WO2005044552A1

WO2005044552A1 - Multi surfaced cleaning cloth

Info

Publication number: WO2005044552A1
Application number: PCT/IL2004/000480
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yarden Rinski; Nir Cohen; Meir Rinski
Original assignee: Yarden Rinski; Nir Cohen; Meir Rinski
Priority date: 2003-06-04
Filing date: 2004-06-04
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: IL156327A0

Abstract

A cleaning cloth for use as a floor cloth, a dish cloth, a mop or the like. The cleaning cloth includes at least one firts fabric surface and at least one second surface that can be used for scrubbing or scouring. The first surface can include tufted fibers, a hydrophilic fabric, a textile, a nonwoven, or the like. The second surface can include flat polyester strands or metallised polyester.

Description

MULTI SURFACED CLEANING CLOTH

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a cleaning cloth for the damp or

diy cleaning of surfaces.

There are a variety of cleaning cloths known in the art, for example,

there are abrasive steel wool pads, consisting of a bundle of metal fibers.

Some of those pads are impregnated with soap or with a mixture of

soap, detergent, sodium carbonate, perfume and dye. Also, the wet steel

wool pads rust and deteriorate within one to two days from the time they are

initially used. Consequently, because they quickly lose their cleaning

ingredients and rust badly, a steel wool pad can only be used once or twice

and thrown away.

Another form of cleaning cloth is a scouring pad. A variety of

materials are attached to, or integrally formed with, a sponge or foam pad.

An example of such a scouring pad such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat.

No. 3,080,688 and consists of a layer of the adhesive and abrasive treated

fiber batt, noted immediately above, laminated to a layer of cellulose sponge

which had been impregnated with a detergent solution. A further type of scouring pad known in the art is disclosed in U.S.

Pat. No. 3,641,610 and consists of a cellulose sponge with tufts of synthetic

strands imbedded in its thickness spaced about 1/2" apart and extending

above one surface of the sponge to serve as scrubbing bristles.

All such scouring pads known have shortcomings and disadvantages. None of the pads can be used as floor cloths, dish cloths, mops and the like.

An example of a cleaning cloth is described in WO 90/14039 (the

contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). A textile base layer

made of non-woven fibers has a plurality of filament loops, on the cleaning

surface, which project from this surface. The loops are obtained by needle-

tufting the textile base layer, and are brought together to form surface

regions, which run along alternating regions of the cloth.

These surface areas are separated by lines, which extend across the

entire cloth and are structured in the form of depressions. These lines are

essentially free of projecting filament loops and are formed by the filament

or fiber material of the textile base layer.

These depressed lines do not run linearly, but rather extend in a

curved or wavy shape, which not only reduces the frictional resistance of the

cloth on the surface to be cleaned, but also provides that accumulations of

dirt are immediately picked up when the cloth is wiped over the surface.

Since the transitions between the looped regions and the continuous

lines which separate the looped regions from one another constantly change

direction over their course, not only does a vertically directed pressure

(relative to the wiping direction) act on the dirt particles, but in addition, a

wiping force effect at an angle occurs, which causes the dirt to move across

the channels. This reduces the risk that dirt particles which have become

fixed in place in the region with the loops will come loose again.

At least one of the areas which has loops must extend continuously from one end of the cloth to the other. Preferably, however, all the areas

which have filament loops and all of the low- lying channels free of loops run

continuously in the lengthwise direction of the cloth.

The filament loop areas and the lines between them can consist of the

same or different textile material, such as natural, regenerated and synthetic

fibers, which can be anti-static, treated to be anti-static or treated with

substances which promote cleaning.

Numerous methods are suitable for production of these known cloths.

The preferred method of production is one which is generally analogous to

that used for the production of a terry cloth, where the starting material is a

woven base surface.

The projecting loops described in WO 90/14039 can also be cut, so

that the fiber bundles project from the raised surfaces at their ends. In each

case, there are surface regions which stretch out lengthwise, and extend

continuously at least partially over the entire cleaning cloth.

All such cleaning cloths known have shortcomings and

disadvantages. None of the cleaning cloths can be used as a floor cloth and

when needed as a scourer or scrubber. None of the cleaning cloths can be

used as a dish cloth and when needed as a scourer or scrubber to remove dirt

and grime and thereafter to be used as a dish cloth. None of the cleaning

cloths can be used in strips as components of a mop for readily facilitating

regularly mopping and alternate scrubbing and deep cleaning.

Furthermore, it is then necessary to ensure that the non-wiping surface of the cloth contains a majority of the fibers which later form the loops, prior

to the formation of the loops. Such a prerequisite is both costly and

inconvenient.

