 400 g. Pads with a total liquid absorption of less than 100 g fall within the scope of the present invention, but they are more suitable for larger cleaning areas than those found in a typical home, with more absorbent pads. Not not.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of materials may be used to practice the claimed invention. Accordingly, although preferred materials are described below for various tools and cleaning pad components, it will be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to such disclosure.

A. Handle The handle of the cleaning implement is any material that makes the cleaning implement easier to hold. The cleaning tool handle is preferably made of any elongated, durable material that aids in the actual cleaning. The length of the handle depends on the end use of the device.

The handle preferably includes at one end a support head to which a cleaning pad can be removably attached. The support head can be pivotally mounted using known joint assemblies for ease of use. Any suitable means may be used to attach the cleaning pad to the support head so long as the cleaning pad remains fixed during the cleaning process. Examples of suitable connecting means are clamps, hooks,
And loop (for example, Velcro (registered trademark)) and the like are included. In a preferred embodiment, the support head preferably includes hooks on the underside for mechanical attachment to the upper layer of the absorbent cleaning pad (preferably a separate attachment layer).

A preferred handle containing liquid dispensing means is depicted in FIG. 1 and also by VSPing et al.
Co-pending US Patent Application No. 08/756774 filed on
No. (Case 6383), which is hereby incorporated by reference. Another preferred handle that does not include liquid dispensing means is depicted in Figures 1a and 1b and is also co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 08/716755 filed by AJ Irwin on September 23, 1996. And G, Case 6262), which is incorporated herein by reference.

B. Removable Cleaning Pad Considering Applicants' discovery that controlled absorption plays an important role in the cleaning performance of the tool of the present invention, the liquid absorption rate of the cleaning solution by the cleaning pad, It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, and particularly the initial delay of rapid liquid wicking depends on the material of the pad. In this regard, the volumetric flow rate (ie liquid draw rate) can be calculated using the Hagen-Poiseuille law for laminar flow. According to the Hagen-Poiseuille rule, the volume flow rate q is calculated according to the following equation.

q = R ² [(2γ cosθ / R) −ρgL] / 8Lμ where R is the radius of the tube, γ is the surface tension of the absorbed liquid, and θ is the contact angle at the liquid-solid interface. , Ρ
Is the density of the liquid, g is the gravitational constant, L is the wet length of the tube, and μ is the viscosity of the liquid. From this equation, the rate of absorption by the cleaning pad can be determined, for example, by adjusting the size of the pores in the material that makes up the cleaning pad to determine the surface wettability of the material with respect to the absorbed liquid (cos θ It is clear that control is possible by adjusting In conjunction with the teachings of the present disclosure, it is possible to use any of the well-known absorbent materials or to combine them to achieve a desired initial delay in absorbency and also to achieve overall absorbency. it can. Therefore, a typical material useful as a cleaning pad,
And, the embodiments will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to such materials and embodiments.

i. Scrubbing layer The scrubbing layer is the part of the cleaning pad that contacts the soiled surface during cleaning. Therefore, the material useful as a scrubbing layer must be strong enough that this layer retains its integrity during the cleaning process. In addition, if the cleaning pad is to be used with a solution, the scrubbing layer must be able to absorb liquids and soils and release those liquids and soils to the absorbent layer. This ensures that the scrubbing layer can continuously remove additional material from the surface being cleaned. Whether the tool is used with a cleaning solution (ie wet) or without a cleaning solution (ie dry), the scrubbing layer
In addition to removing particulate matter, other functions such as surface polish during cleaning, dust removal, and buffing are facilitated.

The scrubbing layer may be a single layer, or a multi-layer structure in which one or more layers may be scored to facilitate scrubbing of soiled surfaces and absorption of particulate matter. May be This scrubbing layer interacts with the soil (and the cleaning solution, if used) to break up and emulsify the stubborn soil as it is moved over the soiled surface, padding them. Flow freely through the absorption layer. The scrubbing layer preferably includes openings (e.g. slits) that provide an easy means for the large particulate dirt to move freely and be trapped within the absorbent layer of the pad. Low density structures are preferred for use as a scrubbing layer to facilitate the transfer of particulate material to the absorbent layer of the pad.

Materials that are particularly suitable for the scrubbing layer to obtain the desired integrity include polyolefins (eg, polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, synthetic cellulosic materials (eg, Rayon®), and mixtures thereof. Includes synthetics. Such synthetic materials can be manufactured using known methods such as carding, spunbonding, meltblowing, air laying, needle punching and the like.

ii. Absorbent layer The absorbent layer serves to retain any liquid or dirt absorbed by the cleaning pad during use. While the scrubbing layer has some effect on the ability of the pad to provide an initial delay in liquid absorbency, the absorbent layer does achieve the desired initial delay of the invention and the desired overall absorbency. Play a big role in.

The absorbent layer is capable of removing liquids and dirt from the scrubbing layer so that the scrubbing layer has the ability to continuously remove dirt from the surface. The absorption layer is also
In order to prevent "squeezing out" of absorbed dirt and cleaning solution,
It must be possible to hold the absorbed material under typical working pressures.

The absorbent layer comprises any substance capable of absorbing and retaining liquid during use, after an initial period of minimal liquid absorption. In order to achieve the desired total liquid absorption capacity, the absorbent layer preferably comprises a material having a relatively high absorption capacity (in grams of liquid per gram of absorbent material). The term "superabsorbent material" as used herein means any absorbent material having a g / g absorption capacity for water of at least about 15 g / g as measured under a confining pressure of 0.3 psi. . Since many of the cleaning solutions useful with the present invention are water-based, superabsorbent materials have a relatively high g / g absorption capacity for water, or water-based liquids. Is preferred.

