EP1386576A2 - Cleaning implement - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning device (1) with steel wool (8) comprises a holding part (2) containing no steel wool, and a cleaning part (3) containing steel wool and connected to the holding part. An independent claim is also included for the production of the above cleaning device. Preferred Features: The holding part is fixed, especially glued, to the cleaning part, or is removably connected, especially by a Velcro fastener, to the cleaning part so that the cleaning part can be replaced. The holding part is rigid and is made of hard plastic or wood. The cleaning part is water-permeable and consists of a fiber material, especially a fleece (4), a fabric material, especially a textile material or mineral fibers, and steel wool.

Description

I. Field of application

The invention relates to a cleaning device, as for cleaning contaminated surfaces is used by abrasion and preferably by Hand is held.

II. Technical background

For this purpose are from the commercial area as well as the Household area known as steel wool cushions, which are made of one another hooked, long metal filaments with angular, e.g. 3-cornered section, made of steel or stainless steel, exist and for cleaning soiled surfaces and also for removing paint on wood, metal surfaces, etc. can be used.

To here a satisfactory material removal of the pollution too To achieve this, the steel wool cushion needs to be pressure applied to the Surface are placed. This will break some of the steel wool threads, and the then very short fragments fall down and can on the one hand the Contaminate the environment, or sting on the other hand, in the skin of the user. Due to the very small cross-section in the dimension of a human Hair, these steel wool splinters are hard to detect and therefore too difficult to remove.

These steel wool cushions are also in saponified design, ie in the outer surface steel wool pillow incorporated solid soap, known.

Furthermore, especially from the household sector so-called scouring sponges known in which on a block-shaped foam, the user with the hand is held, on a outer surface a hard braid of plastic applied, z. B. glued, is what mainly by using thermoplastic plastics for both the foam block and the Hard tissue is easy to make.

Since this hard tissue is far from reaching the hardness of a steel wool, is with such a scouring sponge not the removal rate of a Steel wool pillow accessible. In particular, certain contaminants are too hard to ever be removed with such a scouring pad can, unless in the hard plastic knit additional hard materials how corundum grains are present.

III. Presentation of the invention a) Technical task

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a cleaning device create, despite the use of steel wool as an abrasive agent the Disadvantages of previous steel wool cushion avoids.

b) Solution of the task

This object is solved by the features of claims 1, 24 and 26. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the dependent claims.

The fact that the cleaning part contains the steel wool, but in addition a Holding part is present, which contains no steel wool, can by fastening or keeping the cleaning part on the holding part avoided that others Parts as the object to be cleaned, in particular the hand of the user, with the Steel wool in contact.

For holding the cleaning device by hand, the holding part with a sufficient thickness of at least 1 cm, preferably several centimeters, designed and preferably designed block-shaped. For attaching the Cleaning device to another object, as a holding part z. B. one motor driven cleaning machine, the cleaning part can be a z. B. Velcro on the cleaning side of the cleaning part facing away from the back or another, preferably flat, Fastening mechanism.

For holding by hand, the holding part is preferably ergonomically designed, e.g. on the side surfaces, at least two opposite ones Side surfaces, with z. B. groove-shaped depressions equipped to a Slipping of the holding part in the user's hand to avoid. The Holding part is in addition so high, so thick, designed that a contact of the hand of the User holding the holding part with the steel wool of the cleaning part can be avoided. Accordingly, the wells in the holding part set back sufficiently far from the cleaning part.

The holding part is designed either rigid and dimensionally stable and consists of z. As hard plastic or wood, or - as a preferred embodiment - elastic and above all water-permeable and water-storing, for example consisting of an open-cell foam such as polyurethane, preferably with a specific weight of 8 kg / m ³ to 60 kg / m ³ , in particular from 12 kg / m ³ to 30 kg / m ³ .

