DK2929828T3 - Cleaning unit comprising a cleaning mop and at least one wrapper - Google Patents

Description

Description [0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning unit, in particular for cleanroom cleaning, containing a cleaning mop and a package.

[0002] In particular, cleaning companies use cleaning mops in many cases for cleaning floors in particular. These cleaning mops are, as a rule, intended to be used repeatedly, that means that the cleaning mops have to be washed after each cleaning cycle. Especially in the case of cleaning mops which are deployed for cleanroom cleaning, special precautionary measures have to be taken not only during manufacture, transport and storage, but likewise during the washing of the cleaning mops used. The outlay required in connection with such cleaning mops is then further increased forthose mops which are to be used for cleaning sterile rooms, in particular sterile cleanrooms.

[0003] EP 382 691 A1 discloses a package for a cleaning mop or the like which, in addition to this cleaning mop, also contains a receptacle having a liquid consisting of a cleaning and/or disinfecting agent. This cleaning liquid is therefore provided separately from the cleaning mop in the package. The liquid container can be opened without having to tear open the package. This means that the cleaning mop is saturated within this package. In this way, a cleaning mop is to be made available, which can be stored for a very long period of time and which can be simply impregnated with the cleaning liquid shortly prior to use.

[0004] DE 200 05 016 U1 relates to a cleaning cloth for commercial applications, consisting of a ready-made carrier material and a cleaning agent applied thereto, wherein the carrier material is soaked with a predefined quantity of cleaning agent. DE 200 05 016 U1 further describes a package for the indicated cleaning cloths. This package can constitute a fused film surrounding the cleaning cloths, which film is provided in a dimensionally stable housing having an extraction opening. In this way, it is possible to avoid touching the cleaning agent and wetting a cleaning rag or respectively spraying a cleaning agent.

[0005] It would therefore be desirable to be able to have recourse to cleaning mops which do not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] The object which formed the basis of the invention was therefore to provide cleaning systems, which make possible a reliable, but nevertheless inexpensive cleaning of, in particular, cleanrooms and/or sterile rooms.

[0007] Accordingly, a cleaning unit according to the features of Claim 1 was found.

[0008] The fact that the cleaning mop is provided already completely pre-soaked in the package, in particular the plastic film package, means that this can be immediately used for cleaning after being extracted from the package, without the need for further wetting or further soaking with additional cleaning liquid. Therefore, when the cleaning unit according to the invention is used, the cleaning cart which is regularly deployed and which, as a rule, also constantly includes at least one container with cleaning liquid, can be dispensed with.

It is also easily possible to influence the quantity of the liquid system also packaged by means of, for example, the volume of the package. Nevertheless, the package is in general dimensioned in such a way that the total volume of the package is not completely filled with liquid and cleaning mop(s), but (cleaned) air or an inert gas is also provided therein. Consequently, the cleaning unit according to the invention makes it possible to provide sufficient liquid for cleaning even larger areas of a room which has to be cleaned, in particular a cleanroom, without having to provide cleaning liquid by means of separate containers or buckets. In particular, the quantity of cleaning liquid, which is optimally tailored to the cleaning mop, can constantly be used for a cleaning task. The cleaning liquid is consequently always correctly measured out.

[0009] In one configuration of the cleaning unit according to the invention, not only is a single soaked mop, in particular a flat mop, provided therein, but two or more mops, in particular flat mops, are provided on top of one another. Depending on the application and/or the size of the cleaning mop, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or even 8 to 20 mops, in particular flat mops, can be provided, by way of example, in the first package of the cleaning unit according to the invention.

[0010] In one particularly expedient configuration, the cleaning mop of the cleaning unit according to the invention constitutes a flat mop. In general, flat mops have a rectangular basic surface and are equipped with a cleaning side or respectively front and a wrapper side or respectively back. These flat mops advantageously have at least one engagement pocket, preferably two engagement pockets, for a flat mop holder on the wrapper side or respectively back. These flat mop holders are mostly connected by means of a hinge to a shaft or handle, so that even larger areas can easily be cleaned using the cleaning unit according to the invention.