Therefore, there is an unmet need for, and it would be highly useful to

have, a combination cleaning cloth which includes both a cleaning surface

and a wiping surface such that a single cleaning cloth can be used alternately

to wipe, scrub, scour and/or be used as a floor cloth, a dish cloth, a mop and

the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is of a cleaning cloth, for readily facilitating

wiping, scrubbing, scouring and for use as a floor cloth, a dish cloth a mop

and the like.

The cleaning cloth includes at least one first fabric surface and at least

one second surface including a plurality of threads. According to the present invention, there is provided a cleaning cloth

including: (a) a first surface including a plurality of tufted fibers, and (b) a

second surface including metallised polyester.

According to further embodiments of the cleaning cloth according to

the present invention the first surface includes a plurality of hydrophilic

fibers.

According to further embodiments of the cleaning cloth according to

the present invention the second surface includes a plurality polyester

threads. According to the teachings of further embodiments of the present

invention there is provided a cleaning cloth including: (a) at least one first

surface including a tufted textile material, and (b)at least one second surface

including a plurality of polyester threads. According to further embodiments of the cleaning cloth according to

the present invention the first surface includes a plurality of hydrophilic

fibers.

According to the teachings of still further embodiments of the present

invention there is provided a cleaning cloth including: (a) a first surface

including a fabric material, and (b) a second surface including metallised

polyester.

According to further embodiments of the cleaning cloth according to

the present invention the fabric material is non-woven.

According to the teachings of yet further embodiments of the present

invention there is provided a cleaning cloth including: (a) a first surface

including a hydrophilic fabric material, and (b) at least one second surface

including a plurality of metallised polyester strands.

According to further embodiments of the cleaning cloth according to

the present invention the cleaning cloth is selected from the group consisting

of: a cloth, a mop, a dish cloth, a floor cloth, a scouring pad, a squeegee, a

squeegee attachment and any cloth for use in cleaning.

According to the teachings of yet further embodiments of the present

invention there is provided a cleaning cloth including: (a) at least one first surface substantially comprised of a material selected from the group of: a

fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt, fleece, cotton, linen, chamois,

wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet, silicon, polyolefin, polyurethane,

acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides, and (b) at least one second surface

substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of:

Lurex®, metalplastic yarns, polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene,

nylon, plastic, acrylic fiber and threads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG 1. an exemplary first embodiment cleaning cloth according to the

present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the cleaning cloth of the

present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the cleaning cloth of the present

invention; and

FIG 4. shows yet a fourth embodiment of the cleaning cloth of the

present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of a multi surfaced cleaning cloth, for readily

facilitating cleaning, wiping, scrubbing, scouring and for use as a floor cloth, a dish cloth a mop and the like.

Among others, the advantage of the present invention is that a user

can elect to use a first surface for wiping, mopping and the like, or

alternatively the user can elect to use a second surface for dirtier areas,

scrubbing, scouring and the like.

The principles and operation of the present invention may be better

understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying

description.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of

a cleaning cloth according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, a

cleaning cloth 10 includes at least one first fabric surface 12 and at least one

second surface 14 including a plurality of threads 16.

Preferably, first surface 12 is includes a plurality of tufted fibers 18.

The preferred natural fibers 18 for the tufting fibers 18 are wool and

cotton. The preferred synthetic fiber yarns are either nylon, polyester, acrylic

or polypropylene and they can be either staple or continuous filament yarns.

Preferably, fibers 18 can be either singles or 2 or 3 or 4-ply. The yarn

counts preferably range from 1/4 run to about 20 run or the equivalent counts

in denier. Preferably, the number of yarn stitches per inch in a tufted row can

be between about 3 and about 10.

The synthetic yarns have the advantage of drying faster after a cloth is

used.

Optionally, fibers 18 for tufting can be made from intimate blends of the natural and synthetic fibers, or separate rows of 100% natural fiber yams

and 100% synthetic fiber yams can be tufted into the same fabric.

Preferably, the base fabric for the tufted pile fabrics can be woven or

nonwoven and composed of cotton, jute, polypropylene fibers, silk, micro

fiber, polyester fibers or blends of two or more of those. Preferably, the

fabric weights can range from about 2 to 12 ounces per sq. of fibers 18.

Optionally, tightly woven cotton duck fabrics weighing 1 to 12 ounces

per/sq., 8 to 10 ounces/sq. yard woven jute fabrics, and a 4 ounces/sq. yard

woven nylon scrim can be used. Preferably, first surface 12 is constructed of a non- woven fabric

material.