Typical superabsorbent substances include water-insoluble and water-swellable superabsorbent gelling polymers (hereinafter referred to as "superabsorbent gelling polymers") well known in the literature. Be done. These substances have a very high absorption capacity for water. Superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention include
It may have a wide range of sizes, shapes, and / or morphologies. These polymers may be in the form of particles (eg granules, flakes, finely divided powders, interparticle agglomerates, interparticle crosslinked agglomerates, etc.) in which the ratio of the maximum dimension to the minimum dimension is not large, or fibers, It may be a sheet, a film, a foam, a laminate or the like. The use of the fibrous superabsorbent gelling polymer has the effect of providing a higher superabsorbent retention than the particles during the washing process. Although their absorbency is generally low for water-based mixtures, these materials nevertheless show considerable absorbency for such mixtures. The patent literature discloses many substances having water swelling property. For example, US Pat. No. 3,69, issued on June 13, 1972.
9,103 (Harper et al.), US Patent No. 3,770,731 (Harmon) issued June 20, 1972, US Reissue Patent No. 32,649 (Brandt et al.) Reissued April 19, 1989, May 1989
See U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735 (Alemany et al.), Issued March 30, for a description.

Superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention include:
Included are various water-insoluble but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing large amounts of liquids. Such polymeric materials, also commonly referred to as "hydrocolloids", include polysaccharides such as carboxymethyl starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose; nonionic based materials such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl ether. Holding; polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinyl morpholinion, N, N-
Included are those of the cationic type, such as dimethylaminoethyl or N, N-diethylaminopropyl acrylate and methacrylate, and their respective quaternary salts. Typically, the superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention are those that have a large number of anionic functional groups such as sulfonic acid groups, and more typically carboxy groups.
Examples of polymers suitable for use in the present invention include those made from polymerizable unsaturated acid-containing monomers.
Accordingly, such monomers include olefinically unsaturated acids and anhydrides containing at least one carbon-carbon olefinic double bond. More specifically, these monomers can be selected from olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids and acid anhydrides, olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof.

Some non-acid monomers, usually in small amounts, can also be included in making the superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention. Such a non-acid monomer can include, for example, a water-soluble or water-dispersible ester of an acid-containing monomer, and a monomer containing no carboxylic acid group or sulfonic acid group. Thus, optional non-acidic monomers can include monomers containing the following types of functional groups. Carboxylic or sulfonate esters, hydroxyl groups, amide groups, amino groups, nitrile groups, quaternary ammonium bases, aryl groups (eg phenyl groups such as those obtained from styrene monomers). These non-acid monomers are well known substances, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,663 (Masuda et al.) Issued on Feb. 28, 1978 and U.S. Pat. Westerman)
It is described in more detail. Both of these are described herein by reference.

The olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and carboxylic acid anhydride monomers include acrylic acid itself, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, a-cyanoacrylic acid, β-methylacrylic acid (crotonic acid), α-phenylacrylic acid. Acid, β-acryloxypropionic acid, sorbic acid, α-chlorosorbic acid, angelic acid, cinnamic acid, p-chlorocinnamic acid, β-sterylacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citroconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid Included are acrylic acids represented by acids, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tricarboxyethylene, and maleic anhydride.

Olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers include aliphatic or aromatic vinyl sulfonic acids such as vinyl sulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl toluene sulfonic acid, and styrene sulfonic acid; sulfoethyl acrylate,
Sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropyl sulfonic acid, and 2-
Included are acrylic and methacrylic sulfonic acids such as acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid.

Preferred superabsorbent gelling polymers for use in the present invention are those containing carboxy groups. These polymers include hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, partially neutralized hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, partially neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers, saponified Of vinyl acetate-acrylic acid ester copolymers, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile or acrylamide copolymers, slightly reticulated cross-linked polymers of any of the above copolymers, partially neutralized polyacrylic acid, and partially neutralized polyacrylic acid. Includes somewhat reticulated cross-linked polymers. These polymers can be used alone or in the form of a mixture of two or more different polymers. Examples of these polymeric materials are found in US Pat.
875, U.S. Pat.No. 4,076,663, U.S. Pat.No. 4,093,776
U.S. Pat.No. 4,666,983 and U.S. Pat.
Are disclosed in each of the specifications.

The most preferred polymeric materials for use in preparing superabsorbent gelling polymers are partially reticulated crosslinked polymers of partially neutralized polyacrylic acid, and their starch derivatives. The hydrogel-forming absorbent polymer comprises neutralized, slightly reticulated crosslinked polyacrylic acid (ie, poly (sodium acrylate / acrylic acid)) in an amount of about 50 to about 95.
%, Preferably about 75%. Reticulated cross-linking renders the polymer substantially insoluble in water and also determines some properties of the superabsorbent gelling polymer such as its absorbency and extractable polymer content. Methods for network cross-linking these polymers, and typical network cross-linking agents, are described in more detail in US Pat. No. 4,076,663.

Although it is preferred that the superabsorbent gelling polymer be of one type (ie, homogeneous), a mixture of polymers can also be used in the device. For example, a mixture of starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer and a partially reticulated crosslinked polymer of partially neutralized polyacrylic acid can be used in the present invention.

Any of the superabsorbent gelling polymers described in the prior art are useful in the present invention, but at significant levels (eg, greater than about 50% by weight of the absorbent structure).
When a superabsorbent gelling polymer is included in the absorbent structure, and especially when one or more regions of the absorbent layer comprises more than about 50% by weight of the region of the superabsorbent gelling polymer. It has recently been found that the problem of gel blocking by swollen particles impedes the flow of liquids, thereby adversely affecting the ability of gelling polymers to absorb their maximum capacity in a desired time. US Patent No. 5,147,343 (K, issued September 15, 1992)
ellenberger et al.), and US Pat. No. 5,149,335 issued September 22, 1992 (Kellenberger et al.) disclose that superabsorbent gelling polymers are absorbent under load (Absorben).
It is described from the viewpoint of cy Under Load (AUL). Here, the gelling polymer is absorbing liquid (0.9% saline) under a confining pressure of 0.3 psi. (The disclosures of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.) The AUL assay is described in these patent specifications. The polymers described therein are particularly useful in embodiments of the invention that include areas where the level of superabsorbent gelling polymer is relatively high. In particular, when a high concentration of superabsorbent gelling polymer is incorporated into the cleaning pad, these polymers have an AUL of at least about 1 hour after 1 hour measured according to the method described in US Pat. No. 5,147,343. 24 ml / g, more preferably at least about 27 ml / g, or an AUL measured according to the method described in US Pat.
It is preferably at least about 15 ml / g after minutes, more preferably at least about 18 ml / g. Co-pending US Patent Application No. 08/21, filed March 29, 1994, assigned as usual
No. 9,547 (Goldman et al.) And No. 08 filed on April 6, 1995
No. 4,416,396 (Goldman et al.) (Both of which are incorporated herein by reference) also presents the problem of gel blocking, which is useful for overcoming this phenomenon. Gelling polymers are described. Higher confinement pressures, specifically 0.7 psi
In particular, superabsorbent gelling polymers that do not cause gel blocking are specifically described. In an embodiment of the present invention in which the absorbent layer comprises a region of high levels of superabsorbent gelling polymer (eg, greater than about 50% by weight of the region), the superabsorbent gelling polymer is Goldman (Goldman).
It is preferable that it is described in the above-mentioned application specification by n) etc.

