WO2004041051A2 - Tampons de nettoyage - Google Patents

Tampons de nettoyage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004041051A2
WO2004041051A2 PCT/US2003/035096 US0335096W WO2004041051A2 WO 2004041051 A2 WO2004041051 A2 WO 2004041051A2 US 0335096 W US0335096 W US 0335096W WO 2004041051 A2 WO2004041051 A2 WO 2004041051A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cleaning
mop head
pad
cleaning pad
attachment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2003/035096
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2004041051A3 (fr
Inventor
Nicola John Policicchio
Preston James Rhamy
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
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 The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to EP03778103A priority Critical patent/EP1560514A2/fr
Priority to AU2003286887A priority patent/AU2003286887A1/en
Priority to MXPA05004809A priority patent/MXPA05004809A/es
Priority to JP2004550462A priority patent/JP4369372B2/ja
Priority to CA002504792A priority patent/CA2504792C/fr
Publication of WO2004041051A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004041051A2/fr
Publication of WO2004041051A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004041051A3/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/42—Details
    • A47L13/44—Securing scouring-cloths to the brush or like body of the implement

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cleaning pads useful for removing soils from hard surfaces and which can be used with a variety of cleaning implements.
  • the cleaning pads comprise structures allowing a user to removably attach the cleaning pads to retaining means.
  • the present invention further relates to methods of using the cleaning pads with a cleaning implement to clean hard surfaces.
  • retaining means can be found in the SWIFFER® cleaning implement, sold by The Procter & Gamble Company, the CLOROX® READY-MOP® cleaning implement, sold by The Clorox Company and on the GO- MOPTM cleaning implement, sold by the S.C. Johnson Company, which all have slitted attachment structures located on the top of the mop head. These deflectable slitted structures can engage at least a portion of a cleaning pad and, as a result, can retain a cleaning pad about the mop head of the implement.
  • cleaning implements can be viewed as "pad specific” in the sense that they can only be used with cleaning pads which have retainable means corresponding to the type of retaining means used with a particular cleaning implement.
  • each cleaning implement can be a source of confusion for consumers who already own a cleaning implement, and wish to purchase additional pads for use with their cleaning implement. For example, a consumer who has purchased a cleaning implement having deflectable slitted structures, might mistakenly purchase refills of cleaning pads having loop fasteners and realize that this type of cleaning pad cannot be effectively attached to this type of implement. It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a cleaning pad which can be used with a variety of cleaning implements independently of the retaining means of the cleaning implement.
  • cleaning pads which are originally designed to be used with a cleaning implement having slitted structures, typically have attachment wings which can be mechanically engaged by the slitted structures located on the top surface of a mop head.
  • These attachment wings can be made of low cost fibrous materials.
  • the attachment wings are not suitably designed to stay attached to hook fasteners of an implement and tend to detach from the mop head either during the cleaning operation or when the user "lifts" the mop head from the floor surface.
  • “specialized loop” materials are available on the market, these are relatively expensive and can substantially increase the manufacturing cost of the pads.
  • a cleaning pad can have an absorbent layer having attachment wing portions which can be removably attached to retaining means located on the top surface of the mop head of a first cleaning implement as well as mechanical fasteners which can be removably attached to retaining means located on the bottom surface of a second cleaning implement.
  • at least one of the attachment wing portions of the cleaning pad has a notch such that the liquid delivered by a nozzle located on the mop head of an implement is not blocked (or obstructed) by the attachment wing portion having the notch.
  • Fig. 1 is an isometric view of one example of a cleaning implement which can be used with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is an isometric view of another example of a cleaning implement which can be used with the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is an isometric view of another example of a cleaning implement which can be used with the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in Fig. 3;
  • Fig. 5 is an isometric view of a cleaning pad of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view of the cleaning pad shown in Fig. 5 in a "closed" position
  • Fig. 7 is a side view of the cleaning pad shown in Fig. 5 in an "open" position
  • Fig. 8 is a side view of another cleaning pad shown in a "closed" position
  • Fig. 9 is a side view of the cleaning pad of Fig. 9 shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 10 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 11 is a side view of the cleaning pad shown in Fig. 10 in a "closed" position;
  • Fig. 12 is a side view of another embodiment shown a "closed" position
  • Fig. 13 is a top view of one embodiment shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 14 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 15 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 16 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 17 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 17 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 18 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention shown in an "open" position
  • Fig. 19a is schematic representation of the first step of one process of making the invention
  • Fig. 19b is schematic representation of the second step of one process of making the invention
  • Fig. 19c is schematic representation of the third step of one process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 20a is schematic representation of the first step of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 20b is schematic representation of the second step of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 20c is schematic representation of the third step of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 21a is schematic representation of the first step of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 21 b is schematic representation of the first second of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 21 c is schematic representation of the third step of another process of making the invention.
  • Fig. 22 is an isometric view of one cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 23 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 24 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 25 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 26 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 27 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 28 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • Fig. 29 is an isometric view of another cleaning pad of the invention.
  • the term “comprising” means that the various components, ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing the present invention. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of and “consisting of.”
  • direct fluid communication means that fluid can transfer readily between two cleaning pad components or layers (e.g., the floor sheet and the absorbent layer) without substantial accumulation, transport, or restriction by an inte ⁇ osed layer.
  • tissue, nonwoven webs, construction adhesives, and the like can be present between the two distinct components while maintaining "direct fluid communication", as long as they do not substantially impede or restrict fluid as it passes from one component or layer to another.
  • x-y dimension refers to the plane orthogonal to the thickness of the cleaning pad, or a component thereof.
  • the x and y dimensions correspond to the length and width, respectively, of the cleaning pad or a pad component. In general, when the cleaning pad is used in conjunction with a handle, the implement will be moved in a direction parallel to the y-dimension (or width) of the pad.
  • z-dimension refers to the dimension orthogonal to the length and width of the cleaning pad of the present invention, or a component thereof. The z-dimension therefore corresponds to the thickness of the cleaning pad or a pad component.
  • the present invention is not limited to cleaning pads having four sides. Other shapes, such as circular, elliptical, and the like, can also be used. When determining the width of the pad at any point in the z-dimension, it is understood that the pad is assessed according to its intended use.
  • the term “layer” refers to a member or component of a cleaning pad whose primary dimension is x-y, i.e., along its length and width. It should be understood that the term layer is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of material. Thus a layer can comprise laminates or combinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite type of materials. Accordingly, the term “layer” includes the terms “layers” and “layered.”
  • hydrophilic is used to refer to surfaces that are wettable by aqueous fluids deposited thereon. Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically defined in terms of contact angle and the surface tension of the fluids and solid surfaces involved. This is discussed in detail in the American Chemical Society publication entitled Contact Angle. Wettability and Adhesion, edited by Robert F. Gould (Copyright 1964), which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. A surface is said to be wetted by a fluid (i.e., hydrophilic) when either the contact angle between the fluid and the surface is less than 90°, or when the fluid tends to spread spontaneously across the surface, both conditions normally co-existing.
  • a fluid i.e., hydrophilic
  • a surface is considered to be “hydrophobic” if the contact angle is greater than 90° and the fluid does not spread spontaneously across the surface.
  • top surface when refe ⁇ ing to a layer of a cleaning pad or when referring to a mop head, means the surface which is the furthest away from the floor surface during normal cleaning conditions, i.e. the pad being "sandwiched" between the floor surface and the mop head.
  • an "upper" layer of a cleaning pad is a layer that is relatively further away from the surface that is to be cleaned (i.e., in the implement context, relatively closer to the implement handle during use).
  • the term “lower” layer conversely means a layer of a cleaning pad that is relatively closer to the surface that is to be cleaned (i.e., in the implement context, relatively further away from the implement handle during use).
  • the floor sheet is preferably the lower-most layer and the absorbent layer is preferably an upper layer relative to the floor sheet.
  • the terms "upper” and “lower” are similarly used when referring to layers that are multi-ply (e.g., when the floor sheet is a two-ply material).
  • a first layer is a “lower” layer relative to a second layer.
  • a third layer is an “upper” layer relative to a second layer.
  • the terms “above” and “below” are used to describe relative locations of two or more materials in a cleaning pad's thickness.
  • a material A is “above” material B if material B is positioned closer to floor surface than material A during normal cleaning conditions.
  • material B is “below” material A in this illustration.
  • Conventional wet cleaning implements typically have a handle connected to a support head which can have an absorbent material in the form of a sponge or strings of an absorbent material.
  • “Modern” wet cleaning implements have a handle which is rotatably connected to a mop head.
  • the mop head of these implements can have retaining means located on the top or the bottom surface of the mop head for mechanically engaging and retaining an absorbent cleaning pad.
  • Some of these wet cleaning implements comprise a built-in fluid delivery mechanism for delivering a cleaning solution onto a floor surface.
  • the cleaning solution can be stored in a container which is removably attachable to the fluid delivery mechanism.
  • Non-limiting examples of "modern" cleaning implement include the SWIFFER® and SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implements sold by The Procter & Gamble Company, the CLOROX READY-MOP® sold by The Clorox Company and the GRABBIT GO-MOPTM sold by The S.C. Johnson company.
  • Fig. 1 shows one example of such a "Modern” wet cleaning implement 10 having a handle 20, rotatably connected to a mop head 30 which includes retaining means 40 located on the top surface of the mop head and which are suitable for mechanically engaging and retaining a cleaning pad of the present invention.
  • the retaining means 40 located on the top surface of the mop head can be deflectable slitted structures such as the ones described in U.S.
  • Non-limiting example of retaining means located on the top surface of a mop head include clamps, clips, mechanical fasteners such as hook or loop fasteners, pins and the like such as the one described in U.S. patent 4, 991,250 to Young, issued February 12, 1991 , in U.S. patent 3,698,030 to Lockett, issued October 17, 1972.
