CA2209057A1 - Device for cleaning - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a device for cleaning, comprising a cleaning head adapted for use in connection with a handle or, in the alternative, in connection with the hand of the user. The cleaning head comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material joined to the first layer to define a pocket having a pocket opening. The pocket and the pocket opening are sized to receive a hand or, in the alternative, a support plate attached to a handle. The second layer defines a slit extending from the pocket opening to form a first flap and a second flap.
Preferred means for closing the slit comprise a tab of material having looped projections attached to one flap and a tab of material having hooked projections attached to the other flap. The tabs are positioned and sized to provide a range of overlap that engages the loops and the hooks, thereby accommodating a range of hand sizes and shapes or, alternatively, support plate sizes and shapes. The preferred material of the cleaning head comprises a non-woven material of about 30% viscose and about 70% polypropylene.

Description

'~' ~

DEVICE FOR CLE~ING
Ficld Of The ~vehtion.
This i~veneion relates genesrally to a clearling device, and more pa~icularl~ toa cleaning device tllat can be used m colmectio~ witll a handlo or, ~lt~.rn~tively~ a human hnnd inserted within the dev~ce.
Back~round Of ~e Inven~ioh ~IP71~in 3 devices opel~ted in conjunction with a handle o~ t;vely, the hand of the use~ have been pxoposed. Tb.ese devices gene~ally provide a cle~ning head made from absorbcnt, soft material and include a means for ztt~ching one end of a hsndle, The opposmg end of the handle is gripped by t~e user. ~ltern~tjve the cl~hing head can be used d~rectly by the user after the handle is re~oved.
~ one ~rc,~osed cleaning de~vlce of tllis type, the çleaning head is secu~ed to the ha~ldle or, ~Ite.rnRtively, to the user's hand by a strap ~tt~rheri at each end to the clean~ng head and P.yt~.ntlin~ across the top of the user's ~and or across the top of a rigid support plate attachP.d to the handle, In anothe~ pro~osed clepn;n~
device a frictional inte~ference fit bct~e.,ll a pocket in the cle~nin~ head and the handle or, altprn~tively~ the user's ~and is util{7ed~ I~ a further suggosted C]r~nin~
device an e~r~n~able openirlg to ~ pocket in the cleaning he~d is provided which is st~etched to receive a support plate or the h~nd of the user, and is the~e~fter released to resume a reduced size smaller tha~l eithe~ the plate or the hand. These prioI

c:\docs\l~\l4-084.3ap ~luposed devices ca~ ~e ur~eliable in 8110Willg ei~e~ the h~nd or t~e support plate to become separated from the cle~nin~ head, o~ are c~plex ~n their con~uction.

SurnmarY Of The I~lvention.
The p~esent ~nrention provides a cor~ nient C1P-Pnjng device having a cle~ h¢ad or pad tl~at can be used wi~h a handle or, i~ the alt~rh~tive~ as a cleaning mitt placed ovcr the hand of the user. T~o tevice of tlie present inverltion provides a simple and effective means of repe~e~ly att~ehing the r~ n~ head to and tl;ccc~ tin~ the clçz~ning head f~orn eit}ler a handle o~ the use~'s hand. Ille abllity to ad~pt the de~ice of t~e prcsent in~ention to a cle~nlT~e mitt preveIIts the device from bocominE cumbersome and inco~enient ih cirCumstzlnl;;e-c vvhere ~ ~;yt~ tip~l reach is rlot require, o~ in cir~ rP~ ~vher0 corne~s or other no~-linear pathways must be negotiated.
In the disclosed and plefc;ilcd rmbodiment~ the m~t~ 1 fom~ing the clP-~n~ng head preferably ha~ 2bout 30% ~riscose fibess and about 70~Vo polypropylcl~e fibers ~hd can be laundered and re-used.
Accord~lgly, the p~esent ~nYentlon provides a device for clean~ng corn~risin~ a cleaning head adapted for use in ~r~nr~tl~n with a handle or, in the ~lt~ ;ve, in comlecti~n ~vith the hand of thc use~, wherein the çl~in,~ head has a first layer of ~n~tPri~] joined to a second layer or pockct panel of m~t~ri~l to tefi~e ~ pocket having a pocket opening l~e pocket ant opening are si~ed to ~ecei~,re ahand or, ~lt~tively~ a suppo~t plate ~t~ch~ to the e.~t~nc;t n poItion of a handle, ll~e second layer defines a slit e~ctlontling between the pocket open~ng and an ~pL~

