JP2007516027A - Disposable non-woven fabric cleaning wipes and kits containing them - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a disposable wipe (10) for cleaning hard surfaces, including a cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven material, having a longitudinal axis (x), an upper surface, and a lower surface. A cleaning substrate and at least one attachment means (30); wherein the at least one attachment means is a pocket (30) formed on an upper surface or a lower surface of the cleaning substrate; To a wipe (10) that covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the substrate and has at least one opening (40).
Also provided is a kit that includes a disposable cleaning wipe and a cleaning implement (60) with a mop head (61).

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of non-woven cleaning wipes for cleaning hard surfaces, particularly floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls, glass, kitchen surfaces, cars, etc., suitable for use with cleaning implements.

  There is much literature on cleaning wipes for cleaning hard surfaces. Cleaning wipes exist as woven or non-woven wipes. The cleaning wipes are supplied in various forms, such as dry dusting cleaning sheets, pre-moistened wipes, or absorbent cleaning wipes for wet cleaning, disposable wipes or It exists as a reusable wipe. Cleaning wipes described in the art are usually square. The cleaning operation is performed by manually wiping the surface with a cleaning wipe, or using a cleaning implement on which the cleaning wipe is removably mounted.

  In recent years, it has become very popular to use cleaning wipes with cleaning implements that have an elongated handle that is rotatably connected to a mop head by a universal joint. An example of such an instrument is a SWIFFER® cleaning instrument. The mop heads of these instruments typically include a hard support plate connected to the handle by a universal joint and a “bumper” or “cushion” located on the back of the hard support plate facing the surface to be cleaned. Includes pads. To clean the surface, the user first attaches the cleaning wipe to the back of the bumper pad and removes the wipe by pushing the edge of the wipe into the slit structure located on the top surface of the support plate. Install as possible and then wipe the surface.

  The rigid mop head of such a cleaning implement is usually square, so that a square wipe can be easily and securely attached to the mop head. Instruments with such mop heads are typically used for cleaning flat surfaces.

  However, there are also cleaning instruments with non-square mop heads. In such a case, the square wiping article is not strictly compatible with the mop head, so it is difficult to attach the wiping article to the mop head and hold it by the mop head. There is also a cleaning implement with a deformable mop head. Such a cleaning implement is suitable for cleaning curved surfaces such as, for example, a bathtub or a sink. When the mop head is deformable, the problem of easily and securely attaching and holding a square wipe is exacerbated.

  Means for attaching a cleaning wipe to a mop head of a cleaning implement are well known. As explained above, the mop head may include a slitted structure (usually referred to in the art as “grippers”) into which the edge of the wipe can be pushed. Other means of securing the wipe to the mop head include hook or loop fasteners (eg, Velcro®), clamp devices, protrusions, clips, adhesives, or any combination thereof. Can be mentioned. At least some of these attachment means are disposed on the mop head.

  Moreover, you may arrange | position an attaching means only on wiping supplies. For example, in the area of reusable washable woven cleaning cloth (ie, woven cloth), there are cloths with two pockets into which a mop head can be inserted. In this particular case, the mop head consists of two rigid parts that can be pivoted along an axis so that the user can insert the rigid mop head into both pockets. Once inserted, the user needs to press the mop head against the floor to make it a flat mop head and lock the two parts in a flat position. Again, this locking system can also weaken over time, so that the fabric can no longer mate with the mop head and slip off the mop head when lifted from the surface. Even when the bumper plate is deformable, it is not obvious to attach these types of wipes to a mop head with a one-piece support plate and / or bumper pad. In addition, these types of fabrics become dirty over time and lose their cleaning properties.

  In recent years, wiping products impregnated with a cleaning composition have become increasingly popular. When attaching an impregnated wipe to a mop head, it is desirable for hygienic and safety reasons that contact with the user's skin is reduced and attachment to the mop head is improved.

  Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven cleaning wipe that can be attached to a cleaning implement in a convenient and hygienic manner. Another object of the present invention is a better and more reliable attachment to cleaning instruments, in particular instruments with deformable and / or non-square mop heads, in particular oval and eye-shaped mop heads. It is to provide a non-woven fabric cleaning wipe that can be used. Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-woven fabric cleaning wipe with improved cleaning characteristics, particularly for cleaning corners. Another object of the present invention is to provide a nonwoven cleaning wipe that can be conveniently and hygienically removed from a cleaning implement.

The present invention is a disposable wipe for cleaning hard surfaces,
A cleaning substrate comprising a nonwoven material and having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket formed on the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate, the pocket covering from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface, and at least one The present invention relates to a wiping article characterized by having two openings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kit comprising a cleaning implement with a mop head and a disposable wipe for cleaning hard surfaces, the wipe being
A cleaning substrate comprising a nonwoven material and having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket formed on the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate, the pocket covering from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface, and at least one A kit is provided, characterized in that it has two openings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a hard surface, including a step of wiping the surface with a disposable cleaning wipe, wherein the cleaning wipe includes:
A cleaning substrate comprising a nonwoven material and having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket formed on the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate, the pocket covering from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface, and at least one A method is provided, characterized in that it has two openings.

(Definition)
Unless otherwise specified, all ratios and percentages are on a weight basis.

  As used herein, the term “xy dimension” refers to a plane orthogonal to the thickness of the cleaning wipe or its components. The x and y dimensions correspond to the length and width of the cleaning wipe or wipe component, respectively. In general, when a cleaning wipe is used in conjunction with a cleaning implement, the wipe is preferably moved in a direction parallel to the x dimension (or length) of the wipe (see FIG. 1).

  As used herein, the term “z dimension” refers to a dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the cleaning wipe of the present invention or its components. Thus, the z dimension corresponds to the thickness of the cleaning wipe or wipe component (see FIG. 1).

  As used herein, the “longitudinal axis” of a cleaning substrate means the axis along the length of the cleaning substrate, ie, the x-axis.

  As used herein, the term “layer” refers to a member or component of a cleaning wipe whose primary dimension is xy, ie, along its length and width. It should be understood that the term layer is not necessarily limited to a single layer or sheet of material. Thus, a layer may comprise a laminate or combination of several sheets or webs of the required type of material. Thus, the term “layer” encompasses the terms “multiple layers” and “layered”. For the purposes of the present invention, the “upper” layer of the cleaning wipe is a layer relatively far from the surface to be cleaned. Conversely, the term “lower” layer means a layer of cleaning wipe that is relatively close to the surface to be cleaned.

  As used herein, an “upper surface” is a surface that is relatively far away from the surface to be cleaned. When the cleaning substrate is multilayer, the “upper surface” means the upper surface of the upper layer of the cleaning substrate. Conversely, the term “lower surface” means a surface that is relatively close to the surface to be cleaned. Usually, the “lower surface” contacts the surface to be cleaned. When the cleaning substrate is multilayer, the “lower surface” means the lower surface of the lower layer of the cleaning substrate.

  As used herein, “shape” means the shape of a cleaning wipe or part of a cleaning wipe in the xy dimension, ie, viewed from above.

  As used herein, “eye-shape” means a generally elliptical shape having two apexes disposed on a generally elliptical x-axis. “Semi-elliptical shape” and “semi-eye shape” mean half or half of an approximately oval or eye shape, respectively.

(Disposable cleaning wipes)
The disposable cleaning wipe (10) according to the present invention comprises a cleaning substrate (20) for cleaning hard surfaces and at least one attachment means suitable for attaching the wipe to a cleaning implement.

  The cleaning wipe (10) of the present invention is disposable. The term disposable means that the wipe is designed to be used for only one cleaning operation or only a few cleaning operations and is then preferably discarded.

The cleaning substrate (20) of the present invention, preferably the entire cleaning wipe (10), is composed of nonwoven fibers or paper. The term nonwoven shall be defined according to the commonly known definition given in the “Nonwoven Fabrics Handbook” published by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabric Industry. The paper substrate is composed of fibers (excluding chemically digested plant fibers) with an excess of 50% by mass of the fiber content according to EDANA (Note 1 of ISO9092-EN29092), and the length / diameter ratio Is defined as a substrate having a density greater than 300, more preferably a density of less than 0.040 g / cm ³ . For clarity, the definitions of nonwoven and paper substrates do not include woven fabrics or cloths or sponges.

  The cleaning substrate (20) is preferably partially or completely permeable to water and an aqueous hard surface cleaning composition. The wipe is preferably flexible, more preferably the wipe is also resilient, meaning that the wipe will restore its original shape when the applied external pressure is removed. To do.

  The cleaning substrate (20) may include synthetically produced fibers in addition to natural (modified or non-modified) fibers. Natural fibers include all that are naturally obtained without human modification, regeneration, or manufacture, and are produced from plants, animals, and insects, or are byproducts of plants, animals, and insects. Examples of suitable non-modified / modified natural fibers include cotton, esparto grass, bagasse, kemp, flax, silk, wool, wood pulp, chemically modified wood pulp, jute, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, And combinations thereof. As used herein, “synthetic” means that the material is obtained primarily from a variety of man-made materials, or obtained by further modifying natural materials. Non-limiting examples of synthetic materials useful in the present invention include the group consisting of acetate fibers, acrylic fibers, cellulose ester fibers, modacrylic fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, rayon fibers, and combinations thereof. The thing selected from is mentioned. Examples of suitable synthetic materials include acrylan, creslan, and acrylonitrile fibers, acrylics such as auron; cellulose ester fibers such as cellulose acetate, Arnell, and acele; nylons (eg, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon) Polyamides such as 610); fault rails, codels, and polyethylene terephthalate fibers, polyesters such as polybutylene terephthalate fibers, Dacron; polyolefins such as polypropylene and polyethylene; polyvinyl acetate fibers, and combinations thereof. For these and other suitable fibers, and nonwovens prepared therefrom, see Riedel's “Nonwoven Bonding Methods and Materials”, Nonwoven World (1987); Americana It is generally described in The Encyclopedia Americana, Vol. 11, pages 147-153, and Vol. 26, pages 566-581 (1984). Suitable synthetic materials include solid monocomponent (ie, chemically homogeneous) fibers, multicomponent fibers (ie, each fiber is comprised of two or more materials), and multicomponent fibers (ie, Synthetic fibers containing two or more separate filament types that are twisted in some way to produce larger fibers), as well as combinations thereof. For example, the bicomponent fiber may be in a core-sheath configuration or a side-by-side configuration. In any case, the cleaning substrate (20) may comprise a combination of fibers comprising the aforementioned materials, or a fiber itself comprising a combination of the aforementioned materials. In any case, such as a side-by-side configuration, a core-sheath configuration, or a solid single-component configuration, the fibers of the cleaning substrate (20), particularly the two-component fibers, are helical or spiral or crimped May show configuration. Suitable bicomponent fibers for use in the present invention include the following polymer combinations: polyethylene / polypropylene, polyethyl vinyl acetate / polypropylene, polyethylene / polyester, polypropylene / polyester, copolyester / polyester, etc. Mention may be made of sheath / core fibers. Particularly suitable bicomponent thermoplastic fibers for use herein are those having a polypropylene or polyester core and a lower melting copolyester, polyethyl vinyl acetate, or polyethylene sheath (eg, Danaclon Corporation). (Available from Danaklon a / s) and Chisso Corp.). These bicomponent fibers can be concentric or eccentric. As used herein, the terms “concentric” and “eccentric” refer to whether the thickness of the sheath through the cross-sectional area of the bicomponent fiber is uniform or non-uniform. Eccentric bicomponent fibers may be desirable in providing greater compressive strength with smaller fiber thickness. Preferred bicomponent fibers include copolyolefin bicomponent fibers comprising less than about 81% polyethylene terephthalate core and less than about 51% copolyolefin sheath. Such a preferred bicomponent fiber is commercially available from Hoechst Celanese Corporation, New Jersey under the trade name CELBOND® T-255. The amount of bicomponent fiber preferably depends on the density of the material in which the fiber is used.