  • retaining means can also be located on the side edges of a mop head and still provide the same benefits.
  • the mop head 30 in the example shown also comprises a nozzle 50 located substantially adjacent to the leading edge of the mop head 30 and which is in fluid communication with a fluid delivery mechanism (not shown) located in a housing 60 and a container 70 comprising a cleaning solution.
  • a fluid delivery mechanism not shown
  • the nozzle can alternatively be connected to the handle of the implement and still provide the same benefits.
  • Fig. 2 shows one example of a cleaning implement which does not include a built-in fluid delivery mechanism but which comprises retaining means 40 located on the top surface of the mop head such as the ones previously described.
  • Fig. 3 and 4 show another example of such a "Modem" wet cleaning implement 10 which is similar to the wet cleaning implement shown in Fig. 1 but which includes retaining means 80 located on the bottom surface of the mop head 30 as shown in Fig. 4.
  • the retaining means 80 located on the bottom surface of the mop head 30 are suitable for mechanically engaging and retaining a cleaning pad of the present invention.
  • the retaining means 80 can be hook fasteners attached to the bottom surface of the mop head and which are suitable for mechanically engaging and retaining loop fasteners.
  • the retaining means 80 can also be loop fasteners attached to the bottom surface of the mop head and which are engageable and retainable by hook fasteners and still provide the same benefits.
  • the present invention relates to a cleaning pad, preferably disposable, which is removably attachable to various types of cleaning implements, the cleaning pad comprising:
  • liquid pervious floor sheet is preferably an apertured formed film, more preferably a macroscopically expanded three-dimensional plastic web, having tapered or funnel-shaped apertures and/or surface aberrations and preferably comprising a hydrophobic material;
  • the density gradient preferably comprises a first absorbent layer having a density of from about 0.01 g/cm 3 to about 0.15 g/cm 3 , preferably from about 0.03 g/cm 3 to about 0.1 g/cm 3 , and more preferably from about 0.04 g/cm 3 to about 0.06 g/cm 3 , and a second absorbent layer having a density of from about 0.04 g/cm 3 to about 0.2 g/cm 3 , preferably from about 0.1 g/cm 3 to about 0.2 g/cm 3 , and more preferably from about 0.12 g/cm
  • a cleaning pad 11 comprises at least an absorbent layer 21 which serves to retain any fluid and/or soil absorbed by the cleaning pad during its use with a cleaning implement.
  • the absorbent layer(s) of the cleaning pad can be made of any type of absorbent material known in the art such as those described in PCT application Serial No. WO 00/27271 to Policicchio et al, filed November 9, 1999, and assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company.
  • Non-limiting examples of absorbent materials suitable for the absorbent layer of a cleaning pad are described in Section V infra.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show a cleaning pad 11 which can be removably attached to either retaining means located on the top or the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • the absorbent layer 21 of the pad can have a width which is greater than the width of a mop head such that a front and back portions of the absorbent layer 21, form a first and a second attachment wing portion 121, 221 of the pad, which are mechanically engageable by attachment structures located on the top surface of a mop head.
  • the attachment wing portions 121, 221 of the pad can be an integral part of the absorbent layer but also that the attachment wing portions can be separate layer of material connected to the absorbent layer 21 and still provide the same benefits.
  • the width of a cleaning pad 11 is at least about 10%, preferably at least about 25%, more preferably at least about 50% and most preferably at least about 100% greater than the width of the mop head. In one embodiment, the width of the cleaning pad is between about 5 cm and about 50 cm, preferably between about 10 cm and about 40 cm, more preferably between about 20 cm and about 35 cm.
  • the cleaning pad 11 is mechanically being engaged by retaining means located on the bottom surface of the mop head of the implement.
  • these retaining means are hook fasteners attached to the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • the absorbent layer 21 can be made of a fibrous material having grabable fibers which can be engaged and retained by the hook fasteners located at the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • the cleaning pad 11 can have at least one, but preferably two strips of mechanical fasteners 31, 41 which can be attached to a surface of the cleaning pad 11, preferably a top surface of the pad which faces the retaining means located on the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • the strips of mechanical fasteners 31, 41 are strips of loops fasteners.
  • strips of hook fasteners can also be attached to a surface of a cleaning pad either in addition to or instead of the strips of loops fasteners 31, 41.
  • strips of hook fasteners allow the pad to be removably attached to loop fasteners attached at the bottom surface of the mop head of an implement.
  • the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 can be attached to the top surface of the cleaning pad 11 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
  • a non-limiting example of loop fasteners 31, 41 include strips of a fibrous material which can be adhesively attached to the absorbent layer 21.
  • suitable loop fasteners include non-woven materials which will be later described.
  • the size as well as the location of the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 on the absorbent layer 21 are related to the location of the hook fasteners at the bottom of a mop head.
  • the cleaning pad 11 can be removably attached to the mop head of a first cleaning implement having retaining means located on the top surface of the mop head but it can also be removably attached to a second cleaning implement having retaining means located at the bottom surface of the mop head of this second implement.
  • Cleaning pads can be folded in order to be conveniently packaged.
  • a cleaning pad 11 can be folded along a first and a second folding line 1121, 1221 such that the attachment wing portions 121, 221,cover at least partially the top surface of the cleaning pad 11 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
  • the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 are preferably attached to the top surface of the attachment wing portions 121, 221 of the pad.
  • the two layers of loop fasteners 31, 41 are substantially adjacent to the folding lines 1121, 1221 (i.e. leading and trailing edges) of the pad 11.
  • each attachment wing portion 121, 221 of the pad 11 is the surface of the wings facing substantially upwards when each attachment wing 121, 221 is folded onto the cleaning pad 11.
  • having the loop fasteners 31, 41 attached to the top surface of each attachment wing portion 121, 221 provides a visual signal to the user who can readily see the attachment wing portion 121, 221 of the pad as well as the strips of loop fasteners.
  • a user is aware that the cleaning pad is attachable to retaining means located on the top or the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • loop fasteners 31, 41 attached to the top surface of each portion 121, 221 of the pad is that a consumer can attach the cleaning pad directly to the bottom surface of a mop head having hook fasteners without having to unfold or "open" the attachment wing portions 121, 221 in order to access the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41.
  • Still another benefit of having the loop fasteners attached to the top surface of each attachment wing portion of the pad is that when such a pad is attached to the hook fasteners located on the bottom surface of a mop head, each attachment wing portion is in direct fluid communication with the middle portion of the pad and, as a result, a greater "volume" of the absorbent layer, and consequently of the cleaning pad, can be used to absorb liquid from a surface.
  • Fig. 7 shows a cleaning pad 11 in an "opened” position with the attachment wing portions 121, 221 which are attachable to retaining means located on the top surface of a mop head.
  • the loop fasteners 31, 41 can be attached to the top surface of the absorbent layer 21 such that they are “sandwiched" between the attachment wing portions 121, 221 and the centered portion of the absorbent layer 21.
  • a user needs to "open" the pad 11 in order to access the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 to attach the pad to retaining means located on the bottom surface of a mop head, as shown in Fig. 9.
  • a cleaning pad 11 can optionally, but preferably have a barcier layer 51 made of a semi-pervious or substantially impervious material, located on the top of the cleaning pad 11.
  • the barrier layer 51 can be made of any impervious material known in the art, which substantially prevents the passage of a liquid from one side of the barcier layer to the other side of this layer.
  • suitable materials include plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and similar films.
  • the impervious layer 51 is made of a clear translucent film of material which allows the user to see the soil which has been absorbed in the absorbent layer(s), especially in the uppermost absorbent layer 21.
  • a clear translucent impervious layer is beneficial to let the user know that it is time to replace the cleaning pad.
  • a substantially impervious layer 51 can be beneficial to prevent the liquid which is absorbed by the pad 11, from coming in contact with the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • the impervious layer 51 can be located on the top surface of the attachment wing portions 121, 221 such that the impervious layer substantially covers the top surface of the two attachment wing portions 121, 221.
  • the impervious layer 51 comprises a perforation line 151 in order to help the user "break" (i.e. separate) the impervious layer 51.
  • the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 are preferably attached to the top surface of the impervious layer 51 such that a user can readily attach the cleaning pad 11 to the bottom surface of a mop head having hook fasteners without having to break the impervious layer 51.
  • the impervious layer 51 can be located on the top surface of the absorbent layer 21 such that it is "sandwiched" between the attachment wing portions 121, 221 and the middle portion of the absorbent layer 21.
  • the strips of loop fasteners 31, 41 can be attached to either the top surface of the attachment wing portions 121, 221 as previously discussed, or to the top surface of the impervious layer 51.
  • an impervious layer 51 can be attached to the top surface of each attachment wing portions 121, 221.
  • the attachment wing portions 121, 221 can be at least partially attached to the top surface of the cleaning pad 11 such that each attachment wing portions 121, 221 is "tacked down" on the top surface of the cleaning pad.
  • at least partially attached it is meant that the attachment wing portions 121, 221 are partially bonded to the top surface of the absorbent layer 21 and or the impervious layer 51 but that a user can "separate" each attachment wing portion 121, 221 by breaking these partial bonds 2121, 2221.
  • the partial bonds 2121, 2221 can be created via any process know in the art.
  • the partial bonds 2121, 2221 can be created by applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the top surface of the cleaning pad and then and by folding each attachment wing portion 121, 221 such that these are in contact with the adhesive. Partial bonds 2121, 2221 can also be created by thermo-bonding the attachment wing portions 121, 221 to the top surface of the cleaning pad 11.
  • the partial bonds 2121, 2221 can be formed on any area of the attachment wing portions 121, 221 as long as they are breakable by a user when the user wishes to attach the attachment wing portions 121, 221 to the retaining structures located on the top of a mop head.
