Article for cleaning, cleaning tool, and combination of article for cleaning and support shank

Abstract

To provide an article for cleaning, a cleaning tool, and a combination of a cleaning tool and a support shank that can be made to a non-plastic state, are excellent in biodegradability and recyclability, and are inexpensive.SOLUTION: Provided is an article for cleaning in which a fiber bundle formed by bundling multiple fibers is bonded to a base material sheet. At least a part of the multiple fibers is formed of a fiber derived from a natural fiber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning article, a cleaning tool and a combination cleaning article and support handle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cleaning tools have been widely used to remove dust such as dirt and dirt adhering to walls, thresholds, floors, etc. inside buildings. In general, cleaning tools are configured by attaching a cleaning item for capturing dust to a support handle, and a user operates the support handle to wipe the surface to be cleaned on which dust is attached with the cleaning surface of the cleaning item to remove various types of dust. Examples of such cleaning tools include flooring sheets for removing dust that has fallen onto floors, and mops for removing dust that has adhered to furniture, electrical equipment, and walls installed in buildings. For example, Patent Document 1 shown below discloses a cleaning item that is a mop that a user can hold in his or her hand to remove dust from walls, etc.

[0003] The cleaning item disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a joined body formed by joining a pair of opposing base sheets together, and a plurality of fibers are arranged on the surface of the joined body opposite to the surfaces where the pair of base sheets face each other to form a fiber bundle. The location where the fiber bundle is arranged forms a cleaning part, and is capable of removing dust from the surface to be cleaned. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-044099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The cleaning article described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 forms a fiber bundle using fibers containing various thermoplastic resins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). However, in recent years, the use of plastic materials has become a major problem due to the large environmental load. In particular, it has been recognized that ordinary synthetic plastics such as petroleum-based synthetic resins do not naturally decompose after disposal and remain in the natural world in the form of plastic for a long period of time, which is a problem related to biodegradability. In response to this problem, the use of biodegradable plastics has been considered in recent years. However, compared to ordinary synthetic plastics, biodegradable plastics have the advantage of being naturally degradable unlike synthetic plastics, but they are more expensive than synthetic plastics and tend to increase the manufacturing costs of cleaning articles. In particular, in the case of cleaning articles, even if the increase in manufacturing cost per item is small, the increase in manufacturing cost becomes enormous when a large number of cleaning articles are produced. Therefore, it is difficult to say that using expensive biodegradable plastic materials for cleaning articles as a countermeasure against environmental issues at this time. The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide cleaning articles, cleaning tools, and combinations of cleaning tools and support handles that are inexpensive, have excellent biodegradability and recyclability, and can be made plastic-free by using no plastic at all or by using less than a predetermined standard amount of plastic. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to the following (1) to (12). (1) A cleaning article comprising a fiber bundle formed by bundling a large number of fibers and bonded to a base sheet, at least a portion of the large number of fibers being made of fibers derived from natural fibers. (2) A cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the numerous fibers are made of fibers derived from natural fibers. (3) The cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the fiber derived from natural fibers is a rayon fiber. (4) A cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the fibers derived from natural fibers are made of a plurality of types of fibers. (5) A cleaning article according to the above (4), wherein one of the plurality of types of fibers is a rayon fiber. (6) The cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the base sheet is made of fibers derived from natural fibers. (7) The cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the base sheet is made of regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers. (8) The cleaning article according to the above (1), wherein the fiber bundles have water repellency and / or waterproofness. (9) A cleaning item according to the above (8), wherein the fiber bundle has a surface coated with a paint having water repellency and / or waterproofing. (10) The cleaning article according to the above (9), wherein the paint having water repellency and / or waterproofness is a water-based paint. (11) A cleaning tool comprising the cleaning item according to any one of (1) to (10) above and a support handle. (12) A combination of a cleaning item and a support handle, comprising the cleaning item according to any one of (1) to (10) above and a support handle for supporting the cleaning item. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cleaning article, a cleaning tool, and a combination of a cleaning tool and a support handle that can be made non-plastic, have excellent biodegradability and recyclability, and are inexpensive. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view illustrating a first embodiment of a cleaning tool according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a configuration of a cleaning item according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a second embodiment of a cleaning tool according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a cleaning item according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cleaning item according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A first embodiment of a cleaning item, a cleaning tool, and a combination of a cleaning item and a support handle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2. For ease of explanation, Figures 1 and 2 show a state in which a support handle is inserted into the cleaning item, which is configured as a support tool.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the cleaning tool 1 includes a cleaning item 2 and a support handle 6. The cleaning item 1 also includes a base sheet 4 and a fiber bundle 7. The base sheet 4 is joined to the fiber bundle 7 to fix the fiber bundle 7. The base sheet 4 is formed so that the support handle 6 can be inserted or removed. The base sheet 4 is a rectangular strip-shaped member. In general, nonwoven fabric is often used for this base sheet 4, and more specifically, for example, spunbond nonwoven fabric, thermal bond nonwoven fabric, spunlace nonwoven fabric, dry nonwoven fabric, wet nonwoven fabric, meltblown nonwoven fabric, chemical bond nonwoven fabric, needle punch nonwoven fabric, stitch bond nonwoven fabric, steam jet nonwoven fabric, etc. are preferably used. In addition, the type of raw fiber constituting the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use natural fibers or regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers. Examples of natural fibers include cellulosic fibers, and examples of cellulosic fibers include fibers obtained from cotton, wool, flax, hemp such as Manila hemp, palm, kraft pulp, straw, etc. Examples of regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers include rayon, polynosic, cupra, and lyocell. In addition, in order to make the cleaning item 2 non-plastic as described above and to ensure biodegradability and recyclability, it is preferable to use nonwoven fabrics made from various natural fibers, rayon fibers, etc. as raw materials. In addition, these fibers may be used alone, or may be used by blending multiple types of fibers.

