US2880439A - Corncob cleaning article - Google Patents

Description

April 7, 1959 J W c. E. swARTz 7 2,830,439

CORNCOB CLEANING ART IC LE Filed Dec. 14. 1954 United States Pate My invention relates to a cleaning article employing pulverized corncobs, and more particularly, to a cleaning .article having a Working surface composed mainly of corncob particles or granules.

A number of types ofcleaning articles are available on .the market today which are adapted for use in the kitchen, around thehome, and in the basement or garage, in cleaning pots, pans,.silverware, enameledsinks, wash basins, structures having highly finished surfaces such as furniture, automobiles, etc., and the like. I have observed, however, that continued use of these articles .eventually dulls and/ or scratches the finish of the items cleaned by .them. This is because cleaning articles commonly in use today include. relatively hard substances such as silica, quartz, pumice, diatomaceous earth, aluminum, stainless steel, brass, bronze, or the like, all of which are quite high upon the Mohs scale of hardness.

When cleaning articles employing one of these substances are applied to 'a surface, the relatively hard individual particles of the cleaning agent scrape along the surface being cleaned. Due to the hardness of the individual particles, the cleaning action is a scratching or gouging type in which the individual particles dig into the material comprisng the surface beng cleaned (as well as digging into the undesirable grime or dirt), and the result is that the surface is marred by the cleaning article While it is being cleaned by it.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a cleaning article including a working surface composed of relatively soft particles, as compared tothe above mentioned materials, which working surface polishes and burnishes as it cleans rather than gouges and scratches.

"It is another object'of the invention to provide a cleaning article having a working surface composed of spongy resilient particles which tend to conform to and pass over the contour'of the surface against which the article is applied, rather than'dig into it.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cleaning article having a working surface composed of --particles 'or granules of a substance which cleans with a sliding squeegee-like action rather than a scraping or gouging action.

Another object of the invention 'is to provide a cleaning article having a working surface which will not scratch It is still" anotherobject-of the invention to .providea cleaning articles of'emaximum 'efiiciency which is composed'of relativelytinexpensive and readily: obtainable sub- .stances.

.Yet. another. object :of-.the.-invention. is to provide a cleaning article of maximum efficiency which'istcheap enough to'xbe discarded after-a single use and which is 'of a readily'disposabletnature.

According to the present invention, I provide a' cleaningarticlecomposedof a .uniform layerof corncob granules afiixed to abacking-of paper or other similar material preferably having 'sufiicientwet strength to resist disintegration when used with wateror other .liquid substances. In one embodiment of the :invention'the article takes theform of an elongate-strip which may be supplied in a roll to be hung or mounted in a kitchen or the like so that the housewife, .for instance,may tear off pieces'of the strip to use as needed. In another form of the invention, 1 one or more strips of backing, having a uniform layer of corncob granules afiixed there- .to, .are looped about a 'resilient core or the like so that the articlecomprises a cleaning pad. Inanother form of the invention, a sheet of backing, havingauniformlayer of corncob-granules aflixed thereto,.is secured to a polishing orburnishing wheel or belt.

. I have found that the working surface provided according to the teachings ofthe-invention provides an article which polishes andsmoothesas it cleans rather than scratching or gouging the surface. This is because the individual corncob particles. have .a spongy resiliency, and as the individual particlesare pressed against the surface to be cleaned, they tend to conformto it,..or flatten out against it, somewhat as a sponge or .a rubber squeegee would do. Since the corncob. particles tend .to conform to the surface against which they are pressed, they are in intimate contact with thesurface, and. all irregularities in it, and as they pass over the surface .they clean with a squeegee-type ofaction which tendsto. add to, rather than detract from, the natural luster of the surface being cleaned. Yet the corncob particles are stiff materials which make it economically possible to provide a readily disposable article that may be 'discardedafter a single use.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view'of the article in the form of an elongate strip which may be wound'in a'roll for hanging in a kitchen or the like;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the strip shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of same;

Figure 4 is a'sectional view showing the article of the present invention applied to a surface and illustrating the action of the corncob particles against the-surface;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 illustrating the action of, for instance, particles of sand against a surface to be cleaned;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of an alternative form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cleaning pad in which the principles of my invention are employed;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view of same;

Figure 9 is an-exploded perspective view of a modified form of cleaning pad; and

Figure 10 is an elevational view of'a polishing wheel having a'working surface composed of corncob granules.

