US20080244844A1 - Cleaning cloth - Google Patents

Cleaning cloth Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080244844A1
US20080244844A1 US11/784,592 US78459207A US2008244844A1 US 20080244844 A1 US20080244844 A1 US 20080244844A1 US 78459207 A US78459207 A US 78459207A US 2008244844 A1 US2008244844 A1 US 2008244844A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
protrusions
cleaning cloth
working surface
pva
ranging
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/784,592
Inventor
Yung-Tai Tung
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Individual
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Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US11/784,592 priority Critical patent/US20080244844A1/en
Publication of US20080244844A1 publication Critical patent/US20080244844A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47LDOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/16Cloths; Pads; Sponges

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cleaning cloth, more particularly to a cleaning cloth including a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with protrusions protruding therefrom.
  • PVA polyvinyl alcohol
  • PVA is a stable, nontoxic and water-soluble synthetic polymer with hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Since PVA is excellent in film-forming, abrasion-resistance, tensile strength, water-absorption and flexibility, it has been widely applied to various industries, such as textile and paper-making industries.
  • Conventional cleaning cloths made from PVA include a porous hydrophilic matrix formed with pores communicated with each other so as to have a good water-absorption property.
  • the microstructure of the porous matrix will greatly increase specific surface area of the conventional cleaning cloths. Hence, when the conventional cleaning cloths are used in wiping a surface of an article, they are unable to move smoothly on the surface, thus resulting in inconvenience during use.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning cloth having an improved structure so as to alleviate the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.
  • a cleaning cloth includes a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with a plurality of protrusions protruding therefrom.
  • PVA polyvinyl alcohol
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view to illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view to illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to this invention.
  • the first preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth 1 includes a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet 11 that has a working surface 111 formed with a plurality of protrusions 12 protruding therefrom.
  • PVA polyvinyl alcohol
  • the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet 11 is made from PVA.
  • any two adjacent ones of the protrusions 12 have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween.
  • the protrusions 12 are arranged in arrays, and any two adjacent ones of the arrays have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween.
  • each of the protrusions 12 has a height ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm relative to the working surface 111 .
  • each of the protrusions 12 has a circular cross-section.
  • the circular cross-section of each of the protrusions 12 at the working surface 111 has a diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the cleaning cloth according to this invention.
  • each of the protrusions 12 has an oval cross-section.
  • the oval cross-section of each of the protrusions 12 at the working surface 111 has a maximum diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
  • a sample of the cleaning cloth according to this invention was prepared from PVA Chamois (Item No. TJC-770, obtained from Twenty-First Century Intl., Deve. Co., Ltd., Taiwan).
  • the sample has a size of 100 mm ⁇ 150 mm and is formed with a plurality of protrusions.
  • Each of the protrusions has a circular cross-section, a diameter of 2.5 mm, and a height of 0.7 mm.
  • the interval between any two adjacent ones of the protrusions is 2 mm.
  • the sample was subsequently cut into three equal pieces 1 , 2 , and 3 .
  • Each of the pieces 1 , 2 , and 3 was attached to a wooden board, and the wooden board was subsequently placed on a glass plate in such a manner that the corresponding one of the pieces 1 , 2 , and 3 was in contact with a surface of the glass plate.
  • a load of 2 kg was applied to a surface of the wooden board opposite to the surface of the glass plate.
  • a horizontal force was applied to the glass plate steadily.
  • a minimum value of the horizontal force that was required to move the glass plate was recorded as the pulling force.
  • Coefficient of friction ( ⁇ ) of the cleaning cloth was calculated by dividing the value of the pulling force by the value of the load (2 kg).
  • a comparative sample of a comparative cleaning cloth was prepared in a manner similar to the above sample of this invention, except that the comparative cleaning cloth was formed with no protrusions.
  • the comparative sample was likewise subjected to measurement of coefficient of friction ( ⁇ ). Results of the coefficient of friction ( ⁇ ) of the above sample and comparative samples are shown in the following Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.
  • the cleaning cloth with protrusions according to this invention has a lower coefficient of friction than that of the comparative cleaning cloth without the protrusions. Since the cleaning cloth of this invention is in contact with an article only in the portion formed with the protrusions when the cleaning cloth is used for wiping the article, the contact area between the cleaning cloth and the article is reduced so as to decrease frictional resistance.
  • the interval between any two adjacent ones of the protrusions 12 of the cleaning cloth 1 of this invention has a function of receiving contaminants, such as dust therein. Hence, not only can the cleaning cloth 1 move smoothly on the article to be cleaned, the article can also be efficiently cleaned. Besides, since the cleaning cloth 1 is relatively flexible, the contaminants received in the intervals among the protrusions 12 will be squeezed out during washing.
  • each of the protrusions 12 is able to efficiently remove the contaminants on the article to be cleaned. Consequently, the contaminants on the article can be efficiently and thoroughly removed.

