CA1273289A - Method of making mops and mats impregnated with antimicrobial compounds - Google Patents
Method of making mops and mats impregnated with antimicrobial compoundsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1273289A CA1273289A CA000539563A CA539563A CA1273289A CA 1273289 A CA1273289 A CA 1273289A CA 000539563 A CA000539563 A CA 000539563A CA 539563 A CA539563 A CA 539563A CA 1273289 A CA1273289 A CA 1273289A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- mop
- swab
- mop swab
- yarns
- fibers
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
MOPS AND METHOD OF MAKING MOPS
IMPREGNATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
Abstract of the Disclosure Antimicrobial or bacterial static compounds are added to mops to retard mildew and generally inhibit the growth of undesired organisms, to prolong product life, and, to aid in reducing the contamination of areas in which the mops are used. An antimicrobial of bacterial static solu-tion is set into the mop's cellulosic yarn fibers, through a heat activated setting process.
IMPREGNATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
Abstract of the Disclosure Antimicrobial or bacterial static compounds are added to mops to retard mildew and generally inhibit the growth of undesired organisms, to prolong product life, and, to aid in reducing the contamination of areas in which the mops are used. An antimicrobial of bacterial static solu-tion is set into the mop's cellulosic yarn fibers, through a heat activated setting process.
Description
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MOPS AND METHOD OF MAKING MOPS
IMPREGNATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dust control products such as mops and, in particular, the present inven-tion relates to mops and a method of making such mops which are: relatively mildew and rot resistant; generally micro-bial static; generally useful in preventing the growth orculturing or microorganisms in their proximity; helpful in preventing subsequent transfer of microbes throughout the work place; and which are of a relatively extended useful life expectancy.
Background of the Invention Dust control products are generally designed to collect dust, dirt, soil and other particulate matter by wiping or mopping dirty surfaces, such as floors, mops, whether dry dust mops or wet mops, as the mops are moved over floor, wall, counter or furniture surfaces, may become contaminated with materials which-provide a good medium for growth of undesirable organisms, such as harmfùl bacteria.
This is particularly likely to be a problem with met mops, since they are often stored while still damp and in rela-tively warm places. Also, during scrubbing, contaminated mops can spread such undesired bacteria.
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1 If, prior to storage, a used mop receives only a cursory cleaning, then, while the mop is stored, considera-ble microorganism growth may occur in the mop strands or fibers. When the mop is reused, it may then provide a further means of facilitating spreading of the microorgan-isms around the workplace and may thereby undesirably lead to the spread of disease, infection or contamination.
Further, the growth of microorganisms in mop fibers, such as through mildewing, significantly decreases the useful life of the mop because the microorganism or microbial growth tends to degrade the strength of the fibers of the mop yarns. Also, a mop swab attacked by mildew formation may smell sour and the odor may spread throughout the cleaning supplies in the storage room. This may be a particular problem in restaurants where the mops are often stored int he same room or closet as tablecoths, various paper products and napkins. Under such circumstances, the presence of the contaminated mop, in close proximity to the other items, may actually lead to the development of a sour odor in the other stored items. Mops used in hospitals are particularly susceptible to emitting foul odors when used to mop up urine spills and may lead to a perception that the hospital is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
The problems noted above have long been known to the mop industry, and it is common practice for persons utilizing mops to add disinfectant solutions or antimicro-bial compounds to solutions used in mop buckets.
.. . . . .
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3~73~3 1 The above related techniques suffer from a general failure to impart a semi-permanent antimicrobial quality to the mop; for example, such solutions may be easily rinsed out with successive washings of the mop product. In fact, the disinfectant solutions normally washout of the mop in the first washing after soaking.
The present invention comprises a method developed to generally alleviate many of the aforementioned problems.
Generally, the invention relates to the provision of a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound which is set into the mop during the manufacturing process. The bacterial static or antimicrobial compound, being retained within portions of the mop, will generally not be readily leached during washings. In this manner, the compounds remain within the yarn fibers of the mop, where they can generally inhibit bacteria or other microbial growth. Further, such compounds generally provide a zone of inhibition to micro-bial growth, extending outwardly around the substrate in which the compounds are set. Thus, they will generally aid in inhibiting bacterial or other microbial growth in the general proximity of the yarn product.