In recent years many agricultural residues, such as corncobs, rice hulls, shells of nuts, and fruit pits, have been put to industrial use for a varietyof purposes. 'At

the present time, corncobs are used in the-manufacture greases, and plating rinse waters from stampings and electroplated pieces, and in polishing these pieces. 'The growing industrial uses for ground corncobs are based on inherent characteristics of absorbency, toughness, and mild abrasiveness.

After considerable study and experimentation, I have found that a cleaning article particularly adapted for home use may be provided by affixing corncob particles or granules to a backing by an adhesive; for example, by using as a backing a thin, flexible, cheap paper with some wet strength, such as is obtained by treating pulp with a plastic emulsion in the paper making, and, with a water-resistant adhesive, coating the paper on one or both sides thereof with a single layer of corncob particles or granules. The product provided comprises a cleaning article which can be made and sold in rolls, single or separate sheets, or otherwise.

In use, the housewife, garage mechanic, janitor or handyman may employ this article in the form of a sheet, or tear ofii a portion of a roll of it to clean sinks, bath tubs, floors, highly polished woodwork and automobile body surfaces, or greasy metal surfaces in much the same manner that one would use a piece of sandpaper. For normal usage, only water is required in addition to the cleaning article, though some soap or other detergent may be employed as by incorporating same in the article during manufacture thereof or by merely adding a detergent at the time of use, to speed the cleaning process where the grime is particularly thick. I have found that the corncob particles as afiixed to the backing provide a mild abrasive polishing type of action, as distinguished from a scraping or scratching action, which tends to polish as it cleans rather than scratch, gouge, or otherwise mar or damage the surface to which it is applied. The reason for this probably is that the corncob particles, while being relatively soft, have a spongy resilient consistency with the result that as the particles are pressed against and moved along a surface to be cleaned, the particles tend to conform to the surface rather than dig into it, at the same time engaging the surface in much the same way that a conventional rubber squeegee wiping tool engages a moistened window pane. Thus, as the article is pressed against and along the surface to be cleaned, the individual particles tend to flatten out and come into intimate contact with the whole of the surface underneath the article, whether it be a plane surface, or a surface including a plurality of rough or fine grooves, cracks, notches, or the like. The individual particles tend to act as individual squeegee elements which slide along in intimate contact with the surface being cleaned, rather 1 than scrape or dig at it, as in the case of sandpaper and the like. For example, in the past, highly polished surfaces, such as those found on, for instance, furniture and automobiles, have been particularly difiicult to clean without scratching or dulling the surface. I have found that my article when applied to such surfaces not only efficiently cleans the surface, but may add to the lustre and polish of the surface cleaned.

While different types or kinds of backing may be employed for different uses, I have found that Nepco interleaver 40 lb. paper made by the Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Company of Port Edwards, Wisconsin, is satisfactory for general purpose use around the home. Other backings found satisfactory are Nekoosa wet strength 60 lb. stock made by the same Company, and Ripco Aqua-Wrap 40 lb. paper made by the Rhinelander Paper Company, of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Also satisfactory were sheets of paper provided by the Department of Agricultures Forest Products Laboratory at 7 Madison, Wisconsin, as follows: machine run 3182, softwood sulfate pulp with 20 percent Synco 721 added to the pulp in the beater; machine run 3183 sulfate pulp with 12 percent Synco 721 added to the pulp in beater. Synco 721 is a high molecular weight phenol-formaldehyde condensation polymer, especially developed for beater, or wet end addition to fibrous pulps, made and sold by the Snyder Chemical Corporation of Bethel, Connecticut. In general, however, lighter or heavier weight papers treated to give the required wet strength may be used as specific applications and cost situations dictate. I also comprehend that cloth may be used as a backing for special applications.

With respect to the adhesive, I have found that the EC-870 adhesive made and sold by the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co., Adhesives & Coatings Division, of Detroit, Michigan, is satisfactory. It is a light colored adhesive having a synthetic rubber base and forms a high strength bond between the particles or granules of corncob material and the backing. Other adhesives, such as the resins, may also be used.