Preferably, first surface 12 includes a plurality of hydrophilic fibers

18. Preferably, threads 16 are substantially comprised of metallised

polyester. Preferably, first surface 12 is attached to or integrally formed with

second surface 14.

Especially preferred, first surface 12 is attached to second surface 14

by way of a "needling" process.

According to the teachings of one of the methods of producing a non-

woven first surface 12, fibers 18 are stitch bonded. Preferably, a zigzag

pattern is used for strength and durability.

Especially preferred, substantially contemporaneously with

processing first surface 12, second surface 14 is situated on first surface 12, such that the processing first surface 12 and bonding first surface 12 to

second surface 14 in a single process.

Also preferred, an agent for enhancing the dust collecting capabilities

of first surface 12 is attached to, or integrally formed with, first surface 12. Also preferably, first surface 12 and/or second surface 14 include an

antibacterial agent which, by way of example only, include Zeolite particles

retaining antibacterial metal ion, such as Ag, Cu or Zn ions, for readily

facilitating higher degrees of hygiene when using cleaning cloth 10.

Optionally, first surface 12 is substantially comprised of a non-woven

fabric having comparatively many adhesive- free fibers on the surface and

produced by a print bonding method, i.e., by bonding partially or in a pattern

fiber webs, particularly webs containing a hydrophilic fiber as the main

component with a binder. Thus, non-woven first layer 12 obtained is soft and

has high water absorption properties. Preferably, the hydrophilic fibers may be, for example, rayon, cotton,

wood pulp, flax, ramie and the like.

Preferably, first surface 12 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group of: a fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt,

fleece, cotton, linen, chamois, wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet,

silicon, polyolefin, polyurethane, acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides.

Preferably, second surface 14 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group consisting of: Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, abrasive fibers, acrylic fiber and threads.

Thus, cleaning cloth 10 can be used as a cloth, a mop, a dish cloth, a

floor cloth, a scouring pad, a squeegee, a squeegee attachment and any cloth

for use in cleaning. The term "cleaning cloth" as used herein shall include, but will not be

limited to: a cloth, a mop, a dish cloth, a floor cloth, a scouring pad, a

squeegee, a squeegee attachment and any cloth for use in cleaning.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to

the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, a cleaning cloth 20 includes at

least one first fabric surface 22 and at least one second surface 24 including a

plurality of strands 26.

Preferably, first surface 12 is includes a plurality of tufted fibers 28.

Like above, the preferred natural fibers 28 for the tufting fibers 28 are

cotton. The preferred synthetic fiber yams are either nylon, polyester,

acrylic, micro-fiber or polypropylene and they can be either staple or

continuous filament yams.

The synthetic yams have the advantage of drying faster after a cloth is

used.

Optionally, fibers 28 for tufting can be made from intimate blends of

the natural and synthetic fibers, or separate rows of 100%) natural fiber yams

and 100% synthetic fiber yams can be tufted into the same fabric.

Preferably, the base fabric for the tufted pile fabrics can be woven or

nonwoven and composed of cotton, jute, polypropylene fibers, silk, micro fiber, polyester fibers or blends of two or more of those. Preferably, the

fabric weights can range from about 2 to 12 ounces per sq. of fibers 28.

Optionally, tightly woven cotton duck fabrics weighing 1 to 12 ounces

per/sq., 8 to 10 ounces/sq. yard woven jute fabrics, and a 4 ounces/sq. yard

woven nylon scrim can be used.

Preferably, first surface 22 is constmcted of a non-woven fabric

material.

Like above, preferably, first surface 22 includes a plurality of

hydrophilic fibers 28. Preferably, strands 26 are substantially comprised of

metallised polyester.

Preferably, first surface 22 is attached to or integrally formed with

second surface 24.

Especially preferred, first surface 22 is attached to second surface 24

by way of a "needling" process. According to the teachings of one of the methods of producing a non-

woven first surface 22, fibers 28 are stitch bonded. Preferably, a zigzag

pattern is used for strength and durability.

Especially preferred, substantially contemporaneously with

processing first surface 22, second surface 24 is situated on first surface 22,

such that the processing first surface 22 and bonding first surface 22 to

second surface 24 in a single process.

Also preferred, an agent for enhancing the dust collecting capabilities

of first surface 22 is attached to, or integrally formed with, first surface 22. Similarly, first surface 22 and/or second surface 24 include an

antibacterial agent which, by way of example only, include Zeolite particles

retaining antibacterial metal ion, such as Ag, Cu or Zn ions, for readily

facilitating higher degrees of hygiene when using cleaning cloth 10. Here as well, first surface 22 is substantially comprised of a non-

woven fabric having comparatively many adhesive-free fibers on the surface

and produced by a print bonding method, i.e., by bonding partially or in a

pattern fiber webs, particularly webs containing a hydrophilic fiber as the

main component with a binder. Thus, non-woven first layer 22 obtained is

soft and has high water absorption properties.