Other useful superabsorbent materials include commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application No. 29, 1995 filed
Includes hydrophilic polymeric foams such as those described in 08 / 563,866 (Des Marais et al.) And US Pat. No. 5,387,207 (Dyer et al.) Issued Feb. 7, 1995. . These references describe hydrophilic, absorbent polymeric foams obtained by polymerizing high internal phase water-in-oil emulsions (commonly referred to as HIPE). There is. These bubbles are easily adjusted in order to obtain various physical properties (pore size, capillary suction force, density, etc.) that affect liquid handling suitability. For that reason,
These materials, alone or in combination with other such foams or fibrous structures, are particularly useful in obtaining the overall absorbency required by the present invention.

When a superabsorbent material is included in the absorbent layer, the absorbent layer comprises at least about 15%, more preferably at least about 20%, even more preferably at least about 25% by weight of the superabsorbent material of the absorbent layer. preferable.

The absorbent layer may consist of or contain fibrous material. Fibers useful in the present invention include natural fibers (modified or unmodified) as well as synthetically made fibers. Examples of suitable natural unmodified / modified fibers are cotton, african toes, sugar cane husks, coarse hair, flax, silk, wool,
Includes wood pulp, chemically modified wood pulp, shoots, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate. Suitable synthetic fibers include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylic resins such as Auron®, polyvinyl acetate, rayon®, polyethyl vinyl acetate, Insoluble or soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefins such as polyethylene (for example, Pulpex (registered trademark)) and polypropylene, polyamides such as nylon, polyesters such as Dacron (registered trademark) and Cordell (registered trademark), polyurethane, polystyrene, etc. Can be made from The absorbent layer is made of natural fibers alone,
It may consist of synthetic fibers alone or any suitable combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

The fibers useful in the present invention may be hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or a combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. As indicated above, the particular choice of hydrophilic or hydrophobic fibers will depend on the other materials contained in the absorbent layer (and to some extent the scrubbing layer). That is, the properties of the fibers are such that they exhibit the liquid absorption delay required for a cleaning pad and the overall liquid absorption. Hydrophilic fibers suitable for use in the present invention include cellulose fibers, modified cellulose fibers, rayon, polyester fibers such as hydrophilic nylon (Hydrofill®).
Suitable hydrophilic fibers are, for example, hydrophobic fibers such as surfactant-treated or silica-treated thermoplastic fibers obtained from polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylic resins, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, etc. Can be made hydrophilic.

Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained by well-known chemical methods such as the Kraft method and the sulfite method. These wood pulp fibers are particularly preferred from tropical conifers because of their valuable absorption properties. These wood pulp fibers can also be obtained by mechanical methods such as wood milling, refiner mechanical pulping, thermal mechanical pulping, chemical mechanical pulping, and chemical thermal mechanical pulping. it can. Bleached and unbleached wood pulp fibers can be used, as well as recycled wood secondary fibers and secondary wood pulp fibers.

Another type of hydrophilic fiber used in the present invention is a chemically stiffened cellulosic fiber. As used herein, "chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers" means cellulosic fibers that have been stiffened by chemical means to increase the stiffness of the fibers under both dry and aqueous conditions. . Such means can include, for example, the addition of chemical stiffening agents to coat and / or soak the fibers. Such means can also include stiffening the fibers by altering their chemical structure, for example by crosslinking polymer chains.

If fibers are used as the absorbent layer (or a component thereof), the fibers may optionally be combined with a thermoplastic. At least a portion of this thermoplastic material migrates to the fiber intersections upon melting, typically by a capillary gradient between the fibers. These intersections become the attachment sites of the thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic at these intersections solidifies upon cooling to form attachment sites that hold the matrix or web of fibers in each of the layers. This can be effective in providing additional overall integrity to the cleaning pad.

Among its various effects, the adhesion at the intersections of the fibers increases the total compressive modulus and strength of the resulting heat adherent member. In the case of chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers, the melting and migration of the thermoplastic material also has the effect of increasing the average pore size of the resulting web while maintaining the density and basis weight of the initially formed web. is there. This allows the liquid retention of the heat-bonded web to be initially exposed to the liquid to be enhanced by the improved liquid permeability, and the subsequent liquid exposure to be captured by the stiffening fiber. It can sometimes be enhanced by the combination of their ability to retain their rigidity and the ability of the thermoplastics to remain attached at the points of intersection of the fibers when wet and during wet compression. Ultimately, the heat-bonded webs of stiffening fibers retain their initial total volume, but open up the volume regions previously occupied by the thermoplastic, increasing the average interfiber capillary pore size.

The thermoplastics useful in the present invention may be in various forms including particulates, fibers, or a combination of particulates and fibers. Thermoplastic fibers are particularly preferred because they have the ability to form many interfiber attachment sites. Suitable thermoplastics can be made from any thermoplastic polymer that can be melted at a temperature that does not excessively damage the primary web of each layer, or the fibers that make up the matrix. Preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic is less than about 190 ° C, preferably about 7 ° C.
5 to about 175 ° C. In any case, the melting point of the thermoplastic material should not be lower than the temperature at which the absorbent structure may be stored if the heat-bonded absorbent structure is used in a cleaning pad. The melting point of thermoplastics is typically above about 50 ° C.

