EP3750468B1 - Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for manufacturing a cleaning element - Google Patents

Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for manufacturing a cleaning element Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3750468B1
EP3750468B1 EP20164474.7A EP20164474A EP3750468B1 EP 3750468 B1 EP3750468 B1 EP 3750468B1 EP 20164474 A EP20164474 A EP 20164474A EP 3750468 B1 EP3750468 B1 EP 3750468B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
thread
cleaning
loops
cleaning device
stitches
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.)
Active
Application number
EP20164474.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3750468A1 (en
Inventor
Rudolf Cuijpers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rc-Cuijpers GmbH
Original Assignee
Rc-Cuijpers GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rc-Cuijpers GmbH filed Critical Rc-Cuijpers GmbH
Publication of EP3750468A1 publication Critical patent/EP3750468A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3750468B1 publication Critical patent/EP3750468B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/16—Cloths; Pads; Sponges
    • A47L13/17—Cloths; Pads; Sponges containing cleaning agents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B5/00—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/04—Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware shaped as gloves or finger-stalls or other special holding ways, e.g. by the tongue
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/005—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066—Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
    • A46B2200/1086—Toothbrush for cleaning animal teeth specifically
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46—BRUSHWARE
    • A46B—BRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/30—Brushes for cleaning or polishing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target area, having a textile cleaning element that can be placed on a support and/or is turned up onto the support, with a cleaning section that occupies at least part of the outer surface of the cleaning element and is made of knitwear that has a basic mesh structure formed from a basic thread.
  • the invention relates to a method for producing a cleaning element of such a cleaning device.
  • a fingerstall also for use as a work tool, which consists of a flexible, tube-like structure that essentially adapts to the anatomy of a finger and extends from the third phalanx of the fingertip to at least the second phalanx.
  • DE 20 2016 102 041 U1 relates to a device for cleaning and/or caring for a wound or for cleaning and/or caring for the oral cavity and pharynx, wherein a cap part is contained as a finger stall that can be placed on a finger of a hand and has a head part with villi at its distal end.
  • villi should be able to achieve more effective and lasting cleaning and/or care of the oral cavity and pharynx.
  • the villi are used in particular for wetting the tissue structure and/or for cleaning and/or scraping off debridement and act more or less like a so-called furdel.
  • EP 1 267 663 B1 relates to a fingerstall which is said to consist of a non-woven basic structure, and therefore in particular a fleece.
  • the fingerstall can have an abrasive surface to simplify cleaning measures, which can consist of various textured materials, for example looped bristles on a fleece-like base structure.
  • the tooth-cleaning part which can be mounted on a finger or a holder under elastic deformation.
  • the tooth-cleaning part comprises an elastic base layer and a pile layer knitted with it, which can consist of microfiber material.
  • the surfaces of known fingerstalls or generally known cleaning devices with a cleaning element that can be slipped on are usually optimized for specific activities, for example when the fingerstall is made from microyarns or supermicroyarns for polishing a surface, as is often used when cleaning babies' teeth.
  • a cleaning device with an abrasive surface can be used first, for example, in order to then change the cleaning element and then polish it. This is extremely cumbersome.
  • the invention is based on the object of specifying a cleaning device that can be used flexibly and, in particular, allows multiple operations in one, with a robust cleaning element that can be produced easily and inexpensively, in particular a fingerstall.
  • the cleaning section has a first thread, which is designed as a micro thread or super micro thread and has the ground mesh structure forms protruding first loops, and a second thread which has a stronger abrasive action than the first thread and forms second loops protruding over the first loops formed from the first thread.
  • first loops of a first thread namely a micro thread or super micro thread
  • the loops formed from the first thread can thus be referred to as a kind of "pile”.
  • the cleaning section of the cleaning element has second loops protruding beyond the basic mesh structure and the first loops, comprising a second thread which has a stronger abrasive effect than the first thread (and the basic mesh structure).
  • the cleaning section through which both the advantageous effect of micro threads or super micro threads can be achieved, but at the same time an excellent (abrasive) cleaning effect is given by the second loops protruding over the first loops.
  • the second loops thus provide a kind of “toothbrush effect/sanding effect” and can be produced, preferably together with the first loops, by special stitch-forming processes that are explained in more detail below.
  • the loop heads of the second loops made of threads that have an abrasive effect therefore have a scouring/scouring effect in particular, whereas the microyarns or super microyarns of the first loops have a cleaning/polishing effect and can "buffer" active agents, in particular cleaning agents, polishes or the like .
  • the first thread absorbs active agents, in particular cleaning agents and/or polishes, and gradually releases them, in particular also to the loop heads of the second loops, as a result of which the use of the corresponding active agent can be minimized.
  • active agents in particular cleaning agents and/or polishes
  • the first thread absorbs active agents, in particular cleaning agents and/or polishes, and gradually releases them, in particular also to the loop heads of the second loops, as a result of which the use of the corresponding active agent can be minimized.
  • the cleaning device with the cleaning element which is preferably designed as a fingerstall, can be used in a wide variety of applications, for which different materials/overall properties can be used in order to achieve the cleaning and cleaning/polishing effects required for the specific application.
  • the proposed cleaning device can be used in the sanitary sector, for example for cleaning joints, in the two-wheeler sector, for example for cleaning rims, spokes, chrome and aluminum parts on bicycles and/or motorcycles, and/or for cleaning other hard-to-reach places, for example in pipes.
  • the cleaning device preferably also has the associated carrier, which can be in the form of a spoon and/or scraper, in addition to the cleaning element. That means, generally speaking, the cleaning device can also have the carrier for the cleaning element in addition to the cleaning element.
  • the first thread has a filament titre of less than 2 dtex and the second thread has a titre/filament titre of greater than 20 dtex, as is customary in relation to the individual filaments in multifilament threads.
  • Multifilament threads with a filament unit below 1 dtex are usually referred to as micro threads (or micro yarns). If the titre of the individual filaments is less than 0.7 dtex, i.e. the weight is only less than 0.7 g/10,000 m, one speaks of super micro threads or super micro yarns.
  • the basic thread can correspond to the first thread, so that the basic mesh structure can also participate in the polishing/buffering effect.
  • the basic thread can also be designed as a micro thread or a super micro thread. In general, however, any thread that can be used for a ground stitch structure can be used as the ground thread.
  • the cleaning device has a cleaning element, in particular a fingerstall, in which at least in a cleaning section the preferably elastic knitwear consists of two or more different threads in addition to the basic mesh structure, which have different abrasive effects.
  • the second loops have an abrasion behavior that is at least 30%, preferably at least 100%, stronger than the first thread.
  • different ratios of the abrasive effect can be used.
  • the Martindale method can be used to quantify an abrasive effect in order to be able to check the values given here.
  • the material to be tested is rubbed on a test specimen on another object, for example with 50,000 revolutions/friction units. During this check, the test specimen records the abrasion that occurs. If the test specimen is weighed before and after the test, the difference in weight describes the abrasive effect, which can easily be expressed in the form of percentages, for example. For this purpose, for example, a fingerstall without abrasive, second threads can first be tested, then a fingerstall with a second thread. After the test, the amount of abrasion absorbed by the test specimen is determined. When comparing the respective abrasions, a percentage difference in abrasion can be determined.
  • the cleaning element is made entirely of knitwear and/or is elastic.
  • a fingerstall designed as a cleaning element this can be pulled easily and conveniently onto a corresponding finger and adapts to the finger geometry.
  • the finger can then be used as a carrier of the cleaning element in order to carry out the cleaning of the at least one target surface by means of the cleaning section.
  • the elasticity is preferably brought about by elastic threads, in which case either the basic thread and/or the first and/or the second thread itself can be equipped with a certain elasticity or, as will be explained in more detail below, the elasticity providing Additional threads can be used in the respective stitches.
  • the use of a knitted fabric also offers other advantages within the scope of the invention. A more cost-effective and simpler production of the cleaning element is thus possible.
  • the cleaning section or in the case of a preferred complete formation of the cleaning element from knitwear the entire cleaning element, is more stable than, for example, when nonwovens are used and can also be designed to be more elastic.
  • the knitted fabric does not require a seam, which is particularly advantageous with regard to finger stalls as cleaning elements, since there are no disruptive edges/bulges and the finger stall lies softly and smoothly on the finger.
  • a complete cleaning element, in particular a complete fingerstall, for example comprising a tube-like structure closed on one side by a cap, is knitted completely, for example by a knitting machine, which enables simple production.
  • the cleaning element can be washed and reused several times, for example more than thirty times.
  • first and the second thread and possibly additional threads are also conceivable, just like different configurations of threads.
  • threads used can be twisted, profiled, textured and/or braided.
  • the basic thread and/or the first thread and/or the second thread and/or optionally an additional thread can be a plastic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and aramid, and/or cotton.
  • the second thread can comprise stainless steel and/or copper and/or be a monofilament thread in order to obtain excellent abrasive effects.
  • the threads and/or the knitwear itself can at least partially have a coating. For example, it makes sense for some applications to provide a hydrophobic coating on the inside of the hose-like cleaning element.
  • a liquid active agent in particular cleaning agent and/or polishing agent, is introduced into at least some of the threads of the knitted fabric for release over time.
  • the cleaning element of the cleaning device can already be supplied with an active agent stored in the knitted fabric, so to speak, which is released over time due to the special properties of the micro-threads or super-micro-threads and unfolds its corresponding effect.
  • an active agent is also introduced into the knitted fabric at a later point in time in order to be released there over time.
  • the active agent does not necessarily have to be a cleaning agent and/or a polish, but other active agents are also conceivable, for example a medical agent when caring for the teeth of animals using a cleaning device according to the invention.
  • the second thread of the loops which is preferably designed as a monofilament thread, is supplemented by a multifilament thread, in particular also a micro thread or super micro thread, the storing and releasing effect can also be realized at least partially within the second loops.
  • the knitted fabric of the cleaning section has, in at least one row of stitches, basic stitches containing the basic thread for each wale and tuck stitches containing the first thread and the second thread for some of the wales, with between at least part of the tuck stitches are the first and second loops created from floats.
  • the knitwear can preferably contain basic stitches and additional tuck stitches within a row, with floats initially lying between the tuck stitches after knitting, which in a preferred further manufacturing step, the shrinking, stand up due to the contracting effect of the shrinking and over the the basic stitch structure resulting from the basic stitches protrude.
  • the decision as to where the tuck stitches and floats are located ultimately also determines the density and distribution of the loops in the finished product.
  • the different size of the loops is produced by shrinking for at least a pair of first and second loops created from the same float.
  • the different properties of the first and second threads are also used with regard to the shrinkage in order to obtain different heights from floats of the same length of the first and second threads, which can initially lie on top of one another, within the framework of the shrinking process by different shortening of the first and second threads to obtain towering first and second loops.
  • Such an embodiment enables particularly simple manufacture on a knitting machine, since the first and second threads can be treated in the same way during knitting.
  • the shrinking can be effected, for example and preferably, in that the cleaning device is treated with hot steam for a contact time of 3-5 seconds, in particular 6 seconds, with 130-150° C., preferably 140° C.
  • Other shrinking methods for example ironing, washing at temperatures greater than 40° C., preferably greater than 60° C., and tumbling are also conceivable.
  • the height of the loops can be adjusted, for example, via the distances between the tuck stitches, ie the length of the float.
  • the frequency of the loops can be adjusted via the number and/or spacing of the floats and/or rows of stitches with tuck stitches. It is also possible to provide staggered loops in different rows of stitches by choosing a staggered ("displaced") assignment of tuck stitches and/or floats to wales. In this way, the product can also be adapted to the corresponding, desired application with regard to the size of the loops and/or the number/density of the loops. In particular, it is also conceivable to use different float lengths for the respective thread for the first and/or the second thread in order to realize loops of different sizes, for example in different areas.
  • At least one additional thread can also be routed parallel to the basic thread and/or the first thread and/or the second thread in order to produce at least one desired property.
  • the basic stitches and the tuck stitches/floats can consist of several threads that are guided in parallel, in particular by means of a knitting device.
  • the basic thread which is designed in particular as a multifilament thread, has an additional thread that produces the elasticity of the basic stitch structure, in particular an elastane thread and/or a silicone thread
  • the second thread designed in particular as a monofilament thread and/or metal thread
  • has an additional thread in particular for receiving multifilament thread serving as active agent and/or surface increase and/or an additional elastic thread contributing to the defined formation of the loops from the floats are guided parallel to the first and/or the second thread.
  • a concrete, preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide that the basic stitches consist of two threads, namely the basic thread as a multifilament thread, the filaments of which, as is usual with micro yarns or super micro yarns, can have a filament titer of less than 1 dtex, and one the elasticity producing additional thread, for example an elastomer thread / elastane thread, silicone thread and / or rubber thread.
  • the tuck stitches and floats/loops can consist of three or more parallel threads, namely, in addition to the first thread, which is preferably designed as a multifilament thread, and the second thread, which is preferably designed as a monofilament thread and/or metal thread, from a first elastic additional thread that contracts when it is shrunk and thus acts as a loop former, and a second additional thread, designed as a multifilament thread, for the second thread, which provides an increase in the surface area of the second loops and also provides storage properties for abrasion and/or active agents.
  • the knitwear has seven to twenty-two courses per centimeter, preferably eleven courses per centimeter, and/or four to twelve wales per centimeter, preferably eight wales per centimeter.
  • the cleaning element can preferably be a fingerstall to be slipped out onto a finger as a carrier, the cleaning device then consisting in particular of the fingerstall.
  • a fingerstall has a tubular basic shape, in particular closed on one side. It preferably consists entirely of an elastic knitted fabric, so that it can be manufactured "in one piece", meaning that no seams or the like are necessary.
  • the cleaning device also has the carrier for the cleaning element.
  • the carrier can, for example, have a rod-like and/or spoon-like basic shape, with a spoon-like basic shape being preferred as the cleaning device for a tongue cleaner.
  • the cleaning element when it is designed as a finger cot, but also when the cleaning element is placed on a carrier, the cleaning element can preferably also have a locking means for reliably holding the cleaning element on the carrier, for example the finger, in particular if this Elasticity is not sufficient to hold.
  • a rubber band into a lower hem of a fingerstall as a locking means. If the cleaning device also has a carrier, its shape can also already contribute to locking the turned-up cleaning element if the cleaning element is elastic.
  • a cleaning device 1 which in the present case consists of a cleaning element 3 designed as a fingerstall 2, which can be slipped onto a finger of a person's hand, ie a user's hand.
  • the fingerstall 2 consists consistently of a knitted fabric that is knitted in one operation, which has different properties in a shaft section 4 than in a cleaning section 5, which does not necessarily have to extend to the tip 6, as shown here, and also, for example, only the front of the Fingerlings 2 can cover.
  • the shaft section 4 is a simple, knitted fabric of an elastic type, which only ensures a good fit on the finger as a support and protection of the finger.
  • the knitted fabric comprises, in addition to a basic thread, which forms the basic stitch structure 7, at least two threads with different abrasive effects, in the present case a first thread designed as a multifilament thread with microfilaments or super microfilaments, i.e. a micro thread or super micro thread, the first, in 1 forms loops (not shown for the sake of clarity) that protrude from the basic mesh structure 7, and a second thread designed here as a monofilament thread, which as part of second loops 8 protrudes beyond the basic mesh structure 7 and the first loops, so that overall in the cleaning section 5 a Loop knitwear results.
  • the protruding second loops 8 have an abrasive effect that is at least 30%, preferably 100%, higher than that of the first loops, which form a type of pile.
  • the stitch structure comprises, as is fundamentally known, a plurality of rows of stitches 9 and a plurality of wales 10 which, in the present case, are formed from a basic thread 11 corresponding to the first thread 18 Obtain basic stitch 12.
  • tuck stitches 13 and floats 14 lying between tuck stitches 13, which are also formed in particular by the first thread 18 and the second thread 16.
  • the first thread 18 and the second thread 16 being selected as a multifilament thread, for example made of PES, and the second thread 16 as a monofilament thread, for example made of polypropylene (PP), Additional threads used to bring about certain properties of the cleaning device 1 and to favor the formation of the first loops and the second loops 8, which are to arise from the floats 14 by shrinking.
  • PP polypropylene
  • the basic stitches 12 are formed from two threads 11, 15 running in parallel, namely the basic thread 11 and the additional thread 15, which is an elastic thread here, for example an elastane thread or silicone thread, and promotes the elasticity of the knitted fabric and the contraction when shrinking /should provide.
  • the floats 14 and the tuck stitches 13 are formed by three or more parallel threads 16, 17 and 18.
  • the second thread 16 and the first thread 18 have already been described.
  • the at least one additional thread 17 can be a multifilament thread, which on the one hand provides an enlarged surface of the second loops 8, but on the other hand provides a storage option for active agents due to the microfilaments or supermicrofilaments, and/or another elastic thread that contracts in the transverse direction when it shrinks and thus ensures a defined formation of the loops 8 include. That means by shrinking the in 2 shown mesh structure is created in 1 illustrated structure of the cleaning section 5 with the first loops and the second loops 8, the different properties of the first thread 18 and the second thread 16 being exploited in a targeted manner during shrinking, so that the first loops and the second loops 8 are given different sizes despite the same float length .
  • the first thread 18 has an individual filament titre of less than 2 dtex, the second thread 16 an individual filament titer greater than 20 dtex.
  • the first thread 18 therefore provides a polishing and cleaning effect and also allows buffering of active agents, for example cleaning agents and/or polish.
  • abrasion is largely held back until the cleaning element 3 is cleaned. It is therefore also expedient to form the basic thread 11 in the same way as the first thread 18 .
  • the second thread 16 gives the second loops 8 an abrasive effect, that is to say in particular a grinding or scouring effect. In this way, target surfaces, such as the spokes of a bicycle, are cleaned and polished/polished in one operation. Due to the use of knitwear, the material of the fingerstall 2 is robust and equipped with excellent elastic properties, and because it is knitted, it does not have any seams that could be disruptive.
  • an active agent can already be introduced into the basic fibers 11 and/or the first thread 18 and/or the additional thread 17, which is released over time and, for example, has the cleaning and / or polishing effect of the cleaning device 1 supported.
  • the size and positioning/density of the first loops and the second loops 8 can be adjusted based on the illustration in 2 be easily modified.
  • a float 14 can span several basic stitches 12 in the row direction in order to obtain larger first loops and second loops 8 .
  • Rarer first loops and second loops 8 can be achieved by using consecutive tuck stitches 13 in a stitch row 9 and/or by omitting tuck stitches 13/floats 14 for some of the stitch rows 9.
  • an equal distribution of the first loops and the second loops 8 can also be achieved by providing the floats 14 in an offset manner.
  • Fig.3 shows the resulting structure according to 2 more precisely after the shrinkage.
  • the first loops 22 formed from the first thread 18 project above the basic mesh structure 7 and achieve the polishing effect as a kind of pile.
  • the second loops 8 project higher than the first loops 22 over the basic mesh structure 7 and exhibit an abrasive effect.
  • 4 shows the fingerstall 2 as it is put on the finger of a hand 20.
  • the cleaning section 5 extends over the fingertip 21 up to the fingernail, which can be achieved due to the design in knitted fabric.
  • Figure 1 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning device 1' according to the invention, which can be used, for example, as a tongue cleaner.
  • the cleaning device 1′ comprises a carrier 19 designed like a spoon, onto which the correspondingly shaped cleaning element 3, again made of elastic knitted fabric, can be slipped.
  • the cleaning element 3 again has a shaft section 4 and a cleaning section 5 , the knitted fabric of which is designed like the fingerstall 2 .