Abstract

A cleaning cloth includes a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with a plurality of protrusions protruding therefrom. In one preferred embodiment, any two adjacent ones of the protrusions have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween. In another preferred embodiment, each of the protrusions has a height ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm relative to the working surface.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • This invention relates to a cleaning cloth, more particularly to a cleaning cloth including a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with protrusions protruding therefrom.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • PVA is a stable, nontoxic and water-soluble synthetic polymer with hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. Since PVA is excellent in film-forming, abrasion-resistance, tensile strength, water-absorption and flexibility, it has been widely applied to various industries, such as textile and paper-making industries.
  • Conventional cleaning cloths made from PVA include a porous hydrophilic matrix formed with pores communicated with each other so as to have a good water-absorption property. However, the microstructure of the porous matrix will greatly increase specific surface area of the conventional cleaning cloths. Hence, when the conventional cleaning cloths are used in wiping a surface of an article, they are unable to move smoothly on the surface, thus resulting in inconvenience during use.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning cloth having an improved structure so as to alleviate the aforesaid drawback of the prior art.
  • According to this invention, a cleaning cloth includes a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with a plurality of protrusions protruding therefrom.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view to illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to this invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view to illustrate the second preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to this invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a cleaning cloth 1 according to this invention includes a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet 11 that has a working surface 111 formed with a plurality of protrusions 12 protruding therefrom. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet 11 is made from PVA.
  • In one preferred embodiment, any two adjacent ones of the protrusions 12 have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween. In yet another preferred embodiment, the protrusions 12 are arranged in arrays, and any two adjacent ones of the arrays have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween. Preferably, each of the protrusions 12 has a height ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm relative to the working surface 111. More preferably, each of the protrusions 12 has a circular cross-section. Most preferably, the circular cross-section of each of the protrusions 12 at the working surface 111 has a diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of the cleaning cloth according to this invention. In this preferred embodiment, each of the protrusions 12 has an oval cross-section. Preferably, the oval cross-section of each of the protrusions 12 at the working surface 111 has a maximum diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
  • Friction Test
  • A sample of the cleaning cloth according to this invention was prepared from PVA Chamois (Item No. TJC-770, obtained from Twenty-First Century Intl., Deve. Co., Ltd., Taiwan). The sample has a size of 100 mm×150 mm and is formed with a plurality of protrusions. Each of the protrusions has a circular cross-section, a diameter of 2.5 mm, and a height of 0.7 mm. The interval between any two adjacent ones of the protrusions is 2 mm. The sample was subsequently cut into three equal pieces 1, 2, and 3. Each of the pieces 1, 2, and 3 was attached to a wooden board, and the wooden board was subsequently placed on a glass plate in such a manner that the corresponding one of the pieces 1, 2, and 3 was in contact with a surface of the glass plate.
  • A load of 2 kg was applied to a surface of the wooden board opposite to the surface of the glass plate. A horizontal force was applied to the glass plate steadily. A minimum value of the horizontal force that was required to move the glass plate was recorded as the pulling force. Coefficient of friction (μ) of the cleaning cloth was calculated by dividing the value of the pulling force by the value of the load (2 kg).
  • A comparative sample of a comparative cleaning cloth was prepared in a manner similar to the above sample of this invention, except that the comparative cleaning cloth was formed with no protrusions. The comparative sample was likewise subjected to measurement of coefficient of friction (μ). Results of the coefficient of friction (μ) of the above sample and comparative samples are shown in the following Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.
  • TABLE 1
    Pieces of the Sample Coefficient of Friction (μ)
    Piece 1 0.31
    Piece 2 0.27
    Piece 3 0.33
    Average of the value (μ) of 0.30
    pieces 1 to 3
  • TABLE 2
    Pieces of the Comparative
    Sample Coefficient of Friction (μ)
    Piece 1 0.44
    Piece 2 0.43
    Piece 3 0.40
    Average of the value (μ) of 0.42
    pieces 1 to 3
  • Based on the results shown in Table 1 and Table 2, it is apparent that the cleaning cloth with protrusions according to this invention has a lower coefficient of friction than that of the comparative cleaning cloth without the protrusions. Since the cleaning cloth of this invention is in contact with an article only in the portion formed with the protrusions when the cleaning cloth is used for wiping the article, the contact area between the cleaning cloth and the article is reduced so as to decrease frictional resistance.
  • It is noted that the interval between any two adjacent ones of the protrusions 12 of the cleaning cloth 1 of this invention has a function of receiving contaminants, such as dust therein. Hence, not only can the cleaning cloth 1 move smoothly on the article to be cleaned, the article can also be efficiently cleaned. Besides, since the cleaning cloth 1 is relatively flexible, the contaminants received in the intervals among the protrusions 12 will be squeezed out during washing.
  • In addition, by virtue of the interval between any two adjacent ones of the protrusions 12 ranging from 1.0 to 10 mm and the height of each protrusion 12 ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm relative to the working surface 111, each of the protrusions 12 is able to efficiently remove the contaminants on the article to be cleaned. Consequently, the contaminants on the article can be efficiently and thoroughly removed.
  • While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation and equivalent arrangements.

