Cleaning supplies

Abstract

The cleaning article includes a first panel having a first fibrous layer and a first substrate attached to the first fibrous layer by a first connection type, and a second panel having a second fibrous layer and a second substrate attached to the second fibrous layer by a first connection type. The first connection type includes a first connection line parallel to a second connection line, and both the first and second connection lines straddle an axially extending centerline of each panel. The first panel is attached to the second panel by a plurality of spot connections to form a pocket between the first and second panels.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Cross-reference to prior applications The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 478,700, filed September 17, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Field The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning articles for attachment to cleaning tools, which may be used as replacements for the cleaning tools. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, cleaning tools to which a cleaning implement (e.g., a duster) can be attached are known in the art. The cleaning implement can be detached from the cleaning implement so that when the cleaning implement becomes excessively soiled or used, the cleaning implement can be removed and a new cleaning implement can be attached in its place. Often, the engagement portion of the cleaning implement is inserted into the cleaning implement so that the cleaning implement covers one end of the cleaning implement, such as the end opposite the handle of the cleaning implement. This allows a user of the cleaning implement to grasp the handle and operate the cleaning implement to properly clean. Such a configuration is useful because it allows a user to more easily clean hard-to-reach areas (e.g., by extending the user's reach).

[0004] Cleaning articles often have a plurality of fibers attached to them to attract dirt and other debris as the cleaning article passes over the surface to be cleaned, and it is desirable to avoid portions of the cleaning article that are free of fibers in order to achieve better cleaning and improve aesthetics. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment, the invention provides a cleaning article comprising: a first panel including a first fibrous layer and a first substrate attached to the first fibrous layer by a first connection type; and a second panel including a second fibrous layer and a second substrate attached to the second fibrous layer by the first connection type, wherein the first connection type includes a first connection line parallel to a second connection line, and wherein both the first and second connection lines straddle axially extending centerlines of the respective panels; and wherein the first panel is attached to the second panel by a plurality of spot connections to form a pocket between the first and second panels. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a panel of a cleaning article according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a panel of a cleaning article according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a panel of a cleaning article according to the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning article according to the present disclosure attached to a cleaning tool. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning article according to the present disclosure attached to a cleaning tool. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a process for manufacturing a cleaning article according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 7 shows a cleaning article according to the present disclosure at various stages during the process of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To improve upon the prior art, this application describes a cleaning implement with less visible connection lines. The cleaning implement also has a 360° appearance, which not only improves aesthetics but also improves the functionality of the cleaning implement, since all sides of the cleaning implement can be used for cleaning. The cleaning implement can be attached to a cleaning tool, such as that described in U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 478,700, and can be used as a replacement when the existing cleaning implement is no longer suitable for cleaning.

[0008] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary panel 2 according to the present application. Two such panels 2 are connected together to form a cleaning article. However, for simplicity, the description will first focus on one individual panel 2.

[0009] The panel 2 is prepared by taking a fiber layer 4 and attaching it to a substrate 6. The fiber layer 4 includes a plurality of cleaning fibers used to collect dirt and debris during cleaning with a cleaning product. The cleaning fibers generally extend in a radial direction R. The cleaning ability of the cleaning fibers can be increased by spraying the cleaning fibers with oil. The cleaning fibers may be made from polyester, either virgin or recycled, or a mixture thereof, and have a mass in grams per 10,000 meters of fiber of approximately 2.5 dtex to 3.5 dtex. Adding virgin material to the cleaning fibers helps facilitate connection of the fiber layer 4 to the substrate 6.

[0010] The substrate 6 may be, for example, a nonwoven sheet. The nonwoven sheet may be made from spunbond nonwoven materials such as polyester and / or polypropylene, and the materials may be either virgin or recycled materials, or a mixture thereof. The nonwoven sheet may have a density of about 35 g / m 2 The substrate 6 has a substrate edge 7. The substrate edge 7 has various components that are described in more detail below.