-2- c:\docs\lg\14~84.3ap to form a flrst flap alld a sccond ~lap. The cl~ninE~ head ~her indudes a closing rllech~ni.cm for partially o~ completely closirlg the slit.
The cleaning head laycrs are preferably discrete poltio~ of m~t~i~l jo~ned together by sewing, and at least one laye~ is prefe~ably fringed ~ound the oute~
pP~ Pt~r of tho layer by slits eY~n-ljn~ from the outer edge to~a~d the central region of the oleanillg llead.
'r~e slit closing m~c~l~ni~m ptofer~bly inçludcs a first fastenislg element positinned on one of the flaps and a second f~5te~;nl3 element posiho~Ad on the other flap. The fl~st and second fPst~ n~ el~m,~nt~ are prefe~ably tabs h~ing enOagoable hook and loop projections, but can also include tape tabs eng~geable with tipe lahding strips.
~e oloaning device preferably includes a handle having a flexible support plate connected to an cx~n~ n po~ion at one end of the e~ctyn~;on po~tion.
~o support plate is flexible enough to defo~m about cur~red su~f~ces upon the application of snfficienJ pr~s~ure ~hile p~o~riding suppo~t for tho clP.~nin~ he~d.
The present in~ention also provides a me~hod for Is~dngr a clo~ning device, comprising the steps of proYiding a pocket pa~el made from a sheet ~ te fornnin~ an a~elLurc in a cent~al ~egion of the pocl~et pancl, foIming a slit in the pocket panel eYte~;~ om the a~ ulc to an edge portion of the pocket panel whereby flap9 a~e follned having atJa~ent, contiguous edges when said flaps are ~n a closed position, attaching one component of a ~losu~e tn~rh~ni~rn to an unde~sidc of the pocket panol at a location adjacent the slit, Plttpch;n~ another component of the closure me~hRnis~ such that this othe~ component extends froln t~e othcr flap to~vanls the first flap and extends beyond the Contiguous edge of the otheî fl~p and positioned -3- c,~docs\lR\14-084.3ap such that when the flaps ate closed, the fi~st Go,.,~~ ç.~t of the closure m~rll~ni~m ove~lies ~t least a portion of the othe~ component of the closure m~or,h~ m, and att~r.hing the poclcet panel to a f~st fabrlc layer by s~itrhitlg the pocket panel and the hrst layer together along a pe~heral ed~e of said pocket pa~cl except hr said edge S po~tion.

Brief I;~cscJil~tion OF The ~:)rawill~s.
Figu~e 1 is a ~ cti~e view of a pl~fc~lt;d clP~ning head of the present in~ention, depicting the hand of a User in ~h~ntn~n;
Figure 2 is a top plan vie~ of the cle~nin~ head of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a view ~n scction of the ~ n;n~ head as seen from t~e pl~ne generally ;n~ ted by the line 3-3 in Pigure 2;
~ gure 4 is a view in section of the clesning head as seen from the plane gener~lly in~ ted by thc line 4-4 ill Pigure 2;
Figu~e 5 is a view partislly in section of the cl~nihg head in com~ination with a h~ndle;
Figure 6 is a p~ CCtiVs view of the sle~ning head and handle of Figure 5.