Landscapes

  • Knitting Of Fabric (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
  • Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Physical Vapour Deposition (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Reinigungsvorrichtung zur manuellen Reinigung einer Zielfläche, aufweisend ein auf einen Träger aufstülpbares und/oder auf den Träger aufgestülptes textiles Reinigungselement mit einem wenigstens einen Teil der Außenfläche des Reinigungselements einnehmenden Reinigungsabschnitt aus einer Maschenware, die eine aus einem Grundfaden gebildete Grundmaschenstruktur aufweist. Daneben betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Reinigungselements einer solchen Reinigungsvorrichtung.The invention relates to a cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target area, having a textile cleaning element that can be placed on a support and/or is turned up onto the support, with a cleaning section that occupies at least part of the outer surface of the cleaning element and is made of knitwear that has a basic mesh structure formed from a basic thread. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing a cleaning element of such a cleaning device.

Im Stand der Technik besteht ein steigender Bedarf für Reinigungsvorrichtungen, um beispielsweise schwer erreichbare Zielflächen einfach und effektiv reinigen zu können. In diesem Kontext wurden bereits auf einen Träger aufstülpbare Reinigungselemente aus Textilmaterialien vorgeschlagen, insbesondere ausgebildet als über einen Finger zu ziehende Fingerlinge. In diesem Fall bildet ein Finger den (nicht zur Reinigungsvorrichtung gehörenden) Träger. Fingerlinge eignen sich insbesondere zur Reinigung von Zähnen, beispielsweise bei Babys oder Tieren.In the prior art, there is an increasing need for cleaning devices, for example to be able to easily and effectively clean target areas that are difficult to reach. In this context, cleaning elements made of textile materials that can be slipped onto a carrier have already been proposed, in particular designed as finger stalls to be pulled over a finger. In this case, a finger forms the carrier (which does not belong to the cleaning device). Finger cots are particularly suitable for cleaning teeth, for example in babies or animals.

