WO2001060321A1

WO2001060321A1 - Cleaning articles

Info

Publication number: WO2001060321A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/005179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerry Iggulden
Original assignee: Jerry Iggulden
Priority date: 2000-02-16
Filing date: 2001-02-15
Publication date: 2001-08-23
Also published as: AU2001238457A1

Abstract

A cleaner/polisher/wipe is provided integrally with a newspaper or other printed publication. In one embodiment, a page or a portion thereof is coated with a microencapsulated cleaning and/or polishing substance. The treated page or portion thereof can be removed and used as a wipe. In an alternative embodiment, the wipe may be separately prepared, such as in the nature of a bookmark, and then inserted into the printed publication. In another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device resembling a label that may be conveniently incorporated with a wide variety of products such as containers, carriers, dispensers and applicators for various substances. In a particular embodiment of the invention, a cleaning substance is dispersed in a substrate that is adhesively attached to a container or carrier for another substance that may need to be cleansed from the skin. The cleaning substance may be a general purpose cleanser or a solvent that is unique to the substance in the container or on the carrier. In further embodiments, particularly suitable for volatile cleaning substances, the cleaning article may be sealed beneath a protective cover.

Description

CLEANING ARTICLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning products. More particularly, the invention is a cleaning and/or polishing wipe that is preferably included as an integral part of a printed publication or that may be attached to or otherwise closely associated with a container.

2. PRIOR ART

A common problem confronting individuals who wear eyeglasses is for the lenses to become soiled or smudged. This is particularly annoying when the individual is preparing to read a newspaper, magazine or other printed publication. In order to have an enjoyable reading experience, the individual must locate a tissue or other material with which to clean the eyeglasses. If the lenses are particularly soiled or smudged, it may be necessary to locate a cleaning substance, such as glass cleanser or the like.

Wipes for cleaning eyeglasses have long been available. Such wipes are marketed, for example, in the form of pre-moistened towelettes packaged in an airtight pouch. These are well suited for their intended purpose, but it is necessary for the reader to have such a wipe handy for use when preparing to read the printed publication.

This is only one example of a situation in which it is desirable to have a ' cleaning product readily at hand. Similar situations involve the use of a shoe cleaner/polish, furniture cleaner/polish, skin cleanser/antiseptic, adhesive residue remover, etc. In each case, there are frequent occasions when it would be convenient to have such products included in a printed publication.

Methods have been developed for inserting samples of tissues and similar products into newspapers. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,260,444 discloses a method of producing a free-standing newspaper insert with a tissue sample attached. The tissue sample can be any form of a thin absorbent tissue, such as toilet tissue, paper toweling, facial tissue or the like. The tissues are inserted between front and back covers.

Another common everyday occurrence involves handling of products and substances that may soil or stain the skin. Some examples of products and substances that pose this risk include paint, pens, markers, other sources of ink, including newspapers and magazines, opaqueing fluid, glue, oil, grease, other lubricants, ointments, lotions, skin treatments, mascara, lipstick, other cosmetics, sauces, dressings, condiments and other food products. When these products and substances make unintended contact with the skin, most individuals feel compelled to wipe the affected area of the skin in order to remove the product or substance. In many cases, a cleaning substance, such as soap or detergent, or a solvent is needed in order to effectively cleanse the skin. Frequently, such a cleaning substance is not readily available to an individual at the time his or her skin becomes soiled.

With this problem in mind, containers have been proposed that hold both a first substance and a solvent for the first substance. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4, 932,802 discloses a nail polish bottle cover having a nail polish remover dispenser. A wick-type applicator for the nail polish remover is incorporated into a cap for a bottle of nail polish.

U.S. Patent No. 5,975,579 issued to this inventor discloses a solution to a particular problem of skin soiling due to transfer of ink from a newspaper, magazine or other printed publication. In this earlier invention, at least a portion of one of the pages of the printed publication is treated with a substance that is effective in removing the ink from human skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cleaner/polisher/wipe that is provided integrally with a newspaper or other printed publication. In one embodiment, a page or a portion thereof is coated with a microencapsulated cleaning and/or polishing substance. The treated page or portion thereof can be removed and used as a wipe. In an alternative embodiment, the wipe may be separately prepared, such as in the nature of a bookmark, and then inserted into the printed pubhcation.