[0011] The cleaning unit according to the present invention is very particularly suited to deployment in cleanroom cleaning. Accordingly, the cleaning mop, in particular the flat mop, of the cleaning unit according to the invention also constitutes a cleanroom cleaning mop. It is possible, with the cleaning unit according to the invention, to not only provide a cleaning mop immediately, which can be deployed during cleanroom cleaning, but likewise the liquid system required for this, by way of example in the form of a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid. In this way, the outlay of providing a suitable cleaning liquid as well as suitable receptacles for receiving said cleaning liquid for cleanroom cleaning, can be significantly reduced. Basically, the external supply of cleaning liquid can be dispensed with by using the cleaning unit according to the invention.

[0012] The cleaning mop which is to be deployed with the cleaning unit according to the invention expediently constitutes a single-use cleaning mop, in particular if it is deployed for cleanroom cleaning. As a result of the cleaning mop being designed as a single-use cleaning mop, meaning that the cleaning mop does not have to be produced and designed in such a way that it is able to withstand the 50 to 60 washing cycles which are usually required in an unaltered form, the costs associated with manufacturing the cleaning unit according to the invention are kept to a reasonable level.

[0013] It has proven to be particularly expedient if recourse is had to those cleaning units according to the invention, and in particular for cleanroom cleaning, which further have at least one additional, in particular liquid-tight, plastic film package, in which the first plastic film package is packaged in particular in a liquid-tight manner, preferably sealed by fusing.

[0014] On the one hand, it is possible with this embodiment, in the event of leakages in the first package, in particular the plastic film package, to prevent the liquid system running out or respectively contaminating the surroundings, because the latter can be captured in the second plastic film package which encloses the first plastic film package. In addition, by using an additional package which envelops the first package and in which the liquid system is provided, a cleaning unit is provided which can be deployed in a particularly efficient and practicable manner for cleanroom cleaning. Byway of example, the outer package can be removed in a sluice region in the transition to the cleanroom so that it is ensured that only a package which is satisfactory for the cleanroom conditions, together with the cleaning liquid and cleaning mop, make it into the cleanroom. In particular, very effective cleaning of sterile rooms as well as of cleanrooms can be guaranteed if the cleaning unit comprises a first package and an additional, second package. In this case, the outer, second package is in most cases removed in a first sluice. In connection with this, it is advantageous if the inner, first package containing said cleaning mop and the liquid system provided in the outer, additional or respectively second package is provided in cleaned or respectively sterilised air. This means that the inner package has already been introduced into, and sealed in, the outer package under cleanroom conditions or respectively under sterile conditions. The inner package is then only preferably removed in a second sluice, so that only the cleaning mop impregnated with the liquid system makes it into the sterile room or the cleanroom. Alternatively, it is also possible to disinfect or respectively sterilise the inner package again in the second sluice, in order to take it into the room which is to be cleaned as well.

[0015] In this case, it can be provided in a suitable embodiment that the first and/or the additional, second plastic film package are configured in the form of a hose and that the fusings are each preferably provided on the narrow sides of the plastic film hoses, which are located opposite one another.

[0016] The liquid system of the cleaning unit according to the invention can, by way of example, be an aqueous system, in particular containing at least one disinfecting agent, in particular i-propanol and/or ethanol, and/or at least one, in particular biocidal, cleaning agent. Accordingly, the liquid system can be a cleaning liquid or a disinfecting liquid. Of course, it is likewise possible that the liquid system simultaneously constitutes a cleaning and a disinfecting liquid. Suitable cleaning liquids can be adjusted to be alkaline or acidic. Alkaline cleaning liquids are frequently used if fat-dissolving properties are required. Acidic cleaning liquids are in general used to eliminate limestone and/or rust residues. Cleaning liquids within the meaning of the present invention are regularly distinguished in that they contain at least one surfactant in an aqueous system. Suitable surfactants for cleanroom cleaning or respectively for cleaning sterile rooms are known to the person skilled in the art. In general, suitable disinfecting liquids constitute aqueous systems which have, for example, a biocidal, bactericidal, sporicidal and/or fungicidal effect and accordingly contain at least one biocide, bactericide, sporicide and/or fungicide. Cleaning liquids or respectively disinfecting liquids, in which the water used is deionised water or water of Water For Injection (WFI) quality are in general used for cleanroom and for sterile cleaning applications. The water of suitable cleaning and disinfecting liquids has preferably been subjected to a filtering process (0.2 pm) for cleaning sterile rooms.

