Cleaning textile

Abstract

Cleaning textile (1) comprising a three-dimensional warp-knitted fabric with a first and a second knitted surface (2, 3), wherein the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3) each have at least two yarn systems, wherein a yarn system of the first knitted surface (2) has a yarn fineness of at least 100 dtex and with at least 90 filaments and a yarn system of the second knitted surface (3) has a yarn fineness of at least 70 dtex and at least 20 filaments, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3) are connected by means of pile yarns (4), wherein the pile yarns are designed to penetrate the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3), wherein filaments of at least one yarn system of the first knitted surface (2) have a tetralobal cross-section.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning textile comprising a three-dimensional warp-knitted fabric with a first and a second knitted surface, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces are connected by means of pile threads, the pile threads penetrating the first and second knitted surfaces, in particular for use in cleanrooms and rooms with high hygiene standards.

[0002] For surface cleaning, particularly in commercial settings such as clinical, pharmaceutical, and other cleanrooms, it is essential to meet the stringent requirements both during and after cleaning. This often involves the use of cleaning textiles with varying fiber characteristics. These textiles aim to provide both high absorbency and effective abrasion of contaminants adhering to the surfaces being cleaned. In addition to disposable products, reusable products are also used for this type of surface cleaning. These reusable products are reprocessed after cleaning and therefore must meet specific durability requirements.

[0003] EP 321 6 902 A1 discloses a reusable cleaning textile with a 3D warp-knitted fabric comprising a first and second knitted surface, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces are joined by connecting threads, the first knitted surface having microfibers and scraper fibers with a titer > 1 dtex, and the connecting threads comprising monofilament threads and microfibers. The first and second knitted surfaces are designed differently, in particular with regard to their fiber composition and / or their stitch pattern.

[0004] DE 198 39 505 A1 discloses a cleaning textile with a 3D warp-knitted fabric, comprising a first and second knitted surface, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces are connected by means of pole bonds of different lengths, which penetrate the first and second knitted surfaces and are lamellar in form, wherein the first knitted surface is knitted from a monofilament and microfibers.

[0005] A disadvantage of this state of the art is that microfibers, due to their structure, either inherently or through the dirt particles they carry, have an abrasive effect on the surface being cleaned. This can lead to surface damage during the frequent cleaning processes often required in cleanrooms. This damage can manifest as small burrs, between which the risk of dirt accumulation is increased compared to the otherwise smooth surface. Due to their fineness, the risk of microfibers detaching from the cleaning cloth is also higher, making contamination of the surface being cleaned by these detached microfibers quite likely.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to provide a cleaning textile made of a multitude of filaments, which are not microfibers, with a strength particularly suitable for cleaning, which at the same time has good water absorption, water release and water storage capacity.

[0007] This problem is solved by a cleaning textile comprising a three-dimensional warp-knitted fabric with a first and a second knitted surface, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces each have at least two yarn systems, wherein a yarn system of the first knitted surface has a yarn fineness of at least 100 dtex and at least 90 filaments and a yarn system of the second knitted surface has a yarn fineness of at least 70 dtex and at least 20 filaments, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces are connected by means of pile yarns, wherein the pile yarns are designed to penetrate the first and second knitted surfaces, wherein filaments of at least one yarn system of the first knitted surface have a tetralobal cross-section.

[0008] Preferably, the cleaning textile is produced on a double raschel knitting machine, and the cleaning textile is a knitted fabric. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the cleaning textile according to the invention is manufactured using a double raschel technique, by means of which three-dimensional spacer fabrics from 1 mm to 70 mm, in particular from 1.5 mm to 10 mm, can be produced. For mesh formation, an offset movement and an oscillating movement of lay-up bars, orthogonally oriented to this, are provided. The lay-up bars move the threads arranged in needle holes around tongue needles, the tongue needles performing up-and-down movements orthogonal to these movements, analogous to the aforementioned movements.