[0011] The fiber layer 4 is attached to the substrate 6 using a first connection type 8. The first connection type 8 may be a connection type known in the art. In one embodiment, the first connection type 8 includes two separate connection lines 10 extending in the axial direction A along the length L of the panel 2. Each connection line 10 may be, for example, an ultrasonic weld having a specific shape, formed by ultrasonic welding technology. The width of the connection lines 10 may be approximately 1.29 mm or 1.5 mm. Each connection line 10 is located on one side of the center line 12 of the panel 2 such that both connection lines 10 straddle the center line 12. The distance from the first connection line 10 on one side of the center line 12 to the second connection line 10 on the other side of the center line 12 may be approximately 5 mm. The cleaning fibers of the fiber layer 4 cover the center line 12 after assembly of the cleaning appliance, making it less visible and helping to create a 360-degree appearance for the cleaning appliance.

[0012] The connecting lines 10 can have a particular shape. For example, each connecting line 10 can have a zigzag shape (as shown in FIG. 1) or a wavy shape (as shown in FIG. 2). Two connecting lines 10 can be parallel to each other. Various exemplary dimensions of the connecting lines 10 and the entire panel 2 are shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0013] Once the panel 2 is prepared, it is attached to another identical panel 2 to create a cleaning tool. Specifically, the two panels 2 are aligned one on top of the other and then connected to each other using a second connection type 14. The second connection type 14 may be a connection type known in the art. The second connection type 14 may include a plurality of spot connections 16. In one embodiment, each spot connection 16 may be an ultrasonic weld having a specific shape, and the ultrasonic welds are formed by ultrasonic welding techniques. For example, the spot connections 16 may have a generally oval or circular shape with a major axis approximately 5 mm long and a minor axis approximately 3 mm long. The plurality of spot connections 16 are applied along the length L, are generally symmetrical, and are radially offset relative to the centerline 12. By connecting the two panels 2 to each other in this manner, a pocket 18 is formed between the two panels 2. As a result, a cleaning tool can be inserted into the pocket 18 of the cleaning tool, and the cleaning tool can be attached to the cleaning tool, for example, by hooking at least a portion of the cleaning tool into the hole 19 of the substrate 6.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1-2 , the plurality of spot connections 16 can be divided into at least two separate sets. In the first set 20, on one side of the centerline 12, a given spot connection 16 is a first distance D1 from an adjacent spot connection 16. In the second set 22, on one side of the centerline 12, a given spot connection 16 is a second distance D2 from an adjacent spot connection 16. The second distance D2 is greater than the first distance D1. The first set 20 of spot connections 16 is positioned toward the tip 24 of the panel 2, while the second set 22 of spot connections 16 is positioned toward the handle end 26 of the panel 2, closer to where the cleaning tool is inserted into the pocket 18. In this way, the spot connections 16 of the first set 20 are closer to each other at the tip 24 to ensure a good fit of the cleaning tool and prevent the cleaning tool from poking through the cleaning tool pocket 18 during insertion and cleaning. However, the spot connections 16 of the second set 22 are spaced more widely apart to allow for a larger insertion area for the pocket 18 and contribute to the 360° appearance of the cleaning implement.

[0015] The arrangement of spot connections 16 described herein also contributes to loose ends of cleaning fibers in the fiber layer 4 having different lengths. For example, some cleaning fibers are connected to each other only by connection lines 10 of the first connection type 8, while other cleaning fibers are connected to each other by both connection lines 10 of the first connection type 8 and spot connections 16 of the second connection type 14. Loose ends of cleaning fibers having a variety of different lengths help improve the cleaning ability of the cleaning article.

[0016] The first set 20 of spot connections 16 and the second set 22 of spot connections 16 also generally correspond to different components of the substrate edge 7. In particular, a leading edge 7A of the substrate edge 7 is at a leading end 24 of the panel 2 adjacent one end of the first set 20 of spot connections 16. The leading edge 7A extends generally in the radial direction R.