[0017] Recourse is preferably had to aqueous systems which contain alcohols such as i-propanol and/or ethanol, peroxides, peracids such as peracetic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride, guanidine derivatives or chlorine-based compounds such as chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidine, chloramine T for the disinfecting liquids deployed for sterile rooms within the meaning of the present invention.

[0018] An aqueous system containing 70 vol.-% i-propanol and 30 vol.-% water is indicated as a particularly suitable disinfecting agent for cleanroom cleaning as well as for cleaning sterile rooms.

[0019] Particularly expedient cleaning units according to the invention are also those which are used for cleaning sterile rooms, in particular sterile cleanrooms. It is particularly possible, in a simple and reliable way, to transfer cleaning mops, together with the cleaning liquid in a previously sterilised form, into a sterile room with the cleaning units according to the invention. This relates in particular to those cleaning units, in which the cleaning mop soaked in a first package, in particular a plastic film package, is provided enclosed in at least one additional package, in particular a plastic film package.

[0020] Methods for sterilising the cleaning unit according to the invention, together with the cleaning mops provided therein and the liquid system, are known to the person skilled in the art. To this end, recourse can be had, for example, to sterilisation by means of beta radiation, gamma radiation and/or electron radiation.

[0021] Cleaning mops can be reliably deployed in sterile surroundings with the cleaning units according to the invention, without having to accept losses in the sterility. A sterility assurance level (SAL value) which is not above 10'6 can be observed with the cleaning units according to the invention. This means that of 1,000,000 cleaning units according to the invention, on average only one is contaminated with a viable germ. By way of example, according to the European Pharmacopeia the SAL value for parenterals is a maximum of 10'6.

[0022] It can be provided in a preferred embodiment for the cleaning units according to the invention that the flat mop has at least one layer on the front or respectively cleaning side and at least one layer on the back or respectively wrapper side as well as, possibly, at least one middle intermediate layer arranged between the layer on the front and the back, wherein at least one, preferably two, engagement pocket(s) for a flat mop holder are provided on the back.

[0023] In this case, those cleaning units are also particularly preferred, in which the flat mop has a front or respectively cleaning side having a trimming or loop structure and a back or respectively wrapper side, wherein the front and the back comprise at least one woven, knitted or warp-knitted layer formed from microfibre material, or wherein the front comprises at least one woven, knitted or warp-knitted layer formed from microfibre material on the front and the back comprises at least one layer on the back made of an, in particular reinforced, nonwoven material, in particular comprising or consisting of polyolefin fibres, in particular polypropylene fibres.

[0024] It can, in this case, further be provided that the at least one intermediate layer arranged between the layer on the front and on the back comprises an, in particular unreinforced, nonwoven material or a foam material or consists hereof.

[0025] Suitable microfibre material comprises, for example, polyamide microfibres and/or polyester micro-fibres, in particular polyethylene terephthalate microfibres. Polyester microfibres are preferred. The nonwoven material of the intermediate layer comprises or preferably consists of, in particular, recycled polyester fibres, in particular polyethylene terephthalate fibres.

[0026] The microfibre material for the cleaning mops of the cleaning unit according to the invention is expediently formed from a continuous fibre. The microfibre material constitutes an, in particular circular knitted or warp-knitted, terry cloth in a particularly suitable manner. Such microfibre materials are preferably mounted on the front or respectively cleaning side of a flat mop of a cleaning unit according to the invention.

[0027] It can further be provided in a configuration that the microfibre material of the front and/or back has an average fineness of smaller than or equal to 1 dtex, in particular in the range of 0.3 dtex to 0.8 dtex, and/or that the fibre material of the intermediate layer has an average fineness in the range of 0.5 dtex to 4 dtex, in particular in the range of 1 dtex to 3 dtex and, particularly preferably, in the range of 1.5 dtex to 2.5 dtex.

[0028] Those cleaning units according to the invention, in which cleaning mops are used, in which the layer made of microfibre material on the front and/or on the back has a mass per unit area of at least 150 g/m2 or in the range of 150 g/m2 to 400 g/m2, preferably of at least 200 g/m2 or in the range of 200 g/m2 to 350 g/m2 and, particularly preferably, of at least 225 g/m2 or in the range of 225 g/m2 to 300 g/m2, and/or in which the at least one intermediate layer has a mass per unit area in the range of 50 g/m2 to 150 g/m2, preferably in the range of 75 g/m2 to 125 g/m2 and, particularly preferably, in the range of 90 g/m2 to 110 g/m2, are also particularly suitable.

