MXPA06010956A

MXPA06010956A - Absorbent cleaning pad and method of making same.

Info

Publication number: MXPA06010956A
Application number: MXPA06010956A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Frank S Glaug; Joan Rodgers; Ryan K Hood; Brian Mcginty
Original assignee: Tyco Healthcare Retail Serv Ag
Priority date: 2005-09-30
Filing date: 2006-09-25
Publication date: 2007-04-13
Also published as: CA2559773A1; US20070074366A1

Abstract

A surface cleaning pad is provided having a pad body configured for attachment to a cleaning implement and a tab coupled to the pad body and extending beyond an edge of the pad body. The tab is configured to be graspe d by a user of the cleaning implement to facilitate detachment of the pad body fr om the cleaning implement.

Description

ABSORBENT CLEANING PAD AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF SAME Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an absorbent cleaning pad and to a method for manufacturing the absorbent cleaning pad. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional floor mops comprise a handle rotatably connected to a mop head and a disposable absorbent cleaning pad coupled to the head of the mop. One side of the disposable, absorbent cleaning pad is placed in direct contact with a surface to be cleaned and the opposite side of the cleaning pad is coupled to the mop head. The absorbent pad absorbs and holds fluids, and loosens and traps dirt particles on the cleaning surface. There are several mechanisms used to attach a cleaning pad to a mop head. These mechanisms generally allow the releasable attachment of the cleaning pad to the head of the mop so that it can be removed and discarded after use. For example, a disposable, absorbent cleaning pad coupled to a mop head is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,552. The absorbent, disposable, Ref.175738 cleaning pad provides VELCRO ring fasteners which are attached with VELCRO hook clamps placed on the underside of a mop head. A disposable absorbent cleaning pad coupled to a mop head is also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,810,554 and 6,807,702. In these examples, the disposable cleaning pad provides fastening tabs that are configured for insertion into reception openings placed on the upper side of the mop head. However, there will be a continuing need to refine and further improve the absorbent cleaning pads and the mechanisms used to attach a disposable cleaning pad to a cleaning implement. Brief Description of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, a surface cleaning pad is provided, having a body of the pad configured for attachment to a cleaning implement and a tongue coupled to the body of the pad and which extends beyond one edge of the body of the pad. The tongue is configured after being held by a user of the cleaning implement to facilitate disengagement of the body of the cleaning implement pad.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for assembling a surface cleaning pad is provided. A barrier is applied to a surface of a composite material obtained by an air placement process. The barrier is then bent over at least one edge in the direction of the width of the composite obtained by an air-laying process. According to yet another aspect of this invention, a surface cleaning pad is provided having a pad body. The surface cleaning pad also includes means coupled to the body of the pad to secure the body of the pad to a cleaning implement and to facilitate the use of the surface cleaning pad to clean a surface with the cleaning implement . Also included is a means coupled to the body of the pad for coupling the surface cleaning pad with a user's hand and for facilitating the use of the surface cleaning pad, for cleaning a surface without the use of the implement. cleaning. Another aspect of the invention provides a surface cleaning pad having a body of the pad with a width generally corresponding to that of a portion of the head of a cleaning implement. A perforated sheet is oriented to extend substantially through the body of the pad in a direction in the direction of width. The perforated sheet has end portions attached to the body of the pad, a central portion between the end portions that is not fastened to the body of the pad, and a surface extending through the central portion in the direction of the width configured to engage with a lower side of the portion of the head of the cleaning implement. The perforated sheet is separable into separate segments configured for coupling with an upper side of the head portion of the cleaning implement. Yet another aspect of the invention provides a cleaning pad for a surface having a pad body formed from a composite material obtained by an air-laying process and having a cleaning surface configured for the cleaning contact with a surface to be cleaned and an opposing surface configured to be placed turned toward a cleaning implement. The surface cleaning pad also has a barrier adhered to, and substantially covering, the opposite surface of the body of the pad and a pair of wash elements adhered to the cleaning surface of the pad body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures, in which: Figure 1 is a bottom view of an absorbent cleaning pad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom view of an absorbent cleaning pad according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a right side view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 6 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrate an exemplary assembly and manufacturing steps for manufacturing the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIG. Figure 6; Figure 17 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad according to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 17; Figure 19 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 20 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 19; Fig. 21, Fig. 22, Fig. 23, Fig. 24 and Fig. 25 illustrate the exemplary assembly and fabrication steps used to manufacture the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20; Figure 26 is an end view of an absorbent cleaning pad in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 27 is a top view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 26; Figure 28 is a top view of an absorbent cleaning pad in accordance with yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 29 is a partial end view of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Fig. 28, showing a portion of a superimposed fin; Figure 30 is a right side view of an absorbent cleaning pad in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 31 is a top view of an absorbent cleaning pad according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Instead, several modifications can be made to the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. Also, the modalities selected for the illustration in the figures are not shown to scale and are not limited to the proportions shown. With reference to the overall structure of an exemplary embodiment, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an absorbent cleaning pad generally designated by the numeral "10". In general, the absorbent cleaning pad 10 has a body of the pad formed of a composite material obtained by an air-laying process and having a cleaning surface configured for the cleaning contact with a surface to be cleaned, and an opposing surface configured to be placed turned toward a cleaning implement. The cleaning pad of a surface also has a barrier adhered to, and which substantially covers the opposite surface of the pad body and a pair of elements for trapping the dirt, adhering to the cleaning surface of the body of the pad. More specifically, the exemplary absorbent cleaning pad 10 is provided with an absorbent layer in the form of a composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process, surfaces for trapping the dirt in the form of two elastic folds 25, a layer of barrier 40, and two fasteners 4-5. Each elastic fold 25 is folded into two equal segments and placed along the length "B" of the composite 20 obtained by an air laying process.