In a rigid holding part is preferably between holding part and Cleaning part an elastic intermediate layer of sufficient thickness arranged which may also consist of open-cell foam to Contour differences between the rigid holding part and the to be cleaned Balance surface.

The cleaning part can be permanently connected to the holding part, preferably glued, in particular glued surface, be, creating a disposable cleaning device is present, especially when identical extension of holding part and cleaning part in the supervision is very inexpensive to manufacture by the cleaning device in large area units made with the required number of layers and then only the individual cleaning devices are punched out.

For high-quality holding parts is preferably a detachable connection between Holding part and cleaning part used to a high wear Subject to change cleaning part at any time, while the Holding part is used further, which is especially true for specially shaped Holding parts is preferable, in which the front of the holding part can be contoured according to the shape of the surface to be cleaned, for example, curved with different radii of curvature can also be to clean grooves or convex curved surfaces too can, and then on the sufficiently flexible cleaning part flat on the corresponding contour of the front of the holding part can be attached.

Likewise, the holding part may be a motor-driven machine, for example, an orbital sander or rotary sander, on the movable drivable front, the cleaning part can be releasably attached, for example by means of a hook and loop fastener. The cleaning part can in this Case like the otherwise usual for such grinding machines abrasive papers the grinding machine are placed as a holding part.

However, a common case of such a cleaning device will still be be held by hand, block-shaped, elastic holding part, whose Front is even in the unloaded state, and on that much thinner and significantly less elastic cleaning part is attached. The following Explanations especially to the cleaning part are not on this To see the overall shape limited.

The cleaning part is plate-shaped, with 1-4 mm, preferably 1-2 mm thickness designed and transversely to the main plane of this plate elastic or even plastic deformable, but preferably with only a greater force than it is for the deformation of the elastic holding part is necessary. In the main level of the Plate is this but relatively rigid.

The cleaning part consists of a fiber material, in particular a nonwoven or a fabric made of textile material or mineral fibers consists. On or in this base material is the long-thread steel wool arranged, z. B. by means of surface bonding, but preferably by means of positive fastening method, in particular by needling.

This needling is that the steel wool, which is indeed made of many in one another multiple hooked or tangled threads exists, first in a loose Layer is applied to the base material, and then the needles Steel wool threads in many places in the base material, eg. B. the fleece, push in where the steel wool threads with the base material, for. B. the Fibers of the fleece, interlock positively. Due to the multitude of these Hooking creates a permanent connection and also a kind positive mixing of the threads of steel wool with this Base material, which in particular also have a fibrous structure should. Naturally, the concentration of steel wool threads is close to the Surface of the base material on which the steel wool originally was applied, higher and increases with increasing depth in the base material from. Exactly this quantity distribution makes it possible, a desired high Abtragsleistung of the cleaning part despite low demand for steel wool too which, moreover, is usually made of stainless steel for corrosion largely excluded.

To this entanglement between base material of the cleaning layer and the Making steel wool as stable as possible becomes a very long-lasting steel wool chosen, which increases the likelihood that every single thread the steel wool is needled in several places with the base material.

The threads of the steel wool have a cross-section approximately in the dimension of a human hair, that is less than 1/10 mm ² , in particular less than 1/100 mm ² , in particular less than 1/500 mm ² .

Alternatively, the steel wool may also be shirred, e.g. in 1-2 cm long pieces, on the base material, so the textile fleece or fabric, the cleaning part sprinkled and then fixed there, e.g. needled.

After preparation of the cleaning layer, this is from the cleaning side Smooth pressed or smooth rolled, especially to the threads of steel wool not loose to protrude from the base material and the object to be processed to achieve a smooth surface, and to catch on others Objects, especially during further processing, packaging and of transport, to avoid.

In order to additionally improve the cleaning effect, the cleaning part, especially its steel wool, be saponified. This means that soap is pointy or flat on the cleaning side of the cleaning part in the spaces is already applied between the fibers or steel wool threads and in particular also / or the base material of the cleaning part with soap is soaked, preferably in the liquefied state by heating is applied.