Preferably, the hydrophilic fibers may be, for example, rayon, cotton,

wood pulp, flax, ramie and the like.

Preferably, first surface 22 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group of: a fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt,

fleece, cotton, linen, chamois, wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet,

silicon, polyolefin, polyurethane, acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides.

Preferably, second surface 24 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group consisting of: Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, abrasive fibers,

acrylic fiber and strands.

As shown in Figure 2, strands 26 are preferably woven from of a

material selected from the group consisting of Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, abrasive fibers, acrylic fiber.

Alternatively, cleaning cloth 20 can have any geometric shape to add

esthetic appearance to cleaning cloth 20 and/or to suit any need of the

manufacturer and/or user. Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to

the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, a cleaning cloth 30 includes at

least one first fabric surface 32 and at least one second surface 34 including a

plurality of unidirectional strands 36.

. Preferably, strands 36 are preferably woven from of a material

selected from the group consisting of Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, acrylic.

Preferably, strands 36 have a non-circular cross-section, such that a

"grooves and lands" second surface 34 can be readily achieved with strands

36. Like above first surface 32 is includes a plurality of tufted fibers 38.

Similarly, the preferred natural fibers 38 for the tufting fibers 38 are

cotton. The preferred synthetic fiber yams are either nylon, polyester,

acrylic, micro-fiber or polypropylene and they can be either staple or

continuous filament yarns. The synthetic yams have the advantage of drying faster after a cloth is

used.

Here as well, fibers 38 for tufting can be made from intimate blends

of the natural and synthetic fibers, or separate rows of 100% natural fiber yams and 100% synthetic fiber yams can be tufted into the same fabric.

Preferably, first surface 32 is constmcted of a non-woven fabric

material.

Similarly and preferably, first surface 32 includes a plurality of

hydrophilic fibers 38. Preferably, strands 36 are substantially comprised of

metallised polyester.

Also preferred, an agent for enhancing the dust collecting capabilities

of first surface 32 is attached to, or integrally formed with, first surface 32.

Similarly, first surface 32 and/or second surface 34 include an

antibacterial agent which, by way of example only, include Zeolite particles

retaining antibacterial metal ion, such as Ag, Cu or Zn ions, for readily

facilitating higher degrees of hygiene when using cleaning cloth 10.

Similarly, first surface 32 is substantially comprised of a non-woven

fabric having comparatively many adhesive-free fibers on the surface and

produced by a print bonding method, i.e., by bonding partially or in a pattern

fiber webs, particularly webs containing a hydrophilic fiber as the main

component with a binder. Thus, non-woven first layer 32 obtained is soft and

has high water absorption properties.

Preferably, the hydrophilic fibers may be, for example, rayon, cotton,

wood pulp, flax, ramie and the like.

Preferably, first surface 32 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group of: a fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt,

fleece, cotton, linen, chamois, wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet, silicon, polyolefin, polyurethane, acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides.

Preferably, second surface 34 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group consisting of: Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, abrasive fibers,

acrylic fiber and strands.

Alternatively, cleaning cloth 30 can have any geometric shape to add

esthetic appearance to cleaning cloth 30 and/or to suit any need of the

manufacturer and/or user.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a cleaning cloth according to

the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, a cleaning cloth 40 includes at

least one first fabric surface 42 and at least one second surface 44 including a

plurality of loops 46.

Preferably, loops 46 are manufactured according to methods known in

the art. Preferably, loops 46 are created by a process similar to towel

manufacture methods.

Preferably, first surface 42 is includes a plurality of tufted fibers.

The preferred natural fibers for the tufting fibers are wool and cotton.

The preferred synthetic fiber yams are either nylon, polyester, acrylic or

polypropylene and they can be either staple or continuous filament yams.

Preferably, the fibers (not shown in Figure 4) can be either singles or

2 or 3 or 4-ply. The yam counts preferably range from 1/4 run to about 20

run or the equivalent counts in denier. Preferably, the number of yam stitches per inch in a tufted row can be between about 3 and about 40.

The synthetic yams have the advantage of drying faster after a cloth is

used.

Optionally, the fibers (not shown in Figure 4) for tufting can be made

from intimate blends of the natural and synthetic fibers, or separate rows of

400%) natural fiber yams and 400% synthetic fiber yams can be tufted into

the same fabric.