A single 3-D film strip with openings is interspersed between the folded layers of each elastic fold . An adhesive 30 bonds both sides of the strip 35 of the film 3-D openings to the inner surfaces of the elastic fold 25. A portion of the width of each elastic fold 25 is attached to a cleaning side 21 of the composite 20 obtained by a process of laying by air, using an adhesive 30. The elastic folds 25 are positioned so that the folded ends 26 with the closed face are turned towards each other. The barrier layer 40 is adhered to the back side 22 of the composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process, using an adhesive 30. Two fasteners 45 are adhered to the barrier layer 40 using an adhesive 30. In this embodiment , the fasteners 45 are composed of a hook or ring material such as a VELCRO ring material available from Velero USA Inc. of Manchester, NH. The functional side of the VELCRO ring material is turned away from the barrier layer 40. The fasteners 45 are optionally placed along the entire length of the barrier layer 40 and are separated by a distance "C" from the lateral edges of the barrier layer 40, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In functional terms, the composite 20 obtained by an air placement process of the exemplary embodiment, absorbs and retains the fluids and / or other matter that lies on a surface that is going to be cleaned. The elastic fold 25 serves to facilitate the removal of the stains from the surface that is cleaned by contact and entrapment of larger stain particles. The elastic fold 25 can provide integrity and structural rigidity when folded and adhered onto itself or a single fold of the elastic fold material could be selected to provide these properties. The strip 35 of the film with 3-D openings inside each fold 25, provides improved structural integrity and stiffness to the elastic fold 25 and further entraps the particles from the small solid particles to those suspended in liquid. However, the use of a strip 35 of the film with 3-D openings within each fold 25 is optional. The barrier layer 40 substantially prevents the fluid from passing from the composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process, to the head of the mop or other structure to which the cleaning pad 10 can be fixed. If the cleaning pad 10 is configured to be fixed to a mop head, the barrier is configured to keep the mop head substantially free of fluid. The fasteners 45 provide a unique attachment mechanism for temporarily coupling the absorbent cleaning pad 10 to the head of the mop. In other words, the fasteners 45 facilitate the releasable coupling of the cleaning pad 10 to a surface of a cleaning implement. This surface may be the lower side surface of a mop head or other portion of a cleaning implement. In the exemplary embodiment and still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the fasteners 45 are VELCRO ring fasteners adhered to the barrier layer and optionally configured for coupling with hook fasteners such as a fastener (s). of VELCRO hook (s) on a side-bottom surface of a commercially available mop head. VELCRO hook and ring fasteners are configured to withstand the pressure and tension associated with typical washing and mopping movements against a surface that is cleaned. The VELCRO ring and hook fasteners substantially limit the absorbent cleaning pad 10 so that it does not become dislodged, pellets are formed, or becomes disengaged in another way, either partially or totally, from the mop head. The fastening element (s) 45 may (optionally) be designed in such a manner as to allow attachment to multiple types of commercially available mop systems as described in greater detail below. Although the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 utilizes a ring fastener for attachment to a hook fastener of another component, the cleaning pad is alternatively provided with a hook fastener for attachment to a ring fastener of another component. Also, other forms of fasteners are contemplated, including adhesives, co-adhesives and other known fastening mechanisms. Referring now to the composition of the material of the exemplary embodiment, the composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process is a unified body with an absorbent core optionally composed of wood pulp and binder fibers. The binder fibers form the total structure of the composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process, and the wood fibers provide absorbency. The term "unified" refers to the fact that the material obtained by an air placement process is composed of a single composite material. However, the composite 20 obtained from an air-laying process can be composed of multiple layers of material adhered to each other. The composite 20 obtained by an air-laying process is commonly manufactured using an air-laying process, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,276, which is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. In accordance with the patent U.S. No. 6,172,276, placement by air is a process by which a non-woven, fibrous layer is formed. In the air laying process, the bundles of small fibers, ie the binder fibers according to the exemplary embodiment, are separated and entrained in an air supply and then deposited by a forming head on a multi-stage forming grid, usually with the help of a vacuum supply. The randomly deposited fibers are then bonded together using, for example, hot air or an adhesive that can be applied by spraying. The benefits and additional features of a construction of a composite material obtained by an air-laying process are described in the U.S. application. No. xx / xxx, xxx, presented concurrently with the one here (Proxy Registry No. TC04-118US). The description of the U.S. No. xx / xxx, xxx is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. Although this embodiment includes an absorbent pad body formed from a composite material obtained by an air-laying process, this invention is not limited to a body of an absorbent pad having a structure of a material obtained by a process of placement by air.