Best Mode Por Practi-.inv The Invention.
The cle~nlng device of tho present in~ention provides a rl--~n;tlg head or cieanin~ pad 10 formed from a fl~st layer of m~teri~l 12 and a second layor of m~t~.r,t~,l 14 joined to forn~ a pockee 16 b.aving ~n opening 18, as can best be seen in Fig~lre 3, The pocket 16 and o~ening 18 are sized to receive a su~port plate 4~

-4- c;\do~sUg\14-0~4.3ap att~ched to a h~ndlc or, in ~e altemative, to recei~e the hand of a user, A slit 24 in the seco~d laye~ 14 ex~ondin~ from ~he pocket open~ng 18 toward the center of the second layer 14 def~ne~ two flaps 26, 28. Mesns for closing tho s1it 24 secuIes the suppo~t plate 42 o~, 81t~ rely, the user's hand, inside the pocket 16 whlle the clP~ n~g head 10 is b~ng deployed to clean, dust or wipe o~ scrub as desired.
hn th~e preferred embodimcllt, the clP~nin~ head 10 comprises three layers of material and ~ foam cushion, Thc flrst la~er 1~ has a p~ripl~ral tegion and a pocket region 30 locatet in~asdly with ~cspect to ~e peripheral re~ion, Tho sccond layer, or pocl~6t panel, 14 is A~tar~ to the top surface of the fi~st layer 12 overlyillg the pocket tegion 30, A thi~d layer 34 is disposed o~ the <~os~ng side of tho first layer 12 and colltRrts the su~face to be cleaned. The foam c~ehioJl 40 is disposed between the flrst and third layers 12, 34. l'he three layers 12, 14, 34 and the foarn cushion 40 a~e scwn together o~ otherwise ~tt~çlled along the periphery of said pocket panel 14 except along a non-att~t~he~ edge pottion 20 of the seco~d layer 14 that defines a pocket openihg 18, whe~e the s~i~rllin~ secures the ~lrst and third lzyers 12, and the ~oam cusbion 40 It will be appreciated that the pocket 16 of the clean~ng head 10 can be formed without the third l~yes 34 and also without thc foam cu~hio~ 40. ~ this alte~nate ~rnbodiml~t~ e intesior s~rface of the first layer 12 fo~ms the interior poclcet panel 3~, while ~e O~L~O~ g exterio~ surface of the fisst layer 12 co~h~t~ the surface to be cleaned. It will further be appreci~ted that the layers of the cl~ni~e head ate p~efe~ably formed of dis~ete and ~ continuous po~tio~s of rrl~t~ti~l, but can ~lso be formed by one ox ~otc folds of one or moxe unitasy postions of m~ter1pl without departing from the spirit os scope of the prese~t invention.

\docs\lg\14-084.3ap The ollte~ porim~tf~.~ of the cle~l;ng head 10 is prefeta~ly frihged, to enhance the clean~ng and wiping functiolls of ~e devicc. In the pteferred etnbodimeI~t, the firse Elnd third layers 12, 34 are o~ the same shape and size, and both have frlnge 36 about their respective pçr1rnetFrs prefe~ably formed by a plurality of slits 38 ex~endin~ from the cxterior edge o~ each layer toward t~e central region of each layer. The s~cond la,yer 14 is preferably smaller than the ~irst 12 ant third 34 laye~s, ~nd hns ~ S]l~pC tllat s~lbst~lntiAlly covers that portion of the first l~yer 12 th~t is free of fringe. The layers of thc cl~ni~ head can also be joined by othet suitable means such as rivets, staples ~r~d adhesives as ~e }~own h the art.
The layers of the clcar~ng he~d are preferably made from non-woven m~te~iAI cornI-rising 30% viscose fibers and 70% polypropylenc fibers. ~lthough any suitable soft, absol~e~ll woven or non-wo~en material co~ld be used, the ~reÇer rnaterial can be laundeted and reused, l'he pre~e~red no~-woven matenal l~s thc follow~ng p~u~ ties:

composition 30% viscose 7070 pol~propylo~e weight (per D~ 53 854) 400 gm/~Z
thi~P-ss tper DIN 53 ~55) ~.6 mm tensile strength lon~itudinal (wet ant dry) 450 N
(per DIN 53 857) cross~vise (wot and dry) 500 N
tcar reQi~t~n~e longitudinal (dry) 100 N
tper DIN 53 859) crosswise (d~y) 90 N
water absorptioh (pe~ PIN 53 923) 550%