Preferably, the base fabric for the tufted pile fabrics can be woven or

nonwoven and composed of cotton, jute, polypropylene fibers, silk, micro

fiber, polyester fibers or blends of two or more of those. Preferably, the

fabric weights can range from about 2 to 42 ounces per sq. of fibers.

Optionally, tightly woven cotton duck fabrics weighing 1 to 42 ounces

per/sq., 8 to 40 ounces/sq. yard woven jute fabrics, and a 4 ounces/sq. yard

woven nylon scrim can be used. Preferably, first surface 42 is constmcted of a non- woven fabric

material.

Preferably, first surface 42 includes a plurality of hydrophilic fibers.

Preferably, threads 46 are substantially comprised of metallised polyester.

Preferably, first surface 42 is attached to or integrally formed with

second surface 44.

Especially preferred, first surface 42 is attached to second surface 44

by way of a "needling" process.

As shown in Figure 4 the fibers of first surface 42 are stitch bonded for strength and durability.

Especially preferred, substantially contemporaneously with

processing first surface 42, second surface 44 is situated on first surface 42,

such that the processing first surface 42 and bonding first surface 42 to

second surface 44 in a single process.

Also preferred, an agent for enhancing the dust collecting capabilities

of first surface 42 is attached to, or integrally formed with, first surface 42.

Also preferably, first surface 42 and/or second surface 44 include an

antibacterial agent which, by way of example only, include Zeolite particles

retaining antibacterial metal ion, such as Ag, Cu or Zn ions, for readily

facilitating higher degrees of hygiene when using cleaning cloth 40.

Optionally, first surface 42 is substantially comprised of a non- woven

fabric having comparatively many adhesive-free fibers on the surface and

produced by a print bonding method, i.e., by bonding partially or in a pattern

fiber webs, particularly webs containing a hydrophilic fiber as the main

component with a binder. Thus, non-woven first layer 42 obtained is soft and

has high water absorption properties.

Preferably, the hydrophilic fibers may be, for example, rayon, cotton,

wood pulp, flax, ramie and the like. Preferably, first surface 42 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group of: a fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt,

fleece, cotton, linen, chamois, wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet,

silicon, polyolefin, polyurethane, acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides. Preferably, second surface 44 is substantially comprised of a material

selected from the group consisting of: Lurex®, metalplastic yams,

polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, nylon, plastic, abrasive fibers,

acrylic fiber and threads. Thus, cleaning cloth 40 can be used as a cloth, a mop, a dish cloth, a

floor cloth, a scouring pad, a squeegee, a squeegee attachment and any cloth

for use in cleaning.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited

number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,

modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cleaning cloth comprising:

(a) a first surface including a plurality of tufted fibers; and

(b) a second surface including metallised polyester.

2. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein said first surface includes a plurality of hydrophilic fibers.

3. The cleaning cloth of claim 1, wherein said second surface includes a plurality polyester threads.

4. A cleaning cloth comprising:

(a) at least one first surface including a tufted textile material; and

(b) at least one second surface including a plurality of polyester threads.

5. The cleaning cloth of claim 4, wherein said first surface includes a plurality of hydrophilic fibers.

6. A cleaning cloth comprising:

(a) a first surface including a fabric material; and

(b) a second surface including metallised polyester.

7. The cleaning cloth of claim 6, wherein said first surface includes a plurality of hydrophilic fibers.

8. The cleaning cloth of claim 6, wherein said fabric material is non-woven.

9. The cleaning cloth of claim 6, wherein said second surface includes a plurality of polyester threads.

10. A cleaning cloth comprising:

(a) a first surface including a hydrophilic fabric material; and

(b) at least one second surface including a plurality of flat polyester strands.

11. The cleaning cloth of claim 10, wherein the cleaning cloth is selected from the group consisting of: a cloth, a mop, a dish cloth, a cleaning mitt, a floor cloth, a scouring pad, a squeegee, a squeegee attachment and any cloth for use in cleaning.

12. A cleaning cloth comprising:

(a) at least one first surface substantially comprised of a material selected from the group of: a fabric, a textile, hydrophilic material, felt, fleece, cotton, linen, chamois, wool, silk, lycra, spandex, rayon, velvet, silicon, wettex®, polyolefin, polyurethane, micro fiber, acrylics, rubber-resin and polyamides; and

(b) at least one second surface substantially comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of: Lurex®, metalplastic yams, polymer films, polyamide, scotch-brite®, polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, plastic, acrylic fiber and threads.