Fingerlinge als aufstülpbare Reinigungselemente wurden im Stand der Technik bereits vorgeschlagen. So offenbart beispielsweise DE 20 2008 010 776 U1 einen Fingerling auch zur Anwendung als Arbeitsmittel, der aus einem sich im Wesentlichen der Anatomie eines Fingers anpassenden, flexiblen und schlauchartigen Gebilde besteht, welches ausgehend vom dritten Fingerglied der Fingerkuppe sich bis mindestens zum zweiten Fingerglied erstreckt. DE 20 2016 102 041 U1 betrifft eine Vorrichtung zur Reinigung und/oder Pflege einer Wunde oder zur Reinigung und/oder Pflege von Mundhöhle und Rachenraum, wobei ein Kappenteil als auf einen Finger einer Hand aufsetzbarer Fingerling enthalten ist, welcher an seinem distalen Ende ein Zotten aufweisendes Kopfteil aufweist. Diese Zotten sollen eine effektivere und nachhaltigere Reinigung und/oder Pflege von Mundhöhle und Rachenraum erzielen können. Die Zotten dienen insbesondere zur Benetzung der Gewebestruktur und/oder zur Reinigung und/oder Abschabung von Debridement und wirken quasi wie ein sogenannter Feudel.Finger stalls as cleaning elements that can be slipped on have already been proposed in the prior art. For example, disclosed DE 20 2008 010 776 U1 a fingerstall also for use as a work tool, which consists of a flexible, tube-like structure that essentially adapts to the anatomy of a finger and extends from the third phalanx of the fingertip to at least the second phalanx. DE 20 2016 102 041 U1 relates to a device for cleaning and/or caring for a wound or for cleaning and/or caring for the oral cavity and pharynx, wherein a cap part is contained as a finger stall that can be placed on a finger of a hand and has a head part with villi at its distal end. These villi should be able to achieve more effective and lasting cleaning and/or care of the oral cavity and pharynx. The villi are used in particular for wetting the tissue structure and/or for cleaning and/or scraping off debridement and act more or less like a so-called feudel.

Weitere Fingerlinge zur Reinigung von Oberflächen sind aus der DE 10 2017 108996 A1 und der GB 2 455 413 A bekannt.Other finger cots for cleaning surfaces are from the DE 10 2017 108996 A1 and the GB 2 455 413A famous.

EP 1 267 663 B1 betrifft einen Fingerling, der aus einer nicht gewebten Grundstruktur, mithin insbesondere einem Vlies, bestehen soll. Der Fingerling kann eine abrasive Oberfläche zur Vereinfachung von Reinigungsmaßnahmen aufweisen, die aus verschiedenen texturierten Materialien bestehen kann, beispielsweise geschlauften Borsten auf einer vliesartigen Grundstruktur. EP 1 267 663 B1 relates to a fingerstall which is said to consist of a non-woven basic structure, and therefore in particular a fleece. The fingerstall can have an abrasive surface to simplify cleaning measures, which can consist of various textured materials, for example looped bristles on a fleece-like base structure.

DE 102 15 805 C1 offenbart ein Zahnreinigungsteil, welches unter elastischer Verformung auf einem Finger oder einem Halter angebracht werden kann. Das Zahnreinigungsteil umfasst eine elastische Grundschicht und eine mit dieser mitgestrickte Florschicht, die aus Mikrofaser-Material bestehen kann. DE 102 15 805 C1 discloses a tooth-cleaning part which can be mounted on a finger or a holder under elastic deformation. The tooth-cleaning part comprises an elastic base layer and a pile layer knitted with it, which can consist of microfiber material.

Die Oberflächen bekannter Fingerlinge bzw. im Allgemeinen bekannter Reinigungsvorrichtungen mit aufstülpbarem Reinigungselement sind üblicherweise für bestimmte Tätigkeiten optimiert, beispielsweise bei einer Ausbildung des Fingerlings aus Mikrogarnen oder Supermikrogarnen zur Politur einer Oberfläche, wie dies häufig bei der Zahnpflege von Säuglingen eingesetzt wird. Sollen jedoch nachhaltigere Reinigungen erreicht werden, kann beispielsweise zunächst eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einer abrasiven Oberfläche eingesetzt werden, um das Reinigungselement dann zu wechseln und nachfolgend eine Politur vorzunehmen. Dies ist äußerst umständlich. Gerade im Hinblick auf eine eher schmirgelndescheuernde Wirkung von Reinigungsabschnitten an Fingerlingen bzw. sonstigen Reinigungselementen besteht zudem das Problem der schwierigen und teuren Herstellbarkeit.The surfaces of known fingerstalls or generally known cleaning devices with a cleaning element that can be slipped on are usually optimized for specific activities, for example when the fingerstall is made from microyarns or supermicroyarns for polishing a surface, as is often used when cleaning babies' teeth. However, if more lasting cleaning is to be achieved, a cleaning device with an abrasive surface can be used first, for example, in order to then change the cleaning element and then polish it. This is extremely cumbersome. There is also the problem of difficult and expensive manufacturability, especially with regard to a more abrasive, scouring effect of cleaning sections on finger stalls or other cleaning elements.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine flexibel einsetzbare, insbesondere mehrere Arbeitsgänge in einem erlaubende Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einem robusten, einfach und kostengünstig herstellbaren Reinigungselement, insbesondere einem Fingerling, anzugeben.The invention is based on the object of specifying a cleaning device that can be used flexibly and, in particular, allows multiple operations in one, with a robust cleaning element that can be produced easily and inexpensively, in particular a fingerstall.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe ist bei einer Reinigungsvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass der Reinigungsabschnitt einen ersten Faden, der als Mikrofaden oder Supermikrofaden ausgebildet ist und über die Grundmaschenstruktur herausragende erste Schlaufen bildet, und einen zweiten Faden, der eine stärkere abrasive Wirkung als der erste Faden aufweist und über die aus dem ersten Faden gebildeten ersten Schlaufen herausragende zweite Schlaufen bildet, gebildet ist.To solve this problem, it is provided according to the invention in a cleaning device of the type mentioned at the outset that the cleaning section has a first thread, which is designed as a micro thread or super micro thread and has the ground mesh structure forms protruding first loops, and a second thread which has a stronger abrasive action than the first thread and forms second loops protruding over the first loops formed from the first thread.

Erfindungsgemäß wird also vorgeschlagen, eine robuste Maschenware zu verwenden, aus deren Grundmaschenstruktur erste Schlaufen eines ersten Fadens, nämlich eines Mikrofadens oder Supermikrofadens, emporragen, so dass eine polierende Wirkung entsteht und insbesondere bei einem Multifilamentfaden als erstem Faden eine hervorragende Aufnahmekraft für Reinigungsmittel und/oder abgelösten Schmutz gegeben ist. Die aus dem ersten Faden gebildeten Schlaufen können also als eine Art "Flor" bezeichnet werden. Gleichzeitig aber weist der Reinigungsabschnitt des Reinigungselements über die Grundmaschenstruktur und die ersten Schlaufen herausragende zweite Schlaufen umfassend einen zweiten Faden, der eine stärkere abrasive Wirkung als der erste Faden (und die Grundmaschenstruktur) aufweist, auf. Anders gesagt wird vorgeschlagen, als Reinigungsabschnitt eine Maschenware bereitzustellen, über die sowohl die vorteilhafte Wirkung von Mikrofäden bzw. Supermikrofäden erreicht werden kann, gleichzeitig jedoch eine hervorragende (abrasive) Reinigungswirkung durch die über die ersten Schlaufen herausragenden zweiten Schlaufen gegeben ist. Die zweiten Schlaufen stellen also eine Art "Zahnbürsteneffekt/ Schleifeffekt" bereit und können, bevorzugt gemeinsam mit den ersten Schlaufen, durch spezielle, im Folgenden noch näher dargelegte Maschenbildungsprozesse erzeugt werden.According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to use a robust knitted fabric, from the basic mesh structure of which first loops of a first thread, namely a micro thread or super micro thread, protrude, so that a polishing effect is created and, in particular with a multifilament thread as the first thread, excellent absorption power for cleaning agents and/or detached dirt is given. The loops formed from the first thread can thus be referred to as a kind of "pile". At the same time, however, the cleaning section of the cleaning element has second loops protruding beyond the basic mesh structure and the first loops, comprising a second thread which has a stronger abrasive effect than the first thread (and the basic mesh structure). In other words, it is proposed to provide a knitted fabric as the cleaning section, through which both the advantageous effect of micro threads or super micro threads can be achieved, but at the same time an excellent (abrasive) cleaning effect is given by the second loops protruding over the first loops. The second loops thus provide a kind of “toothbrush effect/sanding effect” and can be produced, preferably together with the first loops, by special stitch-forming processes that are explained in more detail below.

Die Schlaufenköpfe der zweiten Schlaufen aus Fäden, die abrasiv wirken, haben mithin insbesondere eine Scheuer-/Schmirgelwirkung, wogegen die Mikrogarne bzw. Supermikrogarne der ersten Schlaufen eine putzende/polierende Wirkung besitzen und Wirkmittel, insbesondere Reinigungsmittel, Polituren oder dergleichen, "puffern" können. Durch die beschriebene Konstruktion des Reinigungsabschnitts des Reinigungselements, insbesondere also die Kombination von Mikrofaden bzw. Supermikrofaden und zweiten Schlaufen mit abrasiven zweiten Fäden in einer Maschenware werden zu reinigende Oberflächen geschmirgelt/gereinigt und zugleich poliert/geputzt. Der erste Faden nimmt Wirkmittel, insbesondere Reinigungsmittel und/oder Polituren, auf und gibt diese nach und nach, insbesondere auch an die Schlaufenköpfe der zweiten Schlaufen, ab, wodurch der Einsatz des entsprechenden Wirkmittels minimiert werden kann. Durch die gleichzeitige Durchführung mehrerer Arbeitsgänge wird der zeitliche Aufwand der Reinigung gegenüber einer Reinigung mit herkömmlichen Fingerlingen oder Tüchern erheblich verkürzt.The loop heads of the second loops made of threads that have an abrasive effect therefore have a scouring/scouring effect in particular, whereas the microyarns or super microyarns of the first loops have a cleaning/polishing effect and can "buffer" active agents, in particular cleaning agents, polishes or the like . Due to the described construction of the cleaning section of the cleaning element, in particular the combination of micro threads or super micro threads and second loops with abrasive second threads in a knitted fabric, there are threads to be cleaned Surfaces sanded/cleaned and polished/cleaned at the same time. The first thread absorbs active agents, in particular cleaning agents and/or polishes, and gradually releases them, in particular also to the loop heads of the second loops, as a result of which the use of the corresponding active agent can be minimized. By performing several work steps at the same time, the time required for cleaning is significantly reduced compared to cleaning with conventional finger cots or cloths.

