MXPA06006257A - Disposable, nonwoven cleaning wipes, and kits comprising them - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DISPOSABLE CLEANING CLOTHS OF NON-WOVEN FABRIC, AND CASES THAT CONTAIN THEM TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of nonwoven fabric cleaning cloths suitable for use with cleaning implements for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls, glass, kitchen surfaces, automobiles, and the like .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The literature is replete with references to cleaning cloths to clean hard surfaces. Cleaning cloths exist as woven cloths or non-woven fabrics. Cleaning cloths are found in various forms, such as cleaning cloths collecting dust, pre-moistened cloths, or absorbent cleaning cloths for wet cleaning, and they exist as disposable cloths, or reusable cloths. The cleaning cloths described in the industry are usually rectangular in shape. The cleaning work is done by hand cleaning a surface with the cleaning cloth, or by using a cleaning implement on which the cleaning cloth is removably fastened.

During recent years, the use of cleaning cloths together with cleaning implements comprising an elongated handle rotatably connected by means of a universal joint, have become very popular. An example of such an implement is the SWIFFER® cleaning implement. The mop head of these implements usually includes a rigid support plate connected to a handle by means of a universal joint and a "cushion" or "cushion" cushion located at the bottom of the rigid support plate and facing the surface to be cleaned. To clean a surface, a user first attaches a cleaning cloth to the bottom of the cushion cushion and removably attaches the cloth by pushing the edges of the cloth into the grooved structures located on the top of the support plate, and then cleans the surface. The rigid mop head of these cleaning implements is usually rectangular in shape, and thus the rectangular-shaped cloths can be easily and firmly attached to the mop head. The implements that comprise this mop head are normally used to clean flat surfaces. However, there are cleaning implements comprising a mop head of non-rectangular shape. In this case, the rectangular-shaped cloths are more difficult to attach to and be retained by the mop head since they do not fit properly in the mop head. In addition, there are cleaning implements comprising a deformable mop head. These cleaning implements are suitable for cleaning curved surfaces such as bathtubs and sinks. The problem of easily and firmly holding and holding a rectangular cloth is complicated when the mop head is deformable. The means for attaching a cleaning cloth to the mop head of a cleaning implement are well known. As explained above, the mop head can comprise grooved structures (commonly referred to in the industry as "handles") within which the edges of a cloth can be pushed. Other means for securing the cloths to a mop head include hook and loop fasteners (eg, Velero®), clamp devices, projections, clips, adhesives or any combination thereof. At least part of these fastening means are located in the mop head. The fastening means can also be located on the cloth only. For example, in the field of reusable and washable fabrics (ie cloths), there are cloths that include two cavities into which a mop head can be inserted. In this particular case, the mop head comprises two rigid parts that can rotate about a point along an axis to allow a user to insert a rigid mop head in both cavities. Once inserted, the user needs to push the mop head to the floor to form a flat mop head and lock the two portions in the flat position. This closure system may also weaken over time, so that the cloth no longer fits firmly in the mop head, and may slide off the mop head when lifted from a surface. It is not evident to connect these types of cloths to the mop heads comprising a support plate and / or a cushion cushion made in one piece, even when the cushion plate is deformable. In addition, these types of cloths get dirty and lose their cleaning properties over time. In addition, recently the cloths impregnated with a cleaning composition are increasingly popular. When an impregnated cloth is attached to a mop head, it is desired, for hygienic and safety reasons, to reduce contact with a user's skin, and fixing to a mop head is improved. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a nonwoven cloth cleaning cloth that can be attached to a cleaning tool of I practical and hygienic way. Another object of the invention is to provide a nonwoven fabric wiping cloth which can be fastened better and more firmly to a cleaning implement, in particular to implements comprising deformable and / or non-rectangular mop heads, in particular elliptical mop heads in the shape of an eye It is another object of this invention to provide a nonwoven fabric cleaning cloth, which has improved cleaning properties, in particular for cleaning at the corners. It is another object of this invention to provide a nonwoven fabric cleaning cloth, which can be removed in a practical and hygienic manner from a cleaning implement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable cloth for cleaning hard surfaces; The cloth comprises: A cleaning substrate comprising a non-woven fabric material; said cleaning substrate has a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; characterized in that said at least one fastening means is a cavity formed in the upper surface or the lower surface of said cleaning substrate, said cavity covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of said upper surface or lower surface, and It has at least one opening. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case comprising a cleaning implement comprising a mop head; and a disposable cloth to clean hard surfaces; The kit comprises: A cleaning substrate comprising a nonwoven fabric material, said cleaning substrate having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; characterized in that said at least one fastening means is a cavity formed in the upper surface or the lower surface of said cleaning substrate, said cavity covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of said upper surface or lower surface, and It has at least one opening. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a hard surface, comprising the step of cleaning said surface with a disposable cleaning cloth; said wiping cloth comprises: A wiping substrate comprising a non-woven fabric material, said wiping substrate having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; further characterized in that said at least one fastening means is a cavity formed in the upper surface or the lower surface of said cleaning substrate, said cavity covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of said upper surface or lower surface, and has at least one opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning cloth having an eye-shaped cavity. Figure 2 is a view of the bottom of a preferred cleaning cloth having an eye-shaped cavity.

Figure 3 is a top view of another preferred cleaning cloth having a substantially triangular cavity. Figure 4 is a top view of another preferred wiping cloth having a cavity with an opening located in the longitudinal axis. Figures 5a and 5b are a perspective view and a side view of a preferred cleaning cloth, with a continuous connection at the perimeter. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning cloth, with a discontinuous joint at the perimeter. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred wiping cloth, having an absorbent eye-shaped layer. Figure 8 is a top view of another embodiment of the cleaning cloth of the present invention. Figure 9 is a top view of an alternative cleaning cloth of the present invention. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a preferred cleaning implement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions All proportions and percentages are based on weight, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the term "x-y dimension" refers to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the cleaning cloth, or a component thereof. The dimensions x and correspond to the length and width, respectively, of the cleaning cloth or a cloth component. In general, when the cleaning cloth is used in conjunction with a cleaning implement, it will preferably move in a direction parallel to the size x (or length) of the cloth (see Figure 1). As used herein, the term "z-dimension" refers to the dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the cleaning cloth of the present invention, or a component thereof. Therefore, the dimension z corresponds to the thickness of the cleaning cloth or to a component thereof (see Figure 1). As used herein, "longitudinal axis" of the cleaning substrate refers to the axis along the length of the cleaning substrate, i.e. the x-axis. As used herein, the term "layer" refers to a member or component of a cleaning cloth whose main dimension is x-y, ie along its length and width. It should be understood that the term layer is not necessarily limited to individual layers or sheets of material.

Accordingly, a layer may comprise laminates or combinations of various canvases or wefts of the type of material required. Accordingly, the term "layer" includes the terms "layers" and "in layers". For the purposes of the present invention, an "upper" layer of a cleaning cloth is a layer that is relatively farther from the surface being cleaned. The term "lower" layer means, instead, a layer of a cleaning cloth that is relatively closer to the surface being cleaned. As used herein, "upper surface" is the surface that is relatively farther from the surface to be cleaned. When the cleaning substrate is multi-layered, with "upper surface" it refers to the upper surface of the upper layer of the cleaning substrate. The term "lower surface" refers, instead, to the surface that is relatively closer to the surface to be cleaned. Normally, the "bottom surface" contacts the surface that is being cleaned. When the cleaning substrate is multi-layered, with the "lower surface" means the lower surface of the lower layer of the cleaning substrate. As used herein, "shape" means the shape of the cleaning cloth, or parts of the cleaning cloth, in the x-y dimension, that is when viewed from the top. As used herein, "eye shape" means a substantially elliptical shape having pointed ends located on the x axis of the substantially elliptical shape. By "semi-elliptical shape" and "semiojo shape", it refers to the half, or part of a half, of a substantially elliptical shape, or eye shape respectively. Disposable cleaning cloth The disposable cleaning cloth (10) according to the present invention comprises a cleaning substrate (20) for cleaning hard surfaces, and at least one fastening means, suitable for fastening the cloth to a cleaning implement. The cleaning cloth (10) of the present invention is disposable. By the term "disposable" is meant that the cloth is designed to be used in a single cleaning task, or only a small number of cleaning tasks, and then preferably it is discarded. The cleaning substrate (20), and preferably the entire cleaning cloth (10) of the present invention is composed of non-woven fibers or paper. The term nonwoven is defined in accordance with the commonly known definition provided by the "Nonwoven Fabrics Handbook" published by the Association of the Nonwoven Fabric Industry. A paper substrate is defined by EDANA (note 1 of ISO 9092-EN 29092) as a substrate comprising more than 50% by mass of its fibrous content is formed of fibers (excluding chemically digested plant fibers) with a ratio of length to diameter greater than 300, and with greater preference, it also has less than 0.040 g / cm3. For purposes of clarity, the definition of substrates of both non-woven fabric and paper do not include woven fabrics or sponges.