Thermoplastics, and especially thermoplastic fibers, include polyolefins such as polyethylene (eg, Pulpex®) and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics. Acid resin,
It can be made from a variety of thermoplastic polymers, including polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, and any of the foregoing copolymers such as vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate. Depending on the desired performance of the resulting heat-adhesive absorbent member, suitable thermoplastics include, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyacrylic acid resins, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, and other surface active agents. Hydrophilized, hydrophobic fibers, such as agent-treated or silica-treated thermoplastic fibers are included. The surface of the hydrophobic thermoplastic fiber may be dipped in the surfactant using a surfactant such as a nonionic or anionic surfactant, for example by spraying the surfactant onto the fiber. ,
Alternatively, it can be made hydrophilic by including a surfactant as part of the polymer melt during the production of the thermoplastic fiber. Surfactants tend to remain on the surface of thermoplastic fibers during melting and resolidification. Suitable surfactants include Brij manufactured by ICA Americas, Inc. of Wilmington, Del.
Nonionic surfactants such as 76, and various surfactants sold under the trade name Pegospaase® by Glico Chemical Co., Greenwich, Conn. In addition to nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants can also be used. These surfactants can be applied to the thermoplastic fibers, for example, at levels of about 0.2 to about 1 g per square centimeter of the thermoplastic fibers.

Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer (single component fiber) or from two or more polymers (eg, bicomponent fiber). As used herein, the term "bicomponent fiber" refers to a thermoplastic fiber consisting of a core fiber made from one type of polymer and a thermoplastic sheath made from another polymer that encloses it. . The polymers that make up the exterior often melt at different temperatures than the polymers that make up the core, typically at lower temperatures. As a result, these bicomponent fibers provide thermal adhesion due to melting of the exterior polymer while retaining the desirable strength properties of the core polymer.

Bicomponent fibers suitable for use in the present invention can include armor / core fibers with the following polymer combinations. Polyethylene / polypropylene, poly (vinyl acetate) / polypropylene, polyethylene / polyester, polypropylene / polyester, copolyester / polyester, etc. Particularly suitable bicomponent thermoplastic fibers for use in the present invention are those having a polypropylene or polyester core and a lower melting copolyester, poly (vinyl acetate), or polyethylene exterior (eg, Donacron or Chisso). And Cell Bond (registered trademark) available from Hercules. These bicomponent fibers may be concentric or eccentric. The terms "concentricity" and "eccentricity" as used herein refer to a uniform or non-uniform outer casing thickness across the cross section of the bicomponent fiber. Eccentric bicomponent fibers are finer fibers and may be desirable for higher compressive strength.

A method for making heat-bonded fibrous materials is described in 1995.
Co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 08/47 filed March 3
No. 9,096 (Richards et al.) (See especially pages 16-20) and US Pat. No. 5,549,589 issued Aug. 27, 1996.
No. (Horney et al.) Specification (see especially columns 9-10)
It is described in. These two references are incorporated herein by reference.

The absorbent layer may also include hydrophilic polymeric foams obtained from HIPE, which do not have the high absorptivity of those mentioned above as "superabsorbents". Such foams, and methods of making them, are described in US Pat. No. 08 / 370,695 (Stone et al.), Both of which are incorporated herein by reference, and are incorporated herein by reference.

The absorbent layer of the cleaning pad may consist of a homogeneous material, such as a mixture of cellulosic fibers (optionally heat bonded) and swellable superabsorbent gelling polymer. Alternatively, the absorbent layer may consist of a layer of heat-deposited air-laid material and a separate layer of material, such as another layer of heat-absorbing material. For example, the layer of heat-bonded cellulosic fibers can be placed lower (ie, below) the superabsorbent material (ie, between the superabsorbent material and the scrubbing layer). It is preferable to use such a separate layer when forming the absorbent layer in order to achieve high absorption and liquid retention under pressure, while at the same time providing an initial delay in liquid absorption. is there. In this regard, the superabsorbent material can be placed away from the scrubbing layer by including a less absorbent layer as the bottom of the absorbent layer. For example, a layer of cellulosic fibers can be placed lower (ie, below) the superabsorbent material (ie, between the superabsorbent material and the scrubbing layer).

In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer comprises cellulosic fibers (Flint River, available from Weyerhauser, WA) and AL Thermal C (thermoplastic resin, available from Danakulon, Verde, Denmark). It consists of a heat-deposited air-laid web and a swellable superabsorbent polymer that forms a hydrogel. The superabsorbent polymer is preferably incorporated such that another layer is located far from the scrubbing layer and near the surface of the absorbent layer. A thin layer of cellulosic fibers (optionally heat adhered) is preferably placed over the superabsorbent gelling polymer to enhance containment.

iii. Optional Attachment Layer The cleaning pad of the present invention optionally has an attachment layer that connects the pad to the handle of the implement, or the support head in the preferred implement. This attachment layer is needed in the embodiment where the absorbent layer is not suitable for attaching the pad to the handle of the handle. The attachment layer may also serve as a means of preventing liquid from flowing to the top surface of the cleaning pad (ie, the surface that is in contact with the handle) and may further enhance the integrity of the pad. The attachment layer may be composed of a single layer such as a scrubbing layer or an absorption layer, or may be a laminated structure, as long as it satisfies the above requirements.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment layer comprises a surface that can be mechanically attached to the handle's support head using known hook-loop techniques. In such an embodiment, the attachment layer includes at least one surface mechanically attachable to a hook that is permanently attached to the underside of the handle support head.

In order to achieve desired liquid impermeability and attachment properties, it is preferable to use, for example, a laminated structure composed of a melt blown film and a fibrous non-woven structure. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment layer is a three layer material having a layer of meltblown polypropylene film disposed between two layers of spunbonded polypropylene.

III. Cleaning pad The cleaning pad of the present development was initially assembled for use in the above-mentioned cleaning tool, but it delays the initial absorption of a considerable amount of liquid and then a considerable amount of liquid. The ability to soak up and hold the litter gives the cleaning pad another utility than combining it with a handle to form a mop-like implement. Therefore, the cleaning pad itself can be used without being attached to the handle.
Therefore, they may be constructed without being attachable to the handle. However, it may be convenient to configure the cleaning pad so that it can be used with a handle or as a stand-alone product. Therefore, it may be preferable to make a pad with an optional attachment layer. The pad itself is as described for the device, except where no attachment layer is required.