  Methods for producing nonwovens are well known in the art. In general, these nonwovens can be made by air laying, water laying, meltblown, coform, spunbond, or carding methods, in which the fibers or filaments are first drawn from long strands to the desired length. After being cut into pieces and passed through a water stream or an air stream, air or water containing fibers is passed through the screen and deposited on the screen. The resulting layer is then subjected to at least one of several types of bonding operations to bond individual fibers to form a self-sustaining substrate, regardless of its manufacturing method or composition. The In the present invention, the nonwoven substrate may be, but is not limited to, air entanglement, hydroentanglement, thermal bonding, carding, needle punching, or any other method known in the art, and these It can be prepared by a variety of methods, including combinations of methods. However, the nonwoven fabric substrate may also be described as a thermoplastic molded film.

Preferred nonwoven substrate material has a basis weight of about 15 gm ^-2 ~ about 220gm ^-2, more preferably from about 15 gm ^-2 ~ about 200 gm ^-2, more preferably from about 15 gm ^-2 ~ about 110gm ^-2, and most preferably about 15 gm ^-2 to about 78 gm ^-2 .

  In addition to the fibers used to make the substrate, the substrate may include other components or materials added to it as known in the art, including the designated binders. is there. As used herein, the term “binder” describes any agent used to engage fibers. Such an agent includes a wet strength improving resin and a dry strength improving resin. Particularly in the case of cellulosic materials, it is often desirable to add chemicals known in the art as wet strength resins. General papers on types of wet strength resins, ie wet strength resins used in the technical field of paper are TAPPI Monograph Series No. 29, Wet Strength in Paper and Paperboard, Paper See the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (New York, 1965). In addition to wet strength enhancing additives, it may also be desirable to include certain dry strength enhancing and lint control additives known in the art, such as starch binders. Preferred binders used to bond the nonwoven are polymer binders, preferably latex binders, more preferably waterborne latex binders. The binder can be applied to the substrate by any method known in the art. Suitable methods include spraying, printing (eg flexographic printing), coating (eg gravure coating or flooding) in which a binder is passed through the tube and contacted with the substrate as it passes across the tube. ) Coating), padding, forming, impregnation, saturation, and other extrusions, or combinations of these applications.

  The wipe of the present invention can be used, for example, for dry dusting of hard surfaces, but is preferably used for wet cleaning of hard surfaces such as floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls, glass, kitchen surfaces, cars, etc. Used in conjunction with the composition. Accordingly, the cleaning wiping product (10) of the present invention comprises a dry dusting wiping product, a dry absorbent cleaning wiping product (10) for wet cleaning (the cleaning composition is first applied to the surface, and then the surface Wet-type wipes that need to be activated by contact with water, including wet-type wipes or cleaning compositions in the form of concentrated solutions, pastes or gels, for example. It can exist in various forms, such as a dry-to-the-touch cleaning wipe (10).

(Cleaning substrate)
The cleaning substrate (20) can be a single layer, but is preferably a multilayer. The cleaning substrate (20) has a longitudinal axis (ie, x-axis) and includes an upper surface and a lower surface.

  The cleaning substrate (20) can have a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, square, oval, eye-shaped, or more complex shapes. Preferably, the cleaning substrate (20) is non-square. In a highly preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) has a leading edge (21) connected to the trailing edge (24) by two longitudinally extending side edges (22, 23). The edge (21) is curved, rounded, wavy, angular, or a combination thereof, but is preferably a half-eye shape, a generally semi-elliptical shape, a generally triangular shape, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the leading edge (21) of the cleaning substrate (20) is hemispherical with a tip disposed on the longitudinal axis (ie, the x-axis) of the cleaning substrate (20). In another highly preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) is ocular.

  The cleaning substrate (20) preferably has a length / width ratio of about 3: 1 to about 1.25: 1, more preferably about 2: 1 to about 1.5: 1. Most preferably, the length / width ratio is about 1.75: 1.

  The cleaning substrate (20) is preferably multilayer and includes an upper layer and a lower layer. These layers are combined to form a single structure. These layers can be bonded by various methods including, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like. These layers can be combined to form the cleaning substrate (20) by hand or by conventional line conversion processes known in the art.

  When the layers are adhesively bonded, the adhesive is typically used when the bond formed by the adhesive is in a wet environment, particularly when the cleaning wipe (10) is soaked with fluid and / or dirt. It is selected so that its strength can be maintained. The choice of adhesive can be made when bonding the two absorbent layers (50), when bonding the absorbent layer (50) and the attachment layer, or when the absorbent layer (50) and the liquid permeable scrubbing layer. This is particularly important when combining In this situation, the adhesive is typically at least about 30%, preferably at least about 50%, more preferably at least about 70% of the dry bond strength value, such that the adhesive provides high water resistance to the bond. It is selected to provide a binding retention force. Bond strength values can be measured according to a partially modified ASTM D1876-95 (1995) (T-Peel Test) standard method, which is described in US Pat. No. 5,969,025 ( Corzani, published October 19, 1999). Adhesives that can be used in the present invention include vinyl emulsions including homopolymers mainly composed of vinyl acetate or other vinyl esters, ranging from homopolymers to copolymers of ethylene and / or acrylic monomers (vinyl acrylic); homopolymers Or an acrylic emulsion that can be either a copolymer; such as a reactive comonomer (eg, carboxyl, hydroxyl, epoxy, amide, isocyanate, etc.) capable of crosslinking the polymer itself (eg, hydroxyl, epoxy, or carboxyl groups that react with isocyanate groups) Monomers containing functional moieties) or by reaction with external cross-linking agents (eg urea formaldehyde resins, isocyanates, polyols, epoxides, amines and metal salts, especially zinc). Those produced Te including, crosslinking adhesives. The adhesive herein may also include a limited amount of tackifying resin to improve adhesion, such as the addition of hydrogenated rosin ester tackifiers to vinyl acetate / ethylene copolymer latex. it can. Other suitable adhesive compositions based on water include those disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,969,025 (Corzani, issued Oct. 19, 1999).

  When the cleaning substrate (20) is multi-layered, the different layers may also be bonded around the periphery either continuously or discontinuously. This bonding at ambient may be the only way to bond the different layers, but is preferably performed in addition to the other bonding mechanisms described herein. This means that additional layers can be bonded by first bonding several layers intimately using any of the methods described above and then simply bonding on top of it. .

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) comprises a bulky substrate, more preferably a cotton wool substrate. Filled cotton is defined as a flexible and bulky collection of fibers according to the TAPPI Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. The filling cotton preferably comprises a synthetic material as described above. In the present specification, the “filled cotton layer” means a non-woven fabric structure that is bulky, elastic, and has a low density. In this specification, "low density" or bulky with a nonwoven fabric (lofty nonwoven), the layers, a density of about 0.00005 g / cm ³ ~ about 0.1 g / cm ^3, preferably about 0.001 g / cm ³ to about 0.09 g / cm ³ , meaning a thickness of about 0.1 cm to about 5.0 cm at 0.775 g / cm ² (5 g / in ² ).

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the fluff layer has a loft of at least about 1 mm, preferably from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, Tsumewataso has a density of from about 0.00005 g / cm ³ ~ about 0.1 g / cm ^3, preferably about 0.001 g / cm ³ ~ about 0.09 g / cm ³ It is.

  In a preferred embodiment, the percentage of cotton wool fibers can be heat sealed or ultrasonically bonded. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) comprises a combination of monocomponent fibers and bicomponent fibers. More specifically, it is preferable that the cleaning substrate (20) includes a polyester monocomponent fiber and a polyester core / polyethylene sheath bicomponent fiber.

  The cotton stuffing may also include natural fibers. Suitable natural fibers have been described above. Further, the cotton wool fibers may be of various sizes, i.e., the cotton wool fibers may comprise fibers having various average thicknesses. Also, the fiber cross-section can be circular, flat, oval, elliptical, or other shapes.

  The cleaning substrate (20) of the present invention preferably comprises an absorbent layer (50). The absorbent layer (50) comprises any material that can absorb and retain fluid in use. The absorbent layer (50) is preferably sandwiched between an upper layer and a lower layer. Usually, the absorbent layer (50) comprises a nonwoven fibrous material. The absorbent layer can include only natural fibers, or only synthetic fibers, or can include any compatible combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The fibers useful herein can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic, or can be a combination of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. As used herein, the term “hydrophilic” is used to refer to a surface that is wettable by an aqueous fluid deposited thereon. Hydrophilicity and wettability are usually defined in terms of the contact angle and surface tension of the fluid and solid surfaces involved. In this regard, the American Chemical Society publication (1964 copyright), the name “Contact Angle, Wetability, and Adhesion” (Robert F. Gould) Gould))). A surface is said to be wetted by a fluid (ie, hydrophilic) when the contact angle between the fluid and the surface is less than 90 °, or when the fluid tends to spread naturally across the surface, usually Both states coexist. Conversely, a surface is considered “hydrophobic” if the contact angle is greater than 90 ° and the fluid does not spread naturally across the surface. The specific choice of hydrophilic or hydrophobic fibers will depend on the other materials contained within the cleaning substrate (20), for example within the various absorbent layers (50). That is, the nature of the fiber is such that the cleaning substrate (20) exhibits the required fluid delay and overall fluid absorption. Suitable hydrophilic fibers for use in the present invention include cellulose fibers, modified cellulose fibers, rayon, polyester fibers such as hydrophilic nylon (HYDROFIL®). Suitable hydrophilic fibers include, for example, a hydrophobic fiber obtained by treating a thermoplastic fiber derived from polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyacryl, polyamide, polystyrene, polyurethane and the like with a surfactant or silica. It can also be obtained by making it hydrophilic. The surface of the hydrophobic fiber is treated with a surfactant such as a non-ionic or anionic surfactant, for example, by spraying the fiber with a surfactant so that the fiber is immersed in the surfactant. Or can be made hydrophilic by including a surfactant as part of the polymer melt in creating thermoplastic fibers. When melted and re-solidified, the surfactant tends to remain on the surface of the thermoplastic fiber. Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as Brij® 76 from ICI Americas, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, and glycosylated in Greenwich, Connecticut. -Various surfactants sold by Glyco Chemical, Inc. under the Pegosperse (R) trademark. In addition to nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants can also be used. These surfactants can be applied to thermoplastic fibers, for example, at a level of about 0.2 to about 1 g per square centimeter of thermoplastic fiber.

  Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained from well-known chemical processes such as Kraft or sulfite. It is particularly preferred to obtain these wood pulp fibers from southern conifers because of their good absorption properties. These wood pulp fibers can also be obtained from mechanical processes such as groundwood, refiner mechanical, thermomechanical, chemimechanical, and chemi-thermomechanical pulp processes. Regenerated or secondary wood pulp fibers and bleached and unbleached wood pulp fibers can be used. Another type of hydrophilic fiber used in the present invention is a chemically stiffened cellulose fiber. As used herein, the term “chemically stiffened cellulose fiber” refers to a cellulose fiber that has been stiffened by chemical means to increase the stiffness of the fiber in both dry and aqueous states. means. Such means can include, for example, the addition of chemical stiffening agents that coat and / or impregnate the fibers. Such means may include stiffening the fiber by changing the chemical structure, for example, by crosslinking the polymer chain.

  If the fiber is used as an absorbent structure (or a component thereof), the fiber can optionally be combined with a thermoplastic material. Upon melting, at least a portion of this thermoplastic material moves to the fiber intersection, usually by an interfiber capillary gradient. These intersections become bonding sites for the thermoplastic material. When cooled, the thermoplastic material at these intersections solidifies to form bonding sites that hold together the matrix or web of fibers within each layer. This may be beneficial in providing further overall integrity to the cleaning wipe (10). Among its various effects, bonding at the fiber intersection increases the overall compression modulus and the strength of the resulting thermally bonded member. In the case of chemically stiffened cellulose fibers, the melting and movement of the thermoplastic material also increases the average pore size of the resulting web while maintaining the density and basis weight of the web as originally formed. Has the effect of This is due to the improved fluid permeability during the initial exposure to the fluid, and the ability to maintain the stiffness of the stiffened fibers when wet, and the thermoplastic properties during subsequent exposure. The ability to combine the ability to maintain a bond at the fiber intersection when the material is wet and wet compressed can improve the fluid acquisition properties of the thermally bonded web. Ultimately, the web where the stiffened fibers are thermally bonded retains its original overall volume, but the volume area previously occupied by the thermoplastic material opens, so the average interfiber capillary pore size. Increase.

  The thermoplastic materials useful in the present invention can be in any of a variety of forms including particulates, fibers, or a combination of particulates and fibers. Thermoplastic fibers are a particularly preferred form because they can form numerous interfiber bonding sites. Suitable thermoplastic materials can be made from any thermoplastic polymer that can be melted at a temperature that does not significantly damage the fibers that make up the primary web or matrix of each layer. Preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic material will be less than about 90 ° C, preferably between about 75 ° C and about 175 ° C. In any event, the melting point of the thermoplastic material should be above the temperature at which the thermally bonded absorbent structure is likely to be stored when used in the cleaning substrate (20). The melting point of the thermoplastic material is usually about 50 ° C. or higher.

  Thermoplastic materials, in particular thermoplastic fibers, are polyolefins such as polyethylene (eg PULPEX®) and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylic, It can be made from a variety of thermoplastic polymers including polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, and any of the above copolymers such as vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate. Depending on the desired characteristics, suitable thermoplastic materials include hydrophobic fibers that have been rendered hydrophilic. Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer (single component fibers) or can be made from two or more polymers (eg, bicomponent fibers). The polymer that makes up the sheath often melts at a different temperature than the polymer that makes up the core, usually at a lower temperature. As a result, these bicomponent fibers provide thermal bonding by melting the sheath polymer while retaining the desirable strength properties of the core polymer. Methods for preparing thermally bonded fibrous materials are described in US Pat. No. 5,607,414 (Richards et al., Issued Mar. 4, 1997); and US Pat. No. 5,549,589 (Hornei ( Horney) et al., Issued on Aug. 27, 1996) (see in particular 9th to 10th stages).

Absorbing layer is preferably a basis weight of about 60 gm ^-2 ~ about 300 gm ^-2, more preferably from about 80 gm ^-2 ~ about 200 gm ^-2, and most preferably from about 90 gm ^-2 ~ about 160gm ^-2. Preferably, it is comprised of about 70% to about 90% wood pulp fiber or other cellulosic material, about 1% to about 30% binder, and about 1% to about 30% bicomponent fiber.

  It may be desirable to include materials in the absorbent structure that have a relatively high absorbency (in terms of g fluid per gram of absorbent material). As used herein, the term “superabsorbent material” has a g / g absorbency for water of at least about 15 g / g when measured under a containment pressure of about 2.0 kPa (0.3 psi). , Meaning any absorbent material. Since the majority of the cleaning fluid useful in the present invention is predominantly water, the superabsorbent material preferably has a relatively high g / g absorbency for water or water-based fluids. When a superabsorbent material is included in the absorbent structure, the absorbent structure is preferably at least about 15%, more preferably at least about 20%, and even more preferably at least about 25% by weight of the absorbent structure. Contains superabsorbent materials.

  When the cleaning substrate (20) includes an absorbent layer, the layer may include any of the materials described above. Similarly, if the cleaning substrate (20) includes an upper layer and a lower layer, they may also include any of the aforementioned absorbent materials, or are non-absorbent but fluid permeable. It may be a property. If the upper and / or lower layer is absorbent, it will usually have a lower absorbency than the absorbent layer. The upper layer and the lower layer may comprise separate layer materials or may be part of the same layer material, eg wrapped around the absorbent layer. Further, the upper and lower layers may each independently comprise a single layer or a multilayer structure, and additional components may be included between the upper and / or lower layers and the absorbent layer.

  As will be described later, the cleaning substrate (20) may be pre-moistened with a cleaning composition. In this embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) preferably includes a plurality of separate fluid reservoirs. As used herein, “separate” fluid reservoirs are separated from each other by individual reservoir walls when the reservoirs are adjacent to each other, and the reservoirs are spaced apart. Is a reservoir for containing a fluid, particularly a liquid cleaning composition, separated from each other by a portion of the cleaning substrate.

  Typically, the reservoir is formed by bonding or embossing over the entire thickness of the absorbent structure. In the context of a single layer absorbent structure, this usually means that the opposing surfaces of the absorbent structure are joined at selected locations. In the context of multilayer absorbent structures, this usually means that the outer layers of the multilayer structure are joined at selected locations, preferably by bonding the layers together. For example, if the absorbent structure includes an upper layer, a lower layer, and an absorbent layer (50) positioned therebetween, preferably the upper layer is on the lower layer at a selected location. Combined to define separate fluid reservoirs so that each reservoir includes a separate portion of the absorbent layer.

  Coupling may be achieved by applying heat and / or pressure or by ultrasound. Usually, when the reservoir is formed by a bond penetrating the cleaning substrate (20), the bond strength is greater than 30 gf without the use of an adhesive.

  Innumerable shapes and sizes are assumed for the fluid reservoir. For example, the reservoir may have a shape selected from a circle, a square, a rectangle, a diamond, an oval, a triangle, a hexagon, and combinations thereof. Other shapes are also envisioned. In the latter case, the reservoir may be formed by intersecting bond lines, preferably extending between different side edges of the cleaning substrate. For example, the bond line may form an acute angle with the side edges of the cleaning substrate or may extend generally parallel to the side edges.

Preferably, adjacent fluid reservoirs are in fluid communication with each other. This means that fluid can travel between adjacent reservoirs. However, fluid communication is somewhat limited in order to reduce the flow of fluid to the side edges (22, 23) of the cleaning substrate as desired in order to reduce or avoid drips when attached to the cleaning implement. Should be. Fluid communication may be achieved by providing narrow passages between the reservoirs, which can result from the process used to form the reservoirs, as will be described in more detail below. . Such passages usually cross-sectional area of about 0.0645~0.3226cm ² (0.01~0.05 square inch), typically about 0.0968~0.2903cm ² (0.015~ 0.045 square inch).

  A preferred coupling method for forming the reservoir is described in US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 456,288 (McFall et al., Filed Jun. 6, 2003). This method will be described here in the context of a cleaning substrate (20) comprising an upper layer, a lower layer, and an absorbent layer (50) sandwiched therebetween, but other absorptivity. It can also be applied to structures. In essence, the method involves local compression of the cleaning substrate (20), which tears and separates the absorbent material while leaving the upper and lower layers intact. Ie, away from the pressure point). The result is a clear path for bonding the upper and lower layers, and preferably there is little (if any) absorbent material actually remaining at the binding site. To be precise, a separate part of the absorbent material is enclosed in the resulting fluid reservoir.

  In this method, the upper and lower layers comprise any material (s) that can be bonded by applying heat and / or pressure, adhesives, or ultrasound. Suitable materials include the aforementioned nonwoven materials; polymer materials such as perforated molded thermoplastic films, perforated or non-perforated plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams, reticulated foams; Thermoplastic films; as well as thermoplastic scrims. However, materials other than thermoplastic materials may be preferred, especially when adhesives or other types of bonds are used. For example, the topsheet and backing sheet may each comprise a cellulosic material that can be bonded to itself by hydrogen bonding.

  The bonding process typically includes feeding a laminate comprising, for example, an upper layer, an absorbent layer (50) and a lower layer into at least a pair of cylindrical rolls, at least one of the cylindrical rolls A relief pattern formed by a plurality of protrusions or pattern elements extending outward from the surface of the roll is provided on the surface.

  The other cylindrical roll serves as an anvil member, and the patterned roll and anvil roll combine to define a pressure bias nip therebetween. Although the anvil surface is preferably smooth, a relief pattern may be provided on both rolls. The patterned roll and the anvil roll are preferably biased toward each other with a load of about 140 MPa (about 20,000 psi) to about 1400 MPa (about 200,000 psi).

  Since the patterned roll and the anvil roll are preferably driven at different speeds in the same direction, there is a surface speed difference between them. The surface speed difference preferably has a magnitude of about 2 to about 40%, more preferably about 2 to about 20% of the lower surface speed roll. The anvil roll is preferably operated at a surface speed that is higher than the surface speed of the patterned roll. However, it is possible to cause a high line speed for coupling at zero speed difference.