A holding part of z. As foam, which is to be held by hand, can very ergonomic design in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner be made by cutting incisions in the back of the holding part Block-shaped holding part are introduced so that by folding up the partially cut parts of the holding member preferably in the middle of Rear creates a grab handle that can be grabbed by the user while between the outer edges of the holding part and this handle circumferential edge of the holding part remains, which is the user's hand before contact with the cleaning part, but also with the to be cleaned Avoids surface.

Such cuts can in a large-scale production of the Cleaning device are introduced continuously in the passage direction, at a plastic, in particular thermoplastic material as material of the Holding parts, preferably in the form of a heated knife, causing them Make incisions in the two end faces of the cleaning device, so that There is no peripheral edge.

However, the cuts can also - in the supervision of the holding part - from the outer edge of the holding part recirculated, which in all A circumferential border and thus a protection of the user's hand given is.

The production of a cleaning device, consisting of the thin, relative rigid cleaning layer and an insoluble associated foam block as a holding part is easy and inexpensive with the following steps, by this multilayer structure produced over a large area and then the individual cleaning devices are simply punched out of this, e.g. a in the supervision about rectangular or other low-loss basic form, with also rounded corners again, gives an optimal low loss.

The preparation of the cleaning part is done by first on the Cleaning side of the base material, usually a nonwoven or a Tissue, preferably in a continuous process, a layer of each other crosslinked steel wool threads applied and then with the base material is needled. Subsequently, this cleaning layer is pressed, preferably by means of rollers, whereby the entanglements between steel wool and base material additionally solidified.

Subsequently, the surface or punctiform takes place from the cleaning side Application of heated to about 60 ° to 80 ° soap, then by cooling again solidifies, and in the near-surface areas of the Cleans cleaning layer and on the outside of the cleaning layer.

Subsequently, or even before the saponification takes place the Cleaning layer with the holding layer, preferably made of foam exists, for. B. by surface bonding or by the foam is thermoplastic foam and heated on the front and thereby becomes doughy and sticky, so that without the use of an additional glue the Cleaning layer can be attached by pure pressing. After possibly the introduction of the cuts in the holding layer to the available put handles, or even before, the punching takes place individual cleaning devices.

c) embodiments

Fig. 1a:

ein Reinigungsgerät in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 1 b:

eine Detailvergrößerung hieraus,

Fig.2a:

eine zweite Bauform des Reinigungsgerätes in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2b:

das Gerät der Fig. 2a in der Stirnansicht,

Fig. 2c:

eine gegenüber Fig. 2b abgewandelte Bauform in Stirnansicht,

Fig. 3:

eine weitere Bauform in der Stirnansicht,

Fig. 4a:

eine wiederum andere Bauform des Reinigungsgerätes im Querschnitt,

Fig. 4b:

die Bauform der Fig. 4a in der Aufsicht,

Fig. 5a:

eine weitere Bauform in perspektivischer Darstellung und

Fig. 5b:

eine hiervon abgewandelte Bauform in perspektivischer Ansicht.

An embodiment according to the invention is described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1a:

a cleaning device in perspective view,

Fig. 1b:

a detail enlargement from this,

2a:

a second design of the cleaning device in perspective view,

Fig. 2b:

the apparatus of Fig. 2a in front view,

Fig. 2c:

a comparison with Fig. 2b modified design in front view,

3:

another design in the front view,

Fig. 4a:

another embodiment of the cleaning device in cross-section,

Fig. 4b:

the design of Fig. 4a in the plan,

Fig. 5a:

another design in perspective and

Fig. 5b:

a modified form thereof in perspective view.