IV. Other aspects, and specific embodiments of the invention Scrim material is incorporated into the cleaning pad to enhance the ability of the pad to remove stubborn dirt debris and to increase the amount of cleaning liquid in contact with the surface being cleaned. May be desirable. The scrim is made of a strong and strong material that textures the scrubbing layer of the pad, especially when pressure is applied to the pad during use. The scrim is preferably placed in close proximity to the surface being cleaned. Therefore,
The scrim may be incorporated as part of the scrubbing layer or absorbent layer, and may preferably be included as a separate layer between the scrubbing layer and absorbent layer. In one preferred embodiment, where the scrim material has the same XY dimensions as the entire cleaning pad, the scrim material is incorporated so that it does not, to a large extent, come into direct contact with the surface being cleaned. Is preferred. This maintains the ability of the pad to move easily over a hard surface and prevents the cleaning solution used from being unevenly removed. Therefore, if the scrim is part of the scrubbing layer, it is the top layer of this component. Of course, the scrim must at the same time be low enough in the pad to obtain the pad's scrubbing function. Therefore, if the scrim is incorporated as part of the absorbent layer, the scrim will be below the absorbent layer. In another embodiment, the scrim is
It may be desirable to place it in direct contact with the surface to be cleaned. In this embodiment, which is specifically depicted in FIG. 8, the scrim preferably does not reach the front and back ends of the cleaning pad, thus allowing cleaning solution and solubilized soil to be removed. The effect of non-uniform removal is prevented.

In addition to the importance of proper placement of the scrim, it is important that the scrim does not significantly impede liquid flow to the pad. As such, the scrim is a relatively open web, such as the one depicted in Figure 7 of the drawings. (The scrim pattern depicted in FIG. 7 is a plurality of "diamond" patterns, but it has been found that any shape structure may be used.) Applicants have found that scrims have a high scrubbing effect. In addition to providing, it has also been found to contribute to the desired initial delay of the pad.

The scrim material can be any material that can be processed into a tough, rough-textured web. Such materials include polyolefins (eg polyethylene, polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides and the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these various materials exhibit different hardnesses. Therefore, the hardness of the scrim material can be controlled by the end use of the pad / tool. If the scrim is incorporated as a separate layer, many commercial sources of such materials (eg, Conwed, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota) are available.
Design number VO1230) available from Plastics is available. Alternatively, on May 17, 1988, Ping III (Pi
U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,021 issued to
And US Pat. No. 4,733,774 issued to Mar. 29, 1988 to Ping, III, etc., both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The scrum may be incorporated by printing a resin or other synthetic material (eg, latex) onto the substrate as disclosed.

The various layers that make up the cleaning pad can be adhered to each other using any means that provides sufficient pad integrity during the cleaning process. The scrubbing layer and the attachment layer are a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a pattern layer of adhesive,
Alternatively, they can be adhered to the absorbent layer or to each other by any of a variety of adhesive means, including the use of a series of discrete lines, helices, or spots of adhesive. Alternatively, the gluing means include thermal gluing, pressure gluing, ultrasonic gluing, dynamic mechanical gluing, or any other suitable gluing means known in the art, or a combination of these gluing means. You can Adhesion may be around the cleaning pad (eg, scrubbing layer and optional attachment layer and / or
Alternatively, the scrim material may be heat-sealed) and / or over the entire area of the cleaning pad (ie, the XY plane) to form a pattern on the surface of the cleaning pad. Ultrasonic bonding bonds the layers of the cleaning pad across the area of the pad to provide integrity and prevent the individual pad layers from deforming during use.

The cleaning pad of the present invention is capable of retaining absorbed liquid even during the application of pressure during the cleaning process. This is considered in the present invention as the ability of the cleaning pad to prevent "squeezing" of the absorbed liquid or, conversely, the ability to hold the absorbed liquid under pressure. The measuring method of the squeezing is described in the section of the test method. Briefly, this test tested saturated cleaning pads at 0.25 psi.
It measures the liquid retention capacity of the pad when it is exposed to the pressure. The cleaning pad of the present invention has about 40% or less,
More preferably about 25% or less, even more preferably about 15%
It is preferable that the squeezing value is most preferably 10% or less.

The cleaning implement of the present invention is preferably used with a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution may consist of any known hard surface cleaning composition. What is a hard surface cleaning composition?
It is typically a water-based solution consisting of one or more surfactants, solvents, builders, chelating agents, polymers, foam suppressants, enzymes and the like. Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and cationic surfactants. Examples of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, and the like. Examples of nonionic surfactants include alkyl ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglucosides, alkylglucamines, sorbitan esters and the like. Examples of zwitterionic surfactants include betaine and sulfobetaine. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include materials obtained using the chemistry of imidazoles, such as alkyl amphoglycinates and alkyliminopropionates. Examples of cationic surfactants include alliu mono-, di- and tri-ammonium surfactants. All of the above substances are commercially available, and also in the literature (McCutcheon '
s Vol. I: Emulsifiers and Detergents, Morth American
Ed., McCutheon Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995).

Suitable solvents include short chain oxyethylene glycol and oxypropylene glycol (e.g., C _1- , such as mono- and di-ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, mono-, di- and tri-propylene glycol n-butyl ether, etc. ~C ₆₎ include derivatives. Suitable builders include those derived from phosphorus sources such as orthophosphate and pyrophosphate, and non-phosphorus sources such as nitrilotriacetic acid, S, S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid and the like. Suitable chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, citric acid and the like. Suitable polymers include anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and nonionic.
Suitable suds suppressors include silicone polymers and linear,
Or it contains branched C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ fatty acids or alcohols. Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, amylases, and other enzymes known to be useful in catalyzing soil degradation.

A suitable cleaning solution for use with the device is about 0.1 to about 2.0% linear alcohol ethoxylate surfactant (eg, Neodol 1-5® available from Shell Chemical Company), alkyl sulfonate. (For example, Biotage PAS-8s, a linear C ₈ sulfonate available from Stepan) is about 0 to about 2.0%, potassium peroxide is about 0 to about 0.1%, and potassium carbonate or bicarbonate is about 0%. To about 0.1%, optional auxiliaries such as dyes and / or fragrances, and about 99.9 to about 90% deionized or soft water.