  The relief pattern can take a variety of forms and can be continuous or intermittent depending on the nature of the fluid reservoir desired to be formed. If the relief pattern is continuous, the result is a continuous combination. If the relief pattern is intermittent, the result is a hole or gap in the bond, which allows fluid communication between adjacent reservoirs as described above. In this case, the bonding can be regarded as including a plurality of bonding sites, and the size of the bonding sites is determined by the size, shape, and distance of the protrusions constituting the relief pattern. Preferably, the protrusion, and thus the resulting binding site, has an aspect ratio of less than 0.10, more preferably in the range of 0.02 to 0.085, and most preferably in the range of 0.03 to 0.083. In this situation, the aspect ratio is defined as minor axis: major axis. Further, the spacing, ie the distance between adjacent binding sites, is preferably in the range of about 0.038 to about 0.127 cm (0.015 to 0.05 in).

  Also, the protrusions or pattern elements may take a variety of forms such that the land surface (ie, outermost surface) of the protrusions can take. The protrusion generally has sidewalls that are not perpendicular to the surface of each cylindrical roll. For example, preferably the side wall forms an angle with the surface of the cylindrical roll that is greater than 45 ° to 90 °, preferably about 70 ° to 90 °.

Suitable shapes for the land surface include, but are not limited to, oval, circular, square, square, and triangular. Further, the land surface has, for example, an area in the range of from about 6.4516mm ² ~ about 19.3548mm ² (0.0001 square inches to 0.003 square inch) may be of various sizes, substantially the same Provides an area binding site.

  Optionally, prior to bonding, the absorbent layer may be slit or cut to form particulate material in a pattern corresponding to the desired bonding pattern. However, it is important that the materials from which the upper and lower layers are selected are such that they remain intact during this optional cutting step. Cutting is accomplished by passing the laminate of absorbent layer (50) and upper and lower layers through a pair of cylindrical rolls, each cylindrical roll preferably defining a plurality of triangular teeth. Having a patterned surface formed thereon by a plurality of ridges and troughs. The cylindrical roll applies a force to the laminate that is greater than the yield-to-break point of the absorbent layer (50) but less than the yield-to-break point of the upper and lower layers. Expose to mechanical strain. Thus, the absorbent layer (50) is slit at least partially without slitting the upper sheet or the lower sheet.

  Also, this coupling method (described in US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 456,288 (filed on McFall et al., Filed June 6, 2003)) can be used to form a multi-layered structure without forming a fluid reservoir. Various layers of the cleaning substrate (20) can also be combined. For example, this bonding method can be used to bond various layers only around the layer.

  Another coupling method for forming the reservoir includes ultrasonic coupling, and equipment suitable for this purpose includes the Branson Ultrasonic Unit Model 900 BCA. For example, the components of the cleaning substrate (20) to be bonded are placed on a plate patterned according to the desired reservoir and, for example, about 207 kPa while ultrasonically welding the cleaning substrate (20). Compressed using (30 psig) pressure.

  The choice of binding area is important to minimize the degradation of absorption performance. As can be expected, the larger the binding area, the greater the reduction in substrate absorption and hence the decrease in substrate utilization. Preferably, the total bonded area (in the xy plane) across the cleaning substrate is less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, most preferably less than 3%. The binding area is measured according to the following method using, for example, Auto Cad LT 98 software.

1. 1. Draw a pattern Move on the pattern from right to left and from top to bottom to find repetitions.
3. Draw a box around one iteration from top to bottom and from left to right.
4). Count the number of elements in the box just drawn (eg 45).
5). The area occupied by the element is calculated (for example, 0.025 cm × 0.254 cm = 0.006 cm ² (0.010 in × 0.1 in = 0.001 in ² )).
6). The occupied area is multiplied by the number of elements in the box (for example, 0.006 cm ² × 45 = 0.27 cm ² (0.001 in × 45 = 0.045 in ² )).
7). Measure the previously drawn box, length, and width with an AutoCad LT 98.
8). Multiply the length by the width (for example, 2.54 cm × 5.08 cm = 13 cm ² (1 in × 2 in = 2 in ² )).
9. Dividing the area of the elements in the area of the box ^{(eg, 0.27cm 2 / 13cm 2 = 0.0207} (0.045in 2 / 2in 2 = 0.0225)).
10. Multiply that number by 100 to get the percentage of bonded area (eg, 0.0207 × 100 = 2.07% (0.0225 × 100 = 2.25%)).

  Also, the depth of bonding of the cleaning substrate (20) to the non-bonded region (ie, before bonding) is important for consumer perception of the rubbing ability and the actual rubbing performance. Preferably, the cleaning substrate (20) has a bond depth index (BDI) of 0. 0 in order to achieve a good balance between absorption performance, drips and aesthetic considerations. 15, preferably less than 0.10. The BDI is calculated by dividing the average caliper in the bonded area by the non-bonded area, ie the average caliper before bonding. Usually, the cleaning substrate (20) has a non-bonded thickness of at least up to 2 mm, preferably up to 4 mm.

  When the cleaning substrate (20) is multilayer, the absorbent layer (50) preferably has the same shape and size as all the other layers present in the cleaning substrate (20). In another more preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer (50) has a smaller size than all other layers present in the cleaning substrate (20). The shape may be the same shape as the other layers, but is preferably a different shape, more preferably an eye shape. In the most preferred embodiment described in more detail later, the wipe will be used in conjunction with a cleaning implement with an eye-shaped mop head and will be removably attached to the cleaning implement. In this embodiment, the absorbent layer (50) is eye-shaped, preferably conformal to the shape of the bumper pad of the cleaning implement.

  In embodiments where the cleaning substrate (20) is multilayer and includes an absorbent layer, it is preferred that the absorbent layer is first adhesively bonded to the upper layer prior to bonding all the layers. When the absorbent layer (50) is smaller than all other layers, first the absorbent layer (50) is adhesively bonded to the upper layer and then all layers except the absorbent layer (50) are continuous in the surroundings or It is preferred that they are joined discontinuously.

(Mounting means)
The wipe according to the invention comprises at least one attachment means. This attachment means is a pocket (30) formed in the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20) and has at least one opening (40) into which at least a portion of the cleaning implement or cleaning implement can be inserted.

  The pocket (30) is preferably formed by bonding a nonwoven material to the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20). The nonwoven material is preferably bonded to the cleaning substrate (20) leaving at least one opening (40) between the layer and the top surface of the cleaning substrate (20). First, the nonwoven material may be bonded to the cleaning substrate (20), after which the front portion of the cleaning wipe (10) is cut into a specific shape. Alternatively, the nonwoven material may have a predetermined shape, which is then bonded to the cleaning substrate (20) around it. One preferred method of bonding the nonwoven material to the cleaning substrate is the bonding method described in the aforementioned US patent application Ser. No. 10 / 456,288 (filed McFall et al., Jun. 6, 2003). .

  When the pocket is formed on the top surface, the mop head of the cleaning implement or the user's hand can be inserted into the pocket. When the pocket is formed on the lower surface, the mop head or hand is first placed on the upper surface, and then the pocket is folded over the mop head or hand. The pockets help to lift the cleaning substrate closer to the bottom surface of the mop head. The pocket also gives direction for use.

Any of the nonwoven materials or combinations of nonwoven materials described above may be used for the pockets. Preferably, the nonwoven material is non-absorbable, contains a higher percentage of synthetic material than non-synthetic material, and has a high density. Preferably, the nonwoven material comprises 50% to 100% synthetic material and 0% to 100% non-synthetic material. Most preferably, the nonwoven material is a spunbond material, a molded film, any type of spunbond-meltblown-spunbond composite, meltblown film, and fibrous nonwoven structure, or scrim. The nonwoven material also preferably has some elastic properties such that the length of the material extends more than 10% of its relaxed state. Importantly, the nonwoven material must have sufficient strength and durability to prevent tearing during use. The nonwoven material has a basis weight of about 15 gm ^{-2 to} 100 gm ^-2 , preferably 15 gm ^{-2 to} 70 gm ^-2 , most preferably 15 gm ^{-2 to} 50 gm ^-2 . Density of the nonwoven material is preferably greater than 0.1 g / cm ^3. It is also envisioned that gauze or a polymer mesh or net may be used to form the pocket.

  The pocket (30) has at least one opening (40). In a preferred embodiment, the opening (40) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20), i.e., the opening (40) is in the yz dimension. This opening (40) preferably extends substantially across the width of the cleaning substrate (20). The opening is located away from the front edge (21), preferably near the center of the wipe, or towards the rear part of the wipe. The pocket (30) may include an additional opening (40) disposed toward the leading edge (21) parallel to the first opening (40).

  In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening (40) is directed toward the trailing edge (24) of the cleaning substrate (20) in the yz dimension, or even on the trailing edge (24). It is an opening (40) that is arranged there and extends in the xy dimension on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20).

  In another preferred embodiment, the material forming the pocket is bonded all around the cleaning substrate and the opening is in the xy dimension and is located in the center of the material. An example of this is an eye-shaped cleaning wipe having a pocket with an eye-shaped opening, as shown in FIG.

  The pocket (30) covers at least about 2%, but not more than about 90%, of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20). When the pocket (30) covers less than 2% of the surface area of the upper or lower layer, the pocket (30) is too small to fit properly on the mop head of the cleaning implement or by the mop head I can't hold it. Thus, the pocket (30) is about 2% to about 90%, preferably about 2% to about 85%, more preferably about 5% to about 85% of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20). Cover 50%, more preferably about 10% to about 30%, most preferably about 20% to about 30%. Most preferably, the pocket (30) covers about 25% of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20).

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the pockets cover about 90% to about 100% of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate and are open near or on the trailing edge in the yz dimension. And slits (41) in the nonwoven material that further form pockets. The slit (41) is disposed on the longitudinal axis (that is, the x axis) of the cleaning substrate. The slit (41) extends from the trailing edge to at least the center of the cleaning substrate, preferably from about 50% to about 98% of the length of the cleaning substrate, more preferably from about 70% of the length of the cleaning substrate. It extends about 90%, more preferably about 70% to about 80%.

  The xy dimensional cross section of the pocket (30) preferably has at least one axis of symmetry, more preferably only one axis of symmetry. One axis of symmetry is located on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20). The pocket (30) preferably has a shape selected from the group consisting of approximately triangular, approximately semi-elliptical, semi-eye shaped, approximately trapezoidal, approximately square, or combinations thereof. However, the pocket may also have a more complex shape. In preferred embodiments, the pocket (30) is generally triangular, generally semi-elliptical, or semi-eye shaped. In a highly preferred embodiment, the pocket (30) has a tip disposed on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20). The latter is particularly beneficial because it allows cleaning at corners. It also provides a better fit when used with a cleaning implement with a mop head having at least one side triangular, eye-shaped, or any other shape with a tip.