Generally, the antimicrobial or bacterial static compound is heat set into the mop yarn fibers. This process generally leads to the retention of an antimicrobial effec-tive concentration of the compound in the yarn fibers, even after repeated washings of the mop. It is foreseen that, in some instances, it may be desirable, to have set the antimi-crobial or bacterial static compound into synthetic mop yarns as they are formed and prior to assembly of the yarns into a mop.
7~3~,'3 1 As indicated above, application of the inventiGn to mops generally significantly enhances the life of the mop product. This may result from a substantial inhibitory effect of the presence of the antimicrobial or bacterial static compound, in proximity to the cellulosic yarn fibers, upon growth of fiber destroying bacteria or microbes. Since microbial growth is substantially inhibited, the yarn fibers of the mop product last considerably longer, and the mop has a longer useful life. Further, certain types of spreading of bacterial- or fungal-type infections may be substantially reduced, if not eliminated, by the utilization of such anti-microbial-enhanced mop products.
Objects of the Invention The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a mop product having increased resistance to mildew and rot, in order to extend the useful life of such mop products; to provide a mop product which is impreg-nated with a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound, incellulosic yarn fibers of the mop; to provide mop products with an enhanced lifetime with respect to yarn fibers thereof; to provide mop products impregnated with antimicro-bial or bacterial static compounds which are not relatively easily leached therefrom and which generally provide anti-bacterial or antimicrobial action substantially through an entire, extended, lifetime of the product; and to provide methods of producing such products which are relatively inexpensive, and relatively easy to effect.
' . ' ' ' -,--' ~- " ' ' .
3 ~ 3 1 According to the present invention there is pro-vided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicrobial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) provid-ing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially saturating said mop swab with a solution of inhibitory compound; (d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 Fahrenheit for a period of time suffi-cient to set said inhibitory compound into said yarns.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicro-bial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially satu-rating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper 8-quinolinolate; (d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory com-pound into said fibers.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicro-bial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially satu-rating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper salt of an organic compound which ~ 7~
1 possesses antimicrobial activity; (d) extracting said solu-tion from said mop swa~, leaving said mop swab ~amp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: (a~ an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: (a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impreqnated with an organic copper 8-quinolinolate bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an , antimicrobial activity.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: ~a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt material wherein said copper salt material is set into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
' ' ' " : ' .
.
3'~3 1 Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: ~a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper 8-quinolinolate wherein said copper 8-quinolinolate is set forth into said fibers for retention therein for a substan-tial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodi-ments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specifica-tion and include exemplary embodiments of the invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. In some instances material thickness may be exaggerated, or shown in reduced size, relative to other portions of a depicted structure, for clarity.
Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mop swab of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the steps of manu-facturing a mop swab impregnated with an antimicrobial compound, according to the present invention.
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~ ~73;~t3 1 Description of the Prefer ed Embodiment AS required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be under-stood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details dis-closed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely as a basis for the claims and as a represen-tative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to vari-ously employ the present invention in virtually any appro-priately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawings in more detail:
The present invention relates to a product and methods for the production of dust control products, such as mops, appropriately impregnated with bacterial static or antimicrobial compounds, in order to generally inhibit microbial growth in and around the mop product.
Reference numeral 1, Fig. 1, generally refers to a mop swab which has been or may be impregnated with an anti-microbial or bacterial static compound according to the process generally outlined i the scheme of Fig. 2. The mop swab 1 of Fig. 1 is for utilization as a wet mop, however it will be understood that the present invention may be readily and analogously applied to dust mops or mops which are in-tended to be used when generally dry. With respect to the mop swab 1, the antibacterial or antimicrobial compound is set into the mop fibers through a heat setting process. The presence of the bacterial static or antimicrobial compound ' ' ~
.
.
~ 3 ~t3 1 will generally inhibit microbial growth in and near the mop fibers. As used herein, the term "bacterial static com-pound" generally refers to any appropriate compound which exhibits a propensity to inhibit growth of bacteria. The term "antimicrobial compound" generally refers to any com-pound which exhibits a propensity to inhibit growth of microorganisms or microbes of various types. Generally speaking, bacterial static compounds would also be antimi-crobial compounds. Antimicrobial compounds would also include such compounds as fungicides or similar acting compounds.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the mop swab 1 is composed of a plurality of side by side yarns 6, each com-posed of a multiplicity of yarn fibers. Generally, these fibers are a natural or synthetic cellulosic material, or a combination of both. For example, many mop swabs are com-posed of cotton, while others are composed of synthetic fibers such as rayon, saran, orlon or similar materials.