Referring to the drawing in which the cleaning pad of the present invention is depicted, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pad 200. FIG. As indicated above, FIG. 2 shows layers 201, 203, and 205.
Although each of these is depicted as a single layer of material, one or more of these layers may consist of a laminate of two or more layers. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the scrubbing layer 201 is a carded polypropylene two-layer laminate with slits in the underlying layer. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a material that does not impede the flow of liquid may be disposed between the scrubbing layer 201 and the absorbent layer 205 and / or between the absorbent layer 205 and the attachment layer 203. However, it is important that the scrubbing layer and the absorbent layer are in substantial fluid communication with each other in order to provide the cleaning pad with the essential absorbency. Although pad 200 is depicted in FIG. 2 as all layers of the pad having the same X and Y dimensions, scrubbing layer 201 and attachment layer 203 are layers 20 and 20.
It is preferably larger than the absorbent layer so that 1 and layer 203 can be glued together around the pad to obtain integrity. The scrubbing layer and attachment layer are absorbed by any of a variety of adhesive means including the use of a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or a series of discrete lines of adhesive, spirals, or spots. It may be adhered to the layers or to each other. Alternatively, the gluing means include thermal gluing, pressure gluing, ultrasonic gluing, dynamic mechanical gluing, or any other suitable gluing means known in the art, or a combination of these gluing means. You can Adhesion may also occur around the cleaning pad and / or the scrubbing layer
It may be performed over the entire surface of the cleaning pad to form a pattern on the surface of 201.

FIG. 3 is an absorbent layer of one embodiment of the cleaning pad of the present invention.
FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view of 305. The scrubbing layer of the cleaning pad and the optional attachment layer are not shown in FIG. In this aspect, the absorbent layer 305 is depicted as having a three-layer laminate structure. Specifically, the absorbent layer 305 is shown as comprising another layer of particulate superabsorbent gelling material, shown as 307, disposed between two separate layers of fibrous material 306 and 308. Has been done. In this embodiment, a region 307 having a high concentration of superabsorbent gelling material
For this reason, it is preferred that the superabsorbent material not exhibit the gel blocking discussed above. In a particularly preferred embodiment, fibrous layers 306 and 308 are each a fibrous substrate of cellulose fibers that is heat-deposited, with underlying fibrous layer 308 indirectly with a scrubbing layer (not shown). Liquid is in communication.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning pad 400 having a scrubbing layer 401, a mounting layer 403, and an absorbent layer 405 disposed between the scrubbing layer and the mounting layer. Cleaning pad 400 is shown here as having a scrubbing layer 401 and an absorbent layer 405 having an X dimension and a Y dimension that are smaller than attachment layer 403. Therefore, layer 401 and layer 403 are depicted as being bonded together along the perimeter of the cleaning pad. Also, in this embodiment, the absorbent layer 405 is depicted as having two separate layers 405a and 405b.
In a preferred embodiment, the overlayer 405a is as commonly described in co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 563,866 (Des Marais et al.) Filed November 29, 1995. It is a hydrophilic polymer foam material, and it is the lower layer
405b refers to US Pat. No. 5,550,167 (DesMarais) issued Aug. 27, 1996, or co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 370,695 filed Jan. 10, 1995 commonly assigned.
Polymeric foams such as those described in the specification (Stone et al.). As discussed above, layer 405a and layer 40
Each 5b may be formed using two or more individual layers of each material.

FIG. 7 is an expanded perspective view of a cleaning pad 600 with optional scrim material 602. This scrim material 6
02 is depicted as a separate material located between scrubbing layer 601 and absorbent layer 605. In another aspect,
The scrim 602 may be in the form of a resin or other synthetic material printed on the scrubbing layer 601 (preferably the upper surface) or the absorbent layer 605 (preferably the lower surface). Also depicted in FIG. 7 is an optional attachment layer 603 disposed over the absorbent layer 605. As discussed above, the scrim may provide better cleaning of soils, if any, that are not readily solubilized by the cleaning solution used. The relatively open construction of the scrim 602 provides the required fluid communication between the scrubbing layer 601 and the absorbent layer 605, providing the requisite absorption rate and capacity. Also in FIG. 7, layer 601, layer 603, and layer 605 are depicted as a single layer of material, but one or more of these layers may consist of two or more layers. May be.

Although the pad 600 is depicted in FIG. 7 as having all of the layers of the pad having the same X and Y dimensions, the scrubbing layer 601 and the attachment layer 603 include 601 and 603 layers. It is preferably larger than the absorbent layer so that it can be glued together around 600 to obtain integrity. In order to promote adhesion of the scrubbing layer 601 and the attachment layer 603 around the pad, it is preferable that the scrim material 602 has the same size in at least one of the X dimension and the Y dimension. This is particularly preferred when the scrim material is a separate layer (ie not printed on the substrate). In embodiments where, for example, resin is printed on the substrate to make the scrim, it may not be important to position the scrim so that it is part of the perimeter bond.
The scrubbing layer 601, the scrim 602, and the attachment layer 603 are
It may be adhered to the absorbent layer by any of a variety of adhesive means including the use of a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or the use of a series of discrete lines, helices, or spots of adhesive. They may be adhered to each other. Alternatively, the gluing means include thermal gluing, pressure gluing, ultrasonic gluing, dynamic mechanical gluing, or any other suitable gluing means known in the art, or a combination of these gluing means. You can Bonding may occur around the cleaning pad and / or over the entire surface of the cleaning pad to create a pattern on the surface of the scrubbing layer 601.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a pad 700 including a scrim 702. FIG. 8 shows the absorption layer 705 and the attachment layer 70.
3 and the scrubbing layer 701 is shown with a portion cut away to facilitate the description of the scrim 702. (Scrim 702
May be another layer of material or may be a component of the scrubbing or absorbent layer. ) Pad 700
Is depicted as having a lower surface 700a that contacts the hard surface and an upper surface 700b that contacts the tool. Pad 700
Is the two opposite side edges corresponding to the "X" dimension of the pad
700c and two opposing ends 700d corresponding to the "Y" dimension of the pad. (If the pad 700 is rectangular with respect to the XY dimensions, a typical cleaning motion during use is
Usually, it is the “front-back direction” indicated by arrow 710. As described, in this embodiment, a scrim 702 is provided so that attachment layer 703 and scrubbing layer 701 can be adhered.
Reach the end 700d (not shown as such, but the absorbent layer 705 has short X and Y dimensions to facilitate adhesion between the scrim and the mounting and scrubbing layers. However, the scrim 702 has side edges 7
It has not reached 00c. The termination of the scrim 702 before the side edge 700c provides the pad 700 with the scrim 702 textureless and therefore relatively smooth regions 711 of the scrubbing layer 701. These smooth areas 711 provide uniform removal of dirt / solution during the wiping process.