The cleaning substrate 20 is preferably partially or totally permeable to water and to the aqueous cleaning compositions of hard surfaces. The cloth is preferably flexible and even more preferably the cloth is also elastic, which means that once the applied external pressure is removed the cloth regains its original shape. The cleaning substrate 20 can comprise fibers found in nature (modified or unmodified), as well as synthetically produced fibers. Natural fibers include all those that are available in nature without being modified, regenerated or manufactured by man and are generated by plants, animals, insects or byproducts of plants, animals and insects. Examples of suitable unmodified / modified fibers found in nature include cotton, grass esparto, bagasse, hemp, flax, silk, wool, wood pulp, chemically modified wood pulp, jute, ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and combinations of these. As used herein, "synthetic" means that the materials are obtained primarily from various artificial materials or from natural materials that have been further modified. Examples of constraints of synthetic materials useful in the present invention include those selected from the group comprising acetate fibers, acrylic fibers, cellulose ester fibers, modacrylic fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers , rayon fibers and combinations of these. Examples of suitable synthetic materials include acrylics such as acrylon, creslain, and acrylonitrile-based fiber, orlon; cellulose ester fibers such as cellulose acetate, arnel, and accelerate; polyamides such as nylon (e.g., nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 610, and the like); polyesters such as fortrel, kodel, and polyethylene terephthalate fiber, polybutylene terephthalate fiber, dacron; polyolefins such as polypropylene, polyethylene; polyvinyl acetate fibers and combinations of these. These and other suitable fibers and the non-woven fabrics made therefrom are generally described in Riedel, "Nonwoven Bonding Methods and Materials", Nonwoven World (The world of non-woven fabrics). ) (1987); The Encyclopedia Americana (American Encyclopedia), vol. 11, pgs. 147-153, and vol. 26, pgs. 566-581 (1984). Suitable synthetic materials may include fibers of a single solid (i.e. chemically homogeneous) component, multi-constituent fibers (i.e. each fiber is made of more than one type of material) and multi-component fibers (i.e., synthetic fibers comprising two or more types of different filaments that are somehow interwoven to produce a larger fiber), and combinations of these. For example, the bicomponent fibers may have 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 materials listed above or the fibers that themselves comprise a combination of the materials listed above. In any case, in a side-by-side configuration, core-sheath configuration, or a single-component solid configuration, the fibers of the cleaning substrate (20) may exhibit a helical or spiral or shirred configuration, in particular bicomponent fibers. Bicomponent fibers suitable for use in the present invention may include sheath / core fibers having the following polymer combinations: polyethylene / polypropylene, polyethyl vinyl acetate / polypropylene, polyethylene / polyester, polypropylene / polyester, copolyester / polyester, and the like. Similary. The bicomponent thermoplastic fibers especially suitable for use herein are those having a polypropylene or polyester core, and a lower melting point of copolyester, polyethyl vinyl acetate or polyethylene (eg those 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 sheath has a thickness that is uniform, or non-uniform across the cross-sectional area of the bicomponent fiber. Eccentric bicomponent fibers can be practical to offer more resistance to compression in smaller fiber thicknesses. Preferred bicomponent fibers comprise a bicomponent copolyolefin fiber comprising less than about 81% polyethylene terephthalate core and less than about 51% copolyolefin sheath. This preferred bicomponent fiber is commercially available from Hoechst Celanese Corporation, in New Jersey, under the tradename CELBOND® T-255. The quantity of bicomponent fibers will vary, preferably, in accordance with the density of the material in which it is used. Methods for manufacturing non-woven fabrics are well known in the industry. In general, these non-woven fabrics can be manufactured by means of laying in air, laying in water, melt blown, coform, spinning or carding, in which the fibers or filaments are cut first to the desired lengths from of long strands, they are then sent to a stream of water or air, and then deposited in a mesh through which the air or water containing the fibers passes. The resulting layer, despite its method of manufacture or composition, is then subjected to at least one of several types of bonding operations to anchor the individual fibers together to form a self-supporting substrate. In the present invention the nonwoven substrate can be prepared by a variety of processes including, but not limited to, air tangling, hydroentangling, thermal bonding, carding, punching, or any other process known in the industry, and combinations thereof. these processes. However, a non-woven fabric substrate can also be described as a formed thermoplastic film. Preferred nonwoven fabric substrate materials have a basis weight of about 15 gm "2 to about 220 gm" 2, more preferably about 15 gm "2 to about 200 gm" 2, still more preferably about 15 gm "2 to about 110 gm" 2, and most preferably from about 15 gm "2 to about 78 gm" 2. In addition to the fibers used to make the substrate, the substrate may comprise other components or materials added thereto known in the industry, including binders as specified. The term "binder", as used herein, describes any agent used to entangle fibers. These agents include resins for wet strength and resins for dry strength. It is often desirable, in particular for cellulose-based materials, to add chemicals known in the industry as wet strength resins. A general dissertation of the types of resins for wet strength used in the paper industry can be found in the monograph series TAPPI Monograph Series no. 29, "Wet Strength in Paper and Paperboard, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry" (Wet Strength in Paper and Cardboard, Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry) (New York); 1965). In addition to the additives for wet strength, it may also be desirable to include certain additives for dry strength and to control lint, known in the industry as starch binders. Preferred binders used to bond the non-woven fabrics are the polymeric binders, preferably the latex binders, more preferably the water-based latex binders. The binder can be applied to the substrate by any method known in the industry. Suitable methods include spraying, printing (eg, flexographic printing), coating (eg rotogravure coating or flood coating), filling, foaming, impregnation, saturation and further extrusion by means of which the binder is forced through tubes in contact with the substrate while the substrate passes through the tube or combinations of these application techniques.

The cloth of the present invention can be used for example for cleaning hard surfaces with dry cloth, but it is preferably used in combination with a cleaning composition for wet cleaning of hard surfaces, such as floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls , glass, kitchen surfaces, cars and the like. Therefore, the cleaning cloth (10) of the present invention can exist in various forms such as a dry cloth for dust cleaning, a dry absorbent cloth for cleaning (10) for wet cleaning (wherein a cleaning composition is first applied first to the surface, after which the surface is wiped with the cloth), a pre-moistened cloth, or a dry cloth to the touch (10) for wet cleaning comprising a cleaning composition, for example in the form of a solution Concentrate, paste or a gel, which needs to be activated by contact with water. Cleaning substrate The cleaning substrate (20) can be monolayer, but preferably is multilayer. The cleaning substrate (20) has a longitudinal axis (ie the x axis), comprises an upper surface and a lower surface. The cleaning substrate 20 can have various shapes including, but not limited to, rectangular, elliptical, eye shape or even more complex shapes. Preferably, the cleaning substrate (20) has a non-rectangular shape. In a most preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) has a leading edge (21) connected to a trailing edge (24) by means of two longitudinally extending side edges (22, 23), wherein the leading edge (21) ) is curved, rounded, wavy, angular, or combinations thereof, and preferably has a semiojo shape, substantially semi-elliptic shape, substantially rectangular shape, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the leading edge (21) of the cleaning substrate (20) is semiojo shaped with a pointed end located on the longitudinal axis (ie the x-axis) of the cleaning substrate (20). In another highly preferred embodiment, the cleansing substrate (20) is eye-shaped. The cleaning substrate 20 preferably has a length-to-width ratio of from about 3: 1 to about 1.25: 1, more preferably from about 2: 1 to about 1.5: 1. Most preferably, the length-to-width ratio is approximately 1.75: 1. The cleaning substrate (20) is preferably multilayer, and comprises an upper layer and a lower layer. The layers are joined together to form a unitary structure. The layers can be joined in many ways including, but not limited to, adhesive bonding, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like. The layers can be assembled to form a cleaning substrate 20 by hand or by means of a conventional conversion process known in the industry. When the layers are adhesively bonded together, the adhesive is usually selected such that the bond formed by the adhesive is able to maintain its strength in humid environments, in particular when the cleaning cloth (10) becomes saturated with fluid and / or dirt. . The selection of the adhesive is particularly important when two absorbent layers (50) are bonded together, an absorbent layer (50) and a clamping layer are bonded together, or an absorbent layer (50) and a layer are bonded together. of liquid permeable scrubbing. In this context, the adhesive is usually selected such that the adhesive provides a bond with high water resistance, eg with a binding retention of at least about 30%, preferably at least about 50%, and more preferably at least about 70% of the dry bond strength value. The bond strength values can be measured in accordance with a partially modified standard method ASTM D 1876-95 (1995) (Peel strength test), which is described in detail in U.S. Pat. no. 5,969,025 granted on October 19, 1999 to Corzani. The adhesives that can be used in the present invention include vinyl emulsions, including emulsions based on vinyl acetate or other vinyl esters and ranging from homopolymers to copolymers with ethylene and / or acrylic monomers (vinyl acrylics); acrylic emulsions which can be homopolymers or copolymers; a crosslinked adhesive including the adhesives produced by the inclusion of a reactive comonomer (for example a monomer containing a carboxyl, hydroxyl, epoxy, amide, isocyanate, or similar function) which can crosslink the polymers (for example carboxyl groups which react with hydroxyl, epoxy or isocyanate groups) or by reaction with an external crosslinker (for example urea formaldehyde resin, isocyanates, polyols, epoxides, amines and metal salts, especially zinc). The adhesives herein may also include limited amounts of tackifying resins to improve adhesion, such as the addition of hydrogenated rosin ester tackifier to a vinyl acetate / ethylene copolymer latex. Other suitable aqueous adhesive compositions include those described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,969,025 granted on October 19, 1999 to Corzani. When the cleaning substrate (20) is multi-layered, the different layers can also be joined at the perimeter, continuously or discontinuously. This joining at the perimeter may be the only way of joining the different layers together, but preferably it is a way of joining together other joining mechanisms as described in this application. This means that some layers can first be joined intimately using any methods as described above, on which additional layers can then be joined by joining them at the perimeter. In an especially preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) comprises a thick substrate, more preferably a wadding substrate. The wadding is defined in accordance with the TAPPI Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry as a bulky and smooth bundle of fibers. The batt comprises, preferably, synthetic materials as described above. 'Wadding layer' is also referred to herein as a non-woven fabric structure of high thickness, flexibility and low density. By "low density" or thick nonwoven fabric is referred to herein that the layer has a density of about 0.00005 g / cm3 to about 0.1 g / cm3, preferably from about 0.001 g / cm3 to about 0.09 g / cm3 and a thickness of about 0.1 cm to about 5.0 cm to 0.775 g / cm2 (5 g / inch2). In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the batt layer has a thickness of at least about 1 mm, preferably from about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention, the batt layer has a density of about 0.00005 g / cm3 to about 0.1 g / cm3, preferably of about 0.001 g / cm3 to about 0.09 g / cm3. In a preferred embodiment a proportion of the wadding fibers are capable of being heat sealed or ultrasonically bonded. In an especially preferred embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) comprises a combination of single-component or bicomponent fibers. More specifically, it is preferred that the cleaning substrate 20 comprises single component polyester fibers and bicomponent fibers of polyester core and polyethylene sheath. The wadding may also comprise natural fibers. Suitable natural fibers are described above. In addition, the fibers of the wadding can be of different sizes, that is to say the fibers of the wadding can comprise fibers having different average thicknesses. Also, the cross section of the fibers can be round, flat, oval, elliptical or have any other shape.

