Flexible cleaning article

a cleaning article and flexible technology, applied in the field of flexible cleaning articles, can solve the problems of rusty metal filaments over time, unfavorable cleaning effect, and affecting the cleaning process, and achieve the effect of convenient and efficient cleaning process

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-01
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The flexibility provided by the object of the present invention is important as the article adapts more easily to substrates and features thereof, such as corners and grooves. This renders the cleaning process easier and more efficient. Permeability is important in order to allow water and chemical compositions (e.g., detergents, soaps, etc.) to pass through it, whereby suds are formed. In addition, the article in question can be replaced in accordance with the type of cleaning being effected. This eliminates the need of having different cleaning articles for different substrates (e.g. dishware and surfaces), on the kitchen sink.

Problems solved by technology

Drawbacks generally related to use of steel wool reside in the fact that metal filaments get rusty over time, and have an unpleasant texture.
Furthermore, filaments can loosen and pierce the user's hands.
Brushes may not offer the abrasive power needed for dishware cleaning.
Furthermore the currently available sponges present drawbacks related to the need to change the cleaning article depending on the substrate to be cleaned.
Surfaces that are coated with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or other polymers or ceramics are, in general, more sensitive to the abrasive material found in some sponges and, consequently, can be damaged (i.e. scratched).
Scouring webs employed in heavy duty cleaning (such as scaled residues) may wear more quickly than the foam article, or vice-versa.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0042]A hook-like mechanical system 3 composed of approximately 0.25 mm diameter interwoven polyamide filaments (available from Tecelagem Lady Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil, under the tradename VELOK™) was cut into strips of about 2 mm thick, about 4 mm wide and about 110 mm in length. Two strips were applied to one surface of the foam 4 (available from Aunde Coplatex do Brasil S / A, Sao Paulo, Brazil and from Soft-Spuma Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Sao Paulo, Brazil) of 8 mm in thickness by means of a polyurethane adhesive (available from Huntsman ICI Chemicals, LLC, Utah, US, under the tradename RUBINATE™ 9272 MDI) vertically disposed along the flexible article's (5b) length. Approximately 11 mm spacing between the strips was maintained. Samples were pressed to promote adhesion and the adhesive was allowed to set for 24 hours. The area of foam covered by said mechanical system was of about 26%.

example 2

[0043]A hook-type mechanical system composed of approximately 0.25 mm diameter interwoven polyamide filaments (available from Tecelagem Lady Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil, under the tradename VELOK™) was cut into strips of about 2 mm thick, about 7 mm wide and about 110 mm in length. Said strips were applied to one surface of a polyurethane foam 4 (available from Aunde Coplatex do Brasil S / A, Sao Paulo, Brazil and from Soft-Spuma Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Sao Paulo, Brazil) of 8 mm in thickness by means of a polyurethane adhesive (available from Ariston Polimeros Indústria e Comércio Ltda., Sao Paulo, Brazil, under the tradename RESITHANE SL 3000) vertically disposed along the flexible article's (5b) length. Approximately 12 mm spacing between the strips was maintained. Samples were pressed to promote adhesion and the adhesive was allowed to set for 24 hours. The area of foam 4 covered by the mechanical system 3 was of about 37%.

example 3

[0044]A hook-type mechanical system composed of approximately 0.25 mm diameter interwoven polyamide filaments (available from Tecelagem Lady Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil, under the tradename VELOK™) was cut into strips of about 2 mm thick, about 10 mm wide and about 110 mm in length. Said strips were applied to one surface of a polyurethane foam 4 (available from Aunde Coplatex do Brasil S / A, Sao Paulo, Brazil and from Soft-Spuma Indústria e Comércio Ltda., São Paulo, Brazil) of 8 mm in thickness by means of a bi-component polyurethane adhesive (available from Ariston Polimeros Indústria e Comércio Ltda, São Paulo, SP, Brasil, under the tradename RESITHANE 9020; available from Reichold under the tradename RESADUR 19-401) vertically disposed along the flexible article's (5b) length. Approximately 9 mm spacing between the strips was maintained. Samples were pressed to promote adhesion and the adhesive was allowed to set for 24 hours. Area of foam covered by the mechanical system was of ab...

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Abstract

The invention refers to a flexible and permeable cleaning article, more specifically the invention relates to a foam having a mechanical fastener for attaching scouring webs composed of hook-like projections, wherein said webs can be replaced depending on the type of cleaning needed, for example, heavy duty cleaning, delicate cleaning, surface polishing, etc. Flexibility and permeability are two important characteristics exhibited by the object of the present invention; said flexible article easily conforms to substrates and their particularities, such as corners and grooves, thus rendering the cleaning process easier and more efficient. Permeability allows water and chemical cleaning compositions (e.g., detergents, soaps, etc.) to pass through it, thereby forming suds.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention refers to a flexible cleaning article. More specifically, the invention refers to a flexible sponge with a mechanical fastener system comprised of hook-like projections for attaching scouring webs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The term “sponge” is commonly used to designate vegetable sponges or sponge-like articles which may optionally present a scouring web attached to one of its surfaces. Vegetable sponges are mainly used for personal care, and belong to the group of “Industrial Plants” of the Cucurbitaceae family, of the genus Luffa.[0003]The use of synthetic sponges for cleaning surfaces such as metal, ceramic, plastic and other materials, is widely known. Such sponges are generally composed of synthetic foams (polyurethane, polyester, PVC foams and the like) and naturally occurring foams (cellulose). They can optionally comprise a scouring web attached to one of their surfaces so that the article's cleaning power is enhanced.[0004]T...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A47L17/08B32B7/08
CPCA47L13/16B32B2432/00B32B7/08D04H13/00B32B5/022B32B5/18B32B5/245B32B7/12B32B7/14B32B27/065B32B27/08B32B27/12B32B27/30B32B27/308B32B27/36B32B27/38B32B27/40B32B27/42B32B3/06B32B3/266B32B2255/10B32B2255/26B32B2260/021B32B2260/046B32B2262/0238B32B2262/0253B32B2262/0261B32B2266/0235B32B2266/0264B32B2266/0278B32B2266/06B32B2266/08B32B2307/726A47L17/08
Inventor OLHE, PAULABARBOZA, ANA C.LANGBECK, LUIS E.A.GUERREIRO, PATRICIA V.
Owner 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
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