Also, in many mop swabs synthetic fibers are utilized in combination with cotton fibers. Cellulosic fibers are believed to be preferable for use with the methods of the present invention, as the antimicrobial compounds generally readily heat set with them.
For the particular mop swab 1 shown, the yarns 6 are formed into a swab 1 having a conventional head band 7, facilitating connection of the swab 1 to a mop stick (not shown). Such swabs 1 generally also include tail bands 8.
In the mop swab 1 depicted, two tail bands 8 are used adjacent each end 9 of the swab 1 and maintain the ends 10 _g_ . ~ ~
--, - ~ .. ' .
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1 of the yarns 6 in an outwardly spread, or fanlike, config-uration.
The natural and synthetic cellulosic fibers gener-ally employed in the mop yarns 6 are subject to infestation and attack by microbes such as fungi or bacteria when the mop swab 1 is used to scrub a dirty area, such as a restau-rant floor, a hospital or veterinary clinic floor, a factory floor, or, perhaps especially in the instance of dust mops, certain furniture, wall, counter, or window surfaces. The mop yarns 6, during this cleaning, may become contaminated with agents, such as food agents, urine, blood, etc. that may provide good support for breeding bacteria, fungi, or similar organisms. Often, when mops, particularly wet mops, are stored they are put away in a damp condition and re-tained in a dark warm area, where any organisms contained in the yarns 6, particularly in proximity to trapped food material, may quickly proliferate. When such a mop is reused, it may then facilitate the spread of such micro-organisms about the work place or area mopped.
This latter can be a particular problem in hospitals, where mops such as floor mops are sometimes sub-jected to very hazardous, and sometimes even deadly, micro-organisms. When mops are used a multiplicity of times in hospitals, they may spread these organisms to otherwise clean areas, thereby also contaminating that area. Simi-larly, in food processing plants and restaurants potentially deadly bacteria, such as certain staphylococcus or the like, may proliferate, spread and ultimately contaminate food stuffs.
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1It is evident that generally inhibiting such microbial growth and spread, through the use of mops, is of significant importance and is a substantial problem. To aid in solving this problem, a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound is set into fibers of the mop swab 1.
To set a desired antimicrobial compound into the mop swab 1, the constructed swab 1 is taken, following the manufacturing process 15, Fig. 2, and is placed in an agitator or washer tank 16 which contains a solution of the desired growth inhibiting compound. It is believed that a large variety of bacterial static or antimicrobial com-pounds, generally referred to herein as inhibitory com-pounds, may be utilized according to the present invention.
However, a preferred inhibitory compound for general use, where mops are likely to be used, is an antimicrobial compound comprising a copper salt of an organic substance possessing antimicrobial activity. In particular, the substance copper 8-quinolinolate has been found effective.
Preferably, the copper 8-quinolinolate is available in a non-ionic emulsion concentrate. Such a concentrate, con-taining 10% solubilized copper 8-quinolinolate, is commer-ci~lly available from the Ventron division of Morton Thiokol Corporation, under the trade name of CUNILATE 2419. Prefer-ably, a 3~ aqueous mixture of the 10% copper 8=quinolinolate emulsion is added to the washer 16 and a mop swab 1 is retained in the washer 16 until it is generally saturated -with the solution of inhibition compound. The mop swab 1 may then be removed from the washer 16, and any excess *Trade mark ~' ~ ~ -11-:
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1 solution may be extracted, such as by wringing or by spin-ning in a centrifuge extractor. In the preferred embodi-ment, Fig. 2, the agitator or washer tank 16 includes a spinner or centrifuge extractor or extraction mechanism, as is common in a commercial washer. The swab 1, following extraction, is then placed in a hot air dryer 17.
Preferably, a mop swab l which has been saturated with the inhibitory compound solution is maintained in the dryer 17 at an appropriate temperature for a time period, sufficient to set the inhibitory compound into the fibers, which, for copper 8-quinolinolate has been found to be at about 160 Fahrenheit for at least twenty (20) minutes. The solution is set into the mop fibers by ionic bonding encour-aged by the heating process. The precise bonding character-istics are not presently known, but the bond is apparently quite strong, for the solution remains in the yarn fibers for many washings. In fact, the solution generally remains in the fibers until they mechanically break down due to abrasion and other factors not associated with microbial attack. This hot air drying cycle sets the antimicrobial solution into the cellulosic mop fibers, so that the solu-~tion is not readily washed out of the mop 1 as the mop swab 1 is used thereafter. That is, the swab 1 may be utilized as a wet mop, with repeated washings or rinsings, without significant leaching of the inhibitory compound, preferably copper 8-quinolinolate, from the yarn fibers. It will be understood that different inhibitory compounds may require different temperatures or setting times.