Dabei lässt sich die Reinigungsvorrichtung mit dem bevorzugt als Fingerling ausgebildeten Reinigungselement in verschiedensten Einsatzgebieten nutzen, wofür unterschiedliche Materialien/Gesamteigenschaften herangezogen werden können, um die für den speziellen Einsatzzweck benötigten Reinigungs- und Putz/Polierwirkungen zu erzielen. Beispielsweise kann die vorgeschlagene Reinigungsvorrichtung im Sanitärbereich, beispielsweise zur Fugenreinigung, im Zweiradbereich, beispielsweise zur Reinigung von Felgen, Speichen, Chrom und Aluminiumteilen bei Fahrrädern und/oder Motorrädern, und/oder zur Reinigung sonstiger schwer zugänglicher Stellen, beispielsweise in Rohren, eingesetzt werden. Weitere Einsatzbereiche umfassen beispielsweise die Reinigung von robusteren Zähnen, beispielsweise Tierzähnen, und/oder den Einsatz als Zungenreiniger, wobei dann die Reinigungsvorrichtung bevorzugt zusätzlich zu dem Reinigungselement auch den zugehörigen Träger, welcher beispielsweise in Form eines Löffels und/oder Schabers vorliegen kann, aufweist. Das bedeutet, allgemein gesagt kann die Reinigungsvorrichtung neben dem Reinigungselement auch den Träger für das Reinigungselement aufweisen.The cleaning device with the cleaning element, which is preferably designed as a fingerstall, can be used in a wide variety of applications, for which different materials/overall properties can be used in order to achieve the cleaning and cleaning/polishing effects required for the specific application. For example, the proposed cleaning device can be used in the sanitary sector, for example for cleaning joints, in the two-wheeler sector, for example for cleaning rims, spokes, chrome and aluminum parts on bicycles and/or motorcycles, and/or for cleaning other hard-to-reach places, for example in pipes. Further areas of use include, for example, the cleaning of more robust teeth, for example animal teeth, and/or use as a tongue cleaner, in which case the cleaning device preferably also has the associated carrier, which can be in the form of a spoon and/or scraper, in addition to the cleaning element. That means, generally speaking, the cleaning device can also have the carrier for the cleaning element in addition to the cleaning element.

Konkret kann vorgesehen sein, dass der erste Faden einen Filamenttiter kleiner als 2 dtex und der zweite Faden einen Titer/Filamenttiter größer als 20 dtex aufweist, wie üblich bezogen auf die Einzelfilamente bei Multifilamentfäden. Dabei werden Multifilamentfäden mit einer Filamenteinheit unter 1 dtex üblicherweise als Mikrofäden (bzw. Mikrogarne) bezeichnet. Liegt der Titer der einzelnen Filamente im Bereich von kleiner als 0,7 dtex, mithin das Gewicht nur noch unter 0,7 g/10000 m, spricht man von Supermikrofäden bzw. Supermikrogarnen.In concrete terms, it can be provided that the first thread has a filament titre of less than 2 dtex and the second thread has a titre/filament titre of greater than 20 dtex, as is customary in relation to the individual filaments in multifilament threads. Multifilament threads with a filament unit below 1 dtex are usually referred to as micro threads (or micro yarns). If the titre of the individual filaments is less than 0.7 dtex, i.e. the weight is only less than 0.7 g/10,000 m, one speaks of super micro threads or super micro yarns.

Der Grundfaden kann dabei dem ersten Faden entsprechen, so dass auch die Grundmaschenstruktur an der Polierwirkung/Pufferwirkung teilhaben kann. Insbesondere kann also auch der Grundfaden als ein Mikrofaden oder ein Supermikrofaden ausgebildet sein. Allgemein kann jedoch jeder für eine Grundmaschenstruktur verwendbare Faden als Grundfaden verwendet werden.The basic thread can correspond to the first thread, so that the basic mesh structure can also participate in the polishing/buffering effect. In particular, the basic thread can also be designed as a micro thread or a super micro thread. In general, however, any thread that can be used for a ground stitch structure can be used as the ground thread.

Die erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung weist ein Reinigungselement, insbesondere einen Fingerling, auf, bei dem zumindest in einem Reinigungsabschnitt die bevorzugt elastische Maschenware neben der Grundmaschenstruktur aus zwei oder mehr unterschiedlichen Fäden besteht, welche unterschiedliche abrasive Wirkungen aufweisen. In einer konkreten Ausgestaltung der vorliegenden Erfindung kann vorgesehen sein, dass die zweiten Schlaufen ein um wenigstens 30%, bevorzugt wenigstens 100%, stärkeres Abrasionsverhalten als der ersten Faden aufweisen. Je nach Anwendung können unterschiedliche Verhältnisse der abrasiven Wirkung herangezogen werden.The cleaning device according to the invention has a cleaning element, in particular a fingerstall, in which at least in a cleaning section the preferably elastic knitwear consists of two or more different threads in addition to the basic mesh structure, which have different abrasive effects. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the second loops have an abrasion behavior that is at least 30%, preferably at least 100%, stronger than the first thread. Depending on the application, different ratios of the abrasive effect can be used.

Zur Quantifizierung einer abrasiven Wirkung, um die hier genannten Werte überprüfen zu können, kann die Martindale-Methode herangezogen werden. Dabei wird das zu prüfende Material an einem Prüfling auf einem anderen Gegenstand gerieben, beispielsweise mit 50.000 Touren/Reibeinheiten. Bei dieser Überprüfung nimmt der Prüfling den Abrieb, der entsteht, auf. Wird nun der Prüfling vor und nach dem Test gewogen, beschreibt die Gewichtsdifferenz die abrasive Wirkung, was leicht beispielsweise in Form von Prozentwerten ausgedrückt werden kann. Hierzu kann beispielsweise zunächst ein Fingerling ohne abrasive, zweite Fäden geprüft werden, sodann ein Fingerling mit zweitem Faden. Nach der Prüfung wird die Abriebmenge, die der Prüfling aufgenommen hat, festgestellt. Bei einer Gegenüberstellung der jeweiligen Abriebe kann ein Abrasionsunterschied in Prozent ermittelt werden.The Martindale method can be used to quantify an abrasive effect in order to be able to check the values given here. The material to be tested is rubbed on a test specimen on another object, for example with 50,000 revolutions/friction units. During this check, the test specimen records the abrasion that occurs. If the test specimen is weighed before and after the test, the difference in weight describes the abrasive effect, which can easily be expressed in the form of percentages, for example. For this purpose, for example, a fingerstall without abrasive, second threads can first be tested, then a fingerstall with a second thread. After the test, the amount of abrasion absorbed by the test specimen is determined. When comparing the respective abrasions, a percentage difference in abrasion can be determined.

Die besonderen Vorteile der Verwendung von Maschenware zeigen sich insbesondere in Ausführungsformen, in denen das Reinigungselement komplett aus Maschenware und/oder elastisch ausgebildet ist. Insbesondere bei einer elastischen Ausbildung eines als Fingerling ausgebildeten Reinigungselements lässt sich dieser einfach und bequem auf einen entsprechenden Finger aufziehen und passt sich der Fingergeometrie an. Sodann kann der Finger als Träger des Reinigungselements genutzt werden, um mittels des Reinigungsabschnitts die Reinigung der wenigstens einen Zielfläche vorzunehmen. Die Elastizität wird dabei bevorzugt durch elastische Fäden herbeigeführt werden, wobei entweder der Grundfaden und/oder der erste und/oder der zweite Faden selbst mit einer gewissen Elastizität ausgestattet sein können, oder aber, wie im Folgenden noch näher erläutert werden wird, die Elastizität bereitstellende Zusatzfäden in den jeweiligen Maschen verwendet werden können.The particular advantages of using knitwear are particularly evident in embodiments in which the cleaning element is made entirely of knitwear and/or is elastic. Especially with one elastic formation of a fingerstall designed as a cleaning element, this can be pulled easily and conveniently onto a corresponding finger and adapts to the finger geometry. The finger can then be used as a carrier of the cleaning element in order to carry out the cleaning of the at least one target surface by means of the cleaning section. The elasticity is preferably brought about by elastic threads, in which case either the basic thread and/or the first and/or the second thread itself can be equipped with a certain elasticity or, as will be explained in more detail below, the elasticity providing Additional threads can be used in the respective stitches.

Die Verwendung einer Maschenware bietet im Rahmen der Erfindung jedoch auch weitere Vorteile. So ist eine kostengünstigere und einfachere Herstellung des Reinigungselements möglich. Der Reinigungsabschnitt, bzw. bei bevorzugter vollständiger Ausbildung des Reinigungselements aus Maschenware das gesamte Reinigungselement, ist stabiler als beispielsweise bei der Verwendung von Vliesen und kann auch elastischer ausgestaltet werden. Ferner ist durch die Maschenware keine Naht erforderlich, was insbesondere im Hinblick auf Fingerlinge als Reinigungselemente vorteilhaft ist, da keine störenden Kanten/Wulsten auftreten und der Fingerling weich und glatt am Finger anliegt. Ein komplettes Reinigungselement, insbesondere ein kompletter Fingerling, umfassend beispielsweise ein schlauchartiges, auf einer Seite durch eine Kappe abgeschlossenes Gebilde, wird vollständig, beispielsweise durch eine Strickmaschine, gestrickt, was eine einfache Herstellung ermöglicht.However, the use of a knitted fabric also offers other advantages within the scope of the invention. A more cost-effective and simpler production of the cleaning element is thus possible. The cleaning section, or in the case of a preferred complete formation of the cleaning element from knitwear the entire cleaning element, is more stable than, for example, when nonwovens are used and can also be designed to be more elastic. Furthermore, the knitted fabric does not require a seam, which is particularly advantageous with regard to finger stalls as cleaning elements, since there are no disruptive edges/bulges and the finger stall lies softly and smoothly on the finger. A complete cleaning element, in particular a complete fingerstall, for example comprising a tube-like structure closed on one side by a cap, is knitted completely, for example by a knitting machine, which enables simple production.

Aufgrund der robusten Ausgestaltung kann das Reinigungselement mehrfach, beispielsweise mehr als dreißig Mal, gewaschen und wiederverwendet werden.Due to the robust design, the cleaning element can be washed and reused several times, for example more than thirty times.