[0029] The at least one intermediate layer can e.g. also constitute a needle-punched nonwoven. The fibres of the at least one intermediate layer can further constitute staple fibres, in particular having an average length in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm, preferably in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm and, particularly preferably, in the range of 40 mm to 60 mm.

[0030] Using a multi-layer flat mop as a cleaning mop for the cleaning unit according to the invention, the at least one layer on the back preferably constitutes a spunbond material. This layer on the back is also particularly preferably configured as a single layer.

[0031] In suitable flat mops the layer on the front and the layer on the back or the layer on the front, the intermediate layer and the layer on the back are preferably connected to one another along their circumferential edges by means of overlook sewing methods. In this case, it can further be provided that the engagement pocket or respectively engagement pockets has/have been obtained by folding down one or more end portions of the flat mop, so that in the region of the engagement pocket or respectively engagement pockets the material of the layer on the back rests on one another. Alternatively, the end portions folded down on one another are connected to one another along their circumferential edges, forming the engagement pocket by means of overlook sewing methods.

[0032] The layer on the front expediently has an average thickness of at least 0.5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably of at least 1.0 mm or in the range of 1.0 mm to 4.5 mm and, particularly preferably, of at least 1.5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm. The intermediate layer preferably has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 8 mm and, particularly preferably, in the range of 2.0 to 5 mm.

[0033] The invention was based on the surprising realization that cleaning mops can be made available, in particular for commercial cleaning in a practicable and inexpensive manner, and in particular for commercial cleaning. It is possible with the cleaning units according to the invention to completely dispense with additional impregnation, moistening or wetting of the cleaning mops. Rather, the required, optimum quantity of liquid system such as cleaning or disinfecting liquid can be immediately made available for the respective cleaning process. It is further advantageous that, with the cleaning unit according to the invention, any expenditure for the preparation of a cleaning mop to be outlay for the cleaning is dispensed with. This has a very advantageous effect, in particular, during cleanroom cleaning as well as the cleaning of sterile rooms. Thus, neither cleaning mops, disinfecting or cleaning agents nor disinfecting agents nor respectively cleaning agent receptacles or carts have to be provided in a suitable form for sterile rooms or cleanrooms. Rather, it merely has to be ensured that the cleaning units according to the invention, whether they contain a single package or whether they involve a system, in which the packed cleaning mop together with the liquid are provided in an additional, second package, are manufactured and packed under cleanroom or respectively sterile conditions. As a result, the risk of contamination is considerably reduced or even almost entirely eliminated.

[0034] It has proven to be an additional advantage that a very reliable and contamination-free cleaning of cleanrooms is achieved with the cleaning units according to the invention, in particular those containing single-use cleaning mops, e.g. single-use flat mops. In particular, very high standards for the cleaning of sterile rooms, including sterile cleanrooms, can be guaranteed with the cleaning unit according to the invention. It is thus possible to avoid contamination or sterility losses as early as the production and packaging stage of cleaning mops as well as during the production of the package and also of the liquid system. By way of example, it can be ensured during commercial cleaning that cleanroom and/or sterility standards are not circumvented. Thus, the necessity of providing cleaning liquid externally and having to transfer or fill said cleaning liquid into receptacles is dispensed with. The latter processes frequently result, in particular even if the required care is only slightly neglected, in contamination problems.

[0035] It has proven to be expedient in many cases to configure the cleaning mop, by way of example if it is designed in the form of a flat mop, as a single-use cleaning mop. The cleaning mops, in particular flat mops, to be used for the cleaning units according to the invention can of course be used again for cleaning after they have been extracted from the package and used for cleaning after passing through a washing or respectively decontamination cycle. It is also possible to use such cleaning mops, which are provided as single-use cleaning mops for cleanroom cleaning or respectively the cleaning of sterile rooms, following a washing or respectively decontamination cycle, at least one further time for cleaning rooms which are not cleanrooms or respectively which do not have to be kept sterile.

[0036] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description and in the claims can be material, both individually and in any combination, for the realization of the invention in its various different embodiments.