- ': ' '` :
.". ' ' '' . ' ` ' ' -- ~ :
>73;~&~3 1 Tests indicate that the inhibitory compound, preferably the copper 8-quinolinolate agent, remains present in sufficiently substantial ~uantities to generally retard the growth of various microorganisms for a period of up to fifty washings after being set into the mop swab 1. The typical life of a mop swab 1 is approximately twenty-five to thirty relatively harsh washings, before substantial break-down in the structural integrity of the yarns 6 of the swab 1 occurs. Thus, the antimicrobial compound is substantially effective throughout the lifetime of the mop. Further, since mop yarns impregnated with the inhibitory compound will be more res.istant to mildew and rot, which decrease a mop's useful life by destroying yarn fibers, the method previously described normally results in a substantial exten~ion of the useful life expectancy of a typical mop swab 1.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of features or steps herein described and shown, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
MOPS AND METHOD OF MAKING MOPS
IMPREGNATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to dust control products such as mops and, in particular, the present inven-tion relates to mops and a method of making such mops which are: relatively mildew and rot resistant; generally micro-bial static; generally useful in preventing the growth orculturing or microorganisms in their proximity; helpful in preventing subsequent transfer of microbes throughout the work place; and which are of a relatively extended useful life expectancy.
Background of the Invention Dust control products are generally designed to collect dust, dirt, soil and other particulate matter by wiping or mopping dirty surfaces, such as floors, mops, whether dry dust mops or wet mops, as the mops are moved over floor, wall, counter or furniture surfaces, may become contaminated with materials which-provide a good medium for growth of undesirable organisms, such as harmfùl bacteria.
This is particularly likely to be a problem with met mops, since they are often stored while still damp and in rela-tively warm places. Also, during scrubbing, contaminated mops can spread such undesired bacteria.
:-~
--1-- ~ ,:
~.~73~8~
1 If, prior to storage, a used mop receives only a cursory cleaning, then, while the mop is stored, considera-ble microorganism growth may occur in the mop strands or fibers. When the mop is reused, it may then provide a further means of facilitating spreading of the microorgan-isms around the workplace and may thereby undesirably lead to the spread of disease, infection or contamination.
Further, the growth of microorganisms in mop fibers, such as through mildewing, significantly decreases the useful life of the mop because the microorganism or microbial growth tends to degrade the strength of the fibers of the mop yarns. Also, a mop swab attacked by mildew formation may smell sour and the odor may spread throughout the cleaning supplies in the storage room. This may be a particular problem in restaurants where the mops are often stored int he same room or closet as tablecoths, various paper products and napkins. Under such circumstances, the presence of the contaminated mop, in close proximity to the other items, may actually lead to the development of a sour odor in the other stored items. Mops used in hospitals are particularly susceptible to emitting foul odors when used to mop up urine spills and may lead to a perception that the hospital is not maintained in a sanitary condition.
The problems noted above have long been known to the mop industry, and it is common practice for persons utilizing mops to add disinfectant solutions or antimicro-bial compounds to solutions used in mop buckets.
.. . . . .
,:
, - -, .
:~ :
3~73~3 1 The above related techniques suffer from a general failure to impart a semi-permanent antimicrobial quality to the mop; for example, such solutions may be easily rinsed out with successive washings of the mop product. In fact, the disinfectant solutions normally washout of the mop in the first washing after soaking.
The present invention comprises a method developed to generally alleviate many of the aforementioned problems.
Generally, the invention relates to the provision of a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound which is set into the mop during the manufacturing process. The bacterial static or antimicrobial compound, being retained within portions of the mop, will generally not be readily leached during washings. In this manner, the compounds remain within the yarn fibers of the mop, where they can generally inhibit bacteria or other microbial growth. Further, such compounds generally provide a zone of inhibition to micro-bial growth, extending outwardly around the substrate in which the compounds are set. Thus, they will generally aid in inhibiting bacterial or other microbial growth in the general proximity of the yarn product.