-6- c \doçs\lg\14-084.3ap absorption rate 30 seconds - 45 mm tper DIN ~3 9~4) 60 secor~ = 55 mm 120 sec~ 65 mm ~e flexible sb~ t foam pad 40 is ~ posed tcl~een the ~rst lay~
12 and tho third layer 34 in the ~ef~ ,d emhodirnPr.t T~e pad 40 serves as a eushion to ~educe the tisk of sc~t~tr1~in~ the surface being wiped, and also p~ovides additional a~scrl~e~cy for rl~ g yulyoses~ Thc prefe~ed foam is a flcxible u~ethane havillg a tensity of ,95 and a grade J3~.
The pocket openlng 18 of the ~lcrGllcd ~mho~im~nt iS defincd by the uh~tt~cl-~d edge 20 of thc pocket panel 14 tllat is Ilot stitchPd or otherwise A~t~rllP.d to the first layer 1~. ~is opening, 18 is sized to receive a hand or, ~lte~atively, a support 42 connected to the ~ ~en~ . portion 44 of a hsndle 46. A slit 24 An thepocket p~nel 14 extends b~tv~en tlle llnRtt~ l edge 20 snd an ~lu,e 52 to def~e two flaps 26, 28 having conti~uous edges defincd by the slit. T h e mer.h~;.~tn for closillg the slit 24 and jou~ng the flaps 2~, ~8 securely positinn~ the rl~ninp head 1~ ~elative to ~e hand or the suppo~t plate 42 ~ posed ~thin the pocket 16. The closi~g m~ h~n;.cm can be used repe~tp~lly to close the sllt 24 while the cl~ in~ head 10 is in use, and to open the slit 24 and re~no~e the use~s hand or the support plate 42 f~o~n the pocket 16 ss desired.
I~e closing m~ .~ni~ prefcrably coJr~ cS a first engaging elrtn~nt 48 positioned on one n~p 26 and a second ~nE~A~in~ ol~.m.o.nt 50 positjonPd on thc other flap 28. In the ~L~ ~ embodime~t, thc flrst and second eng~ing elem~nts 48, 50 are compl~-rnPnt~ry eng~gin~ Plp~ments such as~ by ~ay of e~-nrle., one or more butto~s and correspoIldihE button holes, one or more male snap inserts and cor:responding fe~ale snap recei~ , one or more b.ooks and co~Lespculding eyes or -7- c:\docs\lg\l4~84.3ap ~_J ~

one or more tape tabs and correspntlding la~dmg strips. The ~ost ~Lefeslt:d first engag~ng ~lçrn~t 48 corl~ist~ of fibe~ loop st~uctures pS-ojecting from a woven backing. ~e most ~rt;f~lr~ second ~n~;ng e]em~lt SO consists of nylon hooks or other suit~bly shaped structures projecting f~om a woven backing Such hook ~d loop st~uetures are somet~mes refel~ed to in the art ~s Velc~o.
The fitst and second en~7~gill~ cl~rnRnts 48, S~ caS~ be id~ cal e~ ih~z elel~enls if fotmcd to cooperatively interlock, such as, by way of exa~nple, engageAble hook sttuctures, os~ t~pe tabs with ba~k;ng surfaces such that the adhesive su~face of ono tab can bo affi~ed to the bacscing surface of the othe~ tab. ~urthe~, at least one of either the flrst en~aging clern~ nt 48 or the second ~ ng~in~ el~tn~rlt 50 can be eitller a discrete structure ~tt~rhed to eithe~ flap or a surface of the flap itself.

I~e first en~a~ing element 48 of the pr~r~sl~d embor3im~--t c~ns;sts of a strip of loop mate~ial sewed to tshe firs~ flap 26. The secont e~E~ae;t~ ornent 50 os' the yr~f~ed embo~limrllt cnnsi~ of a str~p of hook m~tprial sewed to the s¢cond flap Z8. The hook strip 50 is sewn along tho second 1ap edge so that thc strip e~t~ds into ~he slit 24 with the hooks projecting away f~om the ~nterio~ of ~e pocket 16. I~e loop strip 48 ls sewn to the interior su~face of ~e filst flap 26 with ~e loops exter~l;ng toward the inte~or of the pocket 16. The posjti~nin~ of the first a~d second e~g8ging ~ y 48, 50 allows for the el~m~n~ to be advantageously ovcrlapped to close the slit 24 and snugly secure the user's hand or7 altematively, ~e support plate 42 of a handle 46, to tl~e clc~nin~ head 10. Illeamount of overlap can be adjusted depcrl~lin~ on the size of the hand, or the support plate, inse~ed ~ith~n the pockct 1~. The size and position~ng of ~e ~f~ d -~- c:\docs\lg\l4-084.3ap ~ CA 02209057 1997-06-27 ,1 ~