  The nonwoven layer forming the pocket (30) may be provided with one or more holes, loops, tabs, extensions, or combinations thereof to assist the user in attaching the wipe to the cleaning implement. . Alternatively, the pocket may be folded at the edge of the opening. These mechanisms allow the user to lift the nonwoven layer and enlarge the opening (40), thus making it easier to insert the mop head of the cleaning implement. This is particularly beneficial when the opening (40) is too small due to the nonwoven layer being pressed against the top surface of the cleaning substrate (20) for some reason.

  While the pocket (30) is preferably formed as described above, the pocket (30) also folds two corners on either side of the longitudinal axis of the rectangular cleaning substrate (20) and folds them together with Velcro ( Joined by any means known in the art, such as Velcro®, adhesive tape, ties, clips, clamps, pins, etc., or any of the coupling mechanisms previously described herein. May be formed.

  The pocket may further comprise a stretchable nonwoven material. By stretchable nonwoven fabric is meant a nonwoven material that can extend more than 10% from its unrelaxed state. Thus, when the cleaning pad is attached to the mop head, the cleaning pad can be better and more firmly adapted to the mop head.

(Additional attachment means)
The wipe according to the invention may further comprise one or more additional attachment means, preferably different from the attachment means described above.

  Suitable attachment means for attaching the wipe of the present invention to a cleaning implement include, but are not limited to, one or more protrusions (one or more pins on the mop head) in the wipe. ), Hook or loop fasteners, adhesives, straps, or any other suitable attachment means known in the art, or any combination thereof. This also includes attachment means, such as a press stud system, in which part of the attachment means is arranged on the wipe and a corresponding part of the attachment means is arranged on the mop head of the cleaning implement.

  These one or more additional attachment means may be located at the front edge (21) of the wipe to further improve attachment of the pocket (30) to the cleaning implement. They may also be arranged on the side edges (22, 23) or in the rear part. The latter is particularly preferred because the cleaning instrument mop head is inserted into the pocket (30) and then the wipe is removably attached to the instrument before the cleaning wipe (10) is pulled and tightened. . In this way, the wipes better conform to the shape of the mop head.

  In a highly preferred embodiment, the wipe of the present invention comprises a cleaning substrate (20), wherein the additional attachment means is an attachment layer that connects the wipe to the instrument mop head. In embodiments where the absorbent layer (50) is not suitable for attaching a wipe to the instrument mop head, an attachment layer is required. The attachment layer can also serve as a means for reducing or preventing fluid flow through the top surface of the cleaning wipe (10) and can further enhance the integrity of the wipe. As with the absorbent layer (50), the attachment layer may consist of a single layer or a multilayer structure as long as it meets the above requirements. It is preferred to use a laminated structure including, for example, a meltblown film and a fibrous nonwoven structure. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment layer is spunbonded polypropylene.

  The combination of the pocket (30) and the attachment layer is a cleaning wipe after the mop head is inserted into the pocket (30) when used with a cleaning implement having a mop head having one or more slit structures. In particular that the article (10) can be pulled and fixed, and then the cleaning wipe (10) can be removably fixed by pushing the mounting layer into the slit structure at the trailing edge (24) of the wipe. It is beneficial.

  As mentioned above, the one or more additional attachment means are preferably different from the pockets. This means that a wiping article in which two pockets are formed on the same surface of the cleaning substrate (20) (ie, one in the front part and one in the rear part) can be cleaned without breaking the pockets. This is because it is difficult or even impossible to attach to the mop head of the user, resulting in a decrease in user convenience. Only when used in conjunction with a cleaning instrument having a large deformable mop head, a wipe having two pockets on the same surface of the cleaning substrate (20) can be attached to the mop head. However, if a stretch nonwoven material is used, the two pockets can be designed to function with a less deformable mop head or a tool with a harder mop head. However, to achieve this purpose, only one pocket containing a stretchable nonwoven fabric is required. By stretchable nonwoven fabric is meant a nonwoven material that can extend more than 10% from its unrelaxed state. Alternatively, the wipe may have a pocket formed in the front portion on one surface (eg, the upper surface) and another pocket formed in the rear portion on the other surface (eg, the lower surface). You may design it. In that case, at least one of those pockets should contain a stretchable nonwoven, and preferably the pockets formed in the rear portion should contain a stretchable nonwoven. As such, the mop head of the cleaning implement can be inserted into the pocket at the front portion, and then the pocket at the rear portion can be folded over and placed over the mop head.

  Also, the material forming the pocket (30) may be provided with one or more slits, in which case the slits correspond to the protrusions on the mop head, providing a good fit, Can be maintained in position.

(Optional mechanism for cleaning wipes)
The cleaning wipe (10) according to the present invention may further include one or more additional features that are useful in performing certain cleaning operations.

  One such mechanism is a scrubbing strip that is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20). The rubbing strip may be permanently attached to the lower layer, or may be a removable adhesive rubbing strip, or may be attached using Velcro®. . The rubbing strip may cover the entire lower surface, but it is preferred that it does not cover the entire lower surface. In a preferred embodiment, the rubbing strip is placed in the front portion of the wipe, is semi-elliptical, and is the same size or smaller than the front portion of the wipe. Also, a series of small rubbing strips may be provided at the front portion of the wipe or spread across the entire lower surface of the wipe. The rubbing strip is particularly useful for removing grout and limescale on the hard surface of the bathroom. The rubbing strip necessarily includes abrasive material to remove stubborn dirt. Suitable materials include materials often used in the manufacture of polishing pads, usually polymers or polymer blends that may be accompanied by specific abrasives. Examples of suitable polymers include thermoplastic polymers such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyester (eg, polyethylene terephthalate), nylon, polystyrene, and blends and copolymers thereof.

  An alternative to using the material found in typical polishing pads is to use a brush with bristles to achieve rubbing. Such bristles are usually composed of a polymer or polymer blend that may be accompanied by an abrasive. In the brush situation, nylon bristles are again preferred for reasons of hardness, stiffness and / or durability. A preferred nylon bristles is commercially available from 3M under the trade name Tynex® 612 nylon.

  Another approach is to use a netting or scrim material to form the rubbing strip. Again, the mesh or scrim is usually composed of a polymer or polymer blend, optionally with an abrasive. The mesh or scrim is usually wrapped around the secondary structure to provide some bulk. Examples of the shape of the holes in the mesh include, but are not limited to, various shapes such as a square, a square, a rhombus, a hexagon, or a mixture thereof. Usually, the smaller the area created by the mesh holes, the greater the rubbing ability. This is mainly due to the fact that there are many points where the scrim material intersects and these intersecting points will come into contact with the floor. An alternative method for wrapping the mesh or scrim is to apply the melt extruded polymer directly onto a secondary structure such as a nonwoven fabric. When cured, the polymer produces the best material that is stiffer than the secondary nonwoven, which then provides the rubbing ability.

  Other suitable materials include those that are textured by a discontinuous pattern printed or formed on a substrate. In this embodiment, the durable material (e.g., synthetic material) is not limited to, but is limited to individual dots and / or lines and / or nodules and / or stripes and / or Or it can be printed on the substrate in a continuous or discontinuous pattern, such as a cross and / or letters or any possible shape. Similarly, a continuous or discontinuous pattern can be printed on the release paper and moved onto the cleaning substrate (20), which now serves as a rubbing strip. These patterns can be repetitive or random. Examples of these durable materials include inorganic materials such as calcium carbonate and sodium silicate particles, and organic polymers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides (eg, various nylons), and mixtures thereof. Is mentioned. In a preferred embodiment, the wipe has on one side an abrasive surface with a texture formed from abrasive nodules and / or stripes applied thereon, The abrasive has a hardness of about 40 to about 100 Shore D units using a Bareiss HHP 2000 Shore Hardness tester. The abrasive can cover from about 5% to about 50% of the outer surface area of the side of the wipe where it is placed. Other uses of abrasive textures that can be incorporated on the wipes of the present invention are disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,833,003, European Patent No. 0946119, and International Patent Publication No. WO 02/090983.

  Yet another alternative is to include an abrasive or coarse particulate material in the rubbing strip. Suitable particulate materials include coarse inks available from Polytex®. Yet another alternative is to construct the rubbing strip from Velcro® loops or hooks.

The rubbing strip may be a single layer or a multilayer structure. A preferred rubbing layer takes the form of a film material provided it has the necessary bending stiffness to withstand repeated rubbing operations. Suitable film materials generally have a thickness of at least 50.8 μm (2 mils) and a bending stiffness measured using a Kawabata bending tester of at least 0.10 gcm ² / cm.

  Preferred film materials are permeable to liquids, particularly those containing dirt, but are non-absorbent and have a low tendency to reverse the liquid in its structure to rewet the surface being cleaned. Thus, the surface of the film tends to remain dry during the cleaning operation, thereby reducing filming and streaking of the surface being cleaned and making the surface nearly dry. Can be wiped off. Preferably, the film material includes a plurality of protrusions that extend outwardly from the film surface away from the main portion of the cleaning substrate. Alternatively or additionally, the film may include a plurality of holes. The protrusions and / or holes formed in the aforementioned film material may be of various shapes and / or sizes.

  The cleaning wiping article (10) may include a rubbing layer that spreads on the lower surface of the mop head when attached to the mop head of the cleaning implement. The lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20) may take the form of a rubbing layer. Usually, the rubbing layer is on the outermost side of the cleaning substrate and therefore contacts the surface to be cleaned during the normal course of the cleaning operation. In this case, the rubbing layer must necessarily be less wearable than the rubbing strip so as not to damage the surface being cleaned.

  The rubbing layer may be a single layer or a multilayer structure. A wide range of materials are suitable for use in the rubbing layer and are disclosed, for example, in WO-A-0027271. Specifically, the rubbing layer comprises a woven fabric and a nonwoven fabric material; a polymer material such as a perforated molded thermoplastic film, a perforated plastic film, and a hydroformed thermoplastic film; a porous foam; a reticulated foam; Reticulated thermoplastic films; as well as thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven and non-woven materials include natural fibers (eg, wood or cotton fibers), polyolefins (eg, polyethylene, especially high density polyethylene, and polypropylene), polyesters (eg, polyethylene terephthalate), polyimides (eg, nylon) , And synthetic cellulose (eg, RAYON®), polystyrene, and synthetic fibers such as blends and copolymers thereof, and combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. Such synthetic fibers can be produced by known methods such as curd, spunbond, meltblown, airlaid, needle punch and the like.