Generally, the antimicrobial or bacterial static compound is heat set into the mop yarn fibers. This process generally leads to the retention of an antimicrobial effec-tive concentration of the compound in the yarn fibers, even after repeated washings of the mop. It is foreseen that, in some instances, it may be desirable, to have set the antimi-crobial or bacterial static compound into synthetic mop yarns as they are formed and prior to assembly of the yarns into a mop.
7~3~,'3 1 As indicated above, application of the inventiGn to mops generally significantly enhances the life of the mop product. This may result from a substantial inhibitory effect of the presence of the antimicrobial or bacterial static compound, in proximity to the cellulosic yarn fibers, upon growth of fiber destroying bacteria or microbes. Since microbial growth is substantially inhibited, the yarn fibers of the mop product last considerably longer, and the mop has a longer useful life. Further, certain types of spreading of bacterial- or fungal-type infections may be substantially reduced, if not eliminated, by the utilization of such anti-microbial-enhanced mop products.
Objects of the Invention The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a mop product having increased resistance to mildew and rot, in order to extend the useful life of such mop products; to provide a mop product which is impreg-nated with a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound, incellulosic yarn fibers of the mop; to provide mop products with an enhanced lifetime with respect to yarn fibers thereof; to provide mop products impregnated with antimicro-bial or bacterial static compounds which are not relatively easily leached therefrom and which generally provide anti-bacterial or antimicrobial action substantially through an entire, extended, lifetime of the product; and to provide methods of producing such products which are relatively inexpensive, and relatively easy to effect.
' . ' ' ' -,--' ~- " ' ' .
3 ~ 3 1 According to the present invention there is pro-vided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicrobial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) provid-ing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially saturating said mop swab with a solution of inhibitory compound; (d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 Fahrenheit for a period of time suffi-cient to set said inhibitory compound into said yarns.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicro-bial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially satu-rating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper 8-quinolinolate; (d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory com-pound into said fibers.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a process of producing a mop swab having antimicro-bial activity, said process including the steps of: (a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers; (b) forming said yarns into a mop swab; (c) substantially satu-rating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper salt of an organic compound which ~ 7~
1 possesses antimicrobial activity; (d) extracting said solu-tion from said mop swa~, leaving said mop swab ~amp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: (a~ an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: (a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impreqnated with an organic copper 8-quinolinolate bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an , antimicrobial activity.
Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: ~a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt material wherein said copper salt material is set into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
' ' ' " : ' .
.
3'~3 1 Also according to the present invention there is provided a mop swab having antimicrobial activity and com-prising: ~a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper 8-quinolinolate wherein said copper 8-quinolinolate is set forth into said fibers for retention therein for a substan-tial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodi-ments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specifica-tion and include exemplary embodiments of the invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. In some instances material thickness may be exaggerated, or shown in reduced size, relative to other portions of a depicted structure, for clarity.
Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mop swab of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the steps of manu-facturing a mop swab impregnated with an antimicrobial compound, according to the present invention.
: ' :
. ' ' ' ' . .
~ ~73;~t3 1 Description of the Prefer ed Embodiment AS required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be under-stood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details dis-closed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather merely as a basis for the claims and as a represen-tative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to vari-ously employ the present invention in virtually any appro-priately detailed structure.
Referring to the drawings in more detail:
The present invention relates to a product and methods for the production of dust control products, such as mops, appropriately impregnated with bacterial static or antimicrobial compounds, in order to generally inhibit microbial growth in and around the mop product.
Reference numeral 1, Fig. 1, generally refers to a mop swab which has been or may be impregnated with an anti-microbial or bacterial static compound according to the process generally outlined i the scheme of Fig. 2. The mop swab 1 of Fig. 1 is for utilization as a wet mop, however it will be understood that the present invention may be readily and analogously applied to dust mops or mops which are in-tended to be used when generally dry. With respect to the mop swab 1, the antibacterial or antimicrobial compound is set into the mop fibers through a heat setting process. The presence of the bacterial static or antimicrobial compound ' ' ~
.
.
~ 3 ~t3 1 will generally inhibit microbial growth in and near the mop fibers. As used herein, the term "bacterial static com-pound" generally refers to any appropriate compound which exhibits a propensity to inhibit growth of bacteria. The term "antimicrobial compound" generally refers to any com-pound which exhibits a propensity to inhibit growth of microorganisms or microbes of various types. Generally speaking, bacterial static compounds would also be antimi-crobial compounds. Antimicrobial compounds would also include such compounds as fungicides or similar acting compounds.