The corncob particles or granules applied to any one backing should ordinarily be substantially the same size, preferably graded as in the making of graded, relatively hard abrasive paper, known as coated abrasives. I have found that plus 40 mesh corncob particles are satisfac tory for general pupose use. though other meshes may be employed as required by the particular use to which the cleaning article is to be put. The corncob particles may be applied in any convenient manner and closed or open coats may be made depending on the particular uses to which the specific article is adapted to be applied.

Referring now more particularly to Figures l-3 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an elongate sheet wound into a roll 12. The sheet 10 comprises a strip of paper 14, which may be formed out of, for instance, the aforementioned Nepco interleaver paper; corncob particles or granules 16 are afiixed to the paper, which forms a backing for the article, by the adhesive 18, which may consist of the aforementioned EC-870 adhesive. The roll 12 may be mounted in the kitchen, garage, or other desired place, and when one desires to clean, for instance, a sink, one merely tears off a suitably sized portion of the roll and applies it to the surface to be cleaned. The sheet 10 may be coated on both sides, or on one side only (as shown) and may also be supplied in separate sheets or otherwise. When applying the article to a surface to be cleaned, for instance, the enamel of a sink, I recommend that the corncob working surface be first dampened with water, and then the enamel should be rubbed briskly.

As a variation, the article of Figures 1-4 may be constructed as illustrated in Figure 6, wherein the backing consists of plain craft paper 17 coated or impregnated with a phenol-formaldehyde or similar resin adhesive 19, and the corncob particles 16 are secured to the backing by the adhesive. In this embodiment of the invention, the adhesive not only secures the particles to the backing, but it also gives the backing the requisite wet strength. The corncob particles 16 may be secured to both sides of the paper 17 (as shown), or the particles may be secured to only one side thereof if so desired. I also contemplate that an inexpensive cloth fabric may be used in place of the craft paper 17 where the particular uses to which the article is to be applied render this desirable.

Figures 4 and 5 clearly illustrate the difference in the cleaning action of the article provided by my invention and a conventional cleaning article employing particles of a relatively hard substance as a working surface. In Figure 4 the corncob particles 16 are shown as flattened out against the surface 15, thereby providing a squeegeelike polishing type of cleaning action, while in Figure 5, the hard particles 16a are not changed in configuration when pressed against and moved along the surface 15, but rather dig into it, and provide a scraping, scratching or gouging type of cleaning action.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a cleaning pad formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The pad illustrated comprises a water-resistant core 20, preferably resilient. having one or more layers of sheet material 10 aflixed thereto by any suitable means. In

I the illustrated embodiment, the underside of the innermost layer 22 -is afiixed ..to a. sponge. rubber orxfthe'a like core by a water-resistant bonding =material, :such as the aforementioned EC87O adhesive, the ends thereof being overlapped somewhat as-indicatedzat 23. 'Thenext layer 24 is 'wrapped aboutthe. innermost layer 22 :8]!(1 overlapped-at 25, the outer layer ZG'being-similar-Iy wrapped and overlapped at 27. The various layers may be secured together as at 28 by stitching, adhesives, or other suitable securing means. The core 20 may be impregnated with soaps (preferably :slowly soluble type) or other detergents or wetting agents which preferably slowly dissolve and aid in the cleaning action by loosening the grime by physiochemical means, thus aiding the mildly abrasive polishing type of action provided by the corncob working surface. The layers may be perforated as at 21 or elsewhere so that the cleaning agents will be available in the area of the corncob working surface.

The article may be applied to a sink, pots, pans, automobile surface, furniture, or the like in a manner similar to the way one would apply a sponge, and when the outer layer has become worn, it may be removed to expose the next layer 24, the overlapping portion of the outer layer 26 being retained on the article by the stitching or the like 28. It will be appreciated that any number of layers may be secured to the core 20 in this manner, and that as the outer layers are pulled off or removed, the overlapping portions form a handle for the article.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative form of cleaning pad 29 employing the principles of my invention. In this embodiment of the invention, one or more loops 30 of sheet material 10 are received over the distending core 32 formed of a suitable resilient material, such as the cellulose sponge material manufactured by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc., of Wilmington, Delaware. The loop 30 is preferably overlapped as at 34 and the ends thereof secured together at this point by a suitable adhesive, such as the aforementioned EC-870 adhesive, and the loop is of such size that the core 32 must be compressed before it will be received within the loop. In this embodiment, the distending action of the core 32 is relied on to secure the loop to the core. I comprehend that the pad 29 will be supplied commercially with a plurality of loops 30 thereabout, with the outer loops being removed as they become worn; I also comprehend that extra loops 30 will be supplied for use after all the original loops 30 have been removed from the core 32, the new loops 30 being applied to the core 32 by merely compressing the core and inserting same within the new loop.