The cleaning substrate (20) of the present invention preferably comprises an absorbent layer (50). The absorbent layer (50) comprises any material capable of absorbing and retaining the fluid during use. It is preferred that the absorbent layer 50 is interposed between a top layer and a bottom layer. Typically, the absorbent layer (50) comprises nonwoven fibrous material. The absorbent layer may comprise only natural fibers, only synthetic fibers, or any compatible combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The fibers useful herein can be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or a combination of both hydrophilic or hydrophobic fibers. As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" is used to refer to surfaces that are wettable by aqueous fluids deposited thereon. Hydrophilicity and wettability are usually defined in terms of contact angle and surface tension of the liquids and solids involved. This is described in detail in the American Chemical Society publication entitled Contact Angle, Wettability and Adhesion (Adhesion, Permeability and Contact Angle) edited by Robert F. Gould (copyright 1964). It is said that a fiber is wetted by a fluid (ie it is hydrophilic) when the contact angle between the fluid and the surface is less than 90 °, or when the fluid tends to spontaneously disperse throughout the surface, both conditions coexisting normally. On the contrary, a surface is considered to be "hydrophobic" if the contact angle is greater than 90 ° and the fluid does not spontaneously disperse on the surface of the fiber. The particular selection of hydrophilic or hydrophobic fibers will depend on other materials included in the cleaning substrate (20), for example in different absorbent layers. (fifty). That is, the nature of the fibers will be such that the cleaning substrate (20) exhibits the necessary delay and the general absorbency of the fluid. Hydrophilic fibers suitable for use in the present invention include cellulosic fibers, modified cellulosic fibers, rayon, polyester fibers such as hydrophilic nylon (HYDROFIL®). Suitable hydrophilic fibers can also be obtained by means of hydrophobic hydrophilizing fibers such as thermoplastic fibers treated with surfactants or silica derived from, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyacrylics, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and the like. The surface of the hydrophobic fiber can be rendered hydrophilic by treatment with a surfactant, such as a nonionic or anionic surfactant, eg by spraying the fibers with a surfactant, immersing the fiber in a surfactant or including the surfactant as part of the surfactant. melted polymer material when manufacturing the thermoplastic fiber. Once melted and resolidified, the surfactant will tend to remain on the surfaces of the thermoplastic fiber. Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as Brij® 76 manufactured by ICI Americas, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, and various surfactants marketed under the trademark of Pegosperse® by Glyco Chemical, Inc. of Greenwich, Connecticut. Apart from non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants can also be used. These surfactants can be applied to the thermoplastic fibers at levels of for example from about 0.2 to about 1 gram per square centimeter of thermoplastic fiber. Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained from well-known chemical processes such as the Kraft and sulfite processes. It is especially preferred to derive these wood pulp fibers from southern coniferous woods because of their superior absorbency characteristics. These wood pulp fibers can also be obtained from mechanical processes such as crushed wood, mechanical refining processes, thermomechanical, chemomechanical and chemi-thermomechanical. Recycled or secondary wood pulp fibers can also be used, as well as bleached or unbleached wood pulp fibers. Another type of hydrophilic fiber for use in the present invention is chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers. As used herein, the term "chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers" refers to cellulosic fibers that have been stiffened by chemical means to improve the stiffness of the fibers under both dry and aqueous conditions. This medium can include the addition of a stiffening chemical agent which, for example, coats and / or impregnates the fibers. This medium can also include the stiffening of the fibers by altering the chemical structure, for example by crosslinking the polymer chains. When the fibers are used as the absorbent structure (or as a constituent component thereof), the fibers may optionally be combined with a thermoplastic material. Upon melting, at least a portion of this thermoplastic material migrates to the intersections of the fibers, usually due to the capillary gradients between the fibers. These intersections become binding sites for the thermoplastic material. When cooled, the thermoplastic materials at these intersections solidify to form the bonding sites that hold the matrix or fiber web together in each of the respective layers. This can be beneficial to provide additional general integrity to the cleaning cloth (10). Among its various effects, the junction at the intersections of the fibers increases the overall compression modulus and the strength of the resulting thermally bonded member. In the case of chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers, the melting and migration of the thermoplastic material also has the effect of increasing the average pore size of the resulting web while maintaining the density and basis weight of the web as originally formed. This can improve the fluid acquisition properties of the thermally bonded web when initially exposed to the fluid, due to improved fluid permeability, and on subsequent exposure due to the combined ability of the stiffened fibers to retain their rigidity upon wetting and the ability of the thermoplastic material to remain attached at the intersections of the fibers when wet and in wet compression. In summary, the thermally bonded webs of stiffened fibers retain their original total volume, but without opening the volumetric regions formerly occupied by the thermoplastic material in order to increase the average pore size between the fibers.

The thermoplastic materials useful in the present invention can be in any of a variety of forms including particles, fibers or combinations of particles and fibers. Thermoplastic fibers are a particularly preferred form because of their ability to form numerous binding sites between the fibers. Suitable thermoplastic materials can be made of any thermoplastic polymer that can be melted at temperatures that do not extensively damage the fibers comprising the main web or matrix of each layer. Preferably, the melting temperature of this thermoplastic material will be less than about 90 ° C and preferably from about 75 ° C to about 175 ° C. In any case, the melting point of this thermoplastic material should not be lower than the temperature at which the heat-bonded absorbent structures, when used in the cleaning substrate 20, are expected to be stored. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic material is usually not less than about 50 ° C. The thermoplastic materials, and especially the thermoplastic fibers, can be made from a variety of thermoplastic polymers including polyolefins such as polyethylene (for example PULPEX®) and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyethyl vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride , polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics, polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and copolymers of any of the foregoing such as vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate, and the like. Depending on the desired characteristics, suitable thermoplastic materials include hydrophobic fibers that have been made hydrophilic. Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer (monocomponent fibers) or can be made from more than one polymer (for example bicomponent fibers). The polymer comprising the sheath is often fused at a different temperature, typically lower than that of the polymer comprising the core. As a result, these bicomponent fibers provide heat bonding due to melting of the sheath polymer, while retaining the desired strength characteristics of the core polymer. Methods for preparing heat bonded fibrous materials are described in U.S. Pat. no. 5,607,414 (Richards et al.), Issued March 4, 1997; and U.S. Pat. no. 5,549,589 (Horney et al.) Issued August 27, 1996 (see in particular columns 9 to 10). The absorbent layer preferably has a basis weight of about 60 gm "2 to about 300 gm" 2, more preferably about 80 gm "2 to about 200 gm" 2, most preferably about 90 gm "2 to approximately 160 gm "2. Preferably, it is composed of about 70% to about 90% of wood pulp fibers or other cellulosic materials, about 1% to about 30% binders, and about 1% to about 30% bicomponent fibers.

It may be desired to include in the absorbent structure a material having a relatively high capacity (in terms of grams of fluid per gram of absorbent material). As used herein, the term "superabsorbent material" means any absorbent material having a water retention capacity in g / g of at least about 15 g / g, when measured under a restrictive pressure of about 2.0 kPa (0.3 psi). Because most of the cleaning fluids useful in the present invention are aqueous, it is preferred that the superabsorbent materials have a relatively high g / g capacity for water or aqueous fluids. When superabsorbent material is included in the absorbent structure, the absorbent structure will preferably comprise at least about 15%, by weight of the absorbent structure, more preferably at least about 20%, even more preferably at least about 25%, of the superabsorbent material. When the cleaning substrate (20) comprises an absorbent layer, the layer may comprise any of the aforementioned materials. Similarly, when the cleaning substrate (20) comprises an upper layer and a lower layer, they can also comprise any of the aforementioned absorbent materials, or they can be non-absorbent in nature but permeable to the fluid. If the upper and / or lower layer is absorbent, it will usually have lower absorbency than the absorbent layer. The upper layer and the lower layer may comprise separate layer materials, or they may be portions of the same layer material, thus wrapped around the absorbent layer. In addition, the upper layer and the lower layer may each independently comprise a monolayer or multilayer structure, and additional components may be included between the upper and / or lower layer and the absorbent layer. As described below, the cleaning substrate 20 can be pre-wetted with a cleaning composition. In this embodiment, the cleaning substrate (20) preferably comprises a plurality of different fluid receptacles. As used herein, the "various" fluid receptacles are receptacles for containing a fluid, and in particular a liquid cleaning composition, which are separated from each other, simply by the walls of the individual receptacles if the receptacles are adjacent to each other. another, or by means of portions of the cleaning substrate if the receptacles are separated from each other. Typically, the receptacles are formed by adhering or etching along the thickness of the absorbent structure. In the context of a monolayer absorbent structure, this generally refers to the opposite surfaces of the absorbent structure being joined at selected locations. In the context of a multilayer absorbent structure, this generally refers to the fact that the outer layers of the multilayer structure are joined together, preferably by joining those layers together at selected locations. For example, when the absorbent structure comprises an upper layer, a lower layer, and an absorbent layer (50) positioned therebetween, the upper layer is preferably joined to the lower layer at selected points to define different fluid receptacles, with the result that each receptacle will contain a different portion of the absorbent layer. The joint can be obtained by applying heat and / or pressure or ultrasonically. Normally, when the receptacles are formed by the joint through the cleaning substrate (20), the bonding strength will be greater than 30 grams of force, without the use of an adhesive. A virtually unlimited number of shapes and sizes of fluid receptacles can be contemplated. For example, the receptacles may have a selected shape of circles, squares, rectangles, rhombuses, ovals, triangles, hexagons, and combinations thereof. Other forms can also be contemplated. In the latter case, the receptacles may be formed by intersecting, extending lines, preferably between different side edges of the cleaning substrate. For example, the bond lines can form an acute angle with the side edges of the cleaning substrate, or they can extend substantially parallel to these side edges. Preferably, the adjacent fluid receptacles are in fluid communication with each other. This means that the fluid is able to pass between adjacent receptacles. However, the fluid communication must be somewhat limited, to achieve the desired restriction in fluid flow to the lateral edges (22, 23) of the cleaning substrate, to reduce or prevent dripping during coupling to a cleaning implement. Fluid communication can be achieved by providing narrow channels between receptacles, which may result from the process used to form the receptacles, as described in more detail below. These channels will normally have a cross-sectional area in the range of about 0.0645 to 0.3226 cm2 (0.01 to 0.05 inch2), typically from about 0.0968 to 0.2903 cm2 (0.015 to 0.045 inch2). A preferred attachment method for forming the receptacles is described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. no. 10/456288, filed June 6, 2003 (McFall et al.). This method is now described in the context of a cleaning substrate (20) comprising an upper layer, a lower layer and an absorbent layer (50) sandwiched between them, but can be applied to other absorbent structures. In essence, the method comprises localized compression of the cleansing substrate (20), which causes the absorbent material to break and separate (i.e., move away from the pressure point), while the upper layer and the lower layer remain intact. As a result, there is a clear path from the upper layer and the lower layer to join together, and preferably very little (if at all) of the absorbent material that is actually left at the binding sites. Instead, different portions of the absorbent material are enclosed within the resulting fluid receptacles. In this method, the upper layer and the lower layer comprise any material or materials capable of being joined together by means of the application of heat and / or pressure, adhesives or ultrasonics. Suitable materials include non-woven fabric materials as described above, polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with holes, thermoplastic films with or without holes, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams, cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and lightweight thermoplastic fabrics. However, in particular if adhesives or other types of bonding are used, other materials than thermoplastics may be preferred. For example, the upper canvas and the lower canvas, each can comprise a cellulosic material that can be joined to itself by means of hydrogen bonding. The bonding process typically comprises feeding a laminate, for example including a top layer, an absorbent layer (50) and a bottom layer, through at least one pair of cylindrical rolls, at least one of the rolls having a pattern in relief on its surface formed by a plurality of protrusions or pattern elements extending outwardly from the roller surface. The other cylindrical roller serves as an anvil member, and together the pattern roller and the anvil roller define a biased grip point between them. Preferably, the anvil has a smooth surface, however both rollers may have a pattern of relief therein. The pattern roller and the anvil roller are preferably biased together with a load of about 140 MPa (about 20,000 psi) to about 1400 MPa (about 200,000 psi). The pattern roller and the anvil roller are preferably driven in the same direction at different speeds, so that there is a difference in surface velocity between them. The surface velocity difference preferably has a magnitude of from about 2 to about 40% of the roller having the lower surface velocity, more preferably from about 2 to about 20%. The anvil roller preferably operates at a surface speed that is greater than that of the patterned roller. It is also possible, however, that high in-line speeds occur at a differential speed equal to zero. The relief pattern can take a variety of forms, and can be continuous or intermittent, depending on the nature of the fluid receptacles that one wishes to form. If the relief pattern is continuous, the result will be a continuous bond. If the relief pattern is intermittent, the result will be openings, or voids in the joint, which may allow fluid communication between adjacent receptacles as described above. In this case, it can be considered that the joint comprises a plurality of joining sites whose dimensions depend on the size, shape and distance of separation of the protuberances that represent the relief pattern. Preferably, the protrusions, and thus the resulting bonding sites have a dimensional 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 context, the dimensional relationship is defined as the minor axis: major axis. In addition, the spacing, or the distance between adjacent bonding sites, is preferably in the range of about 0.038 to about 0.127 cm (0.015 to 0.05 inch). The protuberances or pattern elements can also take a variety of shapes as well as the resting surfaces (i.e. the exterior surfaces) of the protuberances. The protuberances generally have side walls that are not perpendicular to the surface of the respective cylindrical roller. Preferably, for example, the side walls form an angle greater than 45 ° and less than 90 °, preferably between about 70 ° to 90 °, with the surface of the cylindrical roller. Suitable shapes for resting surfaces include, but are not limited to, oval, circular, rectangular, square and triangular. The resting surfaces can also be of a variety of sizes, thus having an area that varies from approximately 6.4516 mm2 to approximately 19.3548 mm2 (from 0.0001 square inch to 0.003 square inch), resulting in a binding site of virtually the same area. Optionally, before performing the bonding process, the absorbent layer can be split or cut to form the particulate material, in a pattern corresponding to the desired bound pattern. However, it is important that the materials from which the upper layer and the lower layer are selected are such that they remain intact during this optional cutting step. The cutting can be achieved by passing the laminate of the absorbent layer (50), the top layer and the bottom layer through a pair of cylindrical rollers, each of which has a patterned surface thereon, preferably formed by a plurality of ridges and valleys defining a plurality of triangular-shaped teeth. The cylindrical roller subjects the laminate to a mechanical stretching process that applies a force greater than the elastic limit of the absorbent layer (50), but less than that of the upper layer and the lower layer. In this way, the absorbent layer (50) is cut at least partially without cutting the upper canvas or the lower canvas. This joining method (described in U.S. Patent Application No. 10/456288, filed June 6, 2003, McFall et al.) Can also be used to bond the different layers of a cleaning substrate together. Multilayer (20) without creating fluid receptacles. For example, this joining method can be used to join different layers together only at the perimeter of the layers. Another joining method for forming the receptacles comprises ultrasonic welding, 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 joined are arranged on a patterned dish in accordance with the desired receptacles, and compressed, for example using a pressure of approximately 207 kPa (30 psig), while ultrasonically welding the cleaning substrate (20). The selection of the joint area is important to minimize a decrease in absorption performance. As can be expected, the higher the area of attachment, the greater the reduction of substrate absorption and thus the performance of the substrate. Preferably, the total bonding area across the entire cleaning substrate (in the x-y plane) is less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, and most preferably less than 3%. The bond area is measured, for example, using the Auto Cad LT 98 program according to the following method: 1. Draw the pattern. 2. Moving from right to left and from top to bottom in the pattern, find the repetition. 3. Draw a box that includes a repeat in the pattern from top to bottom and from left to right. 4. Count the number of items in the newly drawn box (P-eg 45). 5. Calculate the trace of the elements (eg 0.025 cm x 0.254 cm = 0.006 cm2 (0.010 inch x 0.1 inch = 0.001 square inch)). 6. Multiply the prints by the number of items in the box (eg 0.006 cm2 x 45 = 0.27 cm2 (0.001 inch x 45 = 0.045 inch square)). 7. In the AutoCad LT 98 program, measure the length and width of the box that was previously drawn. 8. Multiply the length by the width [eg. 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm = 13 cm2 (1 inch x 2 inches = 2 square inches)]. 9. Divide the area of the elements by the area of the box [eg. 0.27 cm2 / 13 cm2 = 0.0207 (0.045 square inch / 2 square inches = 0.0225)].