Other materials, structures, and / or body processes of the absorbent pad are also contemplated. For example, an absorbent core made of long polymeric filaments prepared by the expansion of a polymer tow, described in International Publication No. WO 2004/017883, is also contemplated for use as an absorbent pad. The description of the international publication DO NOT. WO2004 / 017883 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The barrier layer 40 may be composed of an impermeable or semi-permeable material. The barrier layer 40 can be made of any material known in the art, which substantially limits the passage of the fluid. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and similar materials, as well as hydrophobic foams, materials obtained by an air-laying process, materials obtained by a wet-phase placement process, and laminations thereof. The barrier optionally takes the form of a film, sheet, or similar substrate. The additional details of the exemplary barriers are described in the U.S. No. xx / xxx, xxx, filed concurrently with this (proxy record No. TC04-122US). The description of the U.S. No. xx / xxx, xxx is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. The material of the elastic fold 25 has a relatively large and open pore structure for trapping the particles and is configured to be flexible, to withstand multiple uses and to resist tearing or deformation. The elastic fold 25 may optionally be composed of open films of polyethylene or polypropylene, foams, materials obtained by an air-laying process, materials obtained by a wet-phase placement process, or laminations and combinations thereof. The elastic bending component 25 can be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Additional details of the exemplary folds are described in the U.S. No. xx '/ xxx, xxx, filed concurrently with this (proxy record No. TC04-129US). The description of the U.S. No. xx / xxx, xxx, is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. The fastener 45 can be composed of any structure or material that provides a fastening mechanism to a cleaning implement such as a commercial mop head. Some examples include hook and ring fasteners, adhesives, cohesive materials, pressure adjustment structures, magnetic elements or any other fixation mechanism commonly known in the art. These materials may optionally have an elastic functionality. The strip 35 of the film with 3-D openings may optionally be composed of polyethylene or polypropylene films. The adhesive 30 of the exemplary embodiment may be composed of any material sufficient to provide a bond between the components of the absorbent cleaning pad. In "the exemplary modality and as a non-limiting example, an exemplary adhesive is manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, MN, for example, part number 1696. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other types of adhesive and fastener mechanisms are suitable for this application. With reference to the size of the components of the exemplary embodiment as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the width "A" of the composite material 20 obtained by an air-laying process can be of any dimension sufficient to cover all or a portion of the width of a surface of a cleaning implement, such as a mop head for example. For illustration purposes only, the "A" width can be 14.47 centimeters (5.7 inches). The length "B" of the composite material 20 obtained by an air-laying process, as illustrated in Figure 1, can be of any dimension sufficient to cover all or a portion of the length of the cleaning implement. For purposes of illustration only, the length "B" may be approximately 29.46 centimeters (11.6 inches). The thickness "of the composite material 20 obtained by an air-laying process, as illustrated in Figure 2, can be of any dimension sufficient to absorb an appropriate volume of fluid and retain its structural integrity when wet. The length and width of the fastening element 45 can be of any dimension suitable for adequately coupling with another structure such as a mop head The distance "C" separating the side of the composite material 20 obtained by an air-laying process and the side of the fastening element 45 can be of any suitable dimension for adequately coupling the fastening element with the cleaning implement The length and width of the barrier layer 40 can be of any dimension sufficient to cover all or a portion of the composite material 20 obtained by an air laying process The length of the elastic fold 25 can be of any size enough to cover all or a portion of the length "B" of the composite 20 obtained by an air placement process. The width "D" of the folded elastic fold 25 can be of any dimension sufficient to cover a portion of the width "A" of the composite 20 obtained by an air laying process. The width "D" must be small enough to provide a suitable surface area for the composite material 20 obtained by an air-laying process and large enough to provide a surface wash area, suitable for removing the particles from the cleaning surface . Similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 110 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The absorbent cleaning pad 110 is provided with a composite material 120 obtained by an air-laying process, two elastic folds 125, a barrier layer 140, and two fixation elements 145. The absorbent cleaning pad 110 is additionally provided with particles.

Super Absorbents (SAP for its acronym in English) 150 dispersed from start to finish of at least one discrete zone of the composite 120 obtained by an air laying process. In other words, SAPs can be "zoned" as in the modality shown in Figure 3.