In Figure 10, reference numeral 36 generally indicates a polishing wheel having a backing of paperor cloth of substantial wet strength secured thereto with the corncob particles or granules 16 bonded thereto by an adhesive, such as the aforementioned EC-870 adhesive. The polishing wheel is operated in the conventional manner to apply the corncob working surface to the work. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of polishing or burnishing wheels or belts may be treated in this manner to provide an efficient polishing or bufling type of device.

It will be desirable in some instances to treat the corncob particles or granules of one or all of the foregoing illustrative examples of my invention with a suitable fungicide and/or bactericidal and antiseptic materials to prevent deterioration of the corncob material during and after initial use (as for instance, where it is desirable to use the article more than one time). This is particularly true of the articles illustrated in Figures 7-9; while the article remains dry, however, it is inherently stable and needs no special treatment.

One of the salient features of the invention is that the article as illustrated in Figure l, or as provided in singler-rsheets, may be :made so inexpensively .that af ter one use of a piece or sheet of the article, said ;piece--or sheet may be economically disposed of. This is because corncobs areiagricultural residues-available in large quantities at low cost, and the aforementioned adhesives and backings are inexpensively procured; moreover, the manufacturing operations 'required to make "thearticle are few and simple. It will be appreciated, therefore, that while my article provides a cleaning action heretofore impossible in cleaning articles of the type to which the invention relates, my article may be inexpensively supplied in a form that may be readily disposed of after one use without economic loss. Parenthetically, it may be mentioned that 'by readily disposed of, I mean that the used piece or sheet may be thrown in a waste basket or the like and burned with the other waste paper and like combustibles normally accumulating therein.

The term working surface as employed in the appended claims means that surface of the article which is applied to the surface to be cleaned for the purpose of cleaning same.

The term moistened as used in the appended claims refers to the condition provided by applying any liquid to the corncob particles that will wet same.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate my invention, and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have my disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. In a cleaning article including a working surface for application to a relatively hard surface to be cleaned, the improvement wherein the working surface is composed mainly of corncob granules affixed to the article, whereby, when the corncob granules are pressed against the surface to be cleaned and are drawn over same, they provide a squeegee-like cleaning action on the surface to be cleaned.

2. A cleaning article comprising a multitude of corncob particles bonded together by an adhesive, said particles projecting outwardly of the adhesive to form the working surface of the article, whereby, when said particles are moistened and applied against a surface to be cleaned, said particles act as individual squeegee-like elements that come into intimate contact with and slide along the surface to be cleaned.

3. A cleaning article comprising a layer of corncob particles affixed to a backing, said particles projecting outwardly of said backing to form the working surface of the article, whereby, when said particles are moistened and applied against a surface to be cleaned, said particles act as individual squeegee-like elements that come into intimate contact with and slide along the surface to be cleaned.

4. The article set forth in claim 3 wherein said backing is impregnated with a resin adhesive, said adhesive securing said particles to said backing.

5. The article set forth in claim 3 including a resilient core, said backing being secured to said core with said particles projecting away from said core.

6. The article set forth in claim 3 wherein the backing is aflixed to a polishing wheel.

7. A disposable combustible cleaning article comprising a layer of corncob particles aflixed to one side of a sheet of flexible material having at least some wet strength, said particles projecting outwardly of said sheet to form the working surface of the article, whereby, when said particles are moistened and applied against a surface to be cleaned, said particles act as individual squeegee-like elements that come into intimate contact with and slide along the surface to be cleaned, and where- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jameson Apr. 13, 1897 8 Fierheller May 22, 1923 Truax Mar. 11, 1930 Kingman Feb. 8, 1938 Sturgis et a1 May 11, 1943 Carlton et a1. May 2, 1944 Riedesel Feb. 20, 1951

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