The present invention further comprises a cleaning device resembling a label that may be conveniently incorporated with a wide variety of products such as containers, carriers, dispensers and applicators for substances that have the potential for staining or soiling surfaces that they inadvertently contact, such as human skin. In aparticular embodiment of the invention, a cleaning substance is dispersed in a substrate that is adhesively attached to a container or carrier for another substance that may need to be cleansed from the skin. The cleaning substance may be a general purpose cleanser or a solvent that is unique to the substance in the container or on the carrier. In further embodiments, particularly suitable for volatile cleaning substances, the cleaning article may be sealed beneath a protective cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an object to which an embodiment of the present invention is adhered.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning article illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 8a and 8b illustrate still another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

Figure 1 illustrates a newspaper or similar printed publication that has been prepared in accordance with the present invention. Publication 10 comprises a plurality of individual pages 12. Each of pages 12 is typically printed with editorial text, photographs, illustrations, advertising or a combination thereof. One of the pages, designated as 12', contains an area 14 which appears to be free of printed matter. Area 14 may comprise a portion of page 12' as shown or may comprise the entire page. In either case, area 14 may be removed from publication 10, if desired, for use as a wipe to clean the reader's eyeglasses or other objects. This can be done by simply tearing area 14 from page 12', although perforations may be provided to facilitate the removal.

In one embodiment of the invention, area 14 is coated with a microencapsulated cleaning substance. The cleaning substance is microencapsulated utilizing well-known techniques and processes. In this regard, it is preferable to utilize a non-aqueous cleaning substance, since it is known that water-based substances are generally difficult to microencapsulate. For example, a substance that has been found to be suitable for use as an eyeglass cleaner comprises 75% isopropyl myristate (commonly used as a make-up remover) and 25% naphtha. The microencapsulated cleaning substance is applied to area 14 of page 12', again using well-known techniques.

The treated area 14 of page 12' may be printed with advertising or editorial material. Such printing is preferably done with an ink that is not soluble in the microencapsulated cleaning substance. Printing may be applied prior to coating with the microencapsulated substance or the page may be treated and then overprinted. Alternatively, the microencapsulated substance may be mixed with the printing ink and applied to the substrate during the printing process. Area 14 is particularly attractive for use in presenting advertising material since a reader who does not immediately use the cleaning substance for its intended purpose may well keep area 14 or the entire page 12' for later use.

In order to clean the reader's eyeglasses, area 14 or the entire page 12' is removed from publication 10 as discussed above. By applying sufficient pressure against the eyeglass lenses, the microcapsules are ruptured, thereby releasing the cleaning substance. An untreated area of page 12' may be used to remove the cleaning substance and polish the lenses. By applying a lesser amount of pressure, i.e., below that which is necessary to rupture the microcapsules, area 14 may be used as a cleaning wipe without releasing the cleaning substance.

To facilitate rupturing of the microcapsules, a "snap and burst" arrangement may be utilized. In this arrangement, the microcapsules are placed between two layers of paper or equivalent material, each of which is coated with a . "fugitive adhesive". Such an adhesive has greater adhesion to a dissimilar material, in this case the microcapsules, than it does to itself. When the two layers are separated, the adhesion to the microcapsules exceeds the tensile strength of the microcapsule shells and the microcapsules therefore burst, releasing the contents. The two layers may be provided as two separate sheets of material or as a single sheet that is folded back on itself.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, the cleaning article is prepared as an insert 20, which is placed into pubhcation 10. In this embodiment, insert 20 may comprise a substrate different from the paper used for pages 12 of publication 10. For example, insert 20 may be a tissue of woven or non-woven fibers. Insert 20, or at least a portion thereof, is coated with a microencapsulated cleaning substance as in the previously described embodiment. Again, the microcapsules may be disposed between two layers of substrate material in a "snap and burst" arrangement. Insert 20 may be provided to the reader as a part of a pubhcation 10 or may be provided as a separate item, such as a bookmark, that is subsequently inserted into publication 10.