[0011] The fiber bundle 7 is for contacting the surface to be cleaned and entangling dust. The fiber bundle 7 is an aggregate of many fibers 3 (tow fibers) having a predetermined length, and the flow direction of the fibers 3 is aligned. The fiber bundle 7 has a width longer than the short-side length (width) of the base sheet 4 as a whole, and a longitudinal length shorter than the longitudinal length of the base sheet 4. The width of the fiber bundle 7 corresponds to the length of the fibers 3. The fiber bundle 7 has a linear joint 5 (hereinafter referred to as a "linear joint") that joins the fibers 3 to each other at a position that crosses the fiber flow direction and passes through the center of the fiber bundle 7 in the width direction. It is preferable that the linear joint 5 is formed in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the fibers 3. As with the base sheet 4, the fibers 3 constituting the fiber bundle 7 are preferably made of natural fibers or regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers. Examples of natural fibers include cellulosic fibers, and examples of cellulosic fibers include various fibers obtained from cotton, wool, hemp such as flax and Manila hemp, palm, kraft pulp, straw, etc. Examples of regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers include rayon, polynosic, cupra, lyocell, etc. Note that, in order to make the cleaning item 2 non-plastic as described above and ensure biodegradability and recyclability, it is preferable to use various natural fibers and regenerated fibers such as rayon fibers as raw fibers. Also, these fibers may be used alone, or multiple types of fibers may be used.

[0012] The thickness of the fibers 3 constituting the fiber bundle 7 is preferably about 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm. With such a thickness, dust can be appropriately caught. On the other hand, the length of the fibers 3 constituting the fiber bundle 7 is preferably in the range of about 3 cm to 15 cm. The fiber bundle 7 may be composed of fibers having the same material, thickness, color, etc., or may be composed of fibers having at least one of these different materials, thickness, color, etc.

[0013] The linear joints 5 in the fiber bundles 7 are formed by methods such as heat fusion, ultrasonic bonding, bonding with an adhesive, sewing, etc. When an adhesive is used to form the linear joints 5, a two-component curing adhesive, a thermoplastic resin adhesive, an elastomer adhesive, a thermosetting resin adhesive, a cyanoacrylate instant adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, etc. can be used. However, it is preferable to use a hot melt adhesive because it allows for rapid bonding by heating and cooling.

[0014] In addition to the above-mentioned adhesives, a water-based heat seal agent may be used instead of or in addition to the above-mentioned adhesives when forming the linear joint 5 in the fiber bundle 7. Examples of the water-based heat seal agent include acrylic, ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) and olefin-based agents, and it is preferable to use an acrylic water-based heat seal agent or the like.

[0015] In addition, a chemical may be added to the fiber bundle 7. The chemical may include at least one of mineral oil, synthetic oil, silicone oil, surfactant, and synthetic resin. Among such chemicals, it is particularly preferable to use liquid paraffin. This allows the chemical to adsorb dust, thereby further improving the dust capture performance.

[0016] In addition, the fiber bundle 7 preferably has water repellency and / or waterproofness. When the fiber bundle 7 has water repellency and / or waterproofness, a water repellent material and waterproofing agent having water repellency and / or waterproofing can be used separately from the above-mentioned aqueous heat sealing agent having heat sealability, but it is preferable that the above-mentioned aqueous heat sealing agent also has water repellency and / or waterproofing.

[0017] The support handle 6 has a rod-like shape, and supports the cleaning item 2 while being inserted into the cylindrical portion of the cleaning item 2. The support handle 6 is inserted into the cylindrical portion so that its tip does not reach the folded portions of the base sheet 4 and the fiber bundle 7. This allows play in the folded portions of the fiber bundle 7, which corresponds to the tip of the cleaning item 2, improving safety and also making it possible to improve the ability to follow the unevenness of the surface to be cleaned.