. Multiply that number by 100 to get the percentage of the joint area [eg. 0.0207 x 100 = 2.07% (0.0225 x 100 = 2.25%)]. The depth of the bonding relative to the unbonded area of the cleaning substrate 20 (ie before any bonding) is also important for the consumer's perception of the scrubbing capacity and the actual scrubbing performance. Preferably, the cleaning substrate (20) has a joint depth index (IPU) of 0.15 and preferably less than 0.10, to achieve a good balance between absorption performance, drip and aesthetic considerations. The IPU is calculated by dividing the average gauge of the joint area by the average gauge of the unbonded area, ie before any joint. Normally, the cleaning substrate 20 has an unbonded thickness of at least 2 mm, preferably up to 4 mm. When the cleaning substrate (20) is multi-layered, it is preferred that the absorbent layer (50) have the same shape and size as the other layers present in the cleaning substrate (20). In another more preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer (50) has a size that is smaller than that of the other layers present in the cleaning substrate (20). The shape may be the same as that of the other layers, but preferably it is in a different way, more preferably an eye shape. In the most preferred embodiment, which will be explained later in greater detail, the cloth will be used with, and detachably coupled to, a cleaning implement comprising an eye-shaped mop head. In this embodiment, the absorbent layer (50) has an eye shape, which preferably conforms to the shape of the cushion cushion of the cleaning implement. In embodiments where the cleaning substrate (20) is multi-layered and comprises an absorbent layer, it is preferable first to adhesively bond the absorbent layer to the upper layer, before joining all the layers together. When the absorbent layer (50) is smaller than the other layers, it is preferable to first adhere the absorbent layer (50) to the top layer, and then all the layers, except the absorbent layer (50), are joined at the perimeter continuously or discontinuously. Clamping means The cloth according to the present invention comprises at least one fastening means. This fastening means is a cavity (30) formed in the upper surface, or on the lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20), and has at least one opening (40) into which a cleaning implement, or at least part of a cleaning implement, can be introduced. The cavity (30) is preferably formed by joining a non-woven fabric material to the upper surface or to the lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20). This non-woven fabric material is preferably joined to the cleaning substrate (20), leaving at least one opening (40) between this layer and the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20). This non-woven fabric material can first be attached to the cleaning substrate (20), after which the front portion of the cleaning cloth (10) is cut into a certain shape. Alternatively, the non-woven fabric material can have a predetermined shape, and is then attached at its perimeter to the cleaning substrate (20). A preferred method for joining the non-woven fabric material to the cleaning substrate is the joining method described in U.S. No. 10 / 456,288, filed June 6, 2003 to McFall et al., which was previously described. When the cavity is formed on the upper surface, a mop head of the cleaning implement, or the hand of a user, may inserted inside the cavity. When the cavity is formed on the lower surface, the mop head or hand is first placed on the upper surface, after which the cavity is bent over the mop head or hand. The cavity helps pull the substrate cleaner substrate upward, closer to the bottom surface of the mop head. The cavity also provides directionality for its use. Any non-woven fabric material, or combinations of non-woven fabric materials, as described above, can be used for the cavity. Preferably, the non-woven fabric material is non-absorbent and comprises a greater percentage of a synthetic material than non-synthetic material, and has a high density. Preferably, the nonwoven fabric material comprises from 50% to 100% of a synthetic material, and from 0% to 100% of a non-synthetic material. Most preferably, the non-woven fabric material is a spunbond material, a shaped film, a composite material of any type manufactured by the spunbond-melt-spin bonding process, a film made by melting by blowing, and a fibrous structure of non-woven fabric, or a lightweight fabric. The non-woven fabric material also preferably has some elastic properties so that more than 10% of its relaxed state can be stretched in length. Importantly, the non-woven fabric material must have sufficient strength and durability so that it does not break when worn. The nonwoven fabric material has a basis weight greater than 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 . The density of the nonwoven fabric material is preferably greater than 0.1 g / cm3. It is also contemplated that a gauze or a mesh or polymeric network can be used to form the cavity. The cavity (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), ie the opening (40) is in the dimension y-z. This opening (40) preferably extends to practically the entire width of the cleaning substrate (20). The opening is located away from the leading edge (21), and preferably closer to the center of the cloth, or toward the back portion of the cloth. The cavity (30) may comprise an additional opening (40), parallel to the first opening (40), and located towards the leading edge (21). In another preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the opening (40) is an opening (40) in the y-z dimension located toward, or even at the trailing edge (24) of the cleaning substrate (20), and extending in the dimension x-y in the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20).

In yet another preferred embodiment, the material forming the cavity is attached to the entire perimeter of the cleaning substrate, and the opening is in the x-y dimension, located in the middle of that material. An example of this, as shown in Figure 8, is an eye-shaped cleaning cloth having a cavity with an eye-shaped opening. The cavity (30) covers at least about 2% of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20), but not more than about 90%. When the cavity (30) covers less than 2% of the surface area of the upper or lower layer, the cavity (30) would be too small to be properly held, or retained by the mop head cleaning implement. Thus the cavity (30) covers from about 2% to about 90%, preferably from about 2% to about 85%, more preferably from about 5% to about 50%, even more preferably from about 10% to about 30%, and most preferably from about 20% to about 30%, of the surface area of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20). Most preferably, the cavity (30) covers approximately 25% of the surface area of the surface area of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate (20). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, the cavity covers from about 90% to about 100% of the upper or lower layer of the cleaning substrate, and has an opening in the dimension yz near or over the trailing edge, and further a slit (41) in the nonwoven fabric material that forms the cavity. The slit (41) is located on the longitudinal axis (ie the x-axis) of the cleaning substrate. The slit (41) extends from the trailing edge to at least the center of the scavenger substrate, but preferably from about 50% to about 98% of the length of the scavenger substrate, more preferably from about 70% to about 90% , still more preferably from about 70% to about 80% of the length of the cleaning substrate. A cross section in the x-y dimension of the cavity (30) preferably has at least one axis of symmetry, more preferably only one axis of symmetry. An axis of symmetry is located on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20). The cavity (30) preferably has a shape selected from the group comprising a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially semi-elliptical shape, a half-lozenge shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially rectangular shape, or combinations thereof. However, the cavity can also have more complex shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity (30) has a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially semi-elliptical shape, or a semiojous shape. In a most preferred embodiment, the cavity (30) has a pointed end located on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20). The latter is particularly beneficial, since it allows cleaning at the corners. It also provides a better fit when used with a cleaning implement having a mop head, which has, on at least one side, a triangular shape, an eye shape, or any other shape with a pointed end. To assist the user in attaching the cloth to the cleaning implement, the nonwoven fabric layer forming the cavity (30) may be provided with one or more openings, loops, tabs, extensions, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the cavity can be bent at the edge of the opening. These attributes allow the user to lift the non-woven fabric layer to increase the opening (40), and thus makes it easier to insert the mop head of the cleaning implement. This is particularly beneficial in those cases where the opening (40) has become very small because the layer of non-woven fabric has been pressed, for any reason, to the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20). Although it is preferred to form the cavity (30) as described above, the cavity (30) can also be formed by folding two corners on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of a rectangular cleaning substrate (20), and joining them by any means known in the industry. , such as Velero®, adhesive tape, fasteners, clamps, jaws, pins and the like, or any joining mechanism as described above. The cavity may further comprise an elastic nonwoven fabric material. The elastic nonwoven fabric refers to a nonwoven fabric material that can extend more than 10% from its non-relaxed state. This would allow the wiper cloth to fit better and tighter to a mop head when attached to it.