  The rubbing layer may at least partially comprise a perforated molded film. Perforated molded films, including dissolved particulate matter and undissolved particulate matter, are permeable to aqueous cleaning liquids that contain dirt, but are non-absorbent and are cleaned by reversing the liquid in them. A perforated molded film is preferred for the liquid permeable rubbing layer because of its low tendency to rewet the surface. Thus, the surface of the molded film that contacts the surface being cleaned remains dry, thereby reducing filming and streaking of the surface being cleaned and making the surface nearly dry. Can be wiped off.

  Perforated film with tapered or funnel holes (meaning that the diameter at the bottom of the hole is larger than the diameter at the top of the hole) actually moves the cleaning substrate over the surface being cleaned When showing the suction effect. This is useful as the liquid moves from the surface being cleaned to other layers of the cleaning substrate, such as the absorbent layer (50). In addition, the tapered holes or funnel holes revert to the surface where the liquid is being cleaned through the rubbing layer after the liquid has moved to another layer, such as the absorbent layer (50). The tendency to stop is stronger. Therefore, a perforated molded film having tapered holes or funnel-shaped holes is preferred. Suitable perforated molded films are described in US Pat. No. 3,929,135, entitled “Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries” (Thompson, issued Dec. 30, 1975). U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,246, entitled “Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet” (Mullane et al., Issued April 13, 1982) US Pat. No. 4,342,314, entitled “Resilient Plastic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties” (Radel et al., Issued August 3, 1982); US Patent No. 4,463,045, the name “macroscopically stretched three-dimensional plastic web showing a matte visible surface and a cloth-like feel” lly Expanded Three-Dimensional Plastic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impression ”(Ahr et al., issued July 31, 1984); and US Pat. No. 5,006,394, entitled“ Multilayer Polymeric Film ”(Baird, issued April 9, 1991). A preferred liquid permeable rubbing layer for the present invention is DRI-WEAVE® from The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as described in one or more of the above patents. It is a perforated molded film sold on sanitary napkins.

  A hydrophilic, perforated molded film can be used as a liquid permeable rubbing layer for a cleaning substrate, but in hard surface cleaning situations there is a tendency to revert the liquid back to the surface being cleaned through the rubbing layer. Since it is small, a hydrophobic perforated molded film is preferred. This results in improved cleaning performance in terms of filming and streaking, less residual fouling, and rapid drying time of the surface being cleaned, all of which are very important for hard surface cleaning. This is an important aspect. Therefore, the liquid-permeable rubbing layer of the cleaning substrate here is preferably at least partially a hydrophobic perforated molded film. It is also recognized that the rubbing layer can be composed of two or more materials.

  In a preferred embodiment, the liquid permeable rubbing layer is a macroscopically stretched three-dimensional plastic web, preferably having protrusions or surface aberrations, on the underside of the rubbing layer that contacts the hard surface being cleaned in use. It is.

  As used herein, the term “macrostretched” when used to describe three-dimensional plastic webs, ribbons, and films, has a three-dimensional pattern of three-dimensional molded structures on both sides. Refers to webs, ribbons, and films that are conformal to the surface of the forming structure, such that the pattern has a vertical distance of about 30 cm (about 30 cm) between the observer eye and the plane of the web. 12 inches) can be easily seen with the naked eye. Such macroscopically stretched webs, ribbons, and films are usually embossed, that is, by embossing when the shaped structure exhibits a pattern composed primarily of male projections, or debossing. ), I.e. by debossing when the forming structure exhibits a pattern composed mainly of a female capillary network, or by extruding the resin melt directly onto the surface of any kind of forming structure. Conformal with the surface of the structure. For the purposes of contrast, the term “planar” as used herein to describe plastic webs, ribbons, and films refers to the web, ribbon, or film as viewed on a macroscopic scale by the naked eye. Refers to the overall state. In this situation, “planar” webs, ribbons, and films can include webs, ribbons, and films that have fine scale surface aberrations on one or both sides, where the surface aberrations are When the vertical distance between the eye and the plane of the web is about 30 cm (about 12 inches) or more, it cannot be easily seen with the naked eye.

  Surface aberrations are produced on plastic webs by photoetching methods well known in the art. A detailed description of such a web and the process of manufacturing it is described in US Pat. No. 4,463,045 (Ahr et al., Issued July 31, 1984, The Procter). & Gamble Company), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Ahr et al. Disclose a macroscopically stretched three-dimensional web with surface aberrations used as a topsheet in diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence devices and the like. A web with surface aberrations gives the web a matte appearance and improves the feel of the web by making it more cloth-like for the wearer, such as a diaper or sanitary napkin. ) Prefer webs with surface aberrations. However, in the situation of hard surface cleaning, the appearance and feel of the cleaning substrate is not very important. A liquid permeable rubbing layer comprising a macroscopically stretched three-dimensional web having surface aberrations provides improved performance of the rubbing layer. Surface aberrations result in a highly abrasive surface that correlates with better cleaning performance. Surface aberrations, when combined with tapered or funnel holes, provide improved cleaning, absorption, and rewet characteristics of the cleaning substrate. Thus, the liquid permeable rubbing layer preferably comprises a perforated molded film comprising a macroscopically stretched three-dimensional plastic web having tapered or funnel shaped holes and / or surface aberrations. A three-dimensional rubbing layer is particularly preferred to improve the ability of the cleaning substrate to collect particulate matter.

  Another mechanism useful in the wipes according to the present invention is a hydrophilic strip provided on the underside of the wipe to help spread the cleaning composition on the surface. Such hydrophilic strips also increase the friction between the wipe and the surface to be cleaned, thereby providing some rubbing properties.

  It will be appreciated that any rubbing material can be formed by combining one or more of the aforementioned techniques to provide the desired texture. The z-direction height and open area of the rubbing substrate layer helps to control and / or prevent liquid flow into the absorbent core material (if present). The z-height of the rubbing substrate layer serves to provide a means to control the volume of liquid in contact with the cleaning surface while simultaneously controlling the rate of liquid absorption or fluid communication to the absorbent core material.

  Also, the cleaning wipe 10 may be printed to improve the aesthetic value or branding of the wipe, or to improve the user convenience of the wipe. Printing means that a specific color can be printed on the wiping article in whole or in part, or a logo, drawing, or character string (for example, instruction manual) can be printed. Further, it may be printed only on the pocket (30), or may be printed only on the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), or may be printed on both. When both the pocket (30) and the top surface of the cleaning substrate (20) are printed, it is preferred that they are printed in different colors. Especially when the pocket (30) is printed, it is preferred that the pocket is printed in a different color than the other parts of the wipe to improve user convenience. Alternatively, colored nonwovens may be used (ie, the fibers are made into a nonwoven material after being colored, or the nonwoven spunbond or molded film is made after being colored into a resin, or the nonwoven The nonwoven fabric is dyed after the formation of).

(Types of wipes for non-woven fabric cleaning)
The first type of wipe according to the present invention is an absorbent cleaning wipe (10) for wet cleaning. These wipes are specifically designed for floor or other hard surface cleaning and will be used in conjunction with an aqueous cleaning composition suitable for floor cleaning. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable absorbent cleaning wipe (10) comprises a multilayer cleaning substrate (20) comprising an absorbent layer (50), an optional rubbing layer, and an optional attachment layer. including.

  The absorbent layer (50) is an essential component that serves to retain fluid and dirt absorbed by the cleaning wipe (10) during use. The absorbent layer (50) also preferably holds the absorbed material under normal use pressure to avoid “squeeze-out” the absorbed dirt, cleaning solution, etc. Should be possible. In order to achieve the desired total fluid absorption capacity, it is preferred to include in the absorbent layer (50) a material having a relatively high absorption capacity (with respect to g of fluid per gram of absorbent material). Accordingly, in another preferred embodiment, the absorbent cleaning wipe (10) comprises a superabsorbent material as described above. Since most of the cleaning fluid useful in the wipes of the present invention is predominantly water, it is preferred that the superabsorbent material has a relatively high g / g absorbency for water or water-based fluids. Accordingly, the absorbent cleaning wipe (10) (especially containing a superabsorbent material) effectively removes water or water-based solutions from the surface, and is used in conjunction with an aqueous cleaning composition. Have a synergistic effect when done. The superabsorbent polymer also helps maintain the side of the wipe that contacts the soiled surface in the absence of water, and absorbs water or aqueous chemicals in the absorbent disposable cleaning wipe (10). It is beneficial to use in conjunction with an aqueous cleaning composition as it greatly improves the force. In addition, the superabsorbent polymer ensures that the solution removed from the wipe remains confined within the wipe, and therefore all other cleaning systems (i.e., without superabsorbent polymer, Compared to conventional cleaning systems, wet type wipes, and disposable absorbent wipes), the drying time is greatly improved.

  An optional but preferred rubbing layer is the portion of the cleaning wipe (10) that contacts the soiled surface during cleaning, i.e., the lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20). Therefore, a material useful as a rubbing layer must be sufficiently durable so that the layer maintains its integrity during the cleaning process. In addition, when the cleaning wipe (10) is used in conjunction with a solution, the rubbing layer can absorb liquids and dirt and can release those liquids and dirt to the absorbent layer (50). There must be. This ensures that the rubbing layer can continuously remove further material from the surface being cleaned. Whether the instrument is used with a cleaning solution (ie, in a wet state) or without a cleaning solution (ie, in a dry state), the rubbing layer can be cleaned in addition to removing particulate matter. Facilitates other functions such as surface polishing, dusting, and buffing. The rubbing layer can be a single layer or a multi-layer structure, in which one or more layers may be slit to facilitate rubbing the dirty surface and uptake of particulate matter. This rubbing layer interacts with dirt (and cleaning solution when used) as it passes over dirty surfaces, making it easy to remove stubborn dirt, emulsify them, and absorb them by wipes Move freely to layer (50). The rubbing layer preferably has an opening (40) (eg, for example) that provides a loose path through which larger particulate soil can move freely and become trapped within the absorbent layer (50) of the wipe. Slit). A low density structure is preferred for use as a rubbing layer to facilitate transport of particulate matter to the absorbent layer (50) of the wipe. Particularly suitable materials for the rubbing layer to provide the desired integrity include polyolefins (eg, polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, synthetic cellulose (eg, Rayon®), and the like Synthetic materials such as blends of Such synthetic materials may be manufactured using known methods such as curd, spunbond, meltblown, airlaid, needle punch and the like. Alternatively, rubbing strips, scrims, or any other material that provides rubbing properties as described above may be used.

  The optional but preferred attachment layer described above allows the wipe to be connected to the mop head of the instrument.

  These disposable wipes not only make it easier to remove dirt, but are advantageous in that they absorb more dirty solution than conventional cleaning tools or wet-type wipes. As a result, the residue remaining on the surface is reduced and drying is faster. The wipe can be used as an independent product, but is preferably used in conjunction with an instrument with a mop head, especially for cleaning floor surfaces.