  • partial (or frangible) bonds between the attachment wing portions 121, 221 and the top surface of the cleaning pad 11 enhances the structural integrity of the pad. Consequently, the cleaning pad 11 is readily and conveniently attachable to the bottom surface of a mop head having hook fasteners.
  • the partial bonds 2121, 2221 also prevent the attachment wing portions 121, 221 from flipping back and forth when a user wishes to attach the pad to retaining means located on the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • Fig. 13 represents a cleaning pad 11, viewed from the top in an "open" position and which can have at least one notch 3121 made on at least one of the attachment wing portions 121, 221.
  • a notch 3121 allows the user to attach the pad 11 to the retaining means located on the top surface of a mop head and which comprises a nozzle for delivering a liquid, which is also attached to the top surface of the mop head.
  • the attachment wing 121 having a notch 3121 does not block or obstruct the liquid being delivered from the nozzle during the cleaning operation.
  • both attachment wing portions 121, 221 comprise respectively a notch 3121, 3221 such that the cleaning pad 11 can be attached to the mop head independently of the orientation of the leading edge or trailing edge of the cleaning pad 11.
  • any type of notch can be made to the attachment wing portions 121, 221 as long as it allows the nozzle on the mop head to dispense the cleaning solution onto a hard surface without having the cleaning solution being blocked or obstructed by the cleaning pad.
  • a cleaning pad 11 can have one or more cuffs, preferably "free-floating" functional cuffs 61 which can be attached to the leading edge and/or the trailing edge of the cleaning pad 11.
  • the functional cuff(s) 61 improves the cleaning performance of the cleaning pad, for example in terms of particulates being picked-up by the pad.
  • a cleaning pad comprising functional cuff(s) is wiped back and forth across a hard surface, the functional cuff(s) "flip" from side to side, thus picking-up and trapping particulate matters.
  • the functional cuffs 61 can be either mono-layer cuffs (i.e.
  • a cleaning pad 11 can have a floor sheet 71 that can function as a scrubbing layer.
  • the floor sheet is in fluid communication with the bottom surface of the absorbent layer 21 of the cleaning pad 11.
  • suitable floor sheets are described in greater details in section V. infra.
  • a cleaning pad 12 can have an absorbent layer 12 and a floor sheet 72 which can have a width greater than the width of the mop head of a cleaning implement such that the floor sheet 72 comprises a first and a second attachment wing portion 172, 272.
  • the first and second attachment wing portions 172, 272 can be removably engaged and retained by retaining means located on the top or bottom of the mop head.
  • the attachment wing portions 172, 272 of the floor sheet can respectively have a notch 1172, 1272 which allow a liquid to be delivered from a nozzle located on the top of a mop head.
  • the attachment wing portions 172, 272 of the floor sheet 72 can be made of a loop fastener type material suitable to be removably attached to hook fasteners located at the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • the strips of loop fasteners 32, 42 can be attached to the attachment wing portions 172, 272, preferably to the top surface of the attachment wing portions such that the cleaning pad 12 is removably attachable to hook fasteners located at the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • the attachment wing portions 172, 272 can be folded onto the top surface of the cleaning pad and form a first and a second folding line 2172, 2272.
  • the attachment wing portions 172, 272 can be partially bonded to the top surface of the cleaning pad and/or be partially bonded to each other as previously described.
  • a cleaning pad 14 comprises at least one but preferably multiple absorbent layers 24.
  • the cleaning pad 14 comprises at least an absorbent layer 24, a floor sheet 34 which is in direct fluid communication with the bottom surface of the absorbent layer 24, a barrier layer 44 which is located on the top of the absorbent layer 24, attachment wings 54, 64 for removably attaching the pad to retaining means located on the top surface of a mop head and, optionally but preferably, at least one functional cuff 74.
  • the absorbent layer(s) 24 can be made of any of the materials described hereinafter.
  • the cleaning pad 14 comprises at least two, but preferably at least three absorbent layers 24 which are consecutively in fluid communication and which have different widths such that the overall absorbent core, formed by the multiple absorbent layers 24, has multiple widths along the z axis.
  • the barrier layer 44 (or backsheet) can be made from a substantially impervious material such as polyethethlene, polypropylene, polyester, and similar films, or from a semi-pervious material including one or more non-wovens layers such as SMS (spun-bond, melblown spun-bond), spun-bonded, carded, thermal bonded or hydro-entangled in order to keep liquid and dirt that is absorbed contained within the absorbent core of the pad 14 while at the same time helping to keep the bottom of the mop head dry and clean.
  • the barrier layer 44 can be composed of a single layer or multiple layers.
  • the barrier layer 44 When the cleaning pad 14 is used with a cleaning implement having a built-in fluid delivery mechanism, and in particular when this fluid delivery mechanism tends to dribble liquid onto the back of the pad 14 while the liquid is being delivered, it is beneficial for the barrier layer 44 to be semi-pervious rather than substantially impervious. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that if some liquid dribbles onto the back of the pad 14 having a barrier layer 44 made of a semi- pervious, this liquid can penetrate through the substantially impervious layer and then be absorbed by the absorbent layer(s) 24. An semi-pervious layer reduces the accumulation of liquid onto the back of the pad, which otherwise could potentially drip onto the floor when a user removes the pad from the mop head.
  • apertures can be made to a barrier layer 44, made of either a semi-pervious or substantially impervious material, by cutting holes or slits into the layer.
  • apertures can be made on a polyethylene film which has already been formed or by creating the apertures in the film during its formation.
  • An example of such a process is the vacuum forming technology used by Tredegar Industries.
  • the cleaning pad 14 comprises at least a pair of attachment wings 54, 64 which can be attached to one of the layers of the pad 14, preferably the barrier layer 44.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be attached to the barrier layer 44 with an adhesive such as a hotmelt adhesive which can be applied to a defined area of the barrier layer 44, preferably an area adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge of the barrier layer 44, in any pattern known in the art such as beads, spirals or slot coating.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be made from plastic films, non- wovens, paper or any combination or laminates of these materials.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 are made from a material having a good dry strength and a good wet strength.
  • dry strength it is meant that when the material is substantially dry, it does not substantially tear or overly stretch, in particular when the attachment wings 54, 64 are pulled and then mechanically engaged by retaining means located on the top of a mop head.
  • wet strength it is meant that the structural properties of the material do not substantially degrade when the material is wet. A good wet strength is beneficial when a liquid gets in contact accidentally with the attachment wings 54, 64 during a wet mopping operation.
  • Machine Direction herein after "MD”
  • CD Cross Direction
  • MD Machine Direction
  • CD Cross Direction
  • Attachine Direction it is meant the direction in which the greater number of the fibers of a substrate tend to be oriented. The substrate is typically stronger in the machine direction, and also experiences less dimensional variation in the machine direction.
  • Cross Direction it is meant the direction substantially pe ⁇ endicular to the machine direction.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be attached to the cleaning pad 14 such that the MD of the material is oriented along the length of the pad (i.e.
  • the CD tensile properties are particularly relevant to the tear resistance of the attachment wings 54, 64 since this is the direction in which the attachment wings are stretched and pulled by the user when the user wishes to attach the wings to the retaining means on the top of the mop head.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be attached to the cleaning pad 14 such that the CD of the material is oriented along the length of the pad (i.e.
  • the tensile strength of the attachment wing 54, 64 in the direction substantially pe ⁇ endicular to the leading/trailing edges of the pad 14 is at least about 300 g/inch, preferably at least about 500 g/inch and more preferably at least about 700 g/inch. It is also believed that in order to have the attachment wings 54, 64 being suitably retained by the retaining means, the degree of bulk or the thickness of the material used to make the attachment wings 54, 64 should be carefully chosen.
  • the material used to make the attachment wings 54, 64 has a thickness of at least about 0.2 mm, preferably at least about 0.25 mm and more preferably at least about 0.3 mm when measured under a 0.1 psi force using a caliper gauge. In addition, it is believed that the stiffness of the attachment wings 54, 64 can impact on the ability of the user to "manipulate" the attachment wings. In one embodiment, the material used to make the attachment wings 54, 64 has a basis weight of at least about 15 g/sqm (or 15 gsm), preferably at least 30 g/sqm (or 30 gsm), and more preferably at least about 40 g/sqm (or 40 gsm).
  • attachment wings 54, 64 be substantially tear resistant, in particular when a portion of the attachment wings is "tucked” into the deflectable slitted attachment structures or gripper which can have sha ⁇ edges. It can also be beneficial that the material used to make the attachment wings 54, 64 have a certain amount of texture or roughness in order for the attachment wings 54, 64 to remain engaged within the retaining structures located on the top of a mop head, in particular during the mopping operation. A "smoother" material having a lower coefficient of friction can potentially cause the attachment wings 54, 64 to slip out of the retaining means located on the top of a mop head.
  • Non-limiting examples of suitable materials used to make the attachment wings include non-wovens such as spun-bonds, spun-bond melt blown spun-bonds, hydro-entangled and the like.
  • Plastic materials, in the form of films, are typically smoother than non-wovens and tend to be less puncture resistant but can still be used, although not preferred, to make the attachment wings 54, 64.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be made of a plastic material having a relatively high basis weight of at least about 25 gsm, more preferably about 30 gsm and even more preferably about 40 gsm.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can also be made of a film of plastic material which can be laminated to another material.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can also be made of a plastic material which can be modified, i.e. made with co-polymers or embossing to reduce the material's smoothness.
  • a plastic material which can be modified, i.e. made with co-polymers or embossing to reduce the material's smoothness.
  • One possible way to achieve this result is to apply hot melts or the like, to the surface of the film in order to create bulk and/or roughness or also by applying an elastomeric material to the surface of the attachment wings 54, 64.