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a cleaning device 1, consisting of a block-shaped holding part 2, preferably made of open-cell foam, and one applied on one of the largest outer surfaces of this block thin, plate-shaped cleaning part. 3

As the detail enlargement of Fig. 1b shows, this cleaning part 3 is made a nonwoven fabric 4 having a plurality of intertwined or interwoven ones Fleece threads 4a, b, and arranged in the fleece, also in each other with the Threads of the fleece 4 tangled threads of steel wool 8. The threads off Steel wool 8 are close to the surface, so the cleaning side 11, represented more frequently in the web 4 than in the side facing away from the cleaning side 11 Areas of the fleece. The steel wool 8 consists of many, but long, in itself multiple tortuous or kinked threads, the turns preferably from the surface, the cleaning side 11 of loop-shaped in the depth of the web 4 and from there back to the surface or even Beyond the surface on which they are then usually pressed flat issue.

The cleaning layer 3 is permeable to water as a whole, and also the Holding part 2 made of foam and another moisture-storing and especially moisture permeable fabric.

In addition, the cleaning side 11 is wetted with solid soap 9 or this soap in the near-surface areas of the fleece 4 penetrated.

The cleaning device 1 is preferably in the wet state, ie z. B. after immersing the cleaning device on the cleaning layer 3 also in a liquid, e.g. As water used. As a result, the soap dissolves at least 9 partially, and the soap-saturated water becomes in the purification part 3, but also stored in the holding part 2.

By pressure of the user on the holding part or squeeze the Holding parts also in the direction of the main level 10, the water discharge from Holding part 2 are controlled in the cleaning part 3 in, and thus the amount at the cleaning point, ie between the cleaning side 11 and the purifying object accumulating amount of soap solution.

Fig. 2a shows another design of the cleaning device, wherein the holding part. 2 Although the same basic shape as in Fig. 1a has, but from a dimensionally stable, hard material, so z. As hard plastic or wood, which consists of the Hand of the user can not be deformed.

On the underside of the holding part 2 which in turn is plate-shaped Cleaning part 3, which also here the same base as the holding part. 2 Preferably, not directly attached but under arrangement of a Intermediate layer 12 of foam, on the front of the Cleaning device 3 arranged solid surface, in particular glued, is.

On the back of the intermediate layer 12 via a Velcro closure - as in Fig. 2b shown - firmly connected to the front of the holding part 2 surface. As a result, a worn unit of intermediate layer 12 and Cleaning part 3 are replaced without disposing of the holding part 2 with have to.

The intermediate layer 12, which is a multiple of the thickness of the cleaning part. 3 is, it serves a contour compensation against the to be cleaned Surface and takes over in the solution according to FIG. 1 from the holding part itself there exercised function of storing water or soap solution. Of the Another advantage of the solution according to FIG. 2a, b lies in the dry handling for the user, since he is no longer in with the wet part of the cleaning device Connection is coming.

Fig. 2c shows - in the same view as Fig. 2b - another modified Design in which the front of the holding part 2 is not flat, but curved is, preferably with changing radius of curvature in the course. The Design of this contour is done depending on the requirements of cleaning, grinding or polishing object.

Regardless of the shape, the same unit of cleaning part 3 and intermediate layer 12 are used as in the solution of Fig. 2a, b, da this unit is sufficiently elastic in the direction transverse to the main plane 10 by means of Velcro 17 to the curved front of the holding part. 2 to be pressed.

Fig. 5a shows a solution in which the unit of cleaning part 3 and Intermediate layer 12 analogous to FIG. 2b, namely in the loaded state, viewed in the supervision, however, for example, is circular. Also Here is the back of the intermediate layer 12 with a hook and loop fastener 17th equipped to this unit on an opposite Velcro closure to be able to fasten, which is then formed on the holding part 2. It comes as Holding part 2 according to the round shape in the supervision of the round sanding pad a rotary grinding machine or eccentric grinding machine in question, in the figures is not shown.