Additional fastening means The drape according to the present invention may further comprise one or more additional fastening means, preferably different from the fastening means described above. The fastening means suitable for the cloth of the present invention, to be coupled to a cleaning implement are, but are not limited to, one or more projections on the cloth (which would correspond to a pin or pins on the mop head), hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, belts, or any other suitable fastening means known in the industry, or any combination thereof. This also includes a fastening means, from which part of the fastening means is located on the cloth, and a corresponding part of the fastening means is located in the mop head of the cleaning implement, such as snap fastening systems. This one or more additional fastening means can be located on the front edge (21) of the cloth, to further improve the clamping of the cavity (30) to a cleaning implement. They can also be located at the lateral edges (22, 23), or in the posterior portion. In particular, the latter is preferred, since it allows to pull and tighten the cleaning cloth (10) once the mop head of the cleaning implement is inserted in the cavity (30), and then the cloth is removably attached to the implement. In this way, the cloth fits better to the mop head. In a very preferred embodiment, the cloth of the present invention comprises a cleaning substrate (20) wherein the additional fastening means is a fastening layer that allows the cloth to be connected to the mop head of an implement. The clamping layer will be necessary in the embodiments where the absorbent layer (50) is not suitable for attaching the cloth to the mop head of the implement. The clamping layer may also function as a means to reduce or prevent the flow of fluid through the upper surface of the cleaning cloth (10), and may also provide greater integrity to the cloth. Like the absorbent layer (s) (50), the securing layer may consist of a monolayer or multilayer structure, provided that it complies with the aforementioned requirements. It is preferred to use a laminated structure comprising, for example, a film structure manufactured by the meltblowing process and nonwoven fabric fibrous material. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping layer is a polypropylene of thermally bonded filaments. The combination of a cavity (30) and a clamping layer is particularly beneficial in that, when used with a cleaning implement comprising a mop head having one or more grooved structures, the cleaning cloth (10) can be pulled and secured after the mop head has been inserted into the cavity (30), and then clamped detachably by pushing the clamping layer on the trailing edge (24) of the cloth, into the grooved structure (s). As described above, the one or more additional fastening means are preferably different from the cavity. This is because it would be more difficult, or even impossible without breaking the cavity, to hold a cloth with two cavities created on the same surface of the cleaning substrate (20) (ie one in the anterior portion and one in the posterior portion) a a mop head of the cleaning implement, thus reducing user comfort. Only when used in combination with a cleaning implement having a highly deformable mop head, a cloth having two cavities on the same surface of the cleaning substrate (20) can be attached to the mop head. However, using elastic non-woven fabric materials, two cavities could be designed to operate on an implement with a less deformable, or even rigid, mop head. However, only one cavity containing an elastic non-woven fabric material would be required for this purpose. "Elastic nonwoven fabric" refers to a non-woven fabric material that can extend more than 10% from its unstretched state. As an alternative, a cloth can be designed to have a cavity created in the anterior portion on one surface (eg, the upper surface), and another cavity created in the posterior portion of the other surface (eg, the lower surface). Then, at least one of these cavities must contain an elastic nonwoven fabric material, preferably the cavity created in the back portion must contain an elastic nonwoven fabric material. In this way, the mop head of a cleaning implement can be inserted into the cavity in the anterior portion, and then the cavity in the posterior portion can be inverted and bent over the mop head. The material forming the cavity (30) can also be supplied with one or more slits, which can then correspond with projections on a mop head, to allow a better fit, and keep the cloth in its proper place during use. Optional features of the cleaning cloth The cleaning cloth (10) according to the present invention may further comprise one or more additional features, which help to perform certain cleaning tasks. One of these features may be a scrubbing strip that is attached to the lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20). The scrubbing strip can be permanently attached to the bottom layer, or it can be a removable adhesive scouring strip or can be secured using Velero®. The scrubbing strip can cover the entire lower surface but preferably covers less than the entire lower surface. In a preferred embodiment, the scrubbing strip is located in the lower portion of the cloth, and has a semi-elliptical shape, equal to or smaller in size than the lower portion of the cloth. In addition, a series of small scouring strips may be provided in the lower portion of the cloth, or extend over the entire underside of the cloth. The scrubbing strip is particularly useful for removing soap and scale residues from hard surfaces in the bathroom. The scrubbing strip necessarily comprises an abrasive material to remove stubborn stains. Suitable materials include those that are often used to make scrubbing cloths, usually polymers or polymer blends with or without specific abrasives. Examples of suitable polymers include thermoplastic polymers such as polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyesters (eg polyethylene terephthalate), nylon, polystyrene, and mixtures and copolymers thereof. An alternative to the use of materials normally found in scrubbing cloths is to use brushes that contain bristles to achieve scrubbing. In general, these fibers are composed of polymers or mixtures of polymers with or without abrasives. In the context of brushes, nylon bristles are preferred because of their rigidity, hardness and / or durability. A preferred nylon bristle is one that is commercially available from 3M Corp. under the tradename Tynex® 612 nylon. Another method is the use of wire mesh or lightweight materials to form the scrubbing strip. Again, the metal mesh or lightweight fabric is usually composed of a polymer or polymer blend, with or without abrasives. The metal mesh or lightweight fabric is usually wrapped around a secondary structure to give it a little volume. The shape of the holes in the metal mesh may include, but is not limited to, a variety of shapes such as square, rectangular, diamonds, hexagons or mixtures thereof. Normally, the smaller the area formed by the holes in the metal mesh, the greater the capacity of scrubbing. This is mainly due to the fact that there are more points where lightweight material is crossed, since these are the crossing points that will contact the floor. An alternative to wrapping the metallic mesh or light weave is to apply exempted molten polymers directly on a secondary structure such as a non-woven fabric. When cured, the polymer would create a more rigid material of high melting point compared to the secondary nonwoven fabric, which in turn provides the ability to scrub. Other suitable materials include those in which a texture is provided by a printed discontinuous pattern or formed on a substrate. In this regard, a durable material (eg a synthetic) may be printed on a substrate in a continuous or discontinuous pattern, such as but not limited to, dots and / or lines and / or nodes and / or striations and / or crosses and / or individual characters or any possible way. Similarly, the continuous or discontinuous pattern may be printed on a release paper, and transferred onto the cleaning substrate (20), which will then act as a scrubbing strip. These patterns can be repeating or random. Examples of these durable materials include inorganic materials such as calcium carbonate, and sodium silicate particles, and organic polymers, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide (e.g., nylon variants), and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cloth has on one side a textured abrasive surface formed of nodes and / or striations of abrasive material applied thereon, the abrasive material having a hardness of about 40 to about 100 Shore D units using a hardness tester. Shore Bareiss HHP 2000. The abrasive material can cover from about 5% to about 50% of the area of the external surface of the side of the passage in which it is located. Other uses of abrasive textures that may be incorporated into the cloths of the present invention are described in U.S. Pat. no. 4,833,003, European patent no. 0 946 119 and the international patent publication number WO 02/090983. Still another alternative is that the scrubbing strip comprises a coarse abrasive or particulate material. A suitable particulate material comprising coarse inks is available from Polytex®. Still another alternative is that the scrubbing strip is composed of Velero® loops and hooks. The scrubbing strip can be a monolayer or multilayer structure. The preferred scrubbing layers take the form of films, provided that the necessary rigidity is required to withstand repeated scrubbing actions. Suitable film materials generally have a thickness of at least 50.8 μm (2 mils) and a flexural stiffness of at least 0.10 g cm 2 / cm, measured using the Kawabata bending tester apparatus. Preferred films are permeable to liquids and in particular to soils containing liquids, and at the same time they are not absorbent and have a reduced tendency to allow liquids to be returned through their structure and rewet the surface being cleaned. In this way, the surface of the film tends to remain dry during the cleaning operation, thereby reducing the formation of film and marks on the surface being cleaned and allowing the surface to be cleaned practically dry. Preferably, the film material comprises a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the surface of the film and away from the body of the cleaning substrate. Alternatively, or in addition, the film may comprise a plurality of openings. The projections and / or openings formed in the films described above may be of a variety of shapes and / or sizes. The cleaning cloth (10) may comprise a scrubbing layer which, when attached to a mop head of the cleaning implement, extends over the lower surface of the mop head. The lower layer of the cleaning substrate 20 can take the form of a scrubbing layer. Normally, the scrubbing layer is external to the cleaning substrate, and in this way contacts the surface being cleaned during the normal course of the cleaning operation. In this case, the scrubbing layer must necessarily be less abrasive than the scrubbing strip, so as not to damage the surface that is being cleaned. The scrubbing layer may be a monolayer or multilayer structure. A wide variety of materials is suitable for use in the scrubbing layer, for example as described in WO-A-0027271. In particular, the scrubbing layer may comprise woven and non-woven materials; polymeric materials such as thermoplastic films formed with holes, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; cross-linked foams; crosslinked thermoplastic films; and lightweight thermoplastic fabrics. Suitable woven and nonwoven materials may comprise natural fibers (for example wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers such as polyolefins (for example polyethylene, especially high density polyethylene, and polypropylene), polyesters (for example polyethylene terephthalate), polyimides (for example nylon) and synthetic cellulosic materials (for example RAYON®), polystyrene, and mixtures and copolymers thereof, and combinations of natural and synthetic fibers. These synthetic fibers can be manufactured by means of known processes such as carding, spin-bonding, blow-melting, air-laying, punching and the like. The scrubbing layer may comprise, at least in part, a film formed with holes. Orifice-formed films are preferred for their liquid-permeable scrubbing layer because they are permeable to aqueous dirt-containing cleaning liquids, including dissolved and undissolved particulate matter, however they are not absorbent and have a lower tendency to allow the liquids are returned through them and rewet the surface that is being cleaned. In this way, the surface of the formed film which is in contact with the surface being cleaned remains dry, thus reducing the formation of film and staining of the surface being cleaned and allowing the surface to be cleaned practically dry. A film formed with holes having tapered or funnel-shaped openings, which means that the diameter at the lower end of the opening is larger than the diameter of the upper end of the opening, actually exhibiting a suction effect as the cleaning substrate It moves through the surface that is being cleaned. This helps to move the liquid from the surface being cleaned to other layers of the cleaning substrate, such as the absorbent layer (s) (50). In addition, the tapered or funnel-shaped openings have an even greater tendency to prevent liquids from being returned through the scrubbing layer to the surface being cleaned once they have been transferred to other layers, such as the one or the other. the absorbent layers (50). Thus, films formed with holes having tapered or funnel-shaped openings are preferred. Films formed with suitable holes are described in U.S. Pat. no. 3,929,135, entitled "Absorptive Structures Having Tapered Capillaries ", granted to Thompson on December 30, 1975; U.S. Patent No. 4,324,246 entitled" Disposable Absorbent Article Having A Stain Resistant Topsheet "(Disposable Absorbent Article) which has a superior stain resistant canvas), awarded to Mullane et al.