[0017] The first longitudinal edges 7B extend from the leading edge 7A on either side of the centerline 12. The first longitudinal edges 7B extend in the axial direction A approximately as far as the first set 20 of spot connections 16 extend along the length L of the panel 2. The angle between the leading edge 7A and the first longitudinal edges 7B is a first angle α1. The first angle α1 is greater than 90°. For example, the first angle α1 can be 102°, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0018] As the first longitudinal edge 7B continues along the length L of the panel 2, it is adjacent to the second longitudinal edge 7C. The second longitudinal edge 7C extends in the axial direction A approximately as far as the second set 22 of spot connections 16 extend along the length L of the panel 2. The angle between the leading edge 7A and the second longitudinal edge 7C is a second angle α2. The second angle α2 is also greater than 90°. For example, the second angle α2 can be 95°, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0019] The first angle α1 is greater than the second angle α2. Thus, for any substrate 6, the first longitudinal edge 7B and the second longitudinal edge 7C on one side of the centerline 12 are not parallel to the first longitudinal edge 7B and the second longitudinal edge 7C on the other side of the centerline 12, respectively. Thus, each substrate 6 (i.e., as it appears in the assembled cleaning article) can generally have a triangular, conical, or arrow-shaped configuration, and its longitudinal edges are not parallel.

[0020] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one panel 2 after assembly. This panel 2 includes zigzag connecting lines 10, similar to Figure 1. The cleaning fibers of the fibrous layer 4 extend from the connecting lines 10 in both the radial direction R and the axial direction A. The substrate 6 is visible and accessible near the handle end 26 of the panel 2. The substrate 6 includes holes 19 for attaching at least a portion of a cleaning tool to hold the panel 2 (and other panels 2 to which it is attached) onto the cleaning tool.

[0021] 4 shows a perspective view of two panels 2 after they have been assembled, for example, by being connected with the second connection type 14 (e.g., a plurality of spot connections 16). The two connected panels 2 together form a cleaning article 28. When the two panels 2 are connected to one another, generally, neither the connection lines 10 of the first connection type 8 nor the spot connections 16 of the second connection type 14 are visible upon cursory inspection of the cleaning article 28. As shown, the cleaning article 28 also does not include areas of its cross section where cleaning fibers (i.e., of the fiber layer 4) are absent, which helps contribute to the overall 360° appearance of the cleaning article 28.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning tool 30 is inserted into the pocket 18 of the cleaning tool 28, which is formed after the two panels 2 are connected together. To secure the cleaning tool 30 to the cleaning tool 28, at least one protrusion 32 of the cleaning tool 30 is hooked into a hole 19 in the substrate 6 of one of the panels 2. In this way, the cleaning tool 28 is secured to the cleaning tool 30 and held in place by the protrusion 32, and a user uses the resulting cleaning device 34 to clean or dust.

[0023] Figure 5 shows a broader view of the cleaning device 34 of Figure 4. As can be seen, the cleaning tool 30 includes a handle 36 that can be grasped by a user of the cleaning device 34 to manipulate the cleaning tool 28 when the cleaning tool 28 is attached to the cleaning tool 30. The cleaning tool may be essentially as described in parent U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 478,700, filed September 17, 2021.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified method for manufacturing a cleaning article 28. As can be seen, the method includes four process lines. A first process line 38 and a second process line 40 combine to form a first panel 2. Specifically, the first process line 38 includes a continuous roll of fibrous layer 4, and the second process line 40 is disposed adjacent thereto and includes a continuous roll of substrate 6. Meanwhile, a third process line 42 and a fourth process line 44 combine to form a second panel 2. Specifically, the third process line 42 includes a continuous roll of fibrous layer 4, and the fourth process line 44 is disposed adjacent thereto and includes a continuous roll of substrate 6. The first process line 38 and the second process line 40 are disposed generally adjacent to (e.g., above) the third process line 42 and the fourth process line 44.