In contrast, FIG. 5b shows a solution in which directly on the back of the Cleaning layer 3, which preferably in all cases the structure according to 1a, b has, on its back the Velcro 17 or alternatively a Adhesive layer (e.g., double-coated sheet). When mounting on a corresponding grinding machine is then no contour compensation and no Water storage by an elastic, sufficiently thick intermediate layer more given because the cleaning part 3 only has a thickness of about 1 mm, and due to the pre-compression also hardly allows a contour compensation.

Fig. 3 on the one hand and Figs. 4a, b on the other hand show other types, in those, however - analogous to Fig. 1a - the holding part 2 of open-pored elastic Foam is in a block shape and the thin plate-shaped Cleaning part 3 is fixed to the underside of the holding part 2.

The difference lies in the shape of the holding part 2:

In a side view of Fig. 3 rounded angular cuts are set back from the outer edges of the block-shaped holding part 2 in the longitudinal direction, the Viewing direction of Fig. 3, consistently introduced over its entire length, a leg of the cut is parallel to the main plane 10 in the holding part 2 runs, approximately in the middle, so also spaced from the cleaning part. 3 A second leg of the cut 18 is at an angle or preferably perpendicular to the main plane 10 and connects to the outer end of the parallel to the main plane 10 lying portion of the section 18 and opens into the back of the Holding parts 2.

The inner ends of the whole, especially the parallel to the main plane 10 lying portion of the cuts 18, which are preferably at the same height, keep each other a sufficient distance. The partial cut and only in the middle with each other as well as with the rest of the Holding parts 2 connected foam parts 2a, b can thus be about 90 ° fold up and thereby form a handle 7 of the holding part 2, to the user can take the cleaning device 1, and yet of the remaining, rearwardly projecting edge 6 of the holding part 2 is protected, in particular against the shavings of the steel wool in the cleaning layer 3.

The cuts 18 end in the two opposite end faces of the holding part 2, so that the edge 6 is not circumferential but only parallel to the two remaining side surfaces along leads. It can the Shape of the cuts 18 also obliquely to the main plane 10 as a straight cut 18th run, as shown in Fig. 4a can be seen.

Primarily, however, Fig. 4a is a sectional view through that in Fig. 4b in the Top view analogue cleaning device:

Again, by the same procedure of cutting one Folding up of foam parts 2a, b towards the middle on the back of the Holding parts 2 intends, however, the cut 18 runs endlessly on the back of the z. B. quadrangular holding parts 6 and forms there also z. B. a square, so that the folding up and the action as a handle 7 in all two directions of the Main level 10 is possible.

Fig. 4b shows the top view from the back in the folded-up state of Handle 7 and thus to an annular trench or annular Deepened enlarged section 18.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

cleaner

2

holding part

3

cleaning part

4

fleece

5

front

6

edge

7

handle

8th

steel wool

9

Soap

10

main level

11

cleaning page

12

interlayer

13

deepening

14

back

15

foam

16

Glue

17

velcro fastener

18

incision

Claims (14)