eng~gln~ en~ tS 48, 50 can ~e advahtageo-~sly pr~r.~ted to a~o~rnodate a wide range of hand sizes and support plate si~es.
In an ~lt~nRte e2nbo~ nr~t, the closLng mer.llp~i~m compr~ses 8n ~t~totnPric ~t~ip (not ~hown), secured at onc end to the flrst flap 26 a~d at a secoTld end to the second fl8p 28. The gtrip can s~etch to ~ecQ~ .. n~l~te a ~ange of hand and support plate sizes.
The support p~nte 42 of tlle ~ref~rrl d embodiment comprises a flexiblo plastic pl~te in ~e gencr~l size and shape of the pocket 16. I~e ends of the flexible plate ate preferably shaped so as to rni~or thc pocket shape regardless of which end of the plate 42 is flrst inse~ted into the pocket 16. An e~rt~n~;on pOItiO~ 44 is p~efer~bly rotatably cor~ected to the centrsl poItion of the support plate 42. When it is desired to use the ~le~;n~ head 10 ~ith the handle 46, the slit 24 is opened and t~e support pl~te 42 is ~nserted into the pocket 16. I~e PYteJ~io~ portion 44 igdisposed ii~ a generally p~rl?endicular alignment with the plane gene~lly defined by the cles~ine head 10, and the slit 24 is cloged by eng~ing tb.e hrst ~nga~ el~m~nt 48 and the ~econd e~gaging e~ t 50, I~e terminal slit end 52 of the ~rerelrcd etnhor~imPnt provides a ~enerally circular ope~irlg to accomTrod~t~ the cyli~lrir~l shape of the extPn~iQll po~tion 44~ A teinfo~ce~ent panel 54 defines a circular ~Pe~in8 and a slit e~tet~;nR
from the edE~e of the ~anel to the reinforc~ng opening. l~e panel 54 is preforably stitched to the second layer 14 at the t~ in~lslit end 5~. The ci~cula~ opon~ng and ~lit oP the reinforccmcnt panel 54 are aligned ~espectively with the circula~ op~ning 52 and ~ length of the second lay~ slit 24.

-9- c:\docs\lg\l4-08~.3ap The flexible plate 42 of the preferred ~nbo~impt~t provides support for the cl~ning head 10 ill ope~ation. ~dditional~y, th8flexible plate 42 will defo~n in re~ponse to the applic~tion of sl~ffi~irnt pre.,;,~c by the user, causlng the exterior surface of the cleanln~ head 10 to defor~ about the shapo of the surface being cleaned. This deforl~ation of the ele~ninE head 10 increaseY the surface ~ea of the cleani~g head 10 in contact with the su~ace to be clc~n~A ~.n~b];tl~ increasin~
officiency ahd effectiYeness of t}~e cleaning device of the present in~ention.
Mahy other modifiç~ti~n~ and vari~tinJl~ of the in~ention will be h~ t to those sl~illed in the art in the llght of the foregoing disclosure and drawin~s. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the apRended claims, the invention ca21 be practiced othc~wise than has specifir~lly bee~l shown and described - c:\docs\lg\l4-084 3ap

Claims (33)

1. A device for cleaning, comprising:
a cleaning head adapted for use in connection with a handle or, in the alternative, in connection with the hand of the user, comprising a non-woven material having about 30% viscose fibers and about 70% polypropylene fibers.