Referring again to Fig. 1, the mop swab 1 is composed of a plurality of side by side yarns 6, each com-posed of a multiplicity of yarn fibers. Generally, these fibers are a natural or synthetic cellulosic material, or a combination of both. For example, many mop swabs are com-posed of cotton, while others are composed of synthetic fibers such as rayon, saran, orlon or similar materials.
Also, in many mop swabs synthetic fibers are utilized in combination with cotton fibers. Cellulosic fibers are believed to be preferable for use with the methods of the present invention, as the antimicrobial compounds generally readily heat set with them.
For the particular mop swab 1 shown, the yarns 6 are formed into a swab 1 having a conventional head band 7, facilitating connection of the swab 1 to a mop stick (not shown). Such swabs 1 generally also include tail bands 8.
In the mop swab 1 depicted, two tail bands 8 are used adjacent each end 9 of the swab 1 and maintain the ends 10 _g_ . ~ ~
--, - ~ .. ' .
1.~7;~
1 of the yarns 6 in an outwardly spread, or fanlike, config-uration.
The natural and synthetic cellulosic fibers gener-ally employed in the mop yarns 6 are subject to infestation and attack by microbes such as fungi or bacteria when the mop swab 1 is used to scrub a dirty area, such as a restau-rant floor, a hospital or veterinary clinic floor, a factory floor, or, perhaps especially in the instance of dust mops, certain furniture, wall, counter, or window surfaces. The mop yarns 6, during this cleaning, may become contaminated with agents, such as food agents, urine, blood, etc. that may provide good support for breeding bacteria, fungi, or similar organisms. Often, when mops, particularly wet mops, are stored they are put away in a damp condition and re-tained in a dark warm area, where any organisms contained in the yarns 6, particularly in proximity to trapped food material, may quickly proliferate. When such a mop is reused, it may then facilitate the spread of such micro-organisms about the work place or area mopped.
This latter can be a particular problem in hospitals, where mops such as floor mops are sometimes sub-jected to very hazardous, and sometimes even deadly, micro-organisms. When mops are used a multiplicity of times in hospitals, they may spread these organisms to otherwise clean areas, thereby also contaminating that area. Simi-larly, in food processing plants and restaurants potentially deadly bacteria, such as certain staphylococcus or the like, may proliferate, spread and ultimately contaminate food stuffs.
3~8~
1It is evident that generally inhibiting such microbial growth and spread, through the use of mops, is of significant importance and is a substantial problem. To aid in solving this problem, a bacterial static or antimicrobial compound is set into fibers of the mop swab 1.
To set a desired antimicrobial compound into the mop swab 1, the constructed swab 1 is taken, following the manufacturing process 15, Fig. 2, and is placed in an agitator or washer tank 16 which contains a solution of the desired growth inhibiting compound. It is believed that a large variety of bacterial static or antimicrobial com-pounds, generally referred to herein as inhibitory com-pounds, may be utilized according to the present invention.
However, a preferred inhibitory compound for general use, where mops are likely to be used, is an antimicrobial compound comprising a copper salt of an organic substance possessing antimicrobial activity. In particular, the substance copper 8-quinolinolate has been found effective.
Preferably, the copper 8-quinolinolate is available in a non-ionic emulsion concentrate. Such a concentrate, con-taining 10% solubilized copper 8-quinolinolate, is commer-ci~lly available from the Ventron division of Morton Thiokol Corporation, under the trade name of CUNILATE 2419. Prefer-ably, a 3~ aqueous mixture of the 10% copper 8=quinolinolate emulsion is added to the washer 16 and a mop swab 1 is retained in the washer 16 until it is generally saturated -with the solution of inhibition compound. The mop swab 1 may then be removed from the washer 16, and any excess *Trade mark ~' ~ ~ -11-:
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1 solution may be extracted, such as by wringing or by spin-ning in a centrifuge extractor. In the preferred embodi-ment, Fig. 2, the agitator or washer tank 16 includes a spinner or centrifuge extractor or extraction mechanism, as is common in a commercial washer. The swab 1, following extraction, is then placed in a hot air dryer 17.