Claims (15)

A cleaning unit comprising a first liquid-tight plastic wrap and, provided in this plastic wrap, one or more flat mops already soaked with a liquid system, and further comprising at least one further liquid-tight plastic wrap, wherein the first plastic wrap is present in a liquid-tight manner. Cleaning unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the cleaning mop is a clean-room cleaning mop and / or a disposable cleaning mop. Cleaning unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first liquid-tight plastic wrap is a plastic wrap which is closed by welding or bonding and / or that the further liquid-tight plastic wrap is closed in a liquid-tight manner by welding. Cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid system is an aqueous system, in particular containing at least one disinfectant, in particular i-propanol and / or ethanol, and / or at least one in particular biocidal cleaning agent. Cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning mop or mops and the first plastic foil wrapping containing said cleaning mop and optionally also the additional plastic foil wrapping are sterile, in particular by means of beta radiation, gamma radiation and / or electron radiation. Cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat mop has at least one layer on the front or cleaning side and at least one layer on the back or cover sheet side as well as optionally at least one intermediate layer in the middle which is arranged between the layer on the front and the back side, where at least one, preferably two, engaging pockets for a flat mop holder are provided on the back side. Cleaning unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the flat mop has a front or cleaning side with a crew or loop structure and a back or cover sheet side, the front and back comprising at least one woven, knitted or flat knit layer formed of microfibre material or the front comprising at least one woven, knitted or flat knit layer formed from microfiber material on the front, and the back comprises at least one layer on the back made of a particularly reinforced nonwoven material, in particular comprising or consisting of polyolefin fibers, especially polypropylene fibers. Cleaning unit according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the at least one intermediate layer disposed between the front and back layers comprises a particularly non-reinforced nonwoven material or a foam material or consists thereof. Cleaning unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the microfibre material comprises polyamide microfibers and / or polyester microfibers, in particular polyethylene terephthalate microfibers, preferably polyester microfibers, or consists thereof, and / or that the nonwoven material comprises especially recycled polyester fiber fibers, or consists thereof. Cleaning unit according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the microfibre material is formed of a continuous fiber and / or that the microfibre material is formed of a particularly circular or warp knit terry fabric. Cleaning unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the microfibre material has an average fineness of less than or equal to 1 dtex, especially in the range of 0.3 dtex to 0.8 dtex, and / or that the fiber material in the interlayer has an average fineness in the range of 0.5 dtex to 4 dtex, especially in the range of 1 dtex to 3 dtex and particularly preferably in the range of 1.5 dtex to 2.5 dtex. Cleaning unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer of microfiber material on the front and / or the back has a surface weight of at least 150 g / m2 or in the range of 150 g / m2 to 400 g / m2, preferably at least 200 g / m 2 or in the range of 200 g / m 2 to 350 g / m 2 and especially preferably at least 225 g / m 2 or in the range of 225 g / m 2 to 300 g / m 2, and / or intermediate layers have a surface weight in the range of 50 g / m2 to 150 g / m2, preferably in the range of 75 g / m2 to 125 g / m2 and particularly preferably in the range of 90 g / m2 to 110 g / m2, and / or the at least one intermediate layer constitutes a needle felt, and / or the fibers of the at least one intermediate layer constitute staple fibers, especially having an average length in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm, preferably in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm, and particularly preferred in range from 40 mm to 60 mm. Cleaning unit according to any one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the layer on the front and the layer on the back or that the layer on the front, the intermediate layer and the back on the layer are connected to each other along their peripheral edges by means of overlock seams. Cleaning unit according to any one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that the mesh pocket (s) has been obtained by folding one or more edge sections of the flat mop, so that the material in the back layer in the area of the mesh pocket (s) rests. on each other, and / or that the edge sections folded around each other are connected to one another along their peripheral edges and form the engaging pocket by means of overlock seams. Cleaning unit according to any one of claims 6 to 14, characterized in that the face layer has an average thickness of at least 0.5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably at least 1, 0 mm or in the range of 1.0 mm to 4.5 mm and particularly preferably of at least 1.5 mm or in the range of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, and / or that the intermediate layer has a thickness in the range of 0, 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 1.0 mm to 8 mm and particularly preferably in the range of 2.0 to 5 mm.