2. A device for cleaning, comprising:
a cleaning head adapted for use in connection with a handle or, in the altemative, in connection with the head of the user, comprising a first layer of material and a second layer of material joined to said first layer to define a pocket having a pocket opening:
said pocket and said pocket opening sized to receive a hand;
said second layer defining a slit extending from said pocket opening to form a first flap and a second flap; and a mechanism for closing said slit.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said material of said first layer comprises a non-woven material having about 30% viscose fibers and about 70% polypropylene fibers.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said material of said second layer comprises as non-woven material having about 30% viscose fibers and about 70% polypropylene fibers.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said first layer and said second layer comprise discrete portions of material,

6. The device of claim 2 wherein said mechanism for closing said slit comprises a first engaging element positioned on one of said first flap or said second flap and a second engaging element positioned on the other of said first flap or said second flap.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said first element element and said second engaging element comprise complementary engageable structures.

8, The device of claim 7 wherein said complementary engageable structures comprise hook structures associated with said first engaging element and loop structures associated with said second engaging element.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said first engaging element comprises an adhesive tape tab and said second engaging element comprises a tape landing strip.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said tape landing strip is positioned on the back of an adhesive tape tab.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein said first engaging element and said second engaging element adjustably close said slit.

12. The device of claim 2 wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer comprise fringe along the periphery of said layer.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said fringe is formed from one or more slits in said material.

14. The device of claim 2 wherein said device comprises a foam pad disposed between said first layer and said second layer.

15. The device of claim 2 wherein said device comprises a third layer of material and a foam pad disposed between said third layer and said first layer.

16. The device of claim 2 wherein said device further comprises a handle comprising a support plate an extension portion engaged at a first end to said support plate.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said support plate comprises a flexible plate.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said flexible plate is sized and shaped to substantially fill said pocket.

18. A device for cleaning, comprising:
a cleaning head comprising a first layer of material rectangular in shape having an outer surface and an inner surface, rounded corners and fringe along the outer perimeter of said first layer, said fringe formed by slits in said layer extending from the edge of said first layer toward the center of said first layer, a second layer of material centrally positioned on the inner surface of said first layer, sized smaller than said first layer and shaped as a rectangle having a rounded end and a squared end;
a third layer of material centrally positioned on the outer surface of said first layer, sized and shaped as said first layer and having fringe along the outer perimeter of said third layer, said fringe formed by slits in said third layer extending from the edge of said third layer toward the center of said third layer.
an absorbent foam pad sized and shaped as said second layer and disposed between said third layer and said first layer;
said first, second and third layers joined by stitching along the edge of said second layer, said squared end of said second layer free of said stitching, to form a pocket between said first layer and said second layer and a pocket opening at said sguared end of said second layer, said second layer defining a slit extending from said squared end of said second layer toward the center of said second layer to form a first flap having an interior surface inside said pocket and an exterior surface outside said pocket, and a second flap having an interior surface inside said pocket and an exterior surface outside said pocket;

said slit extending from a first slit end at said squared end of said second layer to a second slit end shaped as a circular opening and disposed to receive a cylindrical structure through said circular opening;
a tab of looped material sewed to the interior surface of said first flap, said loops projecting toward the interior of said pocket;
a tab of looped material sewed to the interior surface of said second flap, said hooks projecting away from the interior of said pocket, said tab of hooked material extending into said slit and disposed to overlap said tab of loop material and engage said hooks and said loops;
a reinforcement panel joined to said second layer and having a cicular opening aligned with said circular opening at said second slit end, and a reinforcing slit aligned with a length of said second layer slit and extending from an edge of said reinforcement panel to said circular opening of said reinforcement panel; and said first, second and third layers formed of a 30% viscose, 70% polypropylene non-woven having a weight of 400 gm/m2, and a thickness of about 2.6 mm

19 The device of claim 18, further comprising:
a handle comprising an extension position engaged at a first end to a flexible support plate, said flexible plate sized to substantially fill said pocket, said support having two rounded ends, each of said rounded ends shaped and sized as said second layer rounded end.