April 13, 1982; the U.S. patent no. 4,342,314 titled "Resilient Plástic Web Exhibiting Fiber-Like Properties" (Resilient plastic weave that exhibits properties similar to fibers), granted to Radel et al. on August 15, 1982; the U.S. patent no. 4,463,045 entitled "Macroscopically Expanded Three-Dimensional Plástic Web Exhibiting Non-Glossy Visible Surface and Cloth-Like Tactile Impressionl" (macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic screen exhibiting a non-glossy visible surface and a tactile impression similar to fabric), awarded to Ahr and cabbage. on July 1, 1984, 1984; and U.S. Pat. no. 5,006,394 entitled "Multilayer Polymeric Film" granted to Baird on April 9, 1991. The preferred liquid-permeable layer for the present invention is the orifice formed film described in one or more of the aforementioned patents and marketed in sanitary napkins by The Procter & Gamble Company of Cincinnati, Ohio as DRI-WEAVE®. Although a film formed with hydrophilic holes can be used as a liquid-permeable scrubbing layer of a cleaning substrate, in the context of cleaning hard surfaces, a hydrophobic orifice formed film is preferred since it will have a reduced tendency to allow the Liquids are returned through the scrubbing layer and on the surface that is being cleaned. This results in improved cleaning performance in terms of film formation and staining, less dirt residue, and faster drying time of the surface being cleaned, all are very important aspects of cleaning hard surfaces. The liquid-permeable scrubbing layer of the present cleaning substrate is preferably, in this way, a film formed with hydrophobic orifices, at least in part. It is also recognized that the scrub layer may comprise more than one type of material. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid permeable scrubbing layer is a macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic web, which preferably has protrusions or surface aberrations on the undersurface of the scrubbing layer which, in use, contacts the hard surface that is cleaned . As used herein, the term "macroscopically expanded", when used to describe three-dimensional plastic wefts, tapes, and films, refers to wefts, tapes, and films that conform to the surface of a three-dimensional forming structure, so that both surfaces thereof exhibit a three-dimensional pattern of said formation structure; said pattern is easily visible to the naked eye when the perpendicular distance between the eye of the observer and the plane of the frame is approximately 30 cm (approximately 12 inches). These macroscopically expanded webs, tapes and films are usually made to conform to the surface of said forming structures by means of etching, that is to say when the forming structure exhibits a pattern composed mainly of male projections, by smoothing, ie when the structure of The formation exhibits a pattern composed primarily of female capillary networks, or by extruding a resinous molten material directly on the surface of a forming structure of any of these types. By contrast, the term "flat," when used here to describe plots, tapes, and plastic films, refers to the general condition of the weft, tape, or film when viewed with the naked eye on a macroscopic scale. In this context, the plots, tapes and flat films may include the plots, tapes and films having fine flaky surface aberrations on one or both sides, said surface aberrations are not easily visible to the naked eye when the perpendicular distance between the eye of the user and the plane of the weft is approximately 30 cm (approximately 12 inches) or greater. Surface aberrations are created on a plastic web by means of gravure techniques well known in the industry. A detailed description of this screen and a process for its manufacture is described by Ahr et al., U.S. Pat. no. 4,463,045, granted on July 31, 1984 and assigned to The Procter & amp;; Gamble Company, which is incorporated herein by reference. The patent of Ahr et al. describes a macroscopically expanded three-dimensional weft that has surface aberrations for use as a top sheet in diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence devices, and the like. The patent of Ahr et al. it prefers a web that has superficial aberrations because it imparts a non-glossy appearance to the web and improves the tactile impression of the web by making it feel more like the web to the user of the diaper, sanitary napkin, etc. However, in the context of cleaning hard surfaces, the appearance and tactile impression of a cleaning substrate are of less importance. A liquid-permeable scrub layer comprising a macroscopically expanded three-dimensional web having surface aberrations results in improved performance of the scrub layer. The surface aberrations provide a more abrasive surface, which correlates with a better cleaning performance. The surface aberrations, in combination with tapered or funnel-shaped openings, provide improved cleaning, absorbency and rewetting characteristics of the cleaning substrate. Thus, the liquid permeable scrub layer preferably comprises a film formed with holes comprising a macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic web having tapered or funnel-shaped openings and / or surface aberrations. A three-dimensional scouring layer is particularly preferable for improving the ability of a cleaning substrate to pick up particulate matter. Another useful feature in the cloth according to the present invention is a hydrophilic strip provided on the bottom surface of the cloth, which would help to spread the cleaning composition on the surface. This hydrophilic strip would also increase the friction between the cloth and the surface being cleaned, thus providing some scrubbing properties. It will be understood that one or more of the methods described to provide a desired texture can be combined to form the optional scouring material. The height in the z-direction and the open area of the scrubbing substrate layer helps to control and / or retard the flow of liquid to the absorbent core material, if present. The height in the z-direction of the scrubbing substrate layer helps to provide a means for controlling the volume of liquid in contact with the cleaning surface, while controlling the speed of liquid absorption or fluid communication in the material. absorbent core. - The cleaning cloth (10) can also be printed to improve its aesthetic characteristics or mark the cloth, or improve the comfort of the user of the cloth. The printing is intended to be printed in whole or in part, printed in a specific color, or printed with, for example, a logo, graphic or text (eg user instructions). In addition, only the cavity (30) can be printed, or only the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), or both, can be printed. When both the cavity (30) and the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20) are printed, it is preferred that they be printed in different colors. In particular, in the case that the cavity (30) is printed, it is preferred that it be printed in a different color from the rest of the cloth, to improve user comfort. Alternatively, dyed non-woven fabrics can be used (i.e. where the fibers are dyed before they are converted to non-woven materials, or the resin is dyed before a non-woven material is produced by the spinning or film joining process). formed, or the non-woven fabric is dyed after its creation). Types of nonwoven fabric cleaning cloths A first type of cloths according to the present invention are absorbent cleaning cloths (10) for wet cleaning. These cloths are designed particularly for cleaning floors or other hard surfaces, and are to be used in combination with a suitable aqueous cleaning composition for floor cleaning. In a preferred embodiment, the disposable absorbent wipes (10) comprise a multi-layer cleaning substrate (20), and comprises an absorbent layer (50), optionally a scrubbing layer, and optionally a securing layer. The absorbent layer (50) is the essential component that functions to retain any fluid and dirt absorbed by the cleaning cloth (10) during use. The absorbent layer (50) also preferably should be capable of retaining absorbent material under normal pressures of use to prevent runoff of absorbed dirt, cleaning solution, etc.

To achieve the desired total fluid capacities, a material having a relatively high capacity (in terms of grams of fluid per gram of absorbent material) will preferably be included in the absorbent layer (50). Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, the absorbent cleaning cloth (10) comprises a superabsorbent material, as described above. Because most of the cleaning fluids useful with the cloth of the present invention are aqueous, it is preferred that the superabsorbent materials have a relatively high g / g capacity for water or aqueous fluids. Thus, absorbent wipes 10 (in particular those comprising superabsorbent materials) have a synergistic effect when used in combination with an aqueous cleaning composition, since they are effectively removing water or aqueous solutions from the surface. The superabsorbent polymers are also beneficial when used in combination with aqueous cleaning compositions, because they assist the contacting side of the dirty surface of the water-free cloth, and significantly improve the chemical capacity of the water or water of the disposable absorbent cleaning cloth (10). ). In addition, the superabsorbent polymer ensures that the solution removed from the cloth remains enclosed in the cloth, thereby significantly improving the drying time relative to other cleaning systems (i.e. conventional cleaning systems, pre-moistened cloths and disposable absorbent cloths that lack of the superabsorbent polymer).

The optional but preferred scrubbing layer is the portion of the wiping cloth (10) which contacts the soiled surface during cleaning, i.e. it is the lower layer of the wiping substrate (20). In this way, useful materials such as the scrubbing layer must be sufficiently durable so that the layer retains its integrity during the cleaning process. In addition, when the cleaning cloth (10) is used in combination with a solution, the scrubbing layer must be able to absorb liquids and dirt, and relinquish those liquids and dirt to the absorbent layer (50). This will ensure that the scrubbing layer can continuously remove additional material from the surface being cleaned. Whether the implement is used with a cleaning solution (ie in wet state) or without cleaning solution (ie in a dry state), the scrubbing layer, in addition to removing the particulate material, will facilitate other functions such as polishing, cleaning of the dust, and polishing the surface that is being cleaned. The scrubbing layer can be a monolayer, or a multilayer structure one or more of whose layers can be cut lengthwise to facilitate the scrubbing of the soiled surface and the pick up of the particulate material. This scrubbing layer, as it passes over the dirty surfaces, reacts with the dirty (and cleaning solution, when used), loosening and emulsifying the difficult soils and allowing them to pass freely to the absorbent layer (50) of the cloth. The scrubbing layer preferably contains openings (40) (eg slits) which provide an easy way for the larger particulate grit to move more freely to and be trapped in the absorbent layer (50) of the wipe. Low density structures are preferred for use as the scrubbing layer, to facilitate transport of the particulate matter to the absorbent layer of the wipe (50). In order to provide the desired integrity, materials particularly suitable for the scrubbing layer include synthetic materials such as polyolefins (eg polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, cellulosic synthetics (eg Rayon®), and mixtures of these. These synthetic materials can be manufactured using known processes such as carding, spunbonding, meltblowing, airlaying, punching and the like. Alternatively, a scrubbing strip, lightweight fabric, or any other material that provides scouring properties may be used, as described above. The optional, but preferred, fastening layer, as described above, allows the cloth to be connected to the mop head of an implement. These disposable wipes have the advantage that they not only loosen dirt, but also absorb more of the soiled solution compared to conventional cleaning tools or pre-moistened wipes. As a result, the surfaces are left with a smaller amount of residues and dry more quickly. The cloths can be used as separate products, but preferably in combination with an implement comprising a mop head, in particular for cleaning floor surfaces.