  • suitable hotmelt adhesives include HL- 2238, HL-1461, D-3151 and HL-1620 made by the HB Fuller Company, of St.
  • a plastic film can also be deformed or corrugated by ring rolling type technologies which are well known in the art in order to create bulk and/or roughness.
  • the modem type cleaning implements have a built-in fluid delivery mechanism comprising a nozzle removably or permanently attached to the mop head or the handle of the implement.
  • a nozzle removably or permanently attached to the mop head or the handle of the implement.
  • at least one of the attachment wings 54, 64 have a notch or cut-out 154 as shown in Fig. 17.
  • This notch or cut-out 154 allows the user to attach the cleaning pad to the mop head of an implement having a nozzle located on the top of the mop head while allowing a liquid to be delivered from the nozzle without being blocked or obstructed by the attachment wing 54.
  • a cleaning pad 14 comprises a pair of attachment wings 54, 64 each having a notch or cut-out 154, 164 such that a user can attach the cleaning pad to the mop head independently of the orientation of the leading edge or trailing edge of the pad 14.
  • an attachment wing 54, 64 made of a continuous layer of material with a notch 154, 164
  • the same result can be achieved by providing a cleaning pad with four separate attachment wings 541, 542, 641 and 642, attached by pair on each side of the pad, i.e. on the leading edge and/or the trailing edge of the pad such that there is a space in between these two separate attachment wings located on a same edge as shown in Fig. 18.
  • the notch 154 can be made by cutting out a substantially centered section of an attachment wing 54.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 each having a notch 154, 164 can be made by providing a layer or web of material 84 from a roll of material and by subjecting this layer to a knife which punches out a preferably symmetrical centered notch 184 as shown in Fig. 19a. The portion of material which has been cut out from the continuous web of material 84, is then immediately removed from the web using a vacuum. At this point of the process, the layer (web) of material 84 is still in one piece but for the centered portion which has been removed. The layer of material can then be cut along its with and slit in the middle in order to create the two separate attachment wings 54, 64 as shown in Figs. 19b and 19c.
  • the layer of material 84 is only partially cut in the middle with for example a perforation blade in order to create a perforation line 284 defining the outer edges of the attachment wings 54, 64 while maintaining the integrity of the layer of material 84.
  • Preserving the layer's integrity can simplify the manufacturing process since a single layer of material 84 can be tracked more uniformly relative to the rest of the pad.
  • the perforations of the centered perforation line 284 can all have the same size or can vary in length or can also include a succession of short perforations followed by a long perforation.
  • the perforation line 284 allows a user to separate the wings easily along a substantially continuous line before attaching to implement head.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be made via a "nesting" process. During the "nesting" process, a symmetrical and periodical shape 384 is cut through a web of material 84 as shown in Fig. 21 a. The two layers of material obtained, and which ultimately form the attachment wings 54, 64, can then be aligned as shown in Fig. 21b. The two separate layers 54, 64 can be aligned, for example by increasing the speed of one them relative to the other. Once the two separate layers are properly aligned, these can be cut along their width to form a pair of attachment wings 54, 64 as shown in Fig. 21c.
  • the "nesting" process reduces the amount of material being wasted as previously described when a notch 184 is cut in a centered area of a layer but it also simplifies the manufacturing process of the cleaning pad 14.
  • the shape can be any symmetrical shape as long as it provides the notches 154, 164 which allow a liquid to be delivered from a nozzle without being blocked by the attachment wing 54 or 64.
  • suitable shapes include sinusoidal, triangular, rectangular or any combination thereof.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 are bonded onto a pad 14.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be bonded to the pad 14 via any process known in the art.
  • suitable bonding processes include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, mechanical crimping, ultrasonic welding and the like.
  • each attachment wing 54, 64 can be bonded respectively to a first and a second area 254, 264 which can be substantially adjacent to the leading and trailing edges of the pad.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 are respectively bonded to the areas 254, 264 with glue beads which provide a suitable bond strength.
  • each bonding area 254, 264 has a width between about 1mm and about 15mm.
  • W the smaller the width of each bonding area 254, 264, the greater the distance between the two attachment wings 54, 64 can be. Optimizing the distance between two attachment wings 54, 64 is particularly beneficial when a cleaning pad is used with a cleaning implement having a wider mop head.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 can be thermo-bonded to the barrier layer of the cleaning pad but in this case, the materials used to make the attachment wings and the barrier layer should be chosen depending on their bonding compatibility
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can optionally but preferably be partially bonded to the barrier layer 44 of the cleaning pad in addition to being bonded to the leading edge and trailing edge of the barrier layer 44.
  • Each attachment wing 54, 64 can be partially bonded respectively to an area of the barrier layer 44 in order to form partial bonds 144, 244 and such that each attachment wing 54, 64 is "tacked down" onto the top surface of the barrier layer 44.
  • the partial bonds 144, 244 prevent each attachment wing from sliding against the top surface of the barrier layer and keep them in place until a user "breaks" the partial bonds 144, 244 by pulling on the attachment wings 54, 64.
  • the partial bonds 144, 244 minimize the risk that the cleaning pad 14 would be removed from the mop head due to shear forces exerted on the pad during the mopping operation and in particular when the absorbent layer(s) 24 of the pad increasingly absorbs a liquid.
  • the partial bonds 144, 244 also contribute to distribute homogeneously the shear forces exerted on the pad 14 to a wider portion of the loop fastener and, as a result, the partial bonds 144, 244 avoid a concentration of the shear strength to a local area of the loop fasteners.
  • the partial bonds 144, 244 are preferably easily frangible or "breakable" by a user when a user pulls or peels the attachment wings 54, 64 in order to attach the cleaning pad to retaining means located on the top of a mop head.
  • Suitable partial bonds 144, 244 can be made via any process known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable processes include adhesive bonding, heat sealing, mechanical crimping, ultrasonic welding and the like.
  • the partial bonds 144, 244 are formed by applying a low level of a hotmelt adhesive to a small area of the top surface of the barrier layer 44 which is preferably not greater than about 36 mm 2 in order to create a spot weld.
  • a partial bond 144 can be located anywhere between the bonding area 254 and the loose edge 354 of an attachment wing 54.
  • the distance between the bonding area 254 and a partial bond 144 is between about 1/5 and about 4/5, preferably between about 1/3 and 2/3 and more preferably about 1/2 the distance between the bonding area 254 and the loose edge 354 of the attachment wing 54.
  • leaving a loose edge 354 "unbonded” allows a user to grab the edge 354 of the attachment wing 54 and pull on the attachment wing 54 in order to break the partial bond 144.
  • the size, location and bonding strength of the partial bond 144 can be adapted while still providing the same benefits.
  • the bond strength of the partial bond is between about 30 g/inch width and about 300 g/inch width, preferably between about 30 g/inch width and about 200 g/inch width and more preferably between about 30 g/inch width and about 200 g/inch width.
  • the maximum peak force of the partial bond can be measured by following the ASTM test D 1876-95 (Standard Test Method for Peel Resistance also known as T-Peel Test).
  • neither the attachment wing (or attachment wing portion) nor the barrier layer (or absorbent layer if no barrier layer is present) are substantially damaged, i.e. torn, when a user peels an attachment wing (or attachment wing portion) and "break" the partial bond.
  • partial bond strength can be adjusted depending on the dry weight of the cleaning pad and the total absorbent capacity of the pad such that the partial bond is not broken due to the pad's weight.
  • total absorbent capacity it is meant the total amount of deionized water that can be absorbed by the pad.
  • the amount of shear force exerted to the pad during the cleaning operation preferably do not cause the partial bond to break.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 which are bonded adjacent to the leading edge and trailing edge of the pad 14, can be partially bonded to each other as shown in Fig. 24.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be partially bonded to each other either by creating at least one partial bond 484 between two separate and opposite wings as previously discussed or by having at least a perforation line 284 located substantially at the center of a layer of material and which can be broken by a user to create the attachment wings 54, 64 as previously described.
  • a partial bond between the attachment wings 54, 64 improves the "retainability" of a cleaning pad to the bottom surface of a mop head having hook fasteners.
  • a partial bond 484 between the attachment wings 54, 64 is particularly valuable when each attachment wing is not partially bonded to the top surface of the cleaning pad and/or when strips of loop fasteners 94, 104 are located on the top of each attachment wings 54, 64, especially when the strips of loops fasteners 94, 104 are located away from the bonding area 254, 264.
  • the cleaning pad 14 of the present invention can be used with either a cleaning implement having retaining means located on the top of a mop head or a cleaning implement having retaining means located at the bottom of the mop head.
  • retaining means located on the bottom of a mop head are hook fasteners having hook protrusions suitable for mechanically engaging and retaining the grabable fibers of loop materials. Consequently, the "retainability" of a cleaning pad on the bottom surface of a mop head having hook fasteners can be influenced by the type of loop material present on the cleaning pad.
  • strips of loop fasteners 94, 104 can be added to a cleaning pad 14, preferably to a surface of the cleaning pad which is directly or indirectly accessible by the hook fasteners of a mop head.
  • suitable loop fasteners include XPL -99139 available from 3M Co ⁇ ., Series 800, 804, and 040 loops from Aplix Corp., Series 1000 and 2000 from Velcro USA Inc.
  • strips of loop fasteners 94, 104 are preferably added to an outer (or top) surface of the cleaning pad 14 which is directly accessible and engageable by the hook fasteners of a mop head without requiring a user to pull the attachment wings 54, 64.