Alternatively, the "SAP" 150 may be uniformly dispersed from beginning to end of the body of the composite 120 obtained by an air-laying process. As a result of the addition of the SAP 150, the barrier layer 140 illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 is especially advantageous. To prevent the escape of SAP 150 zoned during the use, handling, or shipping of the cleaning pad 110, the barrier layer 140 is folded over the two sides or edges 124 in the direction of the width of the composite 120 obtained by an air laying process. As illustrated in Figure 4, the folded sides 141 of the barrier layer 140 are adhered to the composite 120 obtained by an air-laying process, using an adhesive 130. The SAP 150 in this embodiment, are concentrated in the center of the width of the composite material 120 obtained by an air laying process, designated by the dimension "F", and are insulated from the longitudinal sides 123 open and exposed. The SAP 150 is substantially concentrated in the center of the width of the composite 120 obtained by an air-laying process to prevent the SAP 150 from escaping out of the exposed longitudinal sides 123 of the composite 120 obtained by an air-laying process. . Although not illustrated, it is also contemplated that the SAP 150 may be concentrated in the center of the width "i" and the length "Bi" of the composite 120 obtained by an air-laying process, whereby the SAPs are isolated 150 of the complete periphery of the composite 120 obtained from an air-laying process. In case, the barrier layer 140 is not required to cover the longitudinal sides 123 or the sides 124 in the width direction, to prevent the escape of the SAP 150 along the periphery of the composite 120 obtained by a air placement process. The benefits and additional features of a "zoned" SAP construction are described in the U.S. No. xx / xxx, xxx, filed concurrently with it (proxy registration No. TC04-119US). The description of the application No. xx / xxx, xxx, is incorporated herein for reference in its entirety. Similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 210 shown in Figure 6 is provided with a composite material 220 obtained by a laying process. by air, two elastic folds 225, a barrier layer 240, two fasteners 245, and super absorbent particles (SAP) 250. In this exemplary embodiment, the Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 250 are dispersed from start to finish of the composite material 220 obtained by a complete air-laying process. Accordingly, to reduce or prevent the escape of the SAP 250 from the exposed sides of the composite 220 obtained by an air-laying process, the barrier layer 240 is especially advantageous. The barrier layer 240 is folded over the longitudinal extent of the composite 220 obtained by an air-laying process, and the cut and laid barrier layer 260 is fixed to the longitudinal sides of the composite material 220 obtained by an air-laying process. , with some overlap, to prevent the SAP 250 from escaping along the periphery of the composite material 220 obtained by an air-laying process. The exemplary steps used to make the cleaning pad embodiment 210 shown in Figure 6, are illustrated in Figures 7-16. Many of the following steps illustrated in Figures 7-16 are also relevant for the manufacture of the previous exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-5. As illustrated in Figure 7, the material used to form the elastic fold 225 is unwound and cut (designated by a triangle symbol) at a predetermined length and width. An adhesive 230 is then applied to a single side of the elastic fold 225. The elastic fold 225 is folded over itself, keeping the adhesive 230 over the inside of the fold, as shown in Figure 8. A portion of the fold width elastic 225 is adhered to the composite material 220 obtained by an air-laying process, using an adhesive 230, as illustrated in Figure 9. An adhesive 230 is then applied to the barrier side 222 of the composite material 220 obtained by a process of placement by air, before the barrier side 222 is centered and applied to the sheet used to form the barrier layer 240, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In this step, a plurality of composite materials 220 obtained by a process of placement by air, are centered and applied to the barrier layer 240 forming the sheet, and the composite materials obtained by an air placement process 220 are separated by a distance "G", also illustrated in Figure 10.

An adhesive 230 is applied to a single side of a barrier layer 260"cut and placed" (Figure 11) that is cut to a predetermined length and width. The width "H" of the barrier layer 260 cut and placed, can optionally be smaller than the width "J" of the barrier layer 240. The adhesive side of the barrier layer 260 cut and placed is centered and applied over the longitudinal ends of the composite materials 220 obtained by an adjacent air-laying process, as illustrated in Figure 11. The adhesive 230 on the underside of the barrier layer 260 cut and placed, joins the barrier layer 260 cut and placed with the composite material 220 obtained by an air laying process and the barrier layer 240 forming the sheet. In other words, the barrier layer 260 cut and placed passes through the gap "G" between the two composite materials 220 obtained by an adjacent laying process, and superimposes the ends in the direction of the width of the composite materials. 220, obtained by a process of placement by air. Referring now to Figure 12, the material forming the fastener 245 is unwound and cut. (designated by the triangle symbol) to a predetermined length and width, as schematically illustrated in Figure 12. An adhesive 230 is then applied to the non-functional side of the fastener 245, as illustrated in Figure 13. The side adhesive, non-functional, of the fastener 245 is applied to the barrier layer 240, as illustrated in Figure 14. The free ends of the barrier layer 240 that extend along the length of the composite material 220 obtained by a process of laying by air, they are each folded on themselves and adhered to the barrier layer 260 cut and placed and the elastic fold 225, as illustrated in Figure 15. The barrier layer 240 is partially superimposed on the elastic folds 225, whereby it encapsulates a portion of the elastic folds 225. The absorbent cleaning pads 210 are finally cut off and separated from each other, as illustrated in Figure 16. similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIG. 6, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 310 illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 is provided with a composite 320 obtained by an air-laying process. , two elastic folds 325, a barrier layer 340, and two strips 345 of the fastening element. In this exemplary embodiment, the composite 320 obtained by an air-laying process does not include Super Absorbent Particles (SAP), and the periphery of the composite 320 obtained by an air-laying process does not need to be sealed. However, it is contemplated that the SAPs are optionally concentrated in the center of the composite material 320 obtained by an air-laying process, to prevent the SAP from escaping the composite material obtained by an air-laying process. The barrier layer 340 differs from the barrier layer illustrated in the previous exemplary embodiment. The barrier layer 340 of this exemplary embodiment serves two purposes, i.e. to prevent the fluid from contacting the cleaning implement to which it is attached and to provide a fixing mechanism for holding the absorbent cleaning pad 310 to the cleaning implement. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figures 17 and 18 provides fasteners 345 (e.g., ring strips) configured to engage with the fastener (s) on the underside of a cleaning implement such as a mop head (not shown). By way of non-limiting example, the fixing elements 345 can be VELCRO ring strips and the fastening elements on the underside of the mop head can be VELCRO hook strips, or vice versa. In addition to the fixing mechanism provided by the fasteners 345, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18 provides a mechanism for attaching the mop head, secondary. The barrier layer forms two tongue portions 355 that can be inserted into the retaining structures of a cleaning implement, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,046. However, a person skilled in the art will understand that a wide variety of other types of retaining structures are suitable for retaining an absorbent cleaning pad and for providing the same benefits. The retaining means located on the upper surface of a cleaning implement such as a mop head, are suitable for mechanically engaging and retaining a sheet of material incorporated with, or attached to, an absorbent cleaning pad. Non-limiting examples of retention means located on the upper surface of a mop head include jaws, staples, mechanical fasteners such as hook or ring fasteners, screws and the like such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,250 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,030. One skilled in the art will also understand that the retention means previously described can also be located on the sides or other surfaces of a mop head, and still provide the same benefits. Still with reference to Figures 17 and 18, the barrier layer 340 is adhered to the side of the barrier 324 of the composite 320 obtained by an air laying process, using an adhesive 330. Both side edges of the barrier layer 340 are folded a first time forming two fin portions 356. A portion of each portion 356 of the flap is adhered to the barrier layer 340 using an adhesive 330. The barrier layer 340 is folded a second time to form four tongue portions 355, as illustrated in Figures 17 and 18. The tab portions 355 are adhered to the fin portions 356 using an adhesive or a cohesive strip 330. The four tab portions 355 are free to separate from the composite 320 obtained by an air placement process, as illustrated by FIG. dotted line segment in Figure 17. The tongue portions 355 are configured to be inserted into the remaining structures on top or one side of a mop head. Referring now to Figures 19 and 20, similarly to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figure 6, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 410 is provided with a composite material 420 obtained by a process of laying by air, two elastic folds 425, a barrier layer 440, Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 450 dispersed from start to finish of the composite 420 obtained by an air laying process, and two fasteners 445 configured to be coupled with a portion of a cleaning implement such as a mop head. In this exemplary embodiment, the SAP 450 is dispersed from start to finish of the composite 420 obtained by a complete air-laying process. In a manner similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the barrier layer 440 is folded over the longitudinal sides of the composite 420 obtained by an air-laying process, to prevent the SAP 450 from escaping along the longitudinal periphery of the composite material 420 obtained by an air placement process. The cut and laid barrier layer 460 prevents the SAP 450 from escaping along the transverse periphery of the composite 420 obtained by an air-laying process. In addition to the fixing mechanism of * the mop head provided by the fasteners 445, this exemplary embodiment provides a secondary means for fixing. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 is provided with four fin portions 470. The tab portions 470 are free to separate from the composite 420 obtained by an air placement process, as illustrated by the line segment. dotted in Figure 19. The four fin portions 470 can be inserted into the retaining structures placed on the top or one side of a mop head, such as some described in US Pat. No. 6,305,046. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that many other types of retaining elements are suitable for retaining an absorbent cleaning pad and for providing the same benefits. The fin portions 470 are configured to withstand the pressure and tension associated with typical washing and mopping movements against a surface that is cleaned, and are configured to limit the absorbent cleaning pad 410 from being altered, forming pellets, or that it becomes disengaged in another way, either partially or totally, from the head of the mop. In this exemplary embodiment, the length "K", the width "L" and the thickness of the fin portions 470 may be of any dimension sufficient to reach and to be adequately retained by the retaining structures placed on the cleaning implement. . The fin portions 470 may be composed of numerous materials. Some examples include a ring material, polyethylene or polypropylene films, materials obtained by a wet-phase placement process, woven materials, non-woven materials, materials obtained by an air-laying process, polyester films, or laminations and combinations. thereof. These materials can be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic and optionally have an elastic functionality. The four fin portions 470 can be individually bonded to the barrier layer 440 using the adhesive 430. The four fin portions 470 can also provide an optional fastener 465 configured to engage with the fasteners 445. As an example limiting, the fastener 445 can be a ring fastener and the fastener 465 can be a hook fastener (or vice versa), but one skilled in the art will understand that other kinds of retaining means are suitable for retaining the fin portions 470 with respect to the absorbent cleaning pad 410. Exemplary steps that can be to be used to manufacture the cleaning pad 410 of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 19 and 20 are illustrated in Figures 7-16 and 21-25. Figures 7-16 were previously described with reference to another embodiment of the exemplary cleaning pad. Referring now to Figure 21, the material used to form each of the four fasteners 465 is unwound and cut to a predetermined