[0025] In the first step of the method, the substrate 6 from the second process line 40 and the substrate 6 from the third process line 42 pass through roller pairs 46, 48, respectively. As each substrate 6 passes through the roller pairs 46, 48, one end of the substrate 6 is folded over. These ends ultimately become the portion of each substrate 6 that forms the pocket 18. Folding the ends of each substrate 6 serves to structurally reinforce those areas, ultimately reinforcing the portion of the pocket 18 near the handle end 26 of the cleaning article 28. For example, the folding doubles the thickness of the substrate 6 of each panel 2, facilitating secure attachment of the cleaning article 28 to the protrusions 32 when the completed cleaning article 28 is applied to the cleaning tool 30. Folding each substrate 6 also serves to facilitate connection between the substrate 6 of the first panel 2 and the substrate 6 of the second panel 2, extending the pocket 18 to include the folded portion of each substrate 6.

[0026] In the next step, still in the second process line 40 and the third process line 42, the folded substrate 6 passes through another pair of rollers 50, 52, respectively. In this step, the rollers 50, 52 perforate the substrate 6. The perforated substrate 6 forms a substrate edge 7, facilitating separation of individual substrates 6 from the continuous roll later during production. Simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, in the first process line 38 and the fourth process line 44, the first fibrous layer 4 and the second fibrous layer 4 pass adjacent oil sprayers 54, 56, respectively. The oil sprayers 54, 56 apply a light coating of oil to the first and second fibrous layers 4. For example, each oil sprayer 54, 56 may apply approximately 0.5 g of oil to the respective fibrous layer 4.

[0027] In the next step, the fiber layer 4 from the first process line 38 and the substrate 6 from the second process line 40 are brought together to attach the fiber layer 4 and the substrate 6 using the first connection type 8. Similarly, the fiber layer 4 from the third process line 42 and the substrate 6 from the fourth process line 44 are brought together to attach the fiber layer 4 and the substrate 6, also using the first connection type 8. In particular, the first connection type 8 can be applied using a connection device 58 to connect the fiber layer 4 from the first process line 38 to the substrate 6 from the second process line 40 to form the first panel 2. Furthermore, the first connection type 8 can be applied using a connection device 60 to connect the fiber layer 4 from the third process line 42 to the substrate 6 from the fourth process line 44 to form the second panel 2. The connection devices 58, 60 can be, for example, ultrasonic welders.

[0028] Next, the first panel 2 on the first process line 38 and the second process line 40 is brought into proximity with the second panel 2 on the third process line 42 and the fourth process line 44 to attach the first panel 2 and the second panel 2 using the second connection type 14. In particular, a connection device 62 can be used to apply the second connection type 14 (e.g., multiple spot connections 16) to connect the first panel 2 on the first process line 38 and the second process line 40 to the second panel 2 on the third process line 42 and the fourth process line 44. The connection device 62 can be, for example, an ultrasonic welder.

[0029] Finally, the combined first panel 2 and second panel 2 pass through a cutting device 64 to form the cleaning article 28, with each successive cut of the cutting device 64 separating an additional cleaning article 28 from the combined continuous roll of material.

[0030] FIG. 7 shows the cleaning article 28 at various stages during the method of FIG. 6. The upper left side of FIG. 7 shows the fibrous layer 4 of the first process line 38 and the substrate 6 of the second process line 40 being combined. First, the substrate 6 is folded. Next, the substrate 6 is perforated with perforations 66 to facilitate the formation of a substrate edge 7 for the substrate 6. The fibrous layer 4 is then attached to the substrate 6 using a first connection type 8 (i.e., by forming a connection line 10) to form a roll of a first panel 2. As shown in the lower left side of FIG. 7, these same steps are performed with the fibrous layer 4 of the third process line 42 and the substrate 6 of the fourth process line 44 to form a roll of a second panel 2. The roll of the second panel 2 is inverted relative to the roll of the first panel 2.

[0031] As shown in the center image of FIG. 7 , a first panel 2 (i.e., the panel 2 formed by the first process line 38 and the second process line 40) and a second panel 2 (i.e., the panel 2 formed by the third process line 42 and the fourth process line 44) are connected using a second connection type 14 