[0009] According to the invention, thread systems with tetralobal filaments are particularly well-suited because, due to their large circumferential surface area, they can remove even stubborn dirt from a surface without requiring excessive frictional force from the user over time, and they also exhibit a high absorption capacity for cleaning fluids. The abrasive forces that thread systems with tetralobal filaments can exert on a cleaning surface are such that even stubborn dirt can be removed. According to the invention, the thread systems with tetralobal filaments have a thread fineness of at least 100 dtex.

[0010] The pile threads provided according to the invention lead in a particularly advantageous way to a dimensionally stable intermediate layer between the first and second knitted surface, which is particularly well suited for absorbing and storing cleaning fluid.

[0011] During use, cleaning fluid continuously flows from the internal reservoir thus created through the first working surface facing the surface to be cleaned, ensuring a uniform cleaning quality.

[0012] According to the invention, the dosage of the cleaning agent output is achieved via the mesh density of the knitted fabric bonds.

[0013] The pile threads are particularly advantageous as they permeate the knitted surfaces, enabling a uniform flow of the cleaning fluid along the pile threads.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the filaments of at least some of the pile threads have a tetralobal cross-section, thereby increasing the strength of the cleaning textile to maintain its three-dimensional structure and thus its function after repeated cleaning and reprocessing. Forming the pile threads, preferably all pile threads, with filaments having a tetralobal cross-section advantageously eliminates the need for additional fastening elements. This is advantageous and cost-effective from a manufacturing perspective, as the cleaning textile can be produced using a double raschel knitting machine, particularly in a single production step. Advantageously, the pile threads with filaments having a tetralobal cross-section have a thread count of at least 100 dtex and at least 90 filaments.Such a high filament count gives the cleaning textile greater tensile strength and flexibility, thus increasing its durability. The high tensile and shear forces that occur during use and processing of the cleaning textile are easily dissipated. In particular, the pile yarns are formed with the same yarn system as the first knitted layer, which significantly reduces the complexity of the cleaning textile and simplifies its production.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, it is provided that the first and second knitted surfaces each have a plurality of mesh rods per unit area, wherein at least one mesh rod per unit area comprises a material additional to that of the other mesh rods. The resulting material mixture of the first knitted surface, which in use lies against the surface to be cleaned, advantageously results in both high absorption of the cleaning fluid by materials with a lower titer and optimal stiffness of the materials with a higher titer.

[0016] According to the invention, the ratio between the different materials can be adapted to the surface to be cleaned and its degree of soiling, as required. However, it is provided according to the invention that the use of different materials does not affect the structure of the first knitted surface itself.

[0017] In a further development of the invention, the first knitted surface has antistatically treated threads. The conduction of electrical current through the cleaning textile is particularly advantageous for protection against high-energy charge concentrations, such as those that can occur in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. To achieve an antistatic characteristic in the threads, they are treated by means of coating processes, in particular by means of wet or plasma deposition processes.

[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the first knitted surface has fewer meshes per unit area than the second knitted surface to ensure good fluid conduction to the pile threads and optimal release of the cleaning fluid. The knitted surfaces can be formed together using a single manufacturing process, and in particular in a single manufacturing step, which significantly reduces manufacturing complexity and costs. Also according to the invention, the structure of the first knitted surface is designed to release the stored water gradually. The structure of the second knitted surface, which faces away from the surface to be cleaned during use, is designed to increase the dimensional stability and mechanical strength of the cleaning textile according to the invention. In particular, the first knitted surface has a more open-pored structure than the second knitted surface.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous manner, the cleaning textile is heat-treated after its manufacture according to the invention, so that the structure and dimensions of the cleaning textile are maintained even after several use cycles, and any stresses that may have arisen in previous manufacturing steps are reduced. According to the invention, the heat treatment can be carried out with hot water, steam, or dry heat. Since such heat treatment is particularly suitable for synthetic textiles, the cleaning textile according to the invention is made of synthetic materials, especially polyester. According to the invention, the temperature for the heat treatment is around 180°C. The low temperature advantageously protects the material while simultaneously providing the aforementioned benefits.