length. An adhesive 430 is then applied to the non-functional side of each fastener 465. The material used to form each portion of the fin 470 is unwound and cut to a predetermined length and width, as illustrated in Figure 22. The adhesive side of the fastener 465 is positioned and is applied to each portion of the fin 470, as illustrated in Figure 23. An additional flange of adhesive 430 is applied to the ends of the four fin portions 470, as illustrated in. Figure 24. The fin portions 470 are each bonded to the barrier layer 440 using the adhesive 430 as illustrated in Figure 25. The optional fasteners 465 are coupled with the fasteners 445. The steps of final fabrication are illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. In a manner similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in Figures 19 and 20, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 510 illustrated in Figures 26 and 27 is provided. with a composite material 520 obtained by an air-laying process, two elastic folds 525, a barrier layer 540 folded over the longitudinal sides of the composite material 520 obtained by an air-laying process, and Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) 550 dispersed from start to finish of composite material 520 obtained by a complete air-laying process. The barrier layer 560 cut and placed, prevents the SAP 550 from escaping along the transverse periphery of the composite material 520 obtained by an air laying process. An additional flange of adhesive 530 is applied to the ends of the portions 570 of the perforated fins. The exemplary embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad provides two means for attachment to a conventional mop head, because the perforated fin portions 570 are capable of separating along the perforation line 574. In a unified state, both Perforated fin portions 570 are configured for coupling with the inner side of a mop head. In a separate state, the non-perforated fin portions form four fin portions 570. The separate fin portions 570 can be inserted into the retaining structures on top or one side of a mop head, such as some described in the US patent No. 6,305,046. The optional fastener 565 may be a ring fastener that is adhered to the barrier layer 540 with the adhesive 530. The optional fastener 565 is advantageous if the two tongue portions 570 are not comprised of a ring material that It could be fixed to a mop head. Two tab portions 575, optionally contiguous with the fin portions 570, are provided for ease of removal of the absorbent cleaning pad 510 from the mop head. In use, the user pulls the two tab portions 575 to remove the absorbent cleaning pad 510 from the mop head without having to make contact with the composite material 520 obtained by a dirty, air-laying process., the dirty 525 elastic fold or the mop head. The two tongue portions 575 extend outwardly from the composite material 520 obtained by an air-laying process, the elastic fold 525 and the mop head. It is optional that only one tab portion may be provided on the fin portion 570 and the tab portions 575 could be placed on either longitudinal side of the absorbent cleaning pad 510. The tab portion 575 may also extend outwardly on each side. one or a transverse end 580 of the absorbent cleaning pad 510 if desired. The length "M", the width "N" and the thickness of the fin portions 570 may be of any suitable dimension to allow the user to remove the absorbent cleaning pad 510. The fin portions 570 may be composed of many materials different Some examples include a ring material, polyethylene or polypropylene films, materials obtained by wet-phase placement, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, materials obtained by an air-laying process, polyester films, or laminations and combinations thereof. . These materials may be either hydrophilic or hydrophobic and may optionally have an elastic functionality. Similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, the exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 610 illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 is provided with a composite material obtained by a laying process by air, two elastic folds, a barrier layer folded on the longitudinal sides and in the direction of the width of the composite material obtained by an air-laying process, Super Absorbent Particles (SAP) dispersed from start to finish of the composite material obtained by a complete air placement process, and two fasteners 645 configured to engage with a mop head 680. In addition to the mechanism of fixation of the. mop head provided by fasteners 645, this exemplary embodiment provides a secondary means for attachment. The four overlapping fin portions 670 are configured to engage a head 680 of the mop. In use, the fin portions 670 are wound around the mop head 680 and fixed to each other, thereby attaching the absorbent cleaning pad 610 to the head of the mop, as illustrated in Figure 29. The portions of fin 670 can be composed of VELCRO fasteners, or any other material capable of coupling a fin portion 670 with the other. A third fastening element 645 adhered to the barrier layer 640 is optionally provided for coupling with the head of the mop to further limit the absorbent cleaning pad 610 from derangement, pellet formation, or from becoming detached from the mop head. another way, either partially or totally, of the mop head. Similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 710 illustrated in FIG. 30 is additionally provided with an expandable tab portion 770. The portion of Extendable tongue 770 has a "Z" shape when viewed from one side and is configured to unfold and extend in the indicated direction. The portion 770 of the extended tongue is unfolded to provide a greater distance between the user and the dirty cleaning pad and the mop head. The expandable tab portions 770 could optionally be placed on either side of the absorbent cleaning pad 710. In use, the expandable tab portion 770 is stored in a Z-shaped position as shown, to avoid contact with the dirty cleaning surface. To separate the absorbent cleaning pad 710 from the head of the mop, the user pulls and extends the portion 770 of the tab until the absorbent cleaning pad 710 separates from the head of the mop. Similar to the embodiment of the absorbent cleaning pad illustrated in FIGS. 26 and 27, an exemplary embodiment of an absorbent cleaning pad 810 illustrated in FIG. 31 is additionally provided with a mechanism for engagement with a user's hand. in such a way that the cleaning pad can be used, without the need of a cleaning implement, to manually clean a surface. In this embodiment, the cleaning pad 810 is provided with a hand strap 880, for example. The material used to form the 880 hand strap is optionally elastic, although a wide variety of materials can be used. An additional flange of adhesive 830 is applied to the ends of the perforated fin portions 870 and the hand strap 880. The absorbent cleaning pad 810 also provides perforated fin portions 870 that can be used for engagement with an upper side or lower of a mop head. In this way, the absorbent cleaning pad 810 is similar to several embodiments described above. The elastic hand strap 880 is configured to allow the user to operate the absorbent cleaning pad 810 independently of a cleaning implement such as a mop. The elastic hand strap 880, provided on the absorbent cleaning pad 810, can be useful for cleaning any small, delicate or non-planar surface, that a mop head can not clean or is unable to access. The elastic 880 hand strap can be made of any elastic material that is flexible enough to stretch around a child's and an adult's hand and rigid enough to firmly hold a hand the size of a child and an adult. In another embodiment (not shown), the perforated fin portions 870, by themselves are optionally comprised of an elastic material to provide a hand strap to allow the wearer to operate the absorbent cleaning pad 810 independently of a mop. In such an embodiment, the hand strap 880 can be eliminated.