Wie bereits erwähnt, sind aufgrund der unterschiedlichen denkbaren Anwendungsgebiete auch unterschiedliche Materialien für den ersten und den zweiten Faden sowie gegebenenfalls Zusatzfäden denkbar, genau wie verschiedene Ausgestaltungen von Fäden. Beispielsweise können verwendete Fäden gezwirnt, profiliert, texturiert und/oder geflochten sein. In bevorzugten Ausgestaltungen kann der Grundfaden und/oder der erste Faden und/oder der zweite Faden und/oder gegebenenfalls ein Zusatzfaden ein Kunststoffmaterial, insbesondere gewählt aus der Gruppe umfassend Polyester (PES), Polyamid (PA), Polypropylen (PP), Polyethylen (PE) und Aramid, und/oder Baumwolle umfassen. In einer bevorzugten Ausgestaltung kann der zweite Faden zum Erhalt hervorragender abrasiver Wirkungen Edelstahl und/oder Kupfer umfassen und/oder ein Monofilamentfaden sein. Die Fäden und/oder die Maschenware an sich kann wenigstens teilweise eine Beschichtung aufweisen. Beispielsweise ist es für manche Anwendungsfälle sinnvoll, zur Innenseite des schlauchartig ausgebildeten Reinigungselements hin eine hydrophobe Beschichtung vorzusehen.As already mentioned, due to the different conceivable fields of application, different materials for the first and the second thread and possibly additional threads are also conceivable, just like different configurations of threads. For example, threads used can be twisted, profiled, textured and/or braided. In preferred configurations, the basic thread and/or the first thread and/or the second thread and/or optionally an additional thread can be a plastic material, in particular selected from the group consisting of polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and aramid, and/or cotton. In a preferred embodiment, the second thread can comprise stainless steel and/or copper and/or be a monofilament thread in order to obtain excellent abrasive effects. The threads and/or the knitwear itself can at least partially have a coating. For example, it makes sense for some applications to provide a hydrophobic coating on the inside of the hose-like cleaning element.

In einer besonders vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung kann ferner vorgesehen sein, dass in wenigstens einem Teil der Fäden der Maschenware ein flüssiges Wirkmittel, insbesondere Reinigungsmittel und/oder Poliermittel, zur Abgabe über die Zeit eingebracht ist. Das bedeutet, das Reinigungselement der Reinigungsvorrichtung kann bereits mit einem in die Maschenware sozusagen eingespeicherten Wirkmittel geliefert werden, welches aufgrund der speziellen Eigenschaften der Mikrofäden bzw. Supermikrofäden über die Zeit abgegeben wird und seine entsprechende Wirkung entfaltet. Selbstverständlich ist es auch umgekehrt denkbar, dass ein Wirkmittel auch zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt noch in die Maschenware eingebracht wird, um dort mit der Zeit abgegeben zu werden. Bei dem Wirkmittel muss es sich nicht zwangsläufig um ein Reinigungsmittel und/oder eine Politur handeln, sondern es sind auch andere Wirkmittel denkbar, beispielsweise bei der Tierzahnpflege mittels einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung ein medizinisch wirkendes Mittel. Dabei sei bereits an dieser Stelle darauf hingewiesen, dass, wird der bevorzugt als Monofilamentfaden ausgebildete zweite Faden der Schlaufen um einen Multifilamentfaden, insbesondere auch einen Mikrofaden oder Supermikrofaden, ergänzt, die speichernde und abgebende Wirkung zumindest teilweise auch innerhalb der zweiten Schlaufen realisiert werden kann.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can also be provided that a liquid active agent, in particular cleaning agent and/or polishing agent, is introduced into at least some of the threads of the knitted fabric for release over time. This means that the cleaning element of the cleaning device can already be supplied with an active agent stored in the knitted fabric, so to speak, which is released over time due to the special properties of the micro-threads or super-micro-threads and unfolds its corresponding effect. Of course, it is also conceivable the other way around, that an active agent is also introduced into the knitted fabric at a later point in time in order to be released there over time. The active agent does not necessarily have to be a cleaning agent and/or a polish, but other active agents are also conceivable, for example a medical agent when caring for the teeth of animals using a cleaning device according to the invention. It should be pointed out at this point that if the second thread of the loops, which is preferably designed as a monofilament thread, is supplemented by a multifilament thread, in particular also a micro thread or super micro thread, the storing and releasing effect can also be realized at least partially within the second loops.

In einer besonders vorteilhaften, konkreten Ausgestaltung der vorliegenden Erfindung kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Maschenware des Reinigungsabschnitts in wenigstens einer Maschenreihe den Grundfaden enthaltende Grundmaschen für jedes Maschenstäbchen und den ersten Faden und den zweiten Faden enthaltende Fangmaschen für einen Teil der Maschenstäbchen aufweist, wobei zwischen wenigstens einem Teil der Fangmaschen die aus Flottungen entstandenen ersten und zweiten Schlaufen liegen. Das bedeutet, in der Maschenware können bevorzugt Grundmaschen und zusätzliche Fangmaschen innerhalb einer Reihe vorliegen, wobei nach dem Stricken zwischen den Fangmaschen zunächst Flottungen liegen, die in einem bevorzugten weiteren Herstellungsschritt, der Krumpfung, sich aufgrund der zusammenziehenden Wirkung des Krumpfens aufstellen und über die aus den Grundmaschen entstehende Grundmaschenstruktur hinausragen. Die Entscheidung, wo Fangmaschen und Flottungen vorliegen, bestimmt dann letztlich auch die Dichte und Verteilung der Schlaufen im fertigen Produkt.In a particularly advantageous, concrete embodiment of the present invention, it can be provided that the knitted fabric of the cleaning section has, in at least one row of stitches, basic stitches containing the basic thread for each wale and tuck stitches containing the first thread and the second thread for some of the wales, with between at least part of the tuck stitches are the first and second loops created from floats. This means that the knitwear can preferably contain basic stitches and additional tuck stitches within a row, with floats initially lying between the tuck stitches after knitting, which in a preferred further manufacturing step, the shrinking, stand up due to the contracting effect of the shrinking and over the the basic stitch structure resulting from the basic stitches protrude. The decision as to where the tuck stitches and floats are located ultimately also determines the density and distribution of the loops in the finished product.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es mithin besonders bevorzugt, wenn für wenigstens ein paar aus aus der gleichen Flottung entstandener erster und zweiter Schlaufe die unterschiedliche Größe der Schlaufen durch Krumpfung erzeugt ist. Hierbei werden die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften des ersten und des zweiten Fadens auch hinsichtlich der Krumpfung ausgenutzt, um aus gleich langen Flottungen des ersten und des zweiten Fadens, die zunächst übereinander liegen können, um Rahmen des Krumpfvorgangs durch unterschiedliche Verkürzung des ersten und des zweiten Fadens unterschiedlich hoch emporragende erste und zweite Schlaufen zu erhalten. Eine derartige Ausgestaltung ermöglich eine besonders einfache Herstellung auf einer Strickmaschine, da beim Stricken der erste und der zweite Faden gleich behandelt werden können.Within the scope of the present invention, it is therefore particularly preferred if the different size of the loops is produced by shrinking for at least a pair of first and second loops created from the same float. Here, the different properties of the first and second threads are also used with regard to the shrinkage in order to obtain different heights from floats of the same length of the first and second threads, which can initially lie on top of one another, within the framework of the shrinking process by different shortening of the first and second threads to obtain towering first and second loops. Such an embodiment enables particularly simple manufacture on a knitting machine, since the first and second threads can be treated in the same way during knitting.

Andererseits ist es zusätzlich oder alternativ jedoch auch denkbar, wenigstens teilweise die unterschiedlichen Größen der ersten und zweiten Schlaufen durch unterschiedliche Flottungslängen zu erzeugen. Beispielsweise ist es also möglich, beim Stricken für den ersten und den zweiten Faden unterschiedliche Flottungslängen vorzusehen, was zu unterschiedlichen Schlaufengrößen führen kann.On the other hand, it is also conceivable, in addition or as an alternative, to at least partially produce the different sizes of the first and second loops by means of different float lengths. For example, it is therefore possible to use different threads for the first and second threads when knitting Provide float lengths, which can lead to different loop sizes.

Das Krumpfen kann im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung beispielsweise und bevorzugt dadurch erfolgen, dass die Reinigungsvorrichtung mit bei 3-5 Sekunden, insbesondere 6 Sekunden, Kontaktzeit mit 130-150° C, bevorzugt 140° C, heißen Wasserdampf behandelt werden. Auch andere Krumpfmethoden, beispielsweise Bügeln, Waschen bei Temperaturen größer 40°C, bevorzugt größer 60°C, und Tumbeln sind denkbar.Within the scope of the present invention, the shrinking can be effected, for example and preferably, in that the cleaning device is treated with hot steam for a contact time of 3-5 seconds, in particular 6 seconds, with 130-150° C., preferably 140° C. Other shrinking methods, for example ironing, washing at temperatures greater than 40° C., preferably greater than 60° C., and tumbling are also conceivable.

Allgemein kann die Höhe der Schlaufen beispielsweise über die Abstände zwischen den Fangmaschen, also die Länge der Flottung, eingestellt werden. Die Häufigkeit der Schlaufen kann über die Zahl und/oder Abstände der Flottungen und/oder Maschenreihen mit Fangmaschen eingestellt werden. Es können auch versetzte Schlaufen in unterschiedlichen Maschenreihen vorgesehen werden, indem eine versetzte ("verschobene") Zuordnung von Fangmaschen und/oder Flottungen zu Maschenstäbchen gewählt wird. Auf diese Weise kann das Produkt auch bezüglich der Größe der Schlaufen und/oder der Anzahl/DichteNerteilung der Schlaufen auf die entsprechende, gewünschte Anwendung angepasst werden. Insbesondere ist es auch denkbar, für den ersten und/oder den zweiten Faden unterschiedliche Flottungslängen für den jeweiligen Faden zu verwenden, um unterschiedlich große jeweilige Schlaufen zu realisieren, beispielsweise in unterschiedlichen Bereichen.In general, the height of the loops can be adjusted, for example, via the distances between the tuck stitches, ie the length of the float. The frequency of the loops can be adjusted via the number and/or spacing of the floats and/or rows of stitches with tuck stitches. It is also possible to provide staggered loops in different rows of stitches by choosing a staggered ("displaced") assignment of tuck stitches and/or floats to wales. In this way, the product can also be adapted to the corresponding, desired application with regard to the size of the loops and/or the number/density of the loops. In particular, it is also conceivable to use different float lengths for the respective thread for the first and/or the second thread in order to realize loops of different sizes, for example in different areas.

Dies verdeutlicht nochmals die besonderen Vorteile, die die Verwendung einer Maschenware und die korrespondierende Herstellung, insbesondere mittels eines Strickgeräts, mit sich bringt. Durch feine Anpassungen eines zugehörigen Strickprogramms und/oder Anpassungen der verwendeten Fäden/Materialien lassen sich mit demselben Strickgerät Reinigungsvorrichtungen für unterschiedlichste Anwendungen unproblematisch herstellen, beispielsweise Fingerlinge zur Tierzahnreinigung, Zungenreiniger, Felgen- und/oder Speichenreiniger, Rohrreiniger und vieles mehr.This once again clarifies the special advantages that the use of a knitted fabric and the corresponding production, in particular by means of a knitting device, entails. By making fine adjustments to an associated knitting program and/or adjustments to the threads/materials used, cleaning devices for a wide variety of applications can be easily produced with the same knitting machine, for example finger cots for cleaning animal teeth, tongue cleaners, rim and/or spoke cleaners, pipe cleaners and much more.