Claims (9)

1. A cleaning cloth, comprising:
a single piece of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based sheet that has a working surface formed with a plurality of protrusions protruding therefrom.
2. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein said PVA-based sheet is made from PVA.
3. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein any two adjacent ones of said protrusions have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween.
4. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein each of said protrusions has a circular cross-section.
5. The cleaning cloth of claim 4, wherein the circular cross-section of each of said protrusions at said working surface has a diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
6. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein each of said protrusions has an oval cross-section.
7. The cleaning cloth of claim 6, wherein the oval cross-section of each of said protrusions at said working surface has a maximum diameter ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 mm.
8. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein each of said protrusions has a height ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 mm relative to said working surface.
9. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein said protrusions are arranged in arrays, and wherein any two adjacent ones of said arrays have an interval ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 mm therebetween.
US11/784,592 2007-04-05 2007-04-05 Cleaning cloth Abandoned US20080244844A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/784,592 US20080244844A1 (en) 2007-04-05 2007-04-05 Cleaning cloth

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Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100125961A1 (en) * 2008-11-21 2010-05-27 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning tool with upstanding stems and method of cleaning a surface
US20120180813A1 (en) * 2011-01-18 2012-07-19 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. System and Method for Cleaning a Wafer Chuck
JP2016189951A (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-11-10 大王製紙株式会社 Toilet cleaner
JP2016189847A (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-11-10 大王製紙株式会社 Household tissue paper and method of manufacturing the same
USD773828S1 (en) * 2014-07-01 2016-12-13 Thorsten Brenner Toilet cleaning implement
USD878694S1 (en) * 2017-06-16 2020-03-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Scouring article
USD880796S1 (en) * 2018-09-12 2020-04-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning article
USD901115S1 (en) 2016-12-22 2020-11-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Scouring article
USD918507S1 (en) * 2018-10-03 2021-05-04 Triton Holdings, Llc Cleaning device
USD934573S1 (en) * 2019-12-19 2021-11-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Sponge with surface pattern
USD936923S1 (en) * 2019-02-08 2021-11-23 Kao Corporation Cleaning sheet for skin
USD945099S1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2022-03-01 Drew Companies Llc Cleaning implement
USD989430S1 (en) 2019-02-05 2023-06-13 Good Soul Brands LLC Cleaning implement
USD1010262S1 (en) * 2021-07-08 2024-01-02 Mya Johnson Cleaning apparatus with surface pattern

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5311634A (en) * 1993-02-03 1994-05-17 Nicholas Andros Sponge cleaning pad
US20060037724A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Kao Corporation Bulky water-disintegratable cleaning article and process of producing water-disintergratable paper

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5311634A (en) * 1993-02-03 1994-05-17 Nicholas Andros Sponge cleaning pad
US20060037724A1 (en) * 2004-08-20 2006-02-23 Kao Corporation Bulky water-disintegratable cleaning article and process of producing water-disintergratable paper

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8850649B2 (en) * 2008-11-21 2014-10-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning tool with upstanding stems and method of cleaning a surface
US20100125961A1 (en) * 2008-11-21 2010-05-27 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning tool with upstanding stems and method of cleaning a surface
US20120180813A1 (en) * 2011-01-18 2012-07-19 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. System and Method for Cleaning a Wafer Chuck
US8955530B2 (en) * 2011-01-18 2015-02-17 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufaturing Company, Ltd. System and method for cleaning a wafer chuck
USD773828S1 (en) * 2014-07-01 2016-12-13 Thorsten Brenner Toilet cleaning implement
JP2016189951A (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-11-10 大王製紙株式会社 Toilet cleaner
JP2016189847A (en) * 2015-03-31 2016-11-10 大王製紙株式会社 Household tissue paper and method of manufacturing the same
USD901115S1 (en) 2016-12-22 2020-11-03 3M Innovative Properties Company Scouring article
USD878694S1 (en) * 2017-06-16 2020-03-17 3M Innovative Properties Company Scouring article
USD880796S1 (en) * 2018-09-12 2020-04-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Cleaning article
USD918507S1 (en) * 2018-10-03 2021-05-04 Triton Holdings, Llc Cleaning device
USD945099S1 (en) * 2019-02-05 2022-03-01 Drew Companies Llc Cleaning implement
USD989430S1 (en) 2019-02-05 2023-06-13 Good Soul Brands LLC Cleaning implement
USD936923S1 (en) * 2019-02-08 2021-11-23 Kao Corporation Cleaning sheet for skin
USD934573S1 (en) * 2019-12-19 2021-11-02 3M Innovative Properties Company Sponge with surface pattern
USD1010262S1 (en) * 2021-07-08 2024-01-02 Mya Johnson Cleaning apparatus with surface pattern

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