Preferably, a mop swab l which has been saturated with the inhibitory compound solution is maintained in the dryer 17 at an appropriate temperature for a time period, sufficient to set the inhibitory compound into the fibers, which, for copper 8-quinolinolate has been found to be at about 160 Fahrenheit for at least twenty (20) minutes. The solution is set into the mop fibers by ionic bonding encour-aged by the heating process. The precise bonding character-istics are not presently known, but the bond is apparently quite strong, for the solution remains in the yarn fibers for many washings. In fact, the solution generally remains in the fibers until they mechanically break down due to abrasion and other factors not associated with microbial attack. This hot air drying cycle sets the antimicrobial solution into the cellulosic mop fibers, so that the solu-~tion is not readily washed out of the mop 1 as the mop swab 1 is used thereafter. That is, the swab 1 may be utilized as a wet mop, with repeated washings or rinsings, without significant leaching of the inhibitory compound, preferably copper 8-quinolinolate, from the yarn fibers. It will be understood that different inhibitory compounds may require different temperatures or setting times.
- ': ' '` :
.". ' ' '' . ' ` ' ' -- ~ :
>73;~&~3 1 Tests indicate that the inhibitory compound, preferably the copper 8-quinolinolate agent, remains present in sufficiently substantial ~uantities to generally retard the growth of various microorganisms for a period of up to fifty washings after being set into the mop swab 1. The typical life of a mop swab 1 is approximately twenty-five to thirty relatively harsh washings, before substantial break-down in the structural integrity of the yarns 6 of the swab 1 occurs. Thus, the antimicrobial compound is substantially effective throughout the lifetime of the mop. Further, since mop yarns impregnated with the inhibitory compound will be more res.istant to mildew and rot, which decrease a mop's useful life by destroying yarn fibers, the method previously described normally results in a substantial exten~ion of the useful life expectancy of a typical mop swab 1.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of features or steps herein described and shown, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.
Claims (8)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A mop swab having antimicrobial activity and comprising:
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
2. A mop swab having antimicrobial activity and comprising:
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with copper 8-quinolinolate bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with copper 8-quinolinolate bonded to said cellulosic fibers and having an antimicrobial activity.
3. A mop swab having antimicrobial activity and comprising:
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed in a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt material wherein said copper salt material is set into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed in a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with an organic copper salt material wherein said copper salt material is set into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
4. A mop swab having antimicrobial activity and comprising:
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with a copper 8-quinolinolate wherein said copper 8-quinolinolate is set forth into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
(a) an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) said yarns being formed into a mop swab; and (c) said mop swab being impregnated with a copper 8-quinolinolate wherein said copper 8-quinolinolate is set forth into said fibers for retention therein for a substantial number of washings and maintaining the antimicrobial activity of said mop swab.
5. A process of producing a mop swab having antimicrobial activity, said process including the steps of:
(a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) forming said yarns into a mop swab;
(c) substantially saturating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper 8-quino-linolate;
(d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
(a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) forming said yarns into a mop swab;
(c) substantially saturating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of copper 8-quino-linolate;
(d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
6. The process of producing a mop swab set forth in claim 5 wherein:
(a) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) said period of time is approximately twenty minutes.
(a) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) said period of time is approximately twenty minutes.
7. A process of producing a mop swab having antimicrobial activity, said process including the steps of:
(a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) forming said yarns into a mop swab;
(c) substantially saturating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of a copper salt of an organic compound which possesses antimicrobial activity;
(d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
(a) providing an assemblage of yarns of cellulosic fibers;
(b) forming said yarns into a mop swab;
(c) substantially saturating said mop swab with an inhibitory compound comprising a solution of a copper salt of an organic compound which possesses antimicrobial activity;
(d) extracting said solution from said mop swab, leaving said mop swab damp; and (e) hot air drying said mop at a sufficient temperature and for a period of time sufficient to set said inhibitory compound into said fibers.
8. The process of producing a mop swab set forth in claim 7 wherein:
(a) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) said period of time is approximately twenty minutes.
(a) drying said mop at a temperature of approximately 160 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) said period of time is approximately twenty minutes.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539563A CA1273289A (en) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-06-12 | Method of making mops and mats impregnated with antimicrobial compounds |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539563A CA1273289A (en) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-06-12 | Method of making mops and mats impregnated with antimicrobial compounds |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1273289A true CA1273289A (en) | 1990-08-28 |
Family
ID=4135883
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000539563A Expired - Fee Related CA1273289A (en) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-06-12 | Method of making mops and mats impregnated with antimicrobial compounds |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1273289A (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-06-12 CA CA000539563A patent/CA1273289A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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