Mit besonderem Vorteil kann dem Grundfaden und/oder dem ersten Faden und/oder dem zweiten Faden auch wenigstens ein Zusatzfaden zur Herstellung wenigstens einer gewünschten Eigenschaft parallel geführt sein. Das bedeutet, die Grundmaschen sowie die Fangmaschen/Flottungen können aus mehreren, parallel insbesondere mittels eines Strickgeräts geführten Fäden bestehen. In einer konkreten Ausgestaltung kann vorgesehen sein, dass dem insbesondere als Multifilamentfaden ausgeführten Grundfaden ein die Elastizität der Grundmaschenstruktur herstellender Zusatzfaden, insbesondere ein Elastanfaden und/oder ein Silikonfaden, und/oder dem insbesondere als Monofilamentfaden und/oder Metallfaden ausgebildeten zweiten Faden ein insbesondere zur Aufnahme von Wirkmittel und/oder Oberflächenerhöhung dienender Multifilamentfaden und/oder dem ersten und/oder dem zweiten Faden ein zur definierten Ausbildung der Schlaufen aus den Flottungen beitragender elastischer Zusatzfaden parallel geführt sind.With particular advantage, at least one additional thread can also be routed parallel to the basic thread and/or the first thread and/or the second thread in order to produce at least one desired property. This means that the basic stitches and the tuck stitches/floats can consist of several threads that are guided in parallel, in particular by means of a knitting device. In a specific embodiment, it can be provided that the basic thread, which is designed in particular as a multifilament thread, has an additional thread that produces the elasticity of the basic stitch structure, in particular an elastane thread and/or a silicone thread, and/or the second thread, designed in particular as a monofilament thread and/or metal thread, has an additional thread, in particular for receiving multifilament thread serving as active agent and/or surface increase and/or an additional elastic thread contributing to the defined formation of the loops from the floats are guided parallel to the first and/or the second thread.

So kann eine konkrete, bevorzugte Ausgestaltung der vorliegenden Erfindung vorsehen, dass die Grundmaschen aus zwei Fäden bestehen, nämlich dem Grundfaden als Multifilamentfaden, dessen Filamente, wie bei Mikrogarnen bzw. Supermikrogarnen üblich, einen Filamenttiter kleiner als 1 dtex aufweisen können, und einem die Elastizität herstellenden Zusatzfaden, beispielsweise einem Elastomerfaden/Elastanfaden, Silikonfaden und/oder Gummifaden. Die Fangmaschen und Flottungen/Schlaufen können aus drei oder mehr parallel geführten Fäden bestehen, nämlich neben dem bevorzugt als Multifilamentfaden ausgeführten ersten Faden, dem bevorzugt als Monofilamentfaden und/oder Metallfaden ausgebildeten zweiten Faden, aus einem ersten elastischen Zusatzfaden, der sich bei dem Krumpfen zusammenzieht und somit als ein Schlaufenbildner wirkt, und einem zweiten, als Multifilamentfaden ausgebildeten Zusatzfaden für den zweiten Faden, welcher eine Oberflächenvergrößerung der zweiten Schlaufen bereitstellt und zudem Speichereigenschaften für Abrieb und/oder Wirkmittel bereitstellt.A concrete, preferred embodiment of the present invention can provide that the basic stitches consist of two threads, namely the basic thread as a multifilament thread, the filaments of which, as is usual with micro yarns or super micro yarns, can have a filament titer of less than 1 dtex, and one the elasticity producing additional thread, for example an elastomer thread / elastane thread, silicone thread and / or rubber thread. The tuck stitches and floats/loops can consist of three or more parallel threads, namely, in addition to the first thread, which is preferably designed as a multifilament thread, and the second thread, which is preferably designed as a monofilament thread and/or metal thread, from a first elastic additional thread that contracts when it is shrunk and thus acts as a loop former, and a second additional thread, designed as a multifilament thread, for the second thread, which provides an increase in the surface area of the second loops and also provides storage properties for abrasion and/or active agents.

Wie auch andere Eigenschaften der Maschenware je nach Anwendung unterschiedlich gewählt werden können, gilt dies auch für die verwendbare Dichte.Just as other properties of the knitted fabric can be selected differently depending on the application, this also applies to the density that can be used.

Beispielsweise kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Maschenware sieben bis zweiundzwanzig Maschenreihen pro Zentimeter, bevorzugt elf Maschenreihen pro Zentimeter, und/oder vier bis zwölf Maschenstäbchen pro Zentimeter, bevorzugt acht Maschenstäbchen pro Zentimeter, aufweist.For example, it can be provided that the knitwear has seven to twenty-two courses per centimeter, preferably eleven courses per centimeter, and/or four to twelve wales per centimeter, preferably eight wales per centimeter.

Wie bereits erwähnt, kann das Reinigungselement bevorzugt ein auf einen Finger als Träger auszustülpender Fingerling sein, wobei die Reinigungsvorrichtung dann insbesondere aus dem Fingerling besteht. Ein Fingerling weist eine schlauchartige, insbesondere auf einer Seite geschlossene Grundform auf. Er besteht bevorzugt vollständig aus einer elastischen Maschenware, so dass eine Fertigung "an einem Stück" möglich ist, mithin keine Nähte oder dergleichen nötig sind.As already mentioned, the cleaning element can preferably be a fingerstall to be slipped out onto a finger as a carrier, the cleaning device then consisting in particular of the fingerstall. A fingerstall has a tubular basic shape, in particular closed on one side. It preferably consists entirely of an elastic knitted fabric, so that it can be manufactured "in one piece", meaning that no seams or the like are necessary.

Alternativ oder zusätzlich kann vorgesehen sein, dass die Reinigungsvorrichtung auch den Träger für das Reinigungselement aufweist. Der Träger kann beispielsweise eine stabartige und/oder löffelartige Grundform aufweisen, wobei eine löffelartige Grundform bei einem Zungenreiniger als Reinigungsvorrichtung bevorzugt ist.Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the cleaning device also has the carrier for the cleaning element. The carrier can, for example, have a rod-like and/or spoon-like basic shape, with a spoon-like basic shape being preferred as the cleaning device for a tongue cleaner.

Dabei sei an dieser Stelle angemerkt, dass bei einer Ausbildung als Fingerling, aber auch bei Aufstülpen des Reinigungselements auf einen Träger, das Reinigungselement bevorzugt auch ein Arretierungsmittel zur verlässlichen Halterung des Reinigungselements auf dem Träger, beispielsweise dem Finger, aufweisen kann, insbesondere, falls dessen Elastizität nicht ausreichend zur Halterung ist. Beispielsweise ist es denkbar, als Arretierungsmittel ein Gummiband in einen unteren Saum eines Fingerlings einzuarbeiten. Weist die Reinigungsvorrichtung auch einen Träger auf, kann dessen Formgebung bei elastischem Reinigungselement ebenso bereits zu einer Arretierung des aufgestülpten Reinigungselements beitragen.It should be noted at this point that when it is designed as a finger cot, but also when the cleaning element is placed on a carrier, the cleaning element can preferably also have a locking means for reliably holding the cleaning element on the carrier, for example the finger, in particular if this Elasticity is not sufficient to hold. For example, it is conceivable to incorporate a rubber band into a lower hem of a fingerstall as a locking means. If the cleaning device also has a carrier, its shape can also already contribute to locking the turned-up cleaning element if the cleaning element is elastic.

Neben der Reinigungsvorrichtung betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung auch ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Reinigungselements einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung, umfassend folgende Schritte:

  • Stricken einer Maschenware für wenigstens den Reinigungsabschnitt, insbesondere das gesamte Reinigungselement, die in dem Reinigungsabschnitt in wenigstens einer Maschenreihe den Grundfaden enthaltende Grundmaschen für jedes Maschenstäbchen und den ersten Faden und den zweiten Faden enthaltende Fangmaschen für einen Teil der Maschenstäbchen aufweist, wobei zwischen wenigstens einem Teil der Fangmaschen Flottungen liegen, und
  • Krumpfen der Maschenware zur Ausbildung der ersten und der zweiten Schlaufen aus den Flottungen.
In addition to the cleaning device, the present invention also relates to a method for producing a cleaning element of a cleaning device according to the invention, comprising the following steps:
  • Knitting of a knitwear for at least the cleaning section, in particular the entire cleaning element, which has in the cleaning section in at least one row of stitches ground stitches containing the ground thread for each wale and tuck stitches containing the first thread and the second thread for a part of the wales, wherein between at least a part the tuck floats lie, and
  • Shrink the knitwear to form the first and second loops from the floats.

Sämtliche Ausführungen zur Herstellung bezüglich der erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung lassen sich analog auf das erfindungsgemäße Herstellungsverfahren übertragen, insbesondere bezüglich der zu verwendenden Materialien und/oder Fäden, der Anordnung der Fangmaschen/Flottungen und dergleichen. Mithin stellt das erfindungsgemäße Herstellungsverfahren eine besonders einfach und kostengünstig zu realisierende Möglichkeit zur Herstellung von Reinigungselementen für unterschiedliche Anwendungen bereit, wie diesbezüglich der erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung bereits ausgeführt wurde.All statements regarding the production of the cleaning device according to the invention can be transferred analogously to the production method according to the invention, in particular with regard to the materials and/or threads to be used, the arrangement of the tuck stitches/floats and the like. Consequently, the production method according to the invention provides a particularly simple and cost-effective way of producing cleaning elements for different applications, as has already been explained in relation to the cleaning device according to the invention.

Weitere Vorteile und Einzelheiten der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus den im Folgenden beschriebenen Ausführungsbeispielen sowie anhand der Zeichnung. Dabei zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einem Reinigungselement in Form eines Fingerlings,
Fig. 2
die Maschenlegung in einem Reinigungsabschnitt des Fingerlings,
Fig. 3
die sich beim Krumpfen der Maschenlegung aus Fig. 2 ergebende Schlaufenstruktur,Fig. 4 den an einer Hand angezogenen Fingerling, und
Fig. 5
eine erfindungsgemäße Reinigungsvorrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.
Further advantages and details of the present invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawing. show:
1
a cleaning device according to the invention with a cleaning element in the form of a fingerstall,
2
the stitching in a cleaning section of the fingerstall,
3
which expands when the stitches are shrunk 2 resulting loop structure, 4 the fingerstall put on one hand, and
figure 5
a cleaning device according to the invention according to a further embodiment.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung 1, die vorliegend aus einem als Fingerling 2 ausgebildeten Reinigungselement 3 besteht, welches auf einen Finger einer Hand einer Person, mithin eines Benutzers, aufstülpbar ist. Hierzu besteht der Fingerling 2 durchgängig aus einer in einem Strickvorgang gestrickten Maschenware, die in einem Schaftabschnitt 4 andere Eigenschaften aufweist als in einem Reinigungsabschnitt 5, der sich nicht zwangsläufig, wie hier dargestellt, bis zur Kuppe 6 erstrecken muss und auch beispielsweise nur die Vorderseite des Fingerlings 2 überdecken kann. In dem Schaftabschnitt 4 handelt es sich um einfache, gestrickte Maschenware elastischer Art, die lediglich für einen guten Sitz am Finger als Träger und für einen Schutz des Fingers sorgt. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device 1 according to the invention, which in the present case consists of a cleaning element 3 designed as a fingerstall 2, which can be slipped onto a finger of a person's hand, ie a user's hand. For this purpose, the fingerstall 2 consists consistently of a knitted fabric that is knitted in one operation, which has different properties in a shaft section 4 than in a cleaning section 5, which does not necessarily have to extend to the tip 6, as shown here, and also, for example, only the front of the Fingerlings 2 can cover. The shaft section 4 is a simple, knitted fabric of an elastic type, which only ensures a good fit on the finger as a support and protection of the finger.

