Mop head including folded tubular strand elements

Abstract

An autoclavable mop head comprising one or more folded tubular strand elements. The tubular strand elements incorporate an arrangement of elongate depressed channels and raised profile segments extending along their surface in the length direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 797,427 filed May 4, 2006 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth hereinTECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates generally to fluid retaining mop structures, and more particularly to a mop head incorporating one or more fluid retaining strand elements of contoured, tubular construction. At least a portion of the strand elements are folded over multiple times to define two opposing folded edge boundaries. The folded strand elements are operatively connected to a backing structure for attachment to a mop handle. A process for forming the mop head is also provided.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Mop heads incorporating tubular strand elements of so-called “edgeless” construction are known. One such construction, which is marketed by Contec Inc. of Spartanburg, S.C., is formed from a skein of surface con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a cleanroom-compatible mop head that can be repeatedly sterilized in heat, pressure, and steam. The mop head is made from knit tubular material with elongated channels and ridges on its surface. The strands are folded over themselves multiple times and seamed to a carrier strip running in transverse relation to the fold direction. The carrier strips with folded strands attached are secured to a backing structure adapted for attachment to a mop handle. The mop head does not degrade or abrade during use and creates very little additional lint or particles that could further contaminate the cleanroom environment."

Problems solved by technology

However, none of these systems presented a satisfactory cleaning system to meet all the needs of cleaning a cleanroom without creating additional problems, such as new forms of contamination either in the form of material particles or in the form of fabric dissolved in the cleaning or sanitizing solvents.

Additionally, many of these cleaning devices are not autoclavable and therefore cannot be repeatedly sterilized in heat, pressure and steam.

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