20, A cleaning pad, comprising:

a) at least a first layer of synthetic, non-woven fabric defining a peripheral region and a pocket region located inwardly with respect to said peripheral region;
b) a pocket panel attached to a top surface of said first layer and overlying said pocket region;
c) said pocket panel attached to said first layer along a portion of its periphery whereby a pocket is formed having an opening defined by a non attached edge portion of said pocket panel;
d) said pocket panel further defining an aperture and a slit extending from said aperture to said edge portion whereby at least one opening flap is defined by said pocket panel;
e) said pocket panel sized such that when attached to said first layer, a pocket is formed for receiving either a handle support or a user's hand; and f) a closure mechanism for maintaining closure of said one flap.

21. The cleaning pad of claim 20, wherein said pocket panel defines two flaps that have contiguous edges defined by said slit.

22. The cleaning pad of claim 21, wherein said closure mechanism comprises a hook and loop closure having a hook portion fixed to one of said flaps and a loop portion attached to the other of said flaps and positioned such that said portion overly each other in a confronting relationship when said flaps are in a closed position.

23, The cleaning pad of claim 21, further comprising a second fabric layer configured substantially similar to said first layer, said one layer aligned with and overlying said second layer.

24. The cleaning pad of claim 23, further comprising a layer of foam material sandwiched between said first and second fabric layers.

25. The cleaning pad of claim 22, wherein said closure mechanism permits a range of closing positions between said flaps such that a variety of hand sizes can be accommodated by said pocket.

26. The cleaning pad of claim 20, wherein said peripheral region of said first layer includes a plurality of fringe elements defined by cuts extending from a peripheral edge of said peripheral region towards said pocket region.

27 A method for making a cleaning device, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a pocket panel made from a sheet material;
b) forming an apertute in a central region of said pocket panel;
c) forming a slit in said pocket panel extending from said aperture to an edge portion of said pocket panel whereby flaps are formed having adjacent, contiguous edges when said flaps are in a closed position;
d) attaching one component of a closure mechanism to an underside of said pocket panel at a location adjacent said slit;

e) attaching another component of said closure mechanism such that said other component extends from said other flap towards said first flap and extends beyond said contiguous edge of said other flap and positioned such that when said flaps are closed, said first component of said closure mechanism overlies at least a portion of said other component of said closure mechanism; and f) attached said pocket panel to a first fabric layer by stitching said pocket panel and said first layer together along a peripheral edge of said pocket panel except for said pocket panel edge portion.

28. The method claim 27, further comprising the step of attaching a second layer, to said first layer by positioning said second layer below said first layer while stitching said pocket panel along said peripheral edge such that said stitches extend through said pocket panel, first layer and second layer.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising the step of stitching a reinforcement panel around said opening and slitting said reinforcement panel such that the slit in said reinforcement panel is aligned with the slit formed in said pocket panel.

30. A cleaning device having a detachable handle, comprising:
a) a handle assembly including a support plate hingedly mounted to one end of the handle;
b) a substantially planar cleaning pad attachable to said handle including;

i) at least a first layer of synthetic, non-woven fabric defining a peripheral region and a pocket region located inwardly with respect to said peripheral region;
ii) a pocket panel attached to a top surface of said first layer and overlying said pocket region; and c) said support plate including a section shaped to conform to a portion of the periphery of said pocket panel.

31. The cleaning device of claim 30, wherein said first layer is formed from a material comprising substantially 30% viscus and 70% synthetic fiber.

32. The cleaning device of claim the cleaning device of claim 31, wherein said synthetic fiber comprises substantially polypropylene,

33. A cleaning pad, comprising:
a) a plurality of layers of sheet material stitched together to form a unitary unit;
b) at least one of said layers comprising a non-woven synthetic fabric;
c) a pocket defined at least in part by said one layer, said pocket including an aperture formed in a central portion of an upper pocket panel and further including a slit extending from said aperture to a non attached edge of said pocket panel whereby two flaps are formed with contiguous edges formed by said slit;

d) a closure mechanism for maintaining closure of said flaps including a hook portion attached to one of said flaps and a loop portion attached to the other of said flaps, said hook and loop portions configured such that when said flaps are closed said portions lie in a confronting relationship with respect to each other; and e) said pocket sized to receive a planar support plate forming part of a handle assembly or the hand of a user, said closure mechanism providing adjustment of said pocket size.