In dem Reinigungsabschnitt 5 umfasst die Maschenware neben einem Grundfaden, der die Grundmaschenstruktur 7 bildet, wenigstens zwei Fäden mit unterschiedlicher abrasiver Wirkung, im vorliegenden Fall einen als Multifilamentfaden mit Mikrofilamenten oder Supermikrofilamenten ausgebildeten ersten Faden, mithin einem Mikrofaden oder Supermikrofaden, der erste, in Fig. 1 der Übersichtlichkeit halber nicht gezeigte Schlaufen, die aus der Grundmaschenstruktur 7 herausragen, bildet, und einem hier als Monofilamentfaden ausgebildeten zweiten Faden, der als Teil von zweiten Schlaufen 8 über die Grundmaschenstruktur 7 und die ersten Schlaufen übersteht, so dass sich insgesamt im Reinigungsabschnitt 5 eine Schlaufen-Maschenware ergibt. Die überstehenden zweiten Schlaufen 8 haben eine um wenigstens 30%, bevorzugt 100%, höhere abrasive Wirkung als die ersten Schlaufen, die eine Art Flor bilden.In the cleaning section 5, the knitted fabric comprises, in addition to a basic thread, which forms the basic stitch structure 7, at least two threads with different abrasive effects, in the present case a first thread designed as a multifilament thread with microfilaments or super microfilaments, i.e. a micro thread or super micro thread, the first, in 1 forms loops (not shown for the sake of clarity) that protrude from the basic mesh structure 7, and a second thread designed here as a monofilament thread, which as part of second loops 8 protrudes beyond the basic mesh structure 7 and the first loops, so that overall in the cleaning section 5 a Loop knitwear results. The protruding second loops 8 have an abrasive effect that is at least 30%, preferably 100%, higher than that of the first loops, which form a type of pile.

Fig. 2 erläutert die Maschenlegung in dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel genauer. Ersichtlich umfasst die Maschenstruktur, wie grundsätzlich bekannt, mehrere Maschenreihen 9 und mehrere Maschenstäbchen 10, die sich vorliegend auf eine aus einem dem ersten Faden 18 entsprechenden Grundfaden 11 gebildete Grundmasche 12 beziehen. In jeder der Maschenreihen 9 existieren jedoch zusätzlich zu den Grundmaschen 10 noch Fangmaschen 13 und zwischen Fangmaschen 13 liegende Flottungen 14, die insbesondere auch durch den ersten Faden 18 und den zweiten Faden 16 gebildet sind. 2 explains the stitching in the first embodiment in more detail. As can be seen, the stitch structure comprises, as is fundamentally known, a plurality of rows of stitches 9 and a plurality of wales 10 which, in the present case, are formed from a basic thread 11 corresponding to the first thread 18 Obtain basic stitch 12. However, in each of the rows of stitches 9, in addition to the basic stitches 10, there are also tuck stitches 13 and floats 14 lying between tuck stitches 13, which are also formed in particular by the first thread 18 and the second thread 16.

Vorliegend werden zusätzlich zu dem Grundfaden 11, ersten Faden 18 und dem zweiten Faden 16, wobei der erste Faden 18, wie beschrieben, als Multifilamentfaden, beispielsweise aus PES, gewählt wurde und der zweite Faden 16 als Monofilamentfaden, beispielsweise aus Polypropylen (PP), Zusatzfäden verwendet, um bestimmte Eigenschaften der Reinigungsvorrichtung 1 herbeizuführen und die Bildung der ersten Schlaufen und der zweiten Schlaufen 8 zu begünstigen, die aus den Flottungen 14 durch Krumpfen entstehen sollen.In addition to the base thread 11, the first thread 18 and the second thread 16, the first thread 18, as described, being selected as a multifilament thread, for example made of PES, and the second thread 16 as a monofilament thread, for example made of polypropylene (PP), Additional threads used to bring about certain properties of the cleaning device 1 and to favor the formation of the first loops and the second loops 8, which are to arise from the floats 14 by shrinking.

Wie durch die Aufspaltung im rechten Teil der Fig. 2 zeichnerisch angezeigt, sind die Grundmaschen 12 aus zwei parallel laufenden Fäden 11, 15 gebildet, nämlich dem Grundfaden 11 und dem Zusatzfaden 15, der hier ein elastischer Faden, beispielsweise ein Elastanfaden oder Silikonfaden, ist und die Elastizität der Maschenware sowie das Zusammenziehen beim Krumpfen begünstigen/bereitstellen soll. Die Flottungen 14 und die Fangmaschen 13 werden durch drei oder mehr parallel verlaufende Fäden 16, 17 und 18 gebildet. Der zweite Faden 16 und der erste Faden 18 wurden bereits beschrieben. Der wenigstens eine Zusatzfaden 17 kann einen Multifilamentfaden, der zum einen eine vergrößerte Oberfläche der zweiten Schlaufen 8 bereitstellt, zum anderen aber aufgrund der Mikrofilamente oder Supermikrofilamente eine Einspeicherungsmöglichkeit für Wirkmittel bereitstellt, und/oder einen weiteren elastischen Faden, der sich beim Krumpfen in Querrichtung zusammenzieht und somit für eine definierte Ausbildung der Schlaufen 8 sorgt, umfassen. Das bedeutet, durch Krumpfen der in Fig. 2 dargestellten Maschenstruktur entsteht die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Struktur des Reinigungsabschnitts 5 mit den ersten Schlaufen und den zweiten Schlaufen 8, wobei gezielt die unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften des ersten Fadens 18 und des zweiten Fadens 16 beim Krumpfen ausgenutzt werden, so dass die ersten Schlaufen und die zweiten Schlaufen 8 trotz gleicher Flottungslänge unterschiedliche Größen erhalten.As by splitting the right part of the 2 shown in the drawing, the basic stitches 12 are formed from two threads 11, 15 running in parallel, namely the basic thread 11 and the additional thread 15, which is an elastic thread here, for example an elastane thread or silicone thread, and promotes the elasticity of the knitted fabric and the contraction when shrinking /should provide. The floats 14 and the tuck stitches 13 are formed by three or more parallel threads 16, 17 and 18. The second thread 16 and the first thread 18 have already been described. The at least one additional thread 17 can be a multifilament thread, which on the one hand provides an enlarged surface of the second loops 8, but on the other hand provides a storage option for active agents due to the microfilaments or supermicrofilaments, and/or another elastic thread that contracts in the transverse direction when it shrinks and thus ensures a defined formation of the loops 8 include. That means by shrinking the in 2 shown mesh structure is created in 1 illustrated structure of the cleaning section 5 with the first loops and the second loops 8, the different properties of the first thread 18 and the second thread 16 being exploited in a targeted manner during shrinking, so that the first loops and the second loops 8 are given different sizes despite the same float length .

Der erste Faden 18 weist einen Einzelfilamenttiter von kleiner als 2 dtex auf, der zweite Faden 16 einen Einzelfilamenttiter größer als 20 dtex. Der erste Faden 18 stellt als Mikrofaden bzw. Supermikrofaden mithin eine polierende und putzende Wirkung bereit und erlaubt zudem ein Puffern von Wirkmittel, beispielsweise Reinigungsmittel und/oder Politur. Zudem wird Abrieb verlässlich bis zur Reinigung des Reinigungselements 3 weitgehend zurückgehalten. Daher ist auch zweckmäßig, den Grundfaden 11 gleich wie den ersten Faden 18 auszubilden. Der zweite Faden 16 verleiht den zweiten Schlaufen 8 eine abrasive Wirkung, das heißt, insbesondere eine schmirgelnde bzw. scheuernde Wirkung. Auf diese Weise werden Zieloberflächen, beispielsweise bei Speichen eines Fahrrads, in einem Arbeitsgang gereinigt und poliert/geputzt. Dabei steht aufgrund der Verwendung der Maschenware ein robustes und mit hervorragenden Elastikeigenschaften ausgestattetes Material des Fingerlings 2 bereit, der zudem aufgrund der gestrickten Anfertigung keinerlei Nähte aufweist, die störend wirken könnten.The first thread 18 has an individual filament titre of less than 2 dtex, the second thread 16 an individual filament titer greater than 20 dtex. As a micro-thread or super-micro-thread, the first thread 18 therefore provides a polishing and cleaning effect and also allows buffering of active agents, for example cleaning agents and/or polish. In addition, abrasion is largely held back until the cleaning element 3 is cleaned. It is therefore also expedient to form the basic thread 11 in the same way as the first thread 18 . The second thread 16 gives the second loops 8 an abrasive effect, that is to say in particular a grinding or scouring effect. In this way, target surfaces, such as the spokes of a bicycle, are cleaned and polished/polished in one operation. Due to the use of knitwear, the material of the fingerstall 2 is robust and equipped with excellent elastic properties, and because it is knitted, it does not have any seams that could be disruptive.

Es sei an dieser Stelle noch angemerkt, dass im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel in den Grundfasen 11 und/oder den ersten Faden 18 und/oder den Zusatzfaden 17 bereits von Haus aus ein Wirkmittel eingebracht werden kann, das über die Zeit abgegeben wird und beispielsweise die reinigende und/oder polierende Wirkung der Reinigungsvorrichtung 1 unterstützt.It should also be noted at this point that in the present exemplary embodiment, an active agent can already be introduced into the basic fibers 11 and/or the first thread 18 and/or the additional thread 17, which is released over time and, for example, has the cleaning and / or polishing effect of the cleaning device 1 supported.

Die Größe und Positionierung/Dichte der ersten Schlaufen und der zweiten Schlaufen 8 kann ausgehend von der Darstellung in Fig. 2 leicht modifiziert werden. Beispielsweise kann eine Flottung 14 mehrere Grundmaschen 12 in Reihenrichtung überspannen, um größere erste Schlaufen und zweite Schlaufen 8 zu erhalten. Seltenere erste Schlaufen und zweite Schlaufen 8 lassen sich durch die Verwendung aufeinanderfolgender Fangmaschen 13 in einer Maschenreihe 9 und/oder durch Weglassen von Fangmaschen 13/Flottungen 14 für manche der Maschenreihen 9 erreichen. Wie in Fig. 2 dargestellt, lässt sich eine Gleichverteilung der ersten Schlaufen und der zweiten Schlaufen 8 im Übrigen auch durch eine versetzte Vorsehung der Flottungen 14 erreichen.The size and positioning/density of the first loops and the second loops 8 can be adjusted based on the illustration in 2 be easily modified. For example, a float 14 can span several basic stitches 12 in the row direction in order to obtain larger first loops and second loops 8 . Rarer first loops and second loops 8 can be achieved by using consecutive tuck stitches 13 in a stitch row 9 and/or by omitting tuck stitches 13/floats 14 for some of the stitch rows 9. As in 2 shown, an equal distribution of the first loops and the second loops 8 can also be achieved by providing the floats 14 in an offset manner.