A second type of cloths according to the present invention are the pre-moistened cloths. The cleaning substrate (20) is pre-moistened with a hard surface cleaning composition, suitable for cleaning hard surfaces such as floors, bathtubs, walls, automobiles, etc. The substrate herein can be formed of any set of fibers, natural or synthetic, known in the industry. Examples of suitable useful types of fibers include pulp, Tencel® rayon, Lenzing AG® rayon, rayon® microderier rayon, and Lyocell®, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and mixtures thereof. The fibers can be manufactured by means of methods known in the industry such as dry laying, wet laying, spun bonding, carding, fiber interlacing with pressurized water jet, punching process with air circulation, and the like . The nonwoven substrate can be a monolayer cloth or, more preferably, it can be composed of a number of layers bonded together to form a laminate. If the non-woven material is a monolayer substrate, it is preferred that it comprises both hydrophilic fibers (cellulose or cellulose derivative, including pulp, Rayon® and Lyocell® and mixtures thereof) and hydrophobic fibers (synthetic, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and mixtures thereof) in a ratio of from about 1: 5 to about 10: 1, more preferably from about 1: 3 to about 5: 1, even more preferably from about 1: 2 to about 3: 1, and with the highest preference from about 1: 1 to about 3: 1. The face of the cloth facing the surface has, optionally, texture or otherwise is macroscopically three-dimensional. The monolayer cloths preferably have a basis weight of about 35 grams per square meter (gm "2) to about 200 gm" 2, more preferably from about 40 gm "2 to about 150 gm" 2, most preferably of approximately 45 gm "2 to 110 gm" 2. The load factor, that is, the level of the solution added to the dry substrate of nonwoven fabric based on gram per gram, is preferably from 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 will depend on the desired release properties of the solution of the pre-moistened wipe. The hydrophilic fibers absorb more solution than the hydrophobic fibers at a given basis weight and load factor, and this results in a lower profile of release of the solution on the floors. The lower release of the aqueous cleaning composition can be advantageous since it limits the surface wetting, which in turn aids drying. The reduction of surface wetting can also be achieved by controlling the load factor. In summary, the skilled artisan will understand that careful manipulation of the parameters of the nonwoven fabric substrate in the development of a pre-moistened cloth comprising hard surface cleaning compositions, can allow controlled wetting on the surfaces providing an advantage over the solutions aqueous cleaners supplied by means of conventional implements (sponges, cellulose strips, etc.). This advantage can be increased when the selected nonwoven fabric substrate is a laminate of materials. In a preferred embodiment, the prewetted cloth is multilayer and comprises an absorbent layer that functions as a liquid receptacle and optionally, but preferably an external scrubbing or polishing layer, and optionally a backing protective layer, which optionally functions as a layer of clamping, and optionally a wiping layer containing wadding as described above. The dry laminate cloth is moistened with a hard surface cleaning composition at a load factor of from about 2: 1 to about 10: 1., more preferably from about 3: 1 to about 8: 1, still more preferably from about 4: 1 to about 7: 1, and most preferably from about 4: 1 to about 6: 1. The outer scrubbing or polishing layer is a non-woven fabric substrate having a basis weight of about 15 gm "2 to about 100 gm" 2, more preferably about 20 gm "2 to about 80 gm" 2, with the maximum preference of 25 gm "2 to approximately 75 gm" 2. The outer layer preferably has a macroscopically three-dimensional structure and optionally includes a lightweight fabric material. The outer scrubbing layer optionally comprises from about 0-50% by weight of hydrophilic fibers, and from about 50% to 100% by weight of hydrophobic fibers. The inner absorption layer preferably has a basis weight of about 60 gm "2 to about 300 gm" 2, more preferably about 80 gm "2 to about 200 gm" 2, most preferably about 90 gm. "2 to approximately 160 gm" 2. Preferably, it is composed of about 70% to about 90% of wood pulp fibers or other cellulosic materials, and / or about 1% to about 30% of binders, and / or about 1% to about 30% of bicomponent fibers . The fibers of the inner absorption layer can be any denier, and have any fiber density. In particular, if the inner absorption layer is manufactured by the air-laying process, the density of the fiber can be adjusted, thus controlling the amount of the aqueous cleaning composition that resides in the inner absorption layer. By manipulating the fiber density in the internal absorbent layer, the chemical composition and the material process, and the base weight of the outer layer of scrubbing or polishing, the experienced technician can control surface wetting by means of an action to clean. The inner absorbent layer may optionally consist of a nonwoven fabric manufactured by the spinning spinning process with a basis weight of less than 100 gm "2, containing about 50% to about 90% cellulosic materials and about 10% to about 50%. % of synthetic materials The optional backing layer is preferably a thermally bonded nonwoven thermoplastic material of thermically bonded filaments, which acts as a semipermeable layer, or can be a low weight polyethylene or polypropylene sheet (preferably less than about 50 gm "2), which can act as a waterproof film that prevents loss of the solution of the inner absorbent layer or as a mop head fastening layer. The pre-moistened cloth can be impregnated with a known hard surface cleaning composition. Hard surface cleaning compositions are usually aqueous solutions comprising one or more surfactants, solvents, additives, chelating agents, polymers, foam suppressants, enzymes, etc. Suitable surfactants include anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants. Examples of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, linear alkylbenzene 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 zwitterionic surfactants include betaines and sulfobetaines. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include materials derived using the imidazole chemistry, such as alkylalanoglycinates, and alkyliminopropionate. Examples of cationic surfactants include the mono-, di-, and trialkylammonium surfactants. All the aforementioned materials are commercially available, and are described in the publication McCutcheon's Vol. 1: Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Ed., (McCutcheon Emulsifiers and Detergents, North American Edition) McCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995.

Suitable solvents include the short chain oxyethylene glycol and oxypropylene glycol derivatives (eg CrC6), such as mono- and n-hexyl ether of di-ethylene glycol, n-butyl ether of mono-, di and tripropylene glycol, and the like . Suitable additives include those derived from phosphorus sources, such as orthophosphate and pyrophosphate, and non-phosphorus-containing sources such as nitrilotriacetic acid, S, S-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, and the like. Suitable chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and citric acid, and the like. Suitable polymers include those that are anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and nonionic. Suitable suds suppressors include polymers and fatty acids or linear or branched C? 0-C? 8 alcohols. Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, amylases and other enzymes known to be useful in catalyzing degradation by dirt. A cleaning solution suitable for use with the pre-moistened cloths comprises about 0.05% of a C10 alkyl polyglycoside, about 0.01% ethoxylated castor oil, about 0.02% of a high molecular weight polyethylene imine, about 1% n-butyl ether propylene glycol, and optional additives such as preservatives and / or perfumes; and from about 99% to about 90% deionized or softened water. A third type of cloths according to the present invention are cleaning cloths (10) impregnated with a cleaning composition that needs to be activated with water. The cloth comprises a cleaning substrate (20), and optionally, a scrubbing substrate. The cleaning substrate 20 provides a smoother surface when compared to the comparatively more abrasive scrubbing substrate. These types of cloths can be wet, but preferably dry to the touch. "Dry to the touch" refers to cloths that are free of water or other solvents in an amount that would make them feel wet or wet to the touch, such as the feeling of a wet cloth or pre-wet cloth, where a substrate impregnates (is say soak) in a liquid and usually in a low viscosity composition. The cleaning substrate comprises an absorbent layer as described above, which functions as a liquid receptacle for extending the cleaning; optionally a protective backing layer which optionally functions as a clamping layer; and optionally a wiping layer containing wadding as described above, preferably for the purpose of generating foam during use. The optional backing layer is preferably a thermally bonded thermoplastic filament material that acts as a semipermeable layer. It can also be a baseweight polyethylene or polypropylene sheet (preferably less than about 50 gm 2) which acts as an impermeable film which prevents the loss of the solution of the inner absorbent layer or as a clamping layer mop head The optional scrubbing substrate can be any scrubbing media as described above, but is preferably a scrubbing layer, or a lightweight fabric Cleaning and scouring substrates are preferably joined, potentially reversibly bonded The clamping point can be any on the surface of the cloth, provided that the scrubbing substrate and the cleaning substrate (20) are bonded together, even more preferably, the scrubbing and cleaning substrate are bonded to each other. around the perimeter of the scrubbing and / or cleaning substrate (20) Substrates are bonded to each other, preferably using ultrasonic sealing or, however, any known method can be used, for example using heat sealing, adhesive, sewing and combinations thereof. The cleaning composition is preferably in the form of a concentrated solution, a paste, or a gel. The cleaning composition typically comprises one or more surfactants, solvents, additives, chelating agents, suds suppressants, enzymes, etc., as described above. As used herein, a 'paste' is a chemical composition comprising from 0% to about 40% water, with a minimum viscosity of 50 Pascal seconds (Pa.s) at a shear rate of 1 s "1 It is noted that the solvent content can not exceed about 40%, but if it does, at most 40% of the composition can be water.At one end, the paste is a powder or solid that contains only small amounts of water, more preferably at least about 1% water, even more preferably at least about 2% water, and most preferably at least about 3% water.At other extreme, the pastes may comprise a content of water as high as about 40%, more preferably from about 5% to about 30%, more preferably from about 6% to about 25%, even more preferably from about 7% to about 20% and with the highest preference about 7% to about 15% water. The exact water content will depend on the level of other solvents in the pulp and the desired rheological properties of the pulp. The viscosity of the paste is, in general, inversely proportional to the liquid content (at 25 ° C) in the composition, including water and other solvents. Preferably, the viscosity of the pulp is at least about 75 Pa.s, more preferably at least about 100 Pa.s, most preferably at least about 150 Pa.s at a shear rate of 1.0 s. 1. Preferably, the viscosity of the pulp is at most about 10,000 Pa.s, more preferably at most about 5,000 Pa.s and most preferably at most about 1,000 Pa.s at a shear rate of 1.0 s "1. The preferred ranges of viscosity will depend on the specific components of the paste composition. Any range consisting of a minimum viscosity level defined above can be used. A fourth type of cleaning cloths are dry cloths for dust cleaning. These types of cloths can be formed from a single layer of nonwoven fabric, but are preferably a composite of at least two separate layers, which are preferably joined together by means of hydroentanglement. The cloths comprise, optionally, a lightweight fabric to improve the integrity of the cloth. The cloths can optionally comprise a low level of additives, which improve the adherence of the dirt. The additives are added to the substrate at a level of preference between 0.01% to 25%, more preferably from 1% to 15%, and even more preferably from 4% to 8%. Suitable additives include surfactants, oils, waxes, perfumes, adhesives (including pressure sensitive adhesives) or combinations thereof. Examples of dry cloths for dust cleaning can be found in U.S. Pat. no. 6,645,604. Case comprising a cleaning cloth (10) and a cleaning implement The cleaning cloth (10) of the present invention is preferably used in combination with a cleaning implement, but could also be used by hand (i.e. by inserting the hand in the cavity (30), and then cleaning a dirty surface). Therefore, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a case comprising: A cleaning implement (60) comprising a mop head (61); and a disposable cleaning cloth (10), said cleaning cloth (10) comprising: a cleaning substrate (20) comprising a non-woven fabric material; said cleaning substrate (20) has a longitudinal , an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; characterized in that said at least one fastening means s a cavity (30) formed in the upper surface of said cleaning substrate (20), said cavity (30) covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of said top surface , and has at least one opening (40). The cleaning implement comprises a mop head, which may be rigid, partially deformable, or fully deformable. The shape of the mop head, in particular the area of the lower surface of the mop head, is preferably circular, elliptical, eye-shaped, iron-like, triangular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal. In a highly preferred embodiment, the cleaning implement comprises a deformable mop head in the shape of an eye. The mop head is preferably connected by means of a universal joint to a handle. The mop head may comprise one or more fastening means for detachably attaching a cloth in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the fastening means is a structure cut lengthwise located adjacent the trailing edge of the eye-shaped mop head. Preferably, a layer of the cloth has the same shape as the mop head, and is visible to the user during the coupling to the mop head. The purpose of this is to provide the user with an easy way to exactly match the mop head to the implement. This is particularly important for cloths of non-rectangular shape, when the wrong placement of the cloth can lead to little satisfaction with the product or poor results. Optionally, this exact correspondence can be provided by joining the cloth in the same way as the mop head or by using colors or printing to represent the shape. Optionally, this exact correspondence can also be provided by means of the chemistry that can be impregnated in the cloth, in particular if the chemistry is a dry paste or gel. Optionally, these exact matching methods may depend on the leading or trailing edge of the mop head to provide exact correspondence. The exact matching method allows less consumer interaction with the cloth, since there is no confusion about the placement and therefore the positioning and coupling of the mop head is improved. A preferred cleaning implement, as shown in Figure 10 is described in the U.S. patent applications. num. of series 60/499851 and 60/49985, both filed on September 3, 2003. In the most preferred embodiment, the kit comprises: A cleaning implement comprising a deformable mop head in the form of an eye, said mop head comprising its surface a structure cut lengthwise located near the trailing edge to retain a cleaning cloth (10); and a wiping cloth (10) comprising an anterior portion in the form of a half-lobe, and a cavity in the form of a half-lobe (30) conforming to the shape of the anterior portion in the form of a half-lobe, and comprising an absorbent layer in the form of eye (50) that fits the eye-shaped mop head.