  • strips of loop fasteners 94, 104 can be added to the top surface of the barrier layer 44 (or absorbent layer 24 if no barcier layer is used) such that the strips of loop fasteners are "sandwiched" between the attachment wings 54, 64 and the barrier layer 44.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be made of the same type of material as the functional cuffs previously described.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 are removably attachable to a cleaning implement having retaining means on the top surface of the mop head, but also provide the same benefits as the functional cuffs 74 when the pad 14 is used with a cleaning implement having hook fasteners.
  • the "unused" portion of the attachment wings 54, 64 can extend outwardly and downwardly such that they can contact the floor surface during a typical mopping operation.
  • each attachment wing 54, 64 can optionally have respectively a perforation line 454, 464 which is substantially adjacent to the bonding areas 254, 264 such that a user can optionally remove the attachment wings 54, 64 from the pad 14. This can be the case when the attachment wings 54, 64 are not needed for retaining a pad about the mop head of an implement having hook fasteners.
  • strips of loop fasteners 94, 104 can be attached to either the top surface of the barcier layer 44 or the top surface of the attachment wings 54, 64.
  • Many loop fastener type materials can be viewed as "optimized" in the sense that they are specifically designed to be engaged by and removed from hook fasteners materials several times while maintaining good retainability properties.
  • optical loop material it is meant a material having a Peel Force greater than about 200g when measured with the Peel Force Test which is described in greater details hereinafter.
  • a cleaning pad 14 which is used with cleaning implements having hook fasteners is only attached to and removed from the mop head a relatively small number of times before the pad is used and disposed of. Consequently, an “optimized” loop material may not be needed to allow a pad 14 to be retained to hook fasteners located on the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • “optimized” loop type materials can be rather costly.
  • a cleaning pad 14 can comprise relatively small strips of "optimized” loop materials.
  • acceptable retainability properties it is meant that a cleaning pad 14 should substantially remain attached to a mop head having hooks fasteners during the mopping operation and/or remain substantially attached to the mop head when the mop head is lifted from the floor surface.
  • a cleaning pad 14 comprises a least two strips 94, 104 of "optimized" loop material, each having an area of at least about 100 mm 2 , preferably at least about 250 mm 2 , and more preferably at least about 500 mm 2 .
  • a cleaning pad 14 can include attachment wings 54, 64 made of a loop fastener material made of a non-wovens material having a suitable degree of grabable fibers, bulk and/or thickness. It was discovered that the ability of a loop fastener type material to be retained by hook fasteners and, consequently, the ability of a cleaning pad to stay attached to a mop head, can decrease if a liquid is absorbed by the loop fastener type material.
  • Synthetic fibers are substantially hydrophobic and, consequently, do not substantially absorb liquids.
  • the loop fasteners can be made from non-woven materials comprising synthetic fibers which can be in the form of a mono-layer or multi-layer type material.
  • a cleaning pad 14 can have further include strips of non-woven loop type material 94, 104 attached to the attachment wings 54, 64 or the barcier layer 44 as previously discussed.
  • the attachment wings 54, 64 can be made of a material of a material having a Peel Force of more than about 30 g, but the attachment wings 54, 64 are preferably made of a material having a Peel Force of less than about 30 g.
  • a cleaning pad 14 can have attachment wings 54, 64 entirely made of a non-woven loop fastener type material.
  • the use of a non-woven loop type material to make the attachment wings 54, 64 simplifies the manufacturing process of the cleaning pad since additional strips of loop fasteners are not needed.
  • the thickness of the attachment wings 54, 64 which is related to the degree of bulk, can impact on the ability of the attachment wings 54, 64 to be retained by the attachment structures located on the top of the mop head.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 can also impact on the degree of stiffness of the attachment wings and, as a result, on the user's ability to "open” (or pull) the attachment wings and then attach the cleaning pad 14 to the mop head.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 made of thicker/stiffer materials can have a tendency to return (or spring back) to their original folded shape. This tendency to return to their original folded and/or unfolded shape may not be well accepted by a user.
  • attachment wings 54, 64 made of thinner are easier to open by a user and do not have the same tendency to return to their original folded and/or unfolded shape once opened by a user.
  • a cleaning pad can comprise attachment wings 54, 64 having a width greater than about 50% of the width of the cleaning pad 14 such that the attachment wings 54, 64 overlap on the centered portion 474 of the pad as shown in Fig. 24.
  • One skilled in the art will understand that by increasing the width of the attachment wings 54, 64, it becomes possible to insert more material within each slitted attachment structures of the mop head and, as a result, increase the bulk and/or retainability of the cleaning pad 14 on the mop head.
  • At least a portion 554, 564 of the attachment wings 54, 64 preferably the portion of the attachment wings which is engaged by the attachment structures of the mop head, has an overall thickness which is greater than the thickness of the remainder of the attachment wing 54, 64.
  • a layer of material can be bonded to a portion of each attachment wings 54, 64 in order to increase the thickness of this portion.
  • a portion of the layer of material used to make the attachment wings 54, 64 can be folded (or "looped") and bonded along its length in order to increase, i.e. double, the thickness of the attachment wing 54, 64.
  • each attachment wing 54, 64 can be made of at least two juxtaposed layers of material.
  • increasing the thickness of at least a portion of each attachment wing 54, 64 can enhance the retainability of this portion of the attachment wings to slitted attachment structures.
  • Increasing the thickness of at least a portion of the attachment wings also enhances the retainability of the attachment wings to the hook fasteners at the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • Suitable non-woven or non-woven laminates materials which can be used as loop type fasteners, are identified with the following tests. These tests are aimed at recreating the usage conditions of a cleaning pad in both a dry and wet environment as well as determining the peel force of suitable loop fasteners materials.
  • the first test is performed to evaluate the retainability of a substantially dry cleaning pad to the hook fasteners at the bottom surface of the mop head of a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement.
  • the second test is performed to evaluate the retainability of a cleaning pad which has absorbed about 100 ml of deionized water, to the hook fasteners at the bottom surface of the mop head of a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement.
  • cleaning pads are placed such that their bottom surface is laying flat on a vinyl floor surface measuring about 3 ft by 3 ft.
  • a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement having hook fasteners at the bottom surface of the mop head is then carefully applied against the top of the cleaning pads top surface such that the cleaning pad is substantially aligned with the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • a firm pressure of about 0.5 psi is applied downwardly on the handle of the cleaning implement for approximately 3 seconds.
  • the pad is then wiped against the floor surface, in forward and backward motion for 6 swipes while also moving the mop head from the left to the right. The same motion is repeated from the right to the left.
  • the pressure applied to the handle of the cleaning implement used during the wiping motion is approximately 0.25 psi.
  • the mop head of the implement is then lifted off the floor surface and raised approximately from about 12 inches off the floor. If the cleaning pad remains substantially attached to the mop head, it is recorded that this cleaning pad passes the "dry test.” If the cleaning pad drops from the mop head, it is recorded that this cleaning pad fails the "dry test.”
  • Each pad of the previous test is then placed on a bench such that the bottom surface of the pad is facing upwards. 100 milliliters of a deionized water is then poured evenly onto each pad. Each cleaning pad is left on the bench for approximately 1 minute in order to let deionized water evenly penetrate into the pad.
  • each cleaning pad is placed such that its floor sheet is laying flat on the same vinyl floor surface.
  • a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement is then carefully applied against the top of the cleaning pad back such that the cleaning pad is substantially aligned with the bottom surface of the mop head.
  • a firm pressure of about 0.5 psi is applied downwardly on the handle of the cleaning implement for approximately 3 seconds.
  • the pad is then wiped against the floor surface, in forward and backward motion for 6 swipes moving from the left to the right. The same motion is repeated from the right to the left.
  • the pressure applied to the handle of the cleaning implement used during the wiping motion is approximately 0.25 psi.
  • the mop head of the implement is then lifted off the floor surface and raised approximately from about 12 inches off the floor.
  • the "dry test” and the “wet test” are intended to identify suitable materials which can be used as loop fasteners either to make the attachment wings or to make strips of loop fasteners attached to the pad. In addition, these tests are also intended to identify suitable design configurations of the cleaning pad (attachment wings partially bonded to the top of the cleaning pad, attachment wings partially bonded to each other, need/location of an additional strip of loop fasteners)
  • absorbent cleaning pads of examples I and II which have attachment wings, are suitable to be used with a cleaning implement having retaining means located on the top of a mop head but cannot be used with a cleaning implement having hook type fasteners located at the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • the absorbent cleaning pad of example III which does not have any attachment wings, can be used with a cleaning implement having hook fasteners at the bottom surface of a mop head but cannot be used with a cleaning implement having retaining means located on the top surface of a mop head.
  • the cleaning pads of examples 1 through 10 are SWIFFER WETJET® type absorbent cleaning pads which have been modified to include attachment wings made of various materials and having various design configurations.
  • the attachment wings of the pads of examples 1 through 10 are suitable to removably attach the pads to implements which have retaining means located on the top surface of their mop head.
  • the attachment wings are the sole retainable means used to removably attach the pads to hook type fasteners, i.e. no additional strip of loop fasteners materials is added to the pads.
  • the attachment wings of the pads of examples 1, 2 and 3 are made of the same material (i.e. a 40 gsm spun-bond material) and show the benefit of creating a partial bond between the attachment wings and the top surface of a pad, or between attachment wings facing each other (perforation line), in particular when the cleaning pad is wet.
  • the attachment wings of the pad of example 4 have the same design configuration as the attachment wings of example 1, i.e. attachment wings have no partial bond, but are made of a material having a different basis weight (a 20 gsm spun-bond material).
  • the attachment wings of the pad of example 5 are made of the same material as the attachment wings of example 4 but have a different design configuration, i.e. they are partially bonded to the top surface of the cleaning pad (as in example 2).
  • Example 5 shows that even with a material having a lower basis weight, a partial bond between the attachment wings and the top surface of the pad can be beneficial and enhance the pad retainability.