Fig.3 zeigt die sich ergebende Struktur gemäß Fig. 2 nach der Krumpfung genauer. Über die Grundmaschenstruktur 7 ragen zunächst die aus dem ersten Faden 18 gebildeten ersten Schlaufen 22 auf, die als eine Art Flor die polierende Wirkung erzielen. Höher als die ersten Schlaufen 22 ragen die zweiten Schlaufen 8 über die Grundmaschenstruktur 7 auf, die eine abrasive Wirkung zeigen. Fig. 4 zeigt den Fingerling 2, wie er am Finger einer Hand 20 angezogen ist. Wie deutlich zu erkennen ist, erstreckt sich der Reinigungsabschnitt 5 auf über die Fingerkuppe 21 bis hin zum Fingernagel, was aufgrund der Ausbildung in gestrickter Maschenware erreichen lässt. Fig.3 shows the resulting structure according to 2 more precisely after the shrinkage. The first loops 22 formed from the first thread 18 project above the basic mesh structure 7 and achieve the polishing effect as a kind of pile. The second loops 8 project higher than the first loops 22 over the basic mesh structure 7 and exhibit an abrasive effect. 4 shows the fingerstall 2 as it is put on the finger of a hand 20. As can be seen clearly, the cleaning section 5 extends over the fingertip 21 up to the fingernail, which can be achieved due to the design in knitted fabric.

Fig. 5 zeigt ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung 1', die beispielsweise als ein Zungenreiniger verwendet werden kann. Die Reinigungseinrichtung 1' umfasst vorliegend einen löffelartig ausgebildeten Träger 19, auf den das entsprechend ausgeformte, wiederum aus elastischer Maschenware ausgebildete Reinigungselement 3 aufstülpbar ist. Das Reinigungselement 3 weist erneut einen Schaftabschnitt 4 und einen Reinigungsabschnitt 5 auf, dessen Maschenware wie beim Fingerling 2 ausgebildet ist. figure 5 Figure 1 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning device 1' according to the invention, which can be used, for example, as a tongue cleaner. In the present case, the cleaning device 1′ comprises a carrier 19 designed like a spoon, onto which the correspondingly shaped cleaning element 3, again made of elastic knitted fabric, can be slipped. The cleaning element 3 again has a shaft section 4 and a cleaning section 5 , the knitted fabric of which is designed like the fingerstall 2 .

Claims (12)

  1. Cleaning device (1, 1') for the manual cleaning of a target surface, having a textile cleaning element (3) which can be fitted over a carrier (19) and/or which is fitted over the carrier (19) and which has a cleaning portion (5) that occupies at least a part of the outer surface of the cleaning element (3) and that is composed of a knitted fabric having a ground stitch structure (7) formed from a ground thread (11), characterized in that the cleaning portion (5) comprises a first thread (18), which is in the form of a micro thread or supermicro thread and forms first loops (22) which project beyond the stitch structure (7), and a second thread (16), which has a stronger abrasive action than the first thread (18) and forms second loops (8) which project beyond the first loops (22) formed from the first thread (18).
  2. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first thread (18) has a filament titer less than 2 dtex, and the second thread (16) has a filament titer greater than 20 dtex.
  3. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second loops (8) have an abrasion behaviour that is at least 30%, preferably at least 100%, stronger than the first loops (22) formed from the first thread (18).
  4. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning element (3) is formed completely from knitted fabric and/or is of elastic design.
  5. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ground thread (11) and/or the first thread (18) and/or second thread (16) comprise/comprises a plastics material, in particular selected from the group comprising polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene and aramid, and/or cotton, and/or the second thread (16) comprises high-grade steel and/or copper, and/or the threads (11, 16, 15, 17, 18) at least partially have a coating.
  6. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a liquid active agent, in particular cleaning agent, which is intended to be dispensed over time, is introduced into at least some of the threads (11, 17) of the knitted fabric.
  7. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knitted fabric of the cleaning portion (5) comprises, in at least one stitch course (9), ground stitches (12) containing the ground thread (11) for each stitch wale (10) and tuck stitches (13) containing the first and the second thread (18, 16) for some of the stitch wales (10), wherein the first and second loops (22, 8) formed from float stitches (14) lie between at least some of the tuck stitches (13).
  8. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 7, characterized in that, for at least one pair of first and second loop (22, 8) formed from the same float stitch, the different size is generated by shrinkage, and/or in that the different sizes of the first and second loops (22, 8) are at least partially generated by different float stitch lengths.
  9. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one additional thread (15, 17) for producing at least one desired property is guided parallel to the ground thread and/or the first thread (18) and/or the second thread (16).
  10. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to Claim 9, characterized in that an additional thread (15), in particular an elastane thread and/or a silicone thread, which produces the elasticity of the ground stitch structure (7) is guided parallel to the ground thread (11) which is embodied in particular as a multifilament thread, and/or a multifilament thread (17) which serves in particular to absorb active agent and/or to increase the surface area is guided parallel to the second thread (16) which is in particular in the form of a monofilament thread and/or metal thread, and/or an elastic additional thread (17) which contributes to the defined formation of the loops (8, 22) from the float stitches (14) is guided parallel to the first and/or the second thread (16, 18).
  11. Cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning element (3) is a fingerstall (2) which is to be fitted over a finger as carrier.
  12. Method for producing a cleaning element (3) of a cleaning device (1, 1') according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:
    - knitting a knitted fabric for at least the cleaning portion (5), for said knitted fabric comprising, in the cleaning portion (5), in at least one stitch course (9), ground stitches (12) containing the ground thread (11) for each stitch wale (10) and tuck stitches (13) containing the first thread (18) and the second thread (16) for some of the stitch wales (10), wherein float stitches (14) lie between at least some of the tuck stitches (13), and
    - shrinking the knitted fabric in order to form the first and the second loops (22, 8) from the float stitches (14) .
EP20164474.7A 2019-05-06 2020-03-20 Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for manufacturing a cleaning element Active EP3750468B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102019111633.3A DE102019111633B3 (en) 2019-05-06 2019-05-06 Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for producing a cleaning element

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3750468A1 EP3750468A1 (en) 2020-12-16
EP3750468B1 true EP3750468B1 (en) 2022-04-13

Family

ID=69941203

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20164474.7A Active EP3750468B1 (en) 2019-05-06 2020-03-20 Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for manufacturing a cleaning element

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3750468B1 (en)
DE (1) DE102019111633B3 (en)
ES (1) ES2919226T3 (en)
PL (1) PL3750468T3 (en)

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MXPA02009298A (en) 2000-04-06 2003-03-12 Kimberly Clark Co Finger glove.
DE10215805C1 (en) 2002-04-10 2003-08-21 Walter Woerner Tooth cleaner has a sheath shape, to be pulled over a holder or a finger as a finger stall, with an elastic ground layer and an integrated pile layer and cuff
GB0723611D0 (en) * 2007-12-03 2008-01-09 Dunlop Louisa J Abrading material
DE202008010776U1 (en) 2008-08-13 2008-10-16 Kobalz, Benjamin Fingerling
DE202016102041U1 (en) 2016-04-19 2017-07-20 Bernd J. Johnki Device for cleaning and / or care of a wound or for cleaning and / or care of the oral cavity and pharynx
DE102017108996A1 (en) * 2017-04-27 2018-10-31 Gebr. Aurich Gmbh Wiping textiles and process for the production of wiping textiles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL3750468T3 (en) 2022-09-05
EP3750468A1 (en) 2020-12-16
DE102019111633B3 (en) 2020-08-06
ES2919226T3 (en) 2022-07-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0794714B1 (en) Material and apparatus for cleaning the surfaces of teeth or false teeth
EP2365794B1 (en) Wound cleansing assembly
EP1448048B1 (en) Cleaning mitt, use of said mitt as an animal grooming mitt and an animal grooming kit
EP1382728A1 (en) Flat implantable textile fabric
DE2444374C3 (en) Fibrous soap-filled sponge and method of making the same
EP3177228A1 (en) Interdental cleaner and method for producing same
DE60012235T2 (en) NONWOVEN FABRIC WITH STABILIZED FILAMENT BUNNELS
DE1435187B2 (en) FLAT-KNITTING MACHINE FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF HOSEWARE, SUCH AS GLOVES, AND A METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH TUBE
EP3750468B1 (en) Cleaning device for manual cleaning of a target surface and method for manufacturing a cleaning element
DE10215805C1 (en) Tooth cleaner has a sheath shape, to be pulled over a holder or a finger as a finger stall, with an elastic ground layer and an integrated pile layer and cuff
EP2230965B1 (en) Device for cleaning the oral cavity
EP1259210B1 (en) Textile skin cleaning device
DE2748171A1 (en) DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE HAIR BASE AND HAIR
EP3186420B1 (en) Linear textile structure
DE202012011814U1 (en) Antibacterial fingerstall
EP0935438B1 (en) Cleansing tool
DE2934293A1 (en) Washing glove of finely knitted polyamide fabric - has one closed end, elastic rim and stretches readily
EP0127102B1 (en) Surgical padded sleeve and method of manufacturing it
DE102020106619A1 (en) MOUTH-NOSE-PROTECTIVE MASK, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A MOUTH-NOSE-PROTECTIVE MASK AND DATA SET
WO2019136499A1 (en) Small piece of cloth for removing make-up
DE2909426A1 (en) MESH STOCKING AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
DE574198C (en) Hand device with a cleaning body consisting of thread loops, especially for washing kitchen utensils
DE1635939A1 (en) Elastic knitwear
DE202012000267U1 (en) Hairdressing device for hair cleaning
DE10009648A1 (en) Velour fabric with pile yarn using micro-fibers has pile yarn supplied in a crimped or textured state

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20210528

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: A47L 13/16 20060101AFI20211102BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20211206

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502020000918

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1482738

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: FP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2919226

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20220722

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220816

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220713

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220714

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220713

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220813

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502020000918

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20230116

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230320

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20230308

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20230321

Year of fee payment: 4

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230509

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230331

Year of fee payment: 4

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20230414

Year of fee payment: 4

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220413

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230320

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230331

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230320

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230331

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20240320

Year of fee payment: 5

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240312

Year of fee payment: 5

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240322

Year of fee payment: 5