V. Test Method A. Performance Under Pressurization This test was conducted using a cleaning pad laterally confined in a piston / cylinder assembly at an initial confining pressure of 0.09 psi (about 0.6 kPa) in grams / deionized water. It is to measure the gram absorbency. (Since the sample absorbs water and swells within the test time, the confining pressure may be slightly reduced depending on the composition of the sample of the cleaning pad.) The purpose of this test is to use the cleaning pad under the conditions ( To assess the ability of the cleaning pad to absorb liquid in a practical amount of time when exposed to horizontal wicking and pressure).

The test liquid for the PUP absorption test is deionized water. This liquid is absorbed by the cleaning pad under the required absorption conditions at hydrostatic pressure close to zero.

A device 510 suitable for this test is shown in FIG. At one end of the device is a liquid reservoir 512 (like a Petri dish) with a lid 514. Reservoir 512 is placed on an analytical balance, shown generally as 516. At the other end of the device 510, a glass filter, shown generally as 518, a piston / cylinder assembly, shown generally as 520, that fits inside the filter 518, and shown generally as 522, There is a cylindrical plastic glass filter cover with a pinhole on the top that fits over the filter 518, open at the bottom and closed at the top. apparatus
510 is a glass capillary, designated as 524, and 531a, 53
A tube made of soft plastic, shown as 1b (for example, inner diameter 1 /
4 inch and 3/8 inch outer diameter Tygon tube), stopcock assembly parts 526 and 538, and glass tubes 524 and 531a.
It has a system for transferring liquid in either direction, which comprises connectors 548, 550 and 552 made of Teflon for connecting with the stopcock assembly parts 526 and 538. Stopcock assembly 526 fills three-way valve 528, glass capillaries 530 and 534 in the main flow system, and reservoir 512, and also forward flushes the glass filter plate in glass filter 518 (forward direction). It consists of a glass capillary tube 532 for cleaning. The stopcock assembly 538 also consists of a three-way valve 540, glass capillaries 542 and 546 in the main flow line, and a portion of glass capillaries 544 which serves as a drain for the system.

Referring to FIG. 6, the assembly 520 includes a cylinder 554,
It consists of a cup-shaped piston, shown at 556, and a weight 558, which fits inside the piston 556. Attached to the bottom end of cylinder 554 is a No. 400 mesh stainless steel cloth screen 559, which is biaxially stretched and taut prior to attachment. A sample of a cleaning pad, generally designated as 560, is placed on a sieve 559 with the surface-contacting (or scrubbing) layer in contact with the sieve 559. The cleaning pad sample is a circular sample with a diameter of 5.4 cm. (Sample 5
Although 60 is depicted as a single layer, this sample actually consists of a circular sample with all the layers contained in the pad cut from the sample. ) Cylinder 554 is a transparent Lexan (registered trademark) rod (or equivalent) that is hollowed out and has an inner diameter of 6.00 cm (area =
28.25 cm ² ) with a wall thickness of about 5 mm and a height of about 5 cm.
Piston 556 is a Teflon cup, cylinder 5
It was machined to fit snugly in 54. A cylindrical stainless steel weight 558 is machined to fit snugly inside the piston 556 and has a handle (not shown) mounted on top for easy removal. The combined weight of the piston 556 and the weight 558 is 145.3g, which is the pressure for an area of 22.9cm ^2.
Equivalent to 0.09 psi.

The components of the device 510 are sized to provide a flow rate of deionized water through the device of at least 0.01 g / cm ² / sec when the hydrostatic head is 10 cm. The flow rate here is a glass filter
Standardize by the area of 518. Factors that particularly affect the flow rate are the permeability of the glass filter plate in the glass filter 518 and the glass tubes 524, 530, 534, 542, 546, and 5
31a and the inside diameter of stopcock valves 528 and 540.

Reservoir 512 should be at least 0.01 with a deviation of less than 0.1 g / hr.
It is placed on an accurate balance 516 up to g. This balance can monitor (i) the weight change of the balance at preset time intervals from the start of the PUP test, and (ii) the weight change of 0.01 to 0.05 g, depending on the sensitivity of the balance. Preferably, it is linked to a computer with software that can be set to automatically start. Capillaries 524 plugged into reservoir 512 should not contact the bottom of the reservoir or lid 514. The volume of liquid (not shown) in reservoir 512 should be sufficient to prevent air from entering capillary 524 during the measurement. The level of liquid in reservoir 512 at the start of the measurement should be about 2 mm below the top of the glass filter plate in glass filter 518. This places a small drop of liquid on a glass filter plate, which
You can see it slowly flowing back to 512 by monitoring it gravimetrically. This level should not change significantly when the piston / cylinder assembly 520 is placed in the filter 518. The diameter of the reservoir is about 40
It should be large enough (eg about 14 cm) so that the change in height of the liquid when taken out is less than 3 mm.

Before assembly, fill the assembly with deionized water. The glass filter plate in glass filter 518 is flushed forward so that it is filled with fresh deionized water. Whenever possible, remove air bubbles from the underside of the glass filter plate and from the system connecting the filter and the reservoir. The following procedure is performed by operating the three-way stopcock continuously.

1. Remove excess liquid on the top of the glass filter plate from the glass filter.
Remove from 518 (eg, flush).

2. Adjust the height / weight of the solution in reservoir 512 to the appropriate level / volume.

3. Place glass filter 518 at correct height with respect to reservoir 512.

4.Then, place the glass filter 518 on the glass filter cover 522.
Cover with.

5. Balance reservoir 512 and glass strainer 518 with valves 528 and 540 of stopcock assembly 526 and 538 in the open connection position.