  • the attachment wings of example 6 are made of the same material as the attachment wings of examples 4 and 5 and are partially bonded to each other via a perforation line.
  • the attachment wings of examples 7 are additionally bonded to the top surface of the pad in comparison with the attachment wings of example 6 which are not. Examples 6 and 7 demonstrate the benefit and even superiority of creating a partial bond between the attachment wings and the top surface of the pad.
  • examples 3 and 6 show that the basis weight, the thickness, and the degree of stiffness of the material used to make the attachment wings can have an impact on the retainability of a cleaning pad in particular when the cleaning pad is wet.
  • the attachment wings of the cleaning pads of examples 8 through 10 have the same design configuration, i.e. wings partially bonded to the top surface of the pad as well as wings being partially bonded to each other via a perforation line, but are made of a material (spun- bond/meltblown/spun-bond) having various basis weights.
  • the only cleaning pad which passes both the "dry test” and the "wet test” is the cleaning pad having wings made of the lowest basis weight material.
  • the meltblown component of this type of non-woven material SMS
  • SMS materials have a lower degree of grabable fibers than the spun-bond materials tested in examples 1 through 7.
  • the hook protrusions of the hook fasteners are better able to "pierce” through the layer of material having the lowest basis weight. This "piercing" ability through the material with the lowest basis weight can explain why the attachment wings of example 10 enhance the pad retainability to the bottom surface of the mop head, in particular when the cleaning pad is wet.
  • the cleaning pads of examples 11 through 19 are either SWIFFER WETJET®, READY- MOP® or GO-MOP® type cleaning pads which have been modified to include additional strips of loop fasteners materials.
  • the attachment wings of the cleaning pads of examples 11 and 12 are made of the same type of material but have different design configurations. Additional strips of "optimized” type loop fasteners (3M XPL -99139), such as the ones located on the barcier layer of the currently available SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning pads, were bonded to the top surface of each attachment wings. Examples 11 and 12 show that independently of the design configuration of the attachment wings, the cleanings pads demonstrate excellent retainability to the bottom surface of the mop head. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the excellent retainability of these pads is due to the high degree of grabable fibers of the "optimized" strips of loop fasteners.
  • the additional strips of loop fasteners of the pad of example 13 is made of a thru-air non- woven material which is laminated with an apertured formed film.
  • the thru-air non-woven component is composed of 100% synthetic bicomponent fibers having an inner core, which is a high melt point polymer, and an outer sheath which is a low melt point polymer.
  • This type of non-woven material has a high degree of grabable fibers and, as a result, embossing is not needed to enhance its integrity.
  • the material integrity is obtained by partially melting the outer polymer of the bicomponent, which fuses fibers together to form this substrate. Since the tensile strength of this non-woven is relatively low, it is preferred to laminate this material onto another non- woven in order to create a composite material which has significant grabable fibers with suitable tensile strength.
  • Examples 1 1, 12 and 13 show that loop fasteners having a high degree of "fiber to hook” engagements are beneficial independently of the degree of stiffness of the material used to make the wings or the design configuration of the attachment wings on the pad.
  • Examples 14 and 15 show the benefit of partially bonding the attachment wings to the top surface of a pad when the material, which is used for the additional strips of loop fasteners, has a relatively low basis weight, a low degree of stiffness and a relatively low degree of "fiber to hook” engagements. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the partial bonds between the attachment wings and the top surface of the pad can offset the shear forces exerted on the attachment wings which have the tendency to "slide" on the barrier layer of the pad in particular when the pad is wet.
  • the cleaning pads of examples 16 through 19 are commercially available READY- MOP® and GO-MOP® type cleaning pads which have been modified to include strips of loop fasteners made of a 20 gsm spun-bond material, which are bonded to the top surface of their attachment wings and are tested in various design configurations.
  • the pads of examples 17 and 19 when compared to the pads of examples 16 and 18 show the benefit of creating a partial bond between the attachment wings and the top surface of the cleaning pad, in particular when the cleaning pads are loaded with a liquid.
  • the cleaning pads of examples 1 through 15 are modified SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning pads which are commercially available as of November 2002. These SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning pads have a dry weight of about 20 g and have a total absorbent capacity of about 250 ml of liquid. Consequently, the "wet" weight of the SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning pads is about 270 g.
  • the bottom layer of these pads i.e. the layer in direct contact with the floor surface during the mopping operation, is made of an apertured formed polyethelene film which has a coefficient of friction of about 4 g/sqcm when wiped on dry floor surface.
  • the results obtained in the "dry” and “wet” tests can be influenced by the "dry” weight and the “wet” weight of the pads being tested.
  • a "lighter” pad is more easily retained by the hook fasteners of a mop head in comparison to a "heavier” pad.
  • the cleaning pad total absorbent capacity can also impact on the pad retainability in particular when the pad is completely saturated.
  • two cleaning pads having a same dry weight but having different absorbent capacities do not need loop fasteners having identical retention properties. When both cleaning pads are fully saturated with a liquid, the cleaning pad having the lowest absorbent capacity is "lighter” than the cleaning pad having the highest absorbent since the absorbent capacity measures the ability of a pad to absorb a liquid.
  • the coefficient of friction between the bottom layer of a cleaning pad and the floor surface during the cleaning operation can also impact on the pad retainability on the hook fasteners of a mop head.
  • this coefficient of friction is low, the shear forces exerted on the cleaning pad are low in comparison with a high coefficient of friction resulting in more shear forces being exerted on the pad.
  • a series of Peel Resistance Tests is conducted on non-woven materials to determine their retainability on hook fasteners which are recovered from a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement.
  • strips of hook fasteners are removed from the bottom surface of the mop head of SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implements, which are then adhesively attached to a thin sheet of paper in order to facilitate their manipulation during the tests.
  • test samples consist of various non-wovens and non-woven laminates tested onto hook fasteners from a SWIFFER WETJET® cleaning implement.
  • test samples are strips of non-woven which are about 25 mm wide by 128 mm long. Each test sample is positioned on the top of flat bench.
  • the strips of hook fasteners are about 25 mm by 128 mm long.
  • a strip of hook fasteners is applied against the top of a non- woven test sample such that it is substantially aligned with the test sample.
  • a thin piece (about 2 mm thick ) of foam backing material is attached to the bottom surface of a weight of about 550 g, and about 40 mm wide by about 140 mm long, such that it covers the entire bottom surface of the weight. The foam backing material and the weight are then carefully applied on the top of the hook fasteners and the test sample.
  • the weight is slided gently on the top of the sample, moving the weight 6 inches forward followed by 6 inches backwards. This sliding motion of the weight is repeated three times.
  • the intent is of this sliding motion of the weight is to apply 0.25 psi pressure in a back and forth motion in order to simulate the hook to non-woven engagements both in the Z and X-Y direction which typically occurs when a cleaning implement is being used. Note that the non-woven test samples and the hook fasteners do not require conditioning as recommended in Section 6.1 in ASTM test D 1876-95.
  • the tension machine is turned on and run until the materials are completely separated.
  • the Peel Resistance strength is defined by the Maximum load of force recorded, expressed in grams, while the composite sample is being de-laminated. The test is repeated for a minimum of at least 5 replicates whereby each replicate uses a new piece of non-woven substrate but uses the same piece of hook fasteners for each of the replicates. When a sample of non- woven is tested, the strip of hook fasteners is applied to a new untested piece.
  • Table 2 provides the results of the peel forces which are measured on different samples of non-woven materials applied to hook fasteners removed from SWIFFER WETJET® implements. For comparison pu ⁇ oses Table 2 also includes a summary from Table 1 of the results obtained from the "dry” and "wet” tests previously discussed.
  • a material suitable to make the attachment wings of a cleaning pad or to make suitable strip of loop fasteners which can be added to the pad has a Peel Force of at least about 30 g, preferably at least about 40 g, more preferably at least about 50 g and even more preferably of at least about 60 g in order to provide adequate retainability to a cleaning pad in particular if the cleaning is wet.
  • a suitable loop material can have a Peel Force of less than about 200 g, preferably less than about 180 g, more preferably less than about 150 g.
  • a cleaning pad can have loop fasteners such that the cleaning pad is removably attachable to the hook fasteners located at the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • the loop fastener type material of the cleaning pad is selected such that when the cleaning pad is fully saturated with liquid, the weight of the absorbed liquid in addition to the weight of the pad causes the cleaning pad to drop onto the floor surface head when the mop head is raised above the floor surface.
  • such a cleaning pad allows a user to know when to replace the pad without having to manipulate the soiled pad to visually check if the pad is still able to absorb more liquid.
  • a pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied onto a portion of at least one layer of any of the previously described cleaning pads such that the cleaning pad can be removably attached to a cleaning implement independently of the presence of retaining means located on the top or bottom surface of the mop head of the implement.
  • a cleaning pad 16 comprises an absorbent layer 26, a barcier layer 36 and a pressure sensitive adhesive 46 which is applied to the top surface of the barrier layer 36 such that the cleaning pad 16 is removably attachable to the bottom surface of the mop head of any cleaning implement.
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 is preferably applied to a substantially centered area of the top surface of the barrier layer 36 such that the area covered by the pressure sensitive adhesive has a surface equal to at least about 10%, preferably at least 33%, more preferably at least 66% of the total top surface of the barcier layer 36.
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 can be applied such that it forms a uniform layer, stripes, spirals, beads or any combinations thereof on the top surface of the barrier layer 36.
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 is selected such that it allows the pad to be retained on the bottom surface of a mop head in either a dry or a wet environment. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 demonstrates good cohesive properties in order to reduce the risk of having residue left on the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • a protecting release sheet of material 136 such as a thin sheet of paper, can be applied on the top of the area covered by the pressure sensitive adhesive 46.