This most preferred embodiment provides maximum comfort for the user, optimum coupling performance (and removal) of the cloth, and cleaning performance, in particular for cleaning curved surfaces and cleaning at corners. Furthermore, when the mop head is deformable, the force transferred from the consumer to the mop head and eventually to the cloth is low, unlike a non-deformable head. The more deformable the head, the less force is transferred and less power for cleaning results. When a mop head with a structure cut along one end is used, the force at the end of the mop head would be even smaller as the end portion is even more deformable due to the cut space of the cut structure along. Therefore, for the maximum possible cleaning force for a deformable mop head, it would be advantageous to have a structure cut along the leading edge, and a structure cut lengthwise at the trailing edge, when used in combination with the cloths. of the present invention. This method allows a variety of very simple coupling mechanisms while providing a benefit to the consumer of a stronger cleaning at the leading edge. In addition, this preferred embodiment provides the benefit of improved hair pick-up by means of deformability of the head. In addition, the cleaning substrate (20) preferably has a maximum width equal to, or at least, the sum of the maximum width of the mop head, and twice the height of the side of the mop head. The cleaning substrate (20) preferably has a length that is slightly longer (up to 20 mm) than the sum of the maximum length of the mop head, and twice the height of the tips of the mop head in Eye shape Methods for cleaning As described above, the cloth of the present invention is preferably used to clean hard surfaces, both flat and curved surfaces such as floors, sinks, bathtubs, shower walls, glass, kitchen surfaces, automobiles, and the similar. Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for cleaning a hard surface comprising the step of cleaning said surface with a disposable cleaning cloth (10), said cleaning cloth (10) comprising: A cleaning substrate (20) comprising a nonwoven fabric material, said cleaning substrate (20) having a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and - at least one fastening means; further characterized in that said at least one fastening means is a cavity (30) formed in the upper surface of said cleaning substrate (20), said cavity (30) covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of said surface upper, and has at least one opening (40). Packaging of cleaning wipes A stack of cleaning wipes (10) of the present invention are preferably packaged in a package, or in a package, both with resealable openings (40). The cloths are stacked so that the cavity (30) is available at the top, when the container opens. The cloths can be packaged without bending, but are preferably folded, more preferably folded three times, and most preferably folded twice. The latter is particularly beneficial when the cleaning cloth (10) is a pre-moistened cloth, or a dry cloth to the touch (10) impregnated with a cleaning composition. By twice folding these cloths, the contact between the cleaning composition of a cloth with another cloth is reduced or even avoided. It also provides a hygienic and safety benefit to a consumer, since direct contact between the skin and the cleaning composition is avoided. The resealable opening is preferably large enough to allow the mop head of the cleaning implement, or at least the portion of the mop head that fits into the cavity, to be easily inserted through the opening. When necessary, the user can lift up the non-woven fabric material that forms the cavity, before inserting the mop head into the cavity. In this way, a user can comfortably attach the mop head to the cleaning cloth while it is still in the package. As soon as the mop head fits into the cavity, the user can remove the mop head with the cleaning cloth from the package, and then secure the cloth with the optional secondary securing means. In this way, contact with the user's skin is avoided, which is mainly important in the case of pre-moistened cloths.

Examples A cleaning cloth impregnated with a following cleaning composition forms: First cut a Carded Thermal material from BBA Nonwovens, Green Bay, Wl Bond 70 gm "2 80% polypropylene and 20% rayon, so that the length is 273 mm and the width is 154 mm This structure will be known as layer A. Then, cut an absorbent layer of 82% of 150 gm pulp "2, 18% of polyethylene bicomponent airlaid core / polyethylene terephthalate (PE / PET) of Buckeye Absorbent Products, Memphis, TN, eye-shaped, which is 230 mm long and 110 mm wide. This core is then ultrasonically bonded to a 100% lower bonding cloth by 15 gm "2 of First Quality Nonwoven, Great Neck, NY These materials are cut so that the length is 273 mm and the width is 154 mm and the tips of the eye shape are 27 mm from the front edge of the cloth, and 16 mm from the back edge of the cloth.The layer-shaped eye layer should be centered so that it is 19.5 mm on each of the other sides .

This structure will be known as layer B. Then, spread layer A over the top of layer B, so that the core is in contact with the material Carded Thermal Bond material. This structure will now be known as layer C. Then, turn over layer C, so that the layer of 15 gm "2 is oriented upwards, this structure will now be known as layer D. Then, place a strip of material of 100% polypropylene spun bond of 34 gm "2 from First Quality Nonwoven, Great Neck, NY on the leading edge of the E layer. The material should be 85 mm by 154 mm. This structure now known as layer E. Then, layer E using bonding by means of ultrasound so that the leading edge is created in the form of semiojo and the rest of the cloth is completely joined together. The yarn-binding material of 34 gm "2 must now cover approximately 25% of the cloth. Then, cut around the joint on the leading edge. Finally, dose 30 grams of a cleaning solution comprising 0.05% of a C10 alkyl polyglycoside, 0.01% of an ethoxylated castor oil, 0.02% of a modified polyethyleneimine of high molecular weight, 1% of n-butyl ether of propylene glycol, the remainder being deionized water; on the cloth. This is the final pre-moistened cloth.

Claims (22)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A disposable cloth (10) for cleaning hard surfaces, comprising: a cleaning substrate (20) comprising a non-woven fabric material; the cleaning substrate (20) has a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; characterized in that the at least one fastening means is a cavity (30) formed in the upper surface or the lower surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the cavity (30) covers from about 2% to about 90% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface, and has at least one opening (40).

The cloth (10) according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cavity (30) has a pointed end located on the longitudinal axis.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cavity (30) has a shape selected from the group comprising a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially semi-elliptical shape, in the shape of a half-lode, a substantially trapezoidal shape , a substantially rectangular shape, or combinations thereof.

4. The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the at least one opening (40) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20).

The cloth (10) according to claims 1-3, further characterized in that the at least one opening (40) is at least partially located on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning substrate (20).

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cavity (30) covers from about 5% to about 50% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cavity (30) covers from about 10% to about 30% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cavity (30) covers approximately 25% of the surface area of the upper or lower surface.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cloth comprises one or more additional fastening means.

10. The cloth (10) according to claim 9, further characterized in that the one or more additional fastening means is a fastening layer.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cleaning substrate (20) comprises an absorbent layer (50).

The cloth (10) according to claim 11, further characterized in that the absorbent layer (50) is eye-shaped.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cloth comprises an absorbent layer (50), a fastening layer, and optionally a scouring layer, and wherein two or more layers are joined together. in the perimeter.

The cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the cloth is impregnated with a cleaning composition.

15. The cloth (10) according to claim 14, further characterized in that the cleaning composition is a concentrated solution, a paste or a gel.

16. A kit comprising: a cleaning implement (60) comprising a mop head (61); and at least one cleaning cloth (10) according to any of the preceding claims.

17. The case according to claim 16, further characterized in that the mop head (61) has an eye shape, and is deformable.

18. The kit according to claim 17, further characterized in that the cleaning cloth (10) comprises an absorbent layer (50) having an eye shape that conforms to the shape of the mop head.

19. The kit according to claim 17, further characterized in that the cleaning implement (60) comprises a structure cut lengthwise to retain a cleaning cloth (10) on the upper surface of the mop head (61), the structure cut lengthwise is located adjacent to the head of the trailing edge of the mop head; and wherein the cleaning cloth (10) comprises an anterior portion in the form of a half-lobe, and a cavity in the form of a half-lobe (30) that conforms to the shape of the anterior portion in the form of a half-lobe, and comprises a clamping layer, and comprises an eye-shaped absorbent layer (50) that fits the mop head (61) in the shape of an eye.

20. A method to clean a hard surface; the method comprises the step of cleaning the surface with a disposable cleaning cloth (10) in accordance with claims 1-15.

21. A method for attaching a cleaning cloth (10) according to claims 1-15 to a cleaning implement (60) having a mop head; the method comprises the step of inserting the mop head (61) into the cavity (30).

22. A disposable cloth to clean hard surfaces; the cloth comprises: a cleaning substrate (20) comprising a non-woven fabric material; the cleaning substrate (20) has a longitudinal axis, an upper surface and a lower surface; and at least one fastening means; characterized in that the at least one fastening means is a cavity (30) formed on the upper surface of the cleaning substrate (20), the cavity (30) covers from about 90% to about 100% of the surface area of the upper surface, and has an opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a slit in the longitudinal axis.