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Instead, various modifications can be made to the details within the scope and range of the equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. Also, the modalities selected for illustration in the figures are not shown to scale and are not limited to the proportions shown. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A cleaning pad of a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the pad configured for attachment to a cleaning implement; and a tongue coupled to the body of the pad and extending beyond an edge of the body of the pad, wherein the tongue is configured to be held by a user of the cleaning implement to facilitate disengagement of the body of the pad from the cleaning implement. A cleaning pad for a surface according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongue extends outwardly from the body of the pad in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of a cleaning surface of the body of the pad. 3. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises means for fixing the body of the pad to the cleaning implement. 4. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one fixing element coupled to the body of the pad and configured for fixing to a lower side of the cleaning implement. 5. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixing means comprise fastening elements coupled to the body of the pad and configured to wrap around a portion of the cleaning implement and to engage with each other, whereby they fasten the body of the pad to the cleaning implement. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a fixing element configured for fixing to an upper side of the cleaning implement. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 6, characterized in that the fastening element comprises a fastener of hooks or rings. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing element comprises a perforated sheet, configured for fixing to a lower side of the cleaning implement, the perforated sheet can be separated into independent segments, configured for coupling with the upper side of the cleaning implement. 9. A cleaning implement for a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a portion of the head; a body of the pad coupled to the portion of the head; and a tongue coupled to the body of the pad and extending beyond an edge of the body of the pad and an edge of the head portion, wherein the tongue is configured to be held by a user of the cleaning implement of the head. the surface to facilitate the disengagement of the body of the pad from the head portion of the cleaning implement of the surface. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 9, characterized in that the tongue extends outwardly from the body of the pad in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of a cleaning surface of the body of the pad. 11. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises means for fixing the body of the pad to the head portion of the cleaning implement of a surface. 12. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 11, characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one fixing element coupled to the body of the pad and fixed to the underside of the portion of the head of the cleaning implement. of a surface. 13. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim -11, characterized in that the fixing means comprise fastening elements coupled to the body of the pad and wound around the head portion of the cleaning implement of a surface and coupled together, whereby they fasten the body of the pad to the portion of the head of the cleaning implement of a surface. 14. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 11, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a fixing element fixed to an upper side of the head portion of the cleaning implement of a surface. 15. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 14, characterized in that the fastening element comprises a fastener of hooks or rings. 16. The cleaning implement of a surface according to claim 14, characterized in that the fixing element comprises a perforated sheet, the perforated sheet is fixed to a lower side of the head portion of the cleaning implement of a surface or the perforated sheet is separated into separate segments and coupled to the upper side of the head portion of the cleaning implement of a surface. A method of mounting a cleaning pad of a surface, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) applying a barrier to a surface of a composite material obtained by an air-laying process; and b) folding the barrier on at least one edge in the direction of the width of the composite material obtained by an installation process by air, whereby the edge is encapsulated in the direction of the width of the composite material obtained by a placement process by air. 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of folding the barrier over at least one longitudinal edge of the composite material obtained by an air laying process, whereby the longitudinal edge of the composite material is encapsulated. obtained by a process of placement by air. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the step of applying a barrier comprises placing the barrier so that it extends beyond an edge in the direction of the width of the composite material obtained by an air-laying process. twenty . The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the step of applying a barrier comprises applying the barrier to the surfaces of two or more composite materials obtained by an air-laying process. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the step of applying a barrier comprises placing the barrier so that it extends beyond an edge in the direction of the width of each of the composite materials obtained by a process of placement by air. 22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises the step of cutting the barrier in a location between the composite materials obtained by an air laying process. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the step of folding the barrier comprises folding the barrier over at least one edge in the direction of the width of each of the composite materials obtained by an air-laying process, whereby the edge is encapsulated in the direction of the width of each of the composite materials obtained by an air-laying process. 24. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises the step of coupling at least one fixing element to the barrier in a position configured for coupling with a cleaning implement. 25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of cutting a fastener of hooks or rings into strips and adhering the strips to the barrier. 26. The method of compliance with the claim 17, characterized in that it also comprises the step of coupling at least one element for trapping dirt, adjacent to a cleaning surface of the composite material obtained by an air laying process. 27. The method of compliance with the claim 26, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of cutting a material for trapping the dirt, in strips, bending the strips, and adhering the folded strips to the cleaning surface of the composite material obtained by an air-laying process. 28. A cleaning pad for a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the pad formed from a composite material obtained by an air-laying process; and a barrier applied to a surface of the composite material obtained by a process of laying by air and folding over at least one edge in the direction of the width of the material, compound obtained by a process of placement by air, whereby the edge in the direction of the width of the composite material obtained by an air placement process. 29. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 28, characterized in that the barrier is additionally folded over at least one longitudinal edge of the composite material obtained by an air laying process, whereby the longitudinal edge of the barrier is encapsulated. composite material obtained by a process of placement by air. 30. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 28, characterized in that in addition it comprises at least one fixing element coupled to the barrier of the body of the pad, the fixing element is placed for fixing to a lower side of the pad. a cleaning implement. 31. A cleaning pad of a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the pad; means coupled to the body of the pad for securing the body of the pad to a cleaning implement and for facilitating the use of the cleaning pad of a surface to clean a surface with the cleaning implement; and means coupled to the body of the pad for coupling the cleaning pad of a surface to a user's hand and to facilitate the use of the cleaning pad of a surface to clean a surface without the use of the cleaning implement. 32. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that the fixing means comprise: means for fixing the body of the pad to a lower side of a portion of the head of the cleaning implement; and means for securing the body of the pad to an upper side of the head portion of the cleaning implement. 33. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 32, characterized in that the fixing means comprise a perforated sheet fastened to the body of the pad and configured for coupling with a lower side of a portion of the head of the implement. cleaning, the perforated sheet can be separated into separate segments configured for coupling with an upper side of the head portion of the cleaning implement. 34. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that the coupling means comprise a hand strap having end portions coupled to the body of the pad., the hand strap and the body of the pad jointly define a passage dimensioned and positioned to receive the user's hand. 35. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that the body of the pad is formed from a composite material obtained by an air laying process. 36. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that the mechanical fastening means comprise a fastener of hooks or rings. 37. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that it also comprises a tongue coupled to the body of the pad to facilitate the disengagement of the body of the pad from the cleaning implement. 38. A cleaning pad for a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the pad having a width that generally corresponds to that of a portion of the head of a cleaning implement; and a perforated sheet oriented to extend substantially through the body of the pad in a widthwise direction, the perforated sheet has end portions attached to the body of the pad and a surface that extends in the direction of travel. the direction of width, configured to engage with a lower side of the head portion of the cleaning implement, the perforated sheet can be separated into separate segments configured for coupling with an upper side of the portion of the head of an implement cleaning. 39. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 38, characterized in that the perforated sheet is formed of an elastic material. 40. A cleaning pad of a surface, characterized in that it comprises: a body of the pad formed from a composite material obtained by an air-laying process, the body of the pad has a cleaning surface configured for the contact of cleaning with a surface to be cleaned, and an opposing surface configured to be placed turned toward a cleaning implement; a barrier adhered to, and - substantially covering, the opposite surface of the body of the pad; and a pair of elements to trap dirt, adhering to the cleaning surface of the body of the pad. 41. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 40, characterized in that the dirt trap elements comprise a strip of material for trapping dirt, folded and adhered thereto. 42. A cleaning pad of a surface configured for attachment to a cleaning implement, characterized in that it comprises a body of the pad and a barrier coupled to the body of the pad, wherein at least a portion of the barrier is folded and coupled itself in a first configuration that is to be stored between the body of the pad and the cleaning implement, and wherein at least a portion of the barrier is attached to the cleaning implement in a second configuration. 43. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 42, characterized in that it also comprises a fixing element coupled to the barrier to fix the body of the pad to a surface of the cleaning implement. 44. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 42, characterized in that it further comprises a cohesive element placed to couple the folded portion of the barrier on itself. 45. The cleaning pad of a surface according to claim 31, characterized in that the means for fixing the body of the pad to a cleaning implement comprises at least one strap that can be placed to secure the body of the pad to the implement. cleaning.