  A second type of wipe according to the present invention is a wet-type wipe. The cleaning substrate (20) is pre-moistened with a hard surface cleaning composition suitable for cleaning hard surfaces such as floors, bathtubs, walls and cars. The substrate herein can be formed from any series of fibers known in the art, natural or synthetic. Examples of useful and suitable fiber types include pulp, Tencel® rayon, Lenzing AG Rayon®, micro-denier Rayon® And Lyocell®, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and mixtures thereof. The fibers can be made by methods known in the art, such as airlaid, wet laying, meltblown, spunbond, curd, spunlace, needle punching, thru-air processing. The nonwoven substrate can be a single-layer wipe, but is more preferably composed of multiple layers joined to form a laminate.

If the nonwoven is a single layer substrate, it may be hydrophilic fibers (pulp, Rayon (R), and Lyocell (R), and cellulose or cellulose-derived fibers, including mixtures thereof ) And hydrophobic fibers (synthetic fibers including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and mixtures thereof) from about 1: 5 to about 10: 1, more preferably from about 1: 3 to about 5: 1, more preferably from about 1: 2 to about 3: 1, most preferably from about 1: 1 to about 3: 1. The surface of the wipe facing the surface is optionally textured or macroscopically three-dimensional. The single-layer wipes preferably have a basis weight of about 35 g per square meter (gm ⁻² ) to about 200 gm ⁻² , more preferably about 40 gm ⁻² to about 150 gm ⁻² , and most preferably about 45 gm ⁻² to 110 gm ⁻² . The load factor, ie, the level of solution added to the dry nonwoven substrate on a g / g basis, is preferably about 2: 1 to about 7: 1, more preferably about 2.5: 1 to about 6: 1, most preferably from about 3: 1 to about 5: 1.

  The selection of the chemical composition of the substrate depends on the desired solution release characteristics from the wet type wipe. Hydrophilic fibers absorb more solution than hydrophobic fibers at a given basis weight and load factor, which results in low solution release properties to the floor. Less release of the aqueous cleaning composition may be advantageous because it limits surface wetting and aids drying. Reduction of surface wetting can also be achieved by controlling the load factor. Eventually, the wetness on the surface can be controlled by carefully manipulating the parameters of the nonwoven substrate in the development of wet-type wipes that contain a hard surface cleaning composition, which can be achieved with conventional instruments ( Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it provides advantages over aqueous cleaning solutions supplied by sponges, cellulose strips, etc.). Such advantages can be enhanced when the selected nonwoven substrate is a laminate of materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the wet type wipe is multi-layered and has an absorbent layer that acts as a liquid reservoir, and optionally, preferably an outer rubbing layer or buff layer, and optionally a protective layer. It includes a back layer (optionally serving as a mounting layer) and optionally a cleaning layer comprising padding as described above. The dried laminated wipes have a load factor of about 2: 1 to about 10: 1, more preferably about 3: 1 to about 8: 1, more preferably about 4: 1 to about 7: 1, and most preferably about 4 : 1 to about 6: 1 wetted by the hard surface cleaning composition. Outside the rubbing layer or buff layer, a basis weight of about 15 gm ^-2 ~ about 100 gm ^-2, more preferably from about 20 gm ^-2 ~ about 80 gm ^-2, and most preferably nonwoven fabric base of 25 gm ^-2 ~ about 75 gm ^-2 It is a material. The outer layer preferably has a macroscopic three-dimensional structure, which includes an optional scrim material. The outer rubbing layer optionally comprises about 0% to 50% by weight hydrophilic fibers and about 50% to about 100% hydrophobic fibers. Inner absorbent layer is preferably a basis weight of about 60 gm ^-2 ~ about 300 gm ^-2, more preferably from about 80 gm ^-2 ~ about 200 gm ^-2, and most preferably from about 90 gm ^-2 ~ about 160gm ^-2. Preferably, it is about 70% to about 90% wood pulp fiber or other cellulosic material, and / or about 1% to about 30% binder, and / or about 1% to about 30% bicomponent fiber. Consists of The fibers of the inner absorbent layer can be any denier and can have any fiber density. In particular, if the inner absorbent layer is airlaid, the fiber density can be fine tuned, thereby controlling the amount of aqueous cleaning composition present in the inner absorbent layer. By manipulating the fiber density in the inner absorbent layer, the chemical composition and processing of the material, and the basis weight of the outer rubbing layer or buff layer, one skilled in the art can control the wetting effected on the surface by the moping operation. can do. The inner absorbent layer optionally comprises a spunlace nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of less than 100 gm ^-2 and containing from about 50% to about 90% cellulose material and from about 10% to about 50% synthetic material. It may be. The optional back layer is preferably a thermoplastic spunbond nonwoven material that serves as a semi-permeable layer. It also has a low basis weight (preferably less than about 50 gm ^-2 ), which can serve as an impervious film to prevent loss of solution from the inner absorbent layer or as a mounting layer to the mop head It can also be a polyethylene or polypropylene sheet.

  The wet type wiping article can be impregnated with a known hard surface cleaning composition. The hard surface cleaning composition is usually a water-based solution containing one or more of a surfactant, a solvent, a builder, a chelating agent, a polymer, an antifoaming agent, an enzyme, and the like. Suitable surfactants include anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, and cationic surfactants. Examples of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, and the like. Examples of nonionic surfactants include alkyl ethoxylates, alkylphenol-ethoxylates, alkyl polyglucosides, alkyl glucamines, sorbitan esters and the like. Examples of bipolar surfactants include betaine and sulfobetaine. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include materials derived using imidazole chemicals such as alkylampho glycinates and alkyliminopropionates. Examples of cationic surfactants include mono-, di-, and tri-alkyl ammonium surfactants. All of the above substances are commercially available, and Makachchan Volume 1: Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Ed., McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Company (MC Publishing Co.) (1995).

Suitable solvents include short chains of oxyethylene glycol and oxypropylene glycol, such as mono- and di-ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether, mono-, di-, and tri-propylene glycol n-butyl ether (eg, C _1- C ₆ ) derivatives. Suitable builders include those derived from phosphorus sources such as orthophosphate and pyrophosphate, and non-phosphorus sources such as nitrilotriacetic acid and S, S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid. Suitable chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and citric acid. Suitable polymers include anionic, cationic, dipolar, and nonionic polymers. Suitable foam inhibitors, silicone polymers, and include C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ fatty acids or alcohols straight or branched chain. Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, amylases, and other enzymes known to be useful for catalyzing soil degradation.

Cleaning solutions suitable for use with pre-moistened wipes is about 0.05% to C ₁₀ alkyl polyglycoside, about 0.01% of ethoxylated castor oil, about 0.02% of the high molecular weight modified polyethylene imine, About 1% propylene glycol n-butyl, and any adjuncts such as preservatives and / or fragrances; and about 99% to about 90% deionized or soft water.

  A third type of wipe according to the invention is a cleaning wipe (10) impregnated with a cleaning composition that needs to be activated with water. The wipe includes a cleaning substrate (20) and optionally a rubbing substrate. The cleaning substrate (20) provides a softer surface as compared to the relatively abrasive abrasive substrate. These types of wipes can be wet, but preferably have a dry hand. “Dry-to-the-touch” means an amount of water or other solvent in which the wipe is wet or wet like the wet wipe or wet-type wipe. The substrate is impregnated (ie, soaked) in a liquid, generally a low viscosity composition.

The cleaning substrate is an absorbent layer as described above, which acts as a liquid reservoir for extending cleaning; and optionally, a protective back layer (acting as an optional attachment layer); , Preferably for the purpose of foaming at the time of use, and a cleaning layer containing stuffed cotton as described above. The optional back layer is preferably a thermoplastic spunbond nonwoven material that serves as a semi-permeable layer. It also has a low basis weight (preferably less than about 50 gm ^-2 ) polyethylene that can serve as an impervious film to prevent loss of solution from the inner absorbent layer or as a mounting layer to the mop head Or it can also be a polypropylene sheet. The optional rubbing substrate can be any rubbing means as described above, but is preferably a rubbing layer or scrim. The cleaning substrate and the rubbing substrate are preferably attached to each other and, in some cases, reversibly attached to each other. The attachment point can be any point on the surface of the wiping article as long as the rubbing substrate and the cleaning substrate (20) are attached to each other. More preferably, the cleaning substrate and the rubbing substrate are attached to each other around the rubbing substrate and / or the cleaning substrate (20). The substrates are preferably attached to each other using an ultrasonic seal, but using other methods commonly known, such as the use of heat seals, adhesives, sewing, and combinations thereof. Also good.

The cleaning composition is preferably in the form of a concentrated solution, paste or gel. The cleaning composition usually includes one or more of a surfactant, a solvent, a builder, a chelating agent, a polymer, an antifoaming agent, an enzyme and the like as described above. As used herein, a “paste” is a chemical composition containing 0% to about 40% water with a minimum viscosity of 50 Pascal seconds (Pa.s) at a shear rate of 1 s ⁻¹ . Note that the solvent content can exceed about 40%, in which case water can be at most 40% of the composition. In one extreme example, the paste contains only trace amounts of water, more preferably at least about 1% water, more preferably at least about 2% water, most preferably at least about 3% water, It is solid. In another extreme example, the paste has a moisture content as high as about 40%, more preferably about 5% to about 30%, more preferably about 6% to about 25%, and even more preferably about 7%. % To about 20%, most preferably about 7% to about 15% water. The exact moisture content depends on the level of other solvents in the paste and the desired rheological properties of the paste. The viscosity of the paste is generally inversely proportional to the liquid content (at 25 ° C.) in the composition, including water and other solvents. Preferably, the viscosity of the paste, at a shear rate 1.0 s ^-1, at least about 75 Pa. s, more preferably at least about 100 Pa.s. s, most preferably at least about 150 Pa.s. s. Preferably, the viscosity of the paste is at most about 10,000 Pa.s at a shear rate of 1.0 s ⁻¹ . s, more preferably at most about 5000 Pa.s. s, most preferably at most about 1,000 Pa.s. s. The preferred viscosity range depends on the specific components of the paste composition. Any range consisting of the minimum viscosity level and the maximum viscosity level defined above can be used.

  A fourth type of cleaning wipe is a dry dusting wipe. These types of wipes can be formed from a single nonwoven layer, but are preferably a composite of at least two separate layers, preferably joined by hydroentanglement. The wipes optionally include a scrim to improve the integrity of the wipes. The wipe may optionally include low levels of additives that improve soil adhesion. Additives are preferably added to the substrate at a level of 0.01% to 25%, more preferably 1% to 15%, and even more preferably 4% to 8%. Suitable additives include surfactants, oils, waxes, fragrances, adhesives (including pressure sensitive adhesives), or combinations thereof. Examples of dry dusting sheets can be found in US Pat. No. 6,645,604.