  • this protecting release sheet of material 136 preserves the tackiness of the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 and also allows the cleaning pads to be folded and/or stack on top of each other for packaging. A user can simply peel off this protecting sheet of material 136 when the user wishes to attach a pad 16 to the bottom surface of a mop head.
  • such a cleaning pad 16 can also have attachment wings 56, 66 and/or additional strips of loop fasteners 76, 86 such that the cleaning pad 16 can also be removably secured to retaining means located on the top or bottom surface of the mop head of a cleaning implement.
  • attachment wings 56, 66 and/or additional strips of loop fasteners 76, 86 such that the cleaning pad 16 can also be removably secured to retaining means located on the top or bottom surface of the mop head of a cleaning implement.
  • the user can be instructed not to peel the protecting release sheet 136 from the pad 16.
  • a pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied to the attachment wings 56, 66 (or attachment wing portions) of any of the previously described cleaning pads.
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 is applied to the inner surface of the attachment wings 56, 66.
  • inner surface it is meant the surface of the attachment wings 56, 66 which faces the top surface of the cleaning pad 16 when the attachment wings 56, 66 are "folded” onto the top of the pad 16, i.e. absorbent layer 26 and/or barcier layer 36.
  • sheets of protecting release material 156, 166 can be applied onto the area of the attachment wings 56, 66 which are respectively covered by the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 in order to preserve the adhesive tackiness over a long period of time.
  • a user can simply remove this protecting release sheet of material 156, 166 when the user wishes to attach a cleaning pad 16 to the top surface of a mop head, in particular when the top surface of the mop head does not have any retaining means.
  • a user can press the inner surface of the attachment wings 56, 66 against the top surface of a mop head such that the pressure sensitive adhesive 46 bonds the attachment wings to the mop head.
  • this cleaning pad 16 can also be used with cleaning implements having retaining means located on the top and/or bottom surface of a mop head.
  • cleaning pad 16 can also be attach to cleaning implements having retaining means located on the top and/or bottom surface of a mop head.
  • a cleaning pad 18 can have at least an absorbent layer 28, optionally but preferably a barcier layer 38 attached to the top surface of the absorbent layer 28 and at least two attachment wings 48, 58 respectively attached adjacent to the leading edge and the trailing edge of the pad and which can have securing members 148, 158 for attaching the two attachment wings to each other.
  • an attachment wing 48 can have a "male" securing member 148 for engaging a "female" securing member of the attachment wing 58.
  • Non-limiting examples of "male" and “female” securing members 148, 158 include snaps, loop and hook fasteners, belt design, adhesive.
  • a cleaning pad 18 having attachment wings 48, 58 with male and female securing members 148, 158 can also be attached to a cleaning implement 68 schematically represented in Fig. 29, which comprises a handle 168 and a mop head 268 and which does not have any retaining means suitable to engage and retain a cleaning pad and located on the top or the bottom of a mop head 268.
  • a cleaning implement is a sponge mop having a handle connected to a substantially flat support head having an absorbent material such as a sponge.
  • a user typically dips the mop head into a bucked filled with a cleaning solution. Once the sponge has absorbed some of the cleaning solution, the user can sweep the floor surface.
  • cleaning pads in particular cleaning pads having a 7 ⁇ 200 absorbent capacity of at least 5g/g, preferably at least lOg/g, more preferably of at least 20 g/g, which can be used with a cleaning implement having retaining means for engaging and retaining a cleaning pad can drastically improve the cleaning efficacy in terms of reduction of the level of soils, bacteria and germs being left on the floor surface since the cleaning pads absorb the soiled liquid and are then disposed of.
  • any of the cleaning pads previously described, but preferably the cleaning pads having attachment wings comprising male and female securing member 148, 158, can be sold as a kit.
  • a kit can have at least one, but preferably a plurality of cleaning pads and would allow a consumer to try this type of cleaning pad by using it with any implement having a handle and a support head which does not necessarily have any retaining means for engaging and retaining a cleaning pad.
  • the kit can comprise instructions instructing the consumer to attach a cleaning pad about the support head of an implement, to apply a cleaning solution a floor surface, to sweep the floor surface with the cleaning pad being attached to the implement and then to remove and dispose of the used cleaning pad.
  • a kit further comprises a container filled with a cleaning solution.
  • cleaning solutions are described in Section V. thereafter.
  • the container can have a cap having a flip top or squirt cap.
  • the container can be a trigger spray container, a squirt bottle or any other container which allows a user to apply the cleaning solution onto the floor surface.
  • a kit can also include a rebate coupon for a cleaning system comprising a cleaning implement comprising a handle rotatably connected to a mop head, the mop head having retaining means located on the top or bottom surface of the mop head for mechanically retaining a cleaning pad, a fluid delivery mechanism connected to the handle.
  • the fluid delivery mechanism can in fluid communication with a nozzle attached to the mop head for delivering a cleaning solution on a floor surface.
  • the cleaning system can also include a container which is removably attachable to the fluid delivery mechanism.
  • Non-limiting examples of method for collecting information include, live or phone surveys, surveys sent by mail or by email, surveys obtained during the consumer visit of a web site in the Internet and any combinations thereof.
  • the information is collected, it is possible to select a system of cleaning products for a floor surface depending on the information collected.
  • a consumer who owns a cleaning implement which does not have retaining means located on the top or the bottom surface of a mop head and suitable for removably retaining a cleaning pad, can be provided with at least one substantially dry cleaning pad comprising attachment wings which have "male” and “female” securing members and optionally a container with a cleaning solution.
  • Another example can be a consumer who owns a cleaning implement having retaining means located on the top surface of the mop head but which does not include a build-in liquid delivery mechanism.
  • the consumer can be provided with a substantially dry cleaning pad having attachment wings (or attachment wing portions) and a container with a cleaning solution.
  • the number of cleaning pads provided in the system can be related to the floor surface cleaning frequency of the consumer.
  • the system can be a kit comprising at least one of any of the previously discussed cleaning pads which can be selected depending on the type of cleaning implement used by the consumer as well as the cleaning frequency.
  • the system can also include a container comprising a cleaning solution.
  • the consumer can also be provided with information including instructions on how to attach and use the cleaning pads as previously described.
  • Absorbent material(s) suitable for the absorbent layer are Absorbent material(s) suitable for the absorbent layer.
  • a cleaning pad of the present invention comprises at least one absorbent layer.
  • the layers forming the cleaning pad including the absorbent layer(s) are preferably made of a material such that the cleaning pad has a T m absorbent capacity of at least 5g/g, more preferably at least lOg/g, most preferably of at least 20 g/g.
  • Non-limiting examples of absorbent materials suitable for the absorbent layer of a cleaning pad include natural fibers (modified or unmodified) such as cotton, Esparto grass, bagasse, kemp, flax, silk, wool, wood pulp, chemically modified wood pulp, jute, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate, as well as synthetically made fibers which can be made from polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics such as ORLON®, polyvinyl acetate, Rayon®, polyethylvinyl acetate, non-soluble or soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefins such as polyethylene (e.g., PULPEX®) and polypropylene, polyamides such as nylon, polyesters such as DACRON® or KODEL®, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, and the like.
  • the absorbent layer(s) can comprise sole
  • the fibers useful herein can be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or can be a combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers.
  • Suitable hydrophilic fibers for use in the present invention include cellulosic fibers, modified cellulosic fibers, rayon, polyester fibers such as hydrophilic nylon (HYDROFIL®).
  • Suitable hydrophilic fibers can also be obtained by hydrophilizing hydrophobic fibers, such as surfactant-treated or silica-treated thermoplastic fibers derived from, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyacrylics, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and the like.
  • Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained from well-known chemical processes such as the Kraft and sulfite processes, as well as from mechanical processes, such as ground wood, refiner mechanical, fhermomechanical, chemimechanical, and chemi-thermornechanical pulp processes.
  • fibers can optionally be thermally-bonded with a thermoplastic material to provide additional overall integrity to the cleaning pad.
  • Thermoplastic materials useful in the present invention can be in any of a variety of forms including particulates, fibers, or combinations of particulates and fibers.
  • thermoplastic materials can be made from a variety of thermoplastic polymers, including polyolefins such as polyethylene (e.g., PULPEX®) and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics, polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and copolymers of any of the foregoing such as vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate, and the like.
  • polyolefins such as polyethylene (e.g., PULPEX®) and polypropylene
  • polyesters copolyesters
  • polyvinyl acetate polyethylvinyl acetate
  • polyvinyl chloride polyvinylidene chloride
  • polyacrylics polyamides, copolyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and copolymers of
  • Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer (monocomponent fibers), or can be made from more than one polymer (e.g., bicomponent fibers).
  • the absorbent layer(s) of the cleaning pad can also be comprised of a homogeneous material, such as a blend of cellulosic fibers (optionally thermally bonded) and any superabsorbent materials known in the art.
  • a homogeneous material such as a blend of cellulosic fibers (optionally thermally bonded) and any superabsorbent materials known in the art.
  • the term "superabsorbent material” means any absorbent material having a g/g capacity for water of at least about 15 g/g, when measured under a confining pressure of 0.3 psi. Because a majority of the cleaning fluids useful with the present invention are aqueous based, it is preferred that the superabsorbent materials have a relatively high g/g capacity for water or water-based fluids.
  • suitable superabsorbent materials include water insoluble, water-swellable superabsorbent gelling polymers (referred to herein as "superabsorbent gelling polymers") which are described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/831 ,480 to Policicchio et al., filed November 9, 1999, and assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company, which also describe a method of measuring the r i200 absorbent capacity. These materials demonstrate very high absorbent capacities for water.
  • the absorbent layer can be comprised of discrete layers of material, such as a layer of thermally bonded airlaid material and a discrete layer of a superabsorbent material.