6. Then close valves 528 and 540.

7. Then twist valve 540 so that the filter and drain 544 communicate.

8. Let the system equilibrate for 5 minutes at this position.

9. Then twist valve 540 to its closed position.

In the seventh to ninth steps, the surface of the glass filter 518 is temporarily "dried" by subjecting it to a slight hydraulic suction of about 5 cm. This suction is done when the open end of tube 544 has reached about 5 cm below the level of the glass filter plate in glass filter 518 and is filled with deionized water. Typically, about 0.04 g of liquid is drained from the system during this procedure. This procedure prevents the deionized water from prematurely being absorbed when the piston / cylinder assembly 520 is placed in the glass filter 518. During this procedure, the amount of liquid drained from the glass filter (called the corrected weight of the glass filter, or "Wffc")
The PUP test (see below) is performed and measured without the piston / cylinder assembly 520 for 20 minutes.
Substantially all of the liquid drained from the glass filter by this procedure is reabsorbed very rapidly by the glass filter at the beginning of the test. Therefore, this corrected weight is
The weight of liquid removed from the reservoir during the test (see below) needs to be deducted.

A round stamped sample 560 is placed in cylinder 554. Slide the piston 556 into the linder 554 and place it on the cleaning pad sample 560. Place the piston / cylinder assembly 520 over the frit portion of the filter 518 and slide the weight 558 into the piston 556, then
The top of the filter 518 is covered with a glass filter cover 522. After checking the scale on the balance when stable, filter 51
Start the test by opening valves 528 and 540 so that 8 communicates with reservoir 512. When the strainer 518 begins to reabsorb liquid,
Data collection starts by automatic start.

The data will be spaced for a total of 1200 seconds (20 minutes)
Record. The PUP absorption capacity is calculated as follows.

t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency (g / g) = [Wr _{(t = 0)} -Wr _{(t = 1200)} -Wffc] / Wds where t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency is the g / g absorbency of the pad after 1200 seconds. , Wr _{(t = 0)} is the weight of the reservoir 512 in grams before the start, Wr _{(t = 1200)} is the weight of the reservoir 512 in grams 1200 seconds after the start, and Wffc is It is the corrected weight of the glass filter and Wds is the dry weight of the cleaning pad sample. The t ₃₀ and t ₉₀₀ absorptivities of the sample are then similarly measured. However, in the above equation, Wr _{(t = 30)} and Wr _{(t = 900)} (that is,
The weights of the reservoir after 30 seconds and 900 seconds respectively) are used. The t ₃₀ percent absorbance of the sample is
Calculated as ₃₀ absorbency] / [t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency] x 100%.

B. Squeeze The ability of the cleaning pad to retain liquid when subjected to pressure during use, and thus prevent "squeeze" of liquid, is another important parameter for the present invention. "Squeeze" is measured across a cleaning pad by determining the amount of liquid that can be wiped from a sample using Whatman filter paper under a pressure of 0.25 psi (1.5 kPa). Squeezing out is by horizontal wicking (specifically by wicking from the surface of the pad consisting of a scrubbing layer or a layer in contact with the surface)
Performed on samples saturated to volume with deionized water. (One way to get a saturated sample is
It is described in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 542,497 (Dyer et al.) Filed on March 13, as a horizontal gravimetric wicking method. This patent is incorporated herein by reference. 3.) Place the sample containing the liquid horizontally in a device that can be subjected to the respective pressure. Preferably, the sample is evenly distributed over the surface and pressure is applied using a bag filled with air. The squeeze value is reported as the weight of test liquid lost relative to the weight of wet sample.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventors Alan, Edward, Sherry, Ohio, Cincinnati, Lorraine, Avenue, Number, 7,235 (72) Inventors Steven, Allen, Holt United States Ohio, Cincinnati, Weston Ridge, Drive, 2782 (72) Inventor Vernon, Sanford, Pinn, The, Sade, Ohio, Cincinnati, Delhi, Road, 10044 (72) Inventor Larry, Nail, McKay, Ohio, USA Fairfield Field, Crestview, Avenue, 5856 (56) Reference JP-A-9-47414 (JP, A) JP-A-51-125468 (JP, A) JP-A-53-123490 (JP, A) Actual flat 6 −55 550 (JP, U) Actually open 1-128747 (JP, U) Actually open 55-119056 (JP, U) Special public Sho 63-16259 (JP, B1) Actual public 2-31102 (JP, Y2) US Pat. No. 5419015 (US, A) US Pat. No. 5090832 (US, A) US Pat. No. 5187830 (US, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 13/16

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A handle, and b. A cleaning pad removably attached to the handle, wherein i. The scrubbing layer and ii. The liquid is in direct communication with the scrubbing layer. A cleaning tool comprising a cleaning pad, which comprises a certain absorbent layer, wherein the cleaning pad has a t ₃₀ % absorbency of 10% or less of the t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of the cleaning pad and deionized per 1 g of the cleaning pad. A cleaning implement characterized in that it has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorption capacity of at least 5 g of water. 2. A cleaning pad, characterized in that has 5% or less of t ₃₀ percent absorbency of t ₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of the cleaning pad, cleaning implement of claim 1. 3. The cleaning implement of claim 1, wherein the cleaning pad has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency of at least 10 g deionized water per gram of cleaning pad. 4. The cleaning pad further comprises a mounting layer for mounting the cleaning pad to a handle, and the absorbent layer is disposed between the scrubbing layer and the mounting layer to mount the cleaning pad. A cleaning implement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further characterized in that the layer is preferably made of a liquid impermeable material. 5. The cleaning tool according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning pad has a squeezing value of 40% or less at 1.5 kPa. 6. The handle includes a support head at one end, the support head including means for removably attaching a cleaning pad to the handle. The cleaning tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The cleaning implement according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning pad further comprises a scrim. 8. The absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent gelling polymer and a superabsorbent material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic polymeric absorbent foams. The cleaning tool according to any one of to 7. 9. A cleaning implement according to claim 8, characterized in that the absorbent layer comprises at least 20% by weight of the superabsorbent material of the absorbent layer. 10. A cleaning pad comprising: a. A scrubbing layer and b. An absorption layer, the cleaning pad having a t ₃₀ percent absorbency of 5% or less of a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency of the cleaning pad, A cleaning pad having a t ₁₂₀₀ absorption capacity of at least 5 g of deionized water per 1 g of cleaning pad. 11. The cleaning pad of claim 10, wherein the cleaning pad has a t ₁₂₀₀ absorbency of at least 20 g deionized water per gram of cleaning pad. 12. A cleaning pad according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the cleaning pad further comprises a scrim.