Although the present invention has been largely described in terms of a j cleaner for eyeglasses, the invention is equally suitable for use with other types of cleaning and/or polishing agents as previously mentioned. In some applications, a plurality of cleaning/polishing agents may be provided on a single substrate. For example, a single substrate may have one section treated with a cleaning substance particularly suited for eyeglasses and a separate section treated with a skin cleanser. In certain cases, a plurality of cleaning/polishing agents, each independently microencapsulated, may be applied to a common substrate.

The microencapsulated substance may be applied directly to a page of a printed publication as already described or may be applied to a separate substrate that is adhesively but removably affixed to the page, such as in the form of a label. In addition, the microencapsulated substance may be protected, when not inherently protected in a "snap and burst" arrangement, with an adhesively secured film or label using a relatively low-tack adhesive so that the protective cover may be removed without rupturing the microcapsules.

Figure 3 illustrates a cleaning article 30 applied to the outer surface of an object 31. In this example, object 31 is an aerosol can containing, for example, paint. When using such a product, it is not uncommon for some of the paint to be unintentionally deposited on the skin, particularly the fingers, of the user or on some other surface. Any such paint deposited on the user's skin may be conveniently removed using cleaning article 30.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of cleaning article 30. A substrate 32 is treated with a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent may be a general purpose cleanser, such as a soap or detergent, or may be specific to the substance that is to be removed. In the particular example illustrated in Figure 3, the cleaning agent may be a solvent or thinner for the paint in container 31, e.g., mineral spirits or water. The cleaning agent may also comprise an abrasive material, such as pumice or the like.

There are a variety of ways in which substrate 32 may be treated with the cleaning agent. The particular substrate and method of treatment will depend in large part on the nature of the cleaning agent. For many cleaning agents, substrate 32 may be an absorbent material to which a quantity of the cleaning agent is applied. Some examples of suitable absorbent materials are cotton gauze, synthetic absorbent fibers, open-cell foam, blotting paper, etc. Some cleaning agents may be micro- encapsulated and applied to the surface of substrate 32. In other cases, substrate 32 may be constructed of porous fibers that are impregnated with a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent is then dispensed onto the user's skin by capillary action. Other methods of treating a substrate with a cleaning agent will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

An adhesive layer 34 is applied to the underside of substrate 32 so that cleaning article 30 may be adhered to container 31 or to another surface such as, for example, a page of a newspaper or magazine. The choice of adhesive will naturally depend upon the choice of material for substrate 32 and may also be influenced by the choice of cleaning agent. The adhesive may have a high tack so that substrate 32 may be securely adhered to container 31 or another surface. Alternatively, a low , tack adhesive may be used so that substrate 32 may be conveniently removed from the container for use in cleaning the user's skin. In some cases, the under surface of substrate 32 may need to be treated to provide a barrier between the cleaning agent and adhesive layer 34. In other cases, an intermediate layer 36 of a non- porous material compatible with both the cleaning agent and the adhesive may be required.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5. Skin- cleaning article 40 comprises a substrate 32 and an adhesive layer 34 as described above. In this embodiment, substrate 32 is sealed in a non-porous envelope 42. This is particularly suitable for use with volatile cleaning agents. Envelope 42 is configured so that it can be readily opened for access to substrate 32. Thus, envelope 42 may have a peel-off cover or may be constructed of a material, such as thin plastic or metal foil, that can be easily torn open. If a peel-off cover is utilized, it is preferably configured so that envelope 42 may be resealed, if desired. Substrate 32 may be secured within envelope 42 using an adhesive or equivalent means or the substrate may be left unsecured so that it may be removed for the purpose of cleaning the user's skin. In some cases, a substrate 32 may not be necessary. For example, a cleaning cream or gel for application to the user's skin may be packaged in envelope 42, which thus functions as a reservoir for the cleaning agent. A conventional towel or tissue may then be used, if desired, to assist in cleaning the user's skin.