  • the absorbent layer will comprise a thermally bonded airlaid web of cellulose fibers (Flint River, available from Weyerhaeuser, WA) and AL Thermal C (thermoplastic available from Danaklon a/s, Varde, Denmark), and a swellable hydrogel-forming superabsorbent polymer.
  • the superabsorbent polymer is preferably inco ⁇ orated such that a discrete layer is located near the surface of the absorbent layer which is remote from the floor sheet.
  • a thin layer of, e.g., cellulose fibers (optionally thermally bonded) are positioned above the superabsorbent gelling polymer to enhance containment.
  • the floor sheet is the portion of the cleaning pad that contacts the soiled surface during cleaning.
  • materials useful as the floor sheet must be sufficiently durable that the layer will retain its integrity during the cleaning process.
  • the floor sheet when the cleaning pad is used in combination with a solution, the floor sheet must be liquid pervious, at least in part, to be capable of transitioning liquids and soils to the absorbent layer.
  • the floor sheet can be a monolayer, or a multi-layer structure one or more of whose layers can be slitted to facilitate the scrubbing of the soiled surface and the uptake of particulate matter.
  • the floor sheet preferably contains openings (e.g., slits, tapered capillaries or apertures) that provide an easy avenue for larger particulate matter to move freely in and become entrapped within the absorbent layer of the pad.
  • Openings e.g., slits, tapered capillaries or apertures
  • Low density structures are preferced for use as the floor sheet, to further facilitate transport of particulate matter to the pad's absorbent layer.
  • the floor sheet can be made of any known pervious material in the art such as the ones described in PCT application Serial No. WO 00/27271 to Policicchio et al, filed November 9, 1999, and assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company.
  • Non-limiting examples of suitable pervious materials for the floor sheet include woven and nonwoven materials; polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims.
  • Suitable woven and nonwoven materials can comprise natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, and synthetic cellulosics (e.g., RAYON®), or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
  • the cleaning pad 10 comprises a liquid pervious floor sheet which comprises, at least in part, an apertured formed film.
  • the floor sheet can also comprise, at least on a portion of the pad's lower surface, a material that provides significant texture to the pad.
  • a preferced means for providing such texture is to form a multilayer composite comprising a scrim material (e.g., polypropylene) and a spunlaced material (e.g., polyester).
  • cleaning pads can be used with a cleaning implement having a built-in fluid delivery mechanism an/or with a cleaning implement and a container allowing the user to dispense a cleaning solution directly onto the floor surface.
  • the cleaning solution comprises water, at least a surfactant, optionally a solvent, optionally a sud suppressor, optionally a buffer, optionally a polymer, optionally a perfume, and optionally an antibacterial agent.
  • Non-limiting examples of suitable composition are described in U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/655,221 to Godfroid et al., filed September 5, 2000, U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/671,718 to Sherry et al., filed September 27, 2000 and U.S. patent application Serial No. 09/671,080 to Godfroid et al., filed September 27, 2000, all assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un tampon de nettoyage pouvant être utilisé avec différents ustensiles de nettoyage. Ce tampon possède une couche absorbante, des rabats de fixation pouvant être fixés à des pinces placées sur la surface supérieure de la tête d'un premier ustensile de nettoyage et à des éléments de fixation à boucles pouvant être accrochés à des éléments de fixation à crochets séparés placés sur la surface inférieure de la tête du deuxième ustensile de nettoyage. Elle concerne également un tampon de nettoyage pouvant être utilisé avec des ustensiles de nettoyage dépourvus d'éléments de retenue et capables de retenir le tampon.
PCT/US2003/035096 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 Tampons de nettoyage WO2004041051A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03778103A EP1560514A2 (fr) 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 Tampons de nettoyage
AU2003286887A AU2003286887A1 (en) 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 Cleaning pads
MXPA05004809A MXPA05004809A (es) 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 Almohadillas de limpieza.
JP2004550462A JP4369372B2 (ja) 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 クリーニングパッド
CA002504792A CA2504792C (fr) 2002-11-04 2003-11-04 Tampons de nettoyage

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US42348402P 2002-11-04 2002-11-04
US60/423,484 2002-11-04

Publications (2)

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WO2004041051A2 true WO2004041051A2 (fr) 2004-05-21
WO2004041051A3 WO2004041051A3 (fr) 2004-07-22

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EP (1) EP1560514A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP4369372B2 (fr)
AU (1) AU2003286887A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2504792C (fr)
MX (1) MXPA05004809A (fr)
WO (1) WO2004041051A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006020008A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Outil de nettoyage, système de nettoyage comprenant un outil de nettoyage et procédé pour nettoyer des surfaces dures.
JP2006095154A (ja) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-13 Uni Charm Corp 清掃用シート
CN101711660A (zh) * 2008-09-29 2010-05-26 大王制纸株式会社 清扫用片
KR101134758B1 (ko) 2004-06-03 2012-04-13 유니챰 가부시키가이샤 청소용 시트
EP2978356A2 (fr) * 2013-03-26 2016-02-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Tampons de nettoyage remplaçables pour dispositif de nettoyage
US10843233B2 (en) 2018-04-27 2020-11-24 The Clorox Company Pre-loaded floor wipes with improved pickup

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2494393T3 (es) * 2008-09-09 2014-09-15 Kikuo Yamada Lámina de limpieza
JP5189948B2 (ja) * 2008-10-10 2013-04-24 クリーンテックス・ジャパン株式会社 モップ
JP5390989B2 (ja) * 2009-08-24 2014-01-15 菊夫 山田 清掃シート
JP2018201576A (ja) * 2017-05-30 2018-12-27 株式会社テラモト 清掃シートおよびこれを備えた清掃具

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DE9106415U1 (de) * 1991-05-24 1991-12-12 Schnebel, Karl-Heinz, 8000 München Naßwischtuch eines Bodennaßwischgerätes
EP0858765A1 (fr) * 1997-02-13 1998-08-19 LEIFHEIT Aktiengesellschaft Garniture pour instrument de nettoyage
DE20012226U1 (de) * 2000-07-14 2000-12-14 Grabarits Dieter Textiles Flächengebilde als Bestandteil von Reinigungsgeräten und damit hergestellte Wischbezüge
WO2001012051A1 (fr) * 1999-08-13 2001-02-22 Dacoma Limited Balai a franges a absorption rapide pour nettoyage a sec
DE10003899C1 (de) * 2000-01-29 2001-09-20 Leifheit Ag Reinigungsvorrichtung
DE10138858A1 (de) * 2001-08-08 2002-08-01 Henkel Kgaa Vorrichtung zur Reinigung von Oberflächen
GB2379864A (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-26 Reckitt Benckiser Improvements in disposable cleaning cloths

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE9106415U1 (de) * 1991-05-24 1991-12-12 Schnebel, Karl-Heinz, 8000 München Naßwischtuch eines Bodennaßwischgerätes
EP0858765A1 (fr) * 1997-02-13 1998-08-19 LEIFHEIT Aktiengesellschaft Garniture pour instrument de nettoyage
WO2001012051A1 (fr) * 1999-08-13 2001-02-22 Dacoma Limited Balai a franges a absorption rapide pour nettoyage a sec
DE10003899C1 (de) * 2000-01-29 2001-09-20 Leifheit Ag Reinigungsvorrichtung
DE20012226U1 (de) * 2000-07-14 2000-12-14 Grabarits Dieter Textiles Flächengebilde als Bestandteil von Reinigungsgeräten und damit hergestellte Wischbezüge
DE10138858A1 (de) * 2001-08-08 2002-08-01 Henkel Kgaa Vorrichtung zur Reinigung von Oberflächen
GB2379864A (en) * 2001-09-12 2003-03-26 Reckitt Benckiser Improvements in disposable cleaning cloths

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101134758B1 (ko) 2004-06-03 2012-04-13 유니챰 가부시키가이샤 청소용 시트
WO2006020008A1 (fr) * 2004-07-26 2006-02-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Outil de nettoyage, système de nettoyage comprenant un outil de nettoyage et procédé pour nettoyer des surfaces dures.
US7607192B2 (en) 2004-07-26 2009-10-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Cleaning implement, cleaning system comprising a cleaning implement, and method for cleaning hard surfaces
JP2006095154A (ja) * 2004-09-30 2006-04-13 Uni Charm Corp 清掃用シート
EP1642523A3 (fr) * 2004-09-30 2007-10-10 Uni-Charm Corporation Feuille de nettoyage
US7516510B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2009-04-14 Uni-Charm Corporation Cleaning sheet
CN101711660A (zh) * 2008-09-29 2010-05-26 大王制纸株式会社 清扫用片
EP2978356A2 (fr) * 2013-03-26 2016-02-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Tampons de nettoyage remplaçables pour dispositif de nettoyage
US10843233B2 (en) 2018-04-27 2020-11-24 The Clorox Company Pre-loaded floor wipes with improved pickup
US11433431B2 (en) 2018-04-27 2022-09-06 The Clorox Company Pre-loaded floor wipes with improved pickup
US11541431B2 (en) 2018-04-27 2023-01-03 The Clorox Company Pre-loaded floor wipes with improved pickup
US11975366B2 (en) 2018-04-27 2024-05-07 The Clorox Company Pre-loaded floor wipes with improved pickup

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2003286887A8 (en) 2004-06-07
MXPA05004809A (es) 2005-11-17
JP4369372B2 (ja) 2009-11-18
JP2006503674A (ja) 2006-02-02
CA2504792A1 (fr) 2004-05-21
EP1560514A2 (fr) 2005-08-10
CA2504792C (fr) 2010-01-19
AU2003286887A1 (en) 2004-06-07
WO2004041051A3 (fr) 2004-07-22

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