Cleaning device with steel wool,
marked by a holding part (2), which contains no steel wool and a cleaning part (3) containing steel wool and connected to the holding part (2). Cleaning device according to claim 1,
characterized in that considered in the plan view, the extension of holding part (2) and cleaning part (3) is identical, and / or in particular the holding part (2) with the cleaning part (3) undetachably connected, in particular glued surface is, and / or in particular the holding part (2) with the cleaning part (3) is releasably connected for the purpose of Auswechseins the cleaning part (3), in particular by means of Velcro, and / or in particular the holding part (2) is designed block-shaped. Cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the holding part (2) is rigid, that is inelastic, and contains form, in particular made of hard plastic or wood, and between the holding part (2) and the cleaning part (3) an elastic intermediate layer (12), in particular of a material according to claim 6, exists, and in particular the intermediate layer (12) fixedly connected to the cleaning part (3), but with the particular rigid holding part (2) is detachably connected, and / or in particular the rigid holding part (2) has a front side (5) with a contouring according to the object to be cleaned, in particular a flat front side (5) or a front side (5) with a contouring with different radii of curvature. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning part (3) is plate-shaped, in particular elastically or plastically deformable transversely to the main plane (10) of the plate, but is preferably rigid in the direction of the main plane (10), and in particular the cleaning part (3) has a thickness of 1 to 4 mm, in particular from 1 to 2 mm. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning part (3) is water permeable, and / or in particular the cleaning part (3) consists of a fiber material, in particular a fleece (4) and / or a fabric, in particular of textile material or mineral fibers, and at least on the cleaning side (11) arranged steel wool (8), and / or in particular the steel wool (8) in the entire cross-section of the cleaning part, with a higher concentration on the cleaning side (11), is present, and / or in particular -the steel wool (8) with the plate-shaped cleaning part (3) firmly connected, in particular glued or needled. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least the steel wool (8), in particular the entire cleaning part (3) with soap, in particular from the cleaning side (11) ago, wetted, preferably soaked, is. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the steel wool (8) long thread with a thread length at least as long as the smallest extension of the cleaning device in the main plane (10), in particular at least as long as the largest extension of the cleaning device (1) in the main plane (10), or with a Length is at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm, and / or in particular the threads of the steel wool have a cross section of less than 1/10 mm ² , in particular less than 1/100 mm ² , in particular less than 1/500 mm ² . Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the cleaning side (11) of the cleaning part (3) in the form of pressed or rolled, in particular smooth pressed or smooth rolled, is. Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning device (1) is rectangular in plan view, in particular with rounded corners, and / or in particular the holding part (2) on at least two opposite side surfaces recesses (13). Cleaning device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the rear side (14) of the foam-made holding part (2) has recesses (18) and / or recesses (13) in the form that a handle (7) as part of the holding part (2) recessed from its outer edges are grasped by the user can, and in particular the user's hand is protected by a spaced-apart circumferential edge (6), and / or in particular the handle (7) by folding up of the incisions (18) movable parts of the holding part (2) is formed. Cleaning device with steel wool (8), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding part (2) is a motor-driven attachment surface of a machine, in particular a grinding machine characterized in that the cleaning device has at least one cleaning part (3) containing the steel wool (8), and the cleaning device (1) viewed in the plan view has a dimension corresponding to the receiving surface of a motor-driven grinder and on the back (14) as a holding part (2) a flat, releasable closure, in particular a hook and loop fastener (17) or an adhesive surface for attaching the cleaning device (1) on such a machine, and in particular the cleaning device (1) between the holding part (2) and the cleaning part (3) has an intermediate layer (12) of elastic material, in particular of foam, which in particular is at least 5 times as thick, in particular at least 10 times as thick as the cleaning part (3) is. Method for producing a cleaning device with a cleaning part (3) and retaining part (2), which is permanently connected thereto, made of foam for holding by hand, in particular according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cleaning part (3) and holding part (2) made in large units and interconnected and then punched out of this multi-layer structure, the cleaning equipment, wherein the cleaning layer is prepared by the following steps: Applying a layer of crosslinked steel wool threads on the cleaning side of the base material, in particular a fleece (4), the cleaning layer, in particular in a continuous process, subsequent needling of the steel wool with the base material, in particular also in a continuous process, Compacting the cleaning layer, preferably by means of press rollers in a continuous process and non-detachable surface bonding of the rear side of the cleaning layer to the holding layer, in particular by gluing or by pressing the back of the cleaning layer against the doughy front side of the holding layer of thermoplastic foam. Method according to claim 12,
characterized in that
a saponification of the cleaning layer takes place from the cleaning side (11) after needling and compacting the cleaning layer and in particular before the connection of the cleaning layer to the holding layer. Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the introduction of incisions in the back of the holding layer in the direction of passage continuously before or after the connection of the holding layer with the cleaning layer or individually for each cleaning device after punching the cleaning equipment annularly circulating around the center of the cleaning equipment.

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