(Kit including cleaning wipe (10) and cleaning device)
The cleaning wipe (10) of the present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a cleaning implement, but also by hand (ie, by inserting the hand into the pocket (30) and then wiping the dirty surface). It can also be used. Thus, according to another aspect of the invention,
A cleaning implement (60) with a mop head (61);
A disposable cleaning wipe (10), the cleaning wipe (10) comprising:
A cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven material, the cleaning substrate (20) having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket (30) formed in the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the pocket (30) being about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper surface. A kit is provided, characterized in that it has at least one opening (40).

  The cleaning implement includes a mop head, which may be rigid and non-deformable, partially deformable, or fully deformable. The shape of the mop head, particularly the shape of the lower surface area of the mop head, is preferably any of a circle, an ellipse, an eye, an iron, a triangle, a square, a square, a trapezoid, a pentagon, or a hexagon. In a highly preferred embodiment, the cleaning implement comprises an eye-shaped deformable mop head. The mop head is preferably connected to the handle by a universal joint. The mop head may include one or more attachment means for removably attaching a wipe according to the present invention. Preferably, the attachment means is a single slit structure located adjacent to the trailing edge of the ocular mop head.

  Preferably, one layer of the pad has the same shape as the mop head and is visible to the user while attached to the mop head. The purpose is to provide the user with an easy way to align the mop head to the instrument. This is particularly important in the case of non-rectangular wipes where misplacement of wipes can lead to poor product satisfaction or undesired results. Optionally, this alignment may be effected by bonding the pad into the same shape as the mop head, or using a color or print to indicate the shape. Optionally, this alignment may also be effected by a chemical that can be impregnated in the wipe, particularly when the chemical is a dry paste or gel. Optionally, these alignment methods may utilize either the leading or trailing edge of the mop head to provide alignment. The alignment method can reduce the interaction between the consumer and the wiping product because there is no disruption of the installation and therefore the installation and installation of the mop head is improved.

  A preferred cleaning instrument as shown in FIG. 10 is described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 60 / 499,851 and 60/49985 (both filed September 3, 2003).

In the most preferred embodiment, the kit is
A cleaning implement with a deformable eye-shaped mop head, the mop head having a cleaning wipe (10) disposed on its upper surface, near the trailing edge, Including a slitted structure;
A half-eye front part, a half-eye pocket (30) conforming to the shape of the half-eye front part, a mounting layer, and an eye-shaped absorbent layer (50) conforming to the eye-shaped mop head; Including a cleaning wipe (10).

  This most preferred embodiment provides optimum user convenience, wiping attachment (and wiping removal), and cleaning performance, particularly for curved surface cleaning and corner cleaning. Furthermore, when the mop head is deformable, the force transmitted from the consumer to the mop head and ultimately to the wiping article is small compared to the non-deformable head. The more deformable the head, the less transmitted force and the less labor for cleaning. When using a mop head with a slitted structure at one end, the force at the end of the mop head is even smaller because there is a space cut out for the slitted structure and the end portion can be further deformed Become. Therefore, in order to maximize the cleaning force possible in the case of a deformable mop head, it is possible to provide a structure with a slit on the front edge without providing a structure with a slit on the front edge. It is advantageous when used in combination with. This approach allows for a very simple attachment mechanism while providing the consumer benefit of stronger cleaning at the leading edge. Furthermore, this preferred embodiment provides the benefit of improved hair collecting power due to head deformability.

  Further, the cleaning substrate (20) preferably has a maximum width that is equal to or greater than the sum of the maximum widths of the mop heads and twice the height of the sides of the mop heads. The cleaning substrate (20) preferably has a length that is slightly larger (up to 20mm) than the sum of the maximum lengths of the mop heads and twice the height of the tip of the ocular mop heads. .

(Cleaning method)
As mentioned above, the wipes of the present invention are preferably used for cleaning hard surfaces, both flat and curved surfaces such as floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls, glass, kitchen surfaces, cars, etc. .

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a hard surface, comprising the step of wiping the surface with a disposable cleaning wipe (10), wherein the cleaning wipe (10) comprises:
A cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven material, the cleaning substrate (20) having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket (30) formed in the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the pocket (30) being about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper surface. And a method characterized in that it has at least one opening (40).

(Packaging of cleaning wipes)
The stack of cleaning wipes (10) of the present invention is preferably packaged in a container or flow wrap, both with resealable openings (40). The wipes are stacked so that the pocket (30) is on top when the package is opened. The wipe can be packaged without folding, but is preferably folded, more preferably tri-folded, and most preferably double-folded. The latter is particularly beneficial when the cleaning wipe (10) is a wet type wipe or a dry hand cleaning wipe (10) impregnated with a cleaning composition. By folding these wipes in half, contact between the cleaning composition of one wipe and another wipe is reduced or even prevented. Furthermore, direct contact between the skin and the cleaning composition is prevented, thereby providing hygiene and safety benefits to the consumer.

  The resealable opening is preferably large enough so that the mop head of the cleaning implement, or at least the part of the mop head that fits into the pocket, can be easily inserted into the opening. When needed, the user can lift the nonwoven material forming the pocket and then insert the mop head into the pocket. Thus, the user can conveniently attach the mop head to the cleaning wipe while still in the package. Once the mop head is in the pocket, the user can remove the mop head from the package along with the cleaning wipe and then secure the wipe by any auxiliary attachment means. Therefore, contact with the user's skin is prevented, which is mainly important in the case of wet-type wipes.

  A cleaning wiping article impregnated with the cleaning composition was produced as follows.

First, 70gm- ² 80% polypropylene, 20% Carded Thermal Bond (from BBA Nonwovens, Green Bay, Wisconsin) to 273mm in length and 154mm in width Cut so that This structure is called layer A.

An absorbent layer of 150 gm ^-2 82% pulp, 18% polyethylene / polyethylene terephthalate (PE / PET) two component airlaid core (from Buckeye Absorbent Products, Memphis, TN) Cut into an eye shape 230mm long and 110mm wide. The core is then ultrasonically bonded to a 15 gm ^-2 100% spunbond backsheet (from First Quality Nonwoven, Great Neck, NY). These materials are cut to a length of 273 mm and a width of 154 mm, and so that the tip of the eye shape is 27 mm from the front edge of the wipe and 16 mm from the rear edge of the wipe. The ocular layer should be centered so that it is 19.5 mm on each of the other sides. This structure is referred to as layer B.

  Next, layer A is placed on layer B so that the core is in contact with the Carded Thermal Bond material. Here, this structure is referred to as layer C.

Next, turn over layer C so that the 15 gm ^-2 layer is facing up. Here, this structure is a layer D.

Next, a strip of 34 gm ^-2 of 100% polypropylene spunbond material (from First Quality Nonwoven, Great Neck, NY) is placed on the leading edge of layer E. The material should be 85mm x 154mm. Here, this structure is referred to as layer E.

Next, layer E is bonded using ultrasonic bonding so that the leading edge is formed in a semi-eye shape and the rest of the pad is fully bonded. At this point, 34 gm ^-2 spunbond should cover approximately 25% of the pad.

  Next, the periphery of the joint is cut at the front edge.

Finally, 0.05% to C ₁₀ alkyl polyglycoside, 0.01% ethoxylated castor oil, 0.02% high molecular weight modified polyethyleneimine comprises 1% propylene glycol n- butyl, remainder deionized 30 g of cleaning solution which is water is applied on the pad. This is the final wet type pad.

1 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning wipe having a half-eye pocket. FIG. FIG. 4 is a back view of a preferred cleaning wipe having a half-eye pocket. FIG. 3 is a plan view of another preferred cleaning wipe having a generally triangular pocket. FIG. 6 is a plan view of another preferred cleaning wipe having a pocket with an opening disposed on the longitudinal axis. FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a side view of a preferred cleaning wipe that is continuously joined around. FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a side view of a preferred cleaning wipe that is continuously joined around. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning wipe that is discontinuously joined around. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning wipe having an eye-shaped absorbent layer. The top view of another embodiment of the wiping article for cleaning of this invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative cleaning wipe according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning instrument.

Claims (22)

A disposable wipe for cleaning hard surfaces (10),
A cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven material and having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket (30) formed in the upper or lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the pocket (30) being about 2% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface. Wiping article, characterized in that it covers ~ 90% and has at least one opening (40).   The wiping article (10) of claim 1, wherein the pocket (30) has a pointed tip disposed on the longitudinal axis.   The wipe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pocket (30) is in a shape selected from the group consisting of approximately triangular, approximately semi-elliptical, semi-eye shaped, approximately trapezoidal, approximately square, or combinations thereof. 10).   The wipe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one opening (40) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20).   Wiping article (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one opening (40) is at least partly arranged on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20). ).   The wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket (30) covers from about 5% to about 50% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.   The wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket (30) covers from about 10% to about 30% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.   The wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket (30) covers about 25% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.   The wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wipe includes one or more additional attachment means.   Wiping article (10) according to claim 9, wherein the one or more additional attachment means is an attachment layer.   The wiping article (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cleaning substrate (20) comprises an absorbent layer (50).   Wiping article (10) according to claim 11, wherein the absorbent layer (50) is eye-shaped.   13. The wipe according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the wipe comprises an absorbent layer (50), a mounting layer, and an optional rubbing layer, two or more layers being joined around. The wiping article (10) according to claim 1.   The wipe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the wipe is impregnated with a cleaning composition.   The wipe (10) according to claim 14, wherein the cleaning composition is a concentrated solution, paste or gel. A cleaning implement (60) with a mop head (61);
A kit comprising at least one cleaning wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.   17. Kit according to claim 16, wherein the mop head (61) is eye-shaped and deformable.   18. Kit according to claim 17, wherein the cleaning wipe (10) comprises an ocular absorbent layer (50) conforming to the shape of a mop head.   The cleaning implement (60) includes a single slit structure for holding a cleaning wipe (10) on the top surface of the mop head (61), the slit structure being a trailing edge of the mop head A cleaning wipe (10) comprising a half-eye front part, a half-eye pocket (30) conforming to the shape of the half-eye front part, a mounting layer, and an eye 18. Kit according to claim 17, comprising a shaped mop head (61) and a conformal eye-shaped absorbent layer (50).   A method comprising wiping the surface with a disposable cleaning wipe (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.   A method for attaching a cleaning wipe (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to a cleaning implement (60) having a mop head, wherein the mop head (61) is in a pocket (30). A method comprising the step of inserting. A disposable wipe for cleaning hard surfaces,
The cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven material and having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface, and a lower surface;
At least one attachment means;
The at least one attachment means is a pocket (30) formed in the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the pocket (30) being about 90% to about 100% of the surface area of the upper surface. A wiping article comprising: an opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a slit on the longitudinal axis.

Images