[0020] Finally, it is further provided that some of the pile filaments have a round cross-section, and that the pile filaments with round cross-sections consist of a single filament, resulting in a mixture of pile filaments with tetralobal cross-sections and those with round cross-sections made from a single filament. Preferably, the pile filaments with tetralobal filaments predominate by at least 80%, and in particular, significantly predominate by at least 90%, preferably predominate very strongly (> 99%). The pile filaments made from a single filament with a round cross-section have a thread fineness, in particular a filament fineness, of at least 50 dtex.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures in the drawing, wherein Fig. 1 a perspective sectional view of a cleaning textile according to the invention and Fig. 2 show a perspective view of the cleaning textile.

[0022] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a cleaning textile 1 according to the invention, with its first knitted surface 2 facing a surface 6 to be cleaned. The cleaning textile 1 extends from the first knitted surface 2 through an interior space 7 to a second knitted surface 3. The first and second knitted surfaces 2, 3 have essentially the same thickness. The interior space 7 is enclosed by and thus formed by the first and second knitted surfaces 2, 3. In its edge region 8, the cleaning textile 1 has a lesser thickness than in its central region 9. A plurality of pile threads 4, arranged essentially parallel to each other and running perpendicular to the two knitted surfaces 2, 3 and, when in use, also to the surface 6, permeate the first and second knitted surfaces 2, 3 as well as the interior space 7. Accordingly, the pile threads 4 contribute to the strength and liquid absorption capacity of the cleaning textile 1.Furthermore, the first knitted surface has 2 openings 11 which are essential for the dispensing of cleaning fluid and are also suitable for receiving it.

[0023] Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows another perspective view of the cleaning textile 1, where the first knitted surface 2 (not visible here) rests on a surface 6 to be cleaned. The second knitted surface 3 has fastening means 10 for attaching the cleaning textile 1 to a cleaning unit (not shown), in particular a mop holder. The fastening means 10 – usually pockets for the wings of the mop holder – are connected to the second knitted surface 3 in the edge region 8 so as not to affect the structure and characteristics of the cleaning textile 1 within the central region 9 through any seams used to fix the fastening means 10.

[0024] With its three-dimensional structure and the use of filaments with a tetralobal cross-section, the invention offers the great advantage of providing a large absorption and storage volume, high absorbency, and high stiffness to maintain its shape, without the use of microfibers. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0025] 1 Cleaning textile 2 First knitted surface 3 Second knitted surface 4 Pile threads 6 Surface 7 Interior 8 Edge area 9 Central area 10 Fasteners 11 Opening

Claims

1. A cleaning textile (1) comprising a three-dimensional warp knitted fabric with a first and a second knitted surface (2, 3), wherein the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3) each have at least two thread systems, wherein a thread system of the first knitted surface (2) has a linear density of at least 100 dtex and at least 90 filaments per thread and a thread system of the second knitted surface (3) has a linear density of at least 70 dtex and at least 20 filaments per thread, wherein the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3) are connected by means of pile yarns (4), wherein the pile yarns (4) are designed to pass through the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3), wherein filaments of at least one thread system of the first knitted surface (2) have a tetralobal cross-section.

2. Cleaning textile (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that filaments of at least a plurality of pile threads (4) have a tetralobal cross-section3. Cleaning textile (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second knitted surfaces (2, 3) have a plurality of stitch rods per unit area, at least one stitch rod per unit area having a material in addition to the other stitch rods.

4. Cleaning textile (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the first knitted surface (2) has antistatically treated threads.

5. Cleaning textile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first knitted area (2) has fewer loops per unit area than the second knitted area (3)6. Cleaning textile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is heat-treated after its manufacture.

7. Cleaning textile (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that filaments of a plurality of pile threads (4) have a round cross-section and the pile threads with filaments having a round cross-section consist of one filament

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