[0018] In addition, the support handle 6 has a grip portion that protrudes from the cylindrical portion of the cleaning item 2 when inserted into the cylindrical portion. The support handle 6 is arranged so that its longitudinal direction crosses the flow direction of the fibers 3. In this case, the support handle 6 is preferably arranged so that its longitudinal direction is along the linear joint 5. The shape of the support handle 6 is not limited to a columnar (or cylindrical) shape as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and may be a polygonal column shape such as a triangular column shape or a square column shape. In addition, examples of the material of the support handle 6 include plastic, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), paper, and rubber. From the viewpoint of making the cleaning tool 1 disposable and making the cleaning tool 1 non-plastic, the support handle 6 is preferably made of paper. By making the support handle 6 out of paper, it is possible to greatly reduce the burden on the environment and also to reduce the impact on the environment when the cleaning tool 1 is disposed of by incineration or the like.

[0019] In this way, the cleaning item and cleaning tool according to this embodiment are used by a user to remove dust from inside a building, for example, by holding the support handle 6. Since the cleaning item according to this embodiment uses recycled fibers derived from natural resin for the fiber bundles 7, it is very stiff and the ease of cleaning is greatly improved. In addition, since the cleaning item according to this embodiment can be formed in a non-plastic state, the burden on the environment can be greatly reduced, and environmental issues can be greatly considered.

[0020] Next, a second embodiment of the cleaning item and cleaning tool according to the present invention will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] 3 to 5, the cleaning item 2 according to the second embodiment has a fiber bundle 7 formed by accumulating a large number of fibers and formed into a sheet-like shape laminated on one side of a rectangular base sheet 4. The base sheet 4 and the fiber bundle 7 are joined at the center in the flow direction of the fibers 3 constituting the fiber bundle 7 by a linear joint 5 provided in the center of the rectangular base sheet 4 on a single continuous center line from one end edge 2c to the other end edge 2d of the rectangle.

[0022] In the cleaning article 2 of this embodiment, the base sheet 4 and the fiber bundles 7 are joined at point joints 8 formed intermittently on the parallel lines 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b between the linear joint 5 of the base sheet 4 and both end edges 2a, 2b that are parallel to each other.

[0023] In the cleaning item 2 thus formed, the vicinity of the squares on both ends 2a, 2b side parallel to the linear joints 5 rather than the point joints 8 is formed as an attachment section 9 composed only of the base sheet 4. This attachment section 9 is for attaching to a holding member of the cleaning tool 1 when used as the cleaning item 2 of a cleaning tool 1 for wiping floor surfaces. The attachment section 9 of the cleaning item 2 is not limited to an embodiment composed only of the base sheet 4, and may be formed in various embodiments depending on the shape of the holding member, the attachment means, etc., as long as it can be attached to the holding member of the cleaning item 2.

[0024] The cleaning item 2 according to this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the cleaning item 2 described above.

[0025] The above describes the cleaning article, cleaning tool, and combination of the cleaning article and the support handle according to the present invention, but the above is merely an example of the cleaning article, cleaning tool, and combination of the cleaning article and the support handle according to the present invention. Therefore, the cleaning article, cleaning tool, and combination of the cleaning article and the support handle according to the present invention are not limited to those described above, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the cleaning articles in each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be appropriately combined as necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1 Cleaning tools 2 Cleaning items 3. Fiber 4. Base sheet 5 Linear joint 6 Support handle 7 Fiber bundle 8 point joints 9 Mounting part

Claims

1. A fiber bundle formed by bundling a large number of fibers is bonded to a base sheet, A cleaning article, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of fibers is made of fibers derived from natural fibers.

2. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fibers are made of fibers derived from natural fibers.

3. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the natural fiber is a rayon fiber.

4. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the fibers derived from natural fibers are made of a plurality of types of fibers.

5. 5. The cleaning article according to claim 4, wherein one of said plurality of types of fibers is a rayon fiber.

6. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the base sheet is made of fibers derived from natural fibers.

7. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the base sheet is made of regenerated fibers derived from natural fibers.

8. 2. The cleaning article according to claim 1, wherein the fiber bundles have water repellency and / or waterproofness.

9. 9. The cleaning item according to claim 8, wherein the fiber bundle has a surface coated with a paint having water repellency and / or waterproofing.

10. 10. The cleaning article according to claim 9, wherein the paint having water repellency and / or waterproofness is a water-based paint.

11. A cleaning tool comprising the cleaning article according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a support handle.

12. A combination of a cleaning article and a support handle, comprising a cleaning article according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a support handle for supporting the cleaning article.

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