Another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 6. Skin-cleaning article 50 is substantially similar to article 30 described above. However, article 50 has a series of perforations 52 or equivalent means for separating the article into a plurality of sections 54. Thus, one of sections 54 may be removed from the container or other surface to which it is adhered, used to clean the user's skin, and then discarded. A sealed cleaning article, such as article 40 described above, may be similarly segmented to provide a plurality of smaller sealed pouches, each of which contains a disposable section of treated substrate or quantity of cleaning agent.

Figure 7 illustrates another approach to providing a plurality of disposable cleaning articles. A plurality of treated substrates 62 are stacked in overlaying relationship. Each of substrates 62 may have an adhesive layer 64 so that it will adhere to the substrate immediately below it. Alternatively, the individual substrates may be adhesively joined along one edge as in a pad.

Yet another embodiment is illustrated in Figures 8a and 8b. In this embodiment, a container 70, such as the barrel of a marking pen, has a compartment 72 in which a treated substrate 74 is retained. A cap 76 may be provided to seal compartment 72. In order to fit within compartment 72, substrate 74 may be coiled as shown or may be folded into an equivalent compact configuration.

It will be recognized that the above-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A printed publication comprising: a plurality of printed pages; a substrate inserted in the printed publication having at least a portion thereof treated with a substance suitable for cleaning an object.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a glass cleaner.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a plastic cleaner.

The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a lens cleaner.

The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a shoe polish.

The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises a furniture polish.

7. The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises an antiseptic.

8. The article of claim 1 wherein the substance comprises an adhesive residue remover.

9. The article of claim 1 wherein the substance is microencapsulated.

10. The article of claim 9 wherein the microencapsulated substance is disposed on the substrate in a snap and burst arrangement.

11. The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate is printed.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein the substrate is printed with an ink that is substantially insoluble in the substance.

13. The article of claim 11 wherein the substrate is printed with advertising indicia.

14. The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises an additional page of the printed publication.

15. The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises a bookmark.

16. The article of claim 1 wherein the substrate is adhesively secured to a page of the printed publication.

17. The article of claim 1 further comprising a protective cover applied over the treated substrate.

18. An article for cleaning an object comprising: a substrate; a microencapsulated cleaning substance applied to at least a first portion of the substrate.

19. The article of claim 18 wherein a second portion of the substrate is free of the microencapsulated cleaning substance such that the second portion is suitable for use in removing the cleaning substance from the object.

20. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a glass cleaner.

21. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a plastic cleaner.

22. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a lens cleaner.

23. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a shoe polish.

24. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a furniture polish.

25. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises an antiseptic.

26. The article of claim 18 wherein the cleaning substance comprises an adhesive residue remover.

27. The article of claim 18 wherein the substrate comprises an insert in a printed pubhcation.

28. The article of claim 27 wherein the substrate is adhesively secured to a page of the printed publication.

29. The article of claim 18 wherein the substrate further comprises advertising indicia printed thereon.

30. The article of claim 18 further comprising a protective cover applied over the first portion of the substrate.

31. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a substrate having top and bottom surfaces; an adhesive applied to the bottom surface of the substrate; said substrate treated with a cleaning substance.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a solvent.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a soap.

34. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance comprises a detergent.

35. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance comprises an abrasive material.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the substrate comprises an absorbent material.

37. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance is dispersed in the substrate.

38. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the cleaning substance is applied to the top surface of the substrate.

39. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a reservoir containing a cleaning substance; an adhesive applied to an outer surface of the reservoir, whereby the reservoir may be adhered to an object.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the reservoir includes a removable sealing cover.

41. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the reservoir is sealed with a frangible material.

42. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the reservoir contains an absorbent substrate in which the cleaning substance is dispersed.

43. An apparatus comprising, in combination, a container for a first substance and a second substance, in which the first substance is soluble, applied to an exterior of the container.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the first substance comprises a paint.

45. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the first substance comprises an ink.

46. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the second substance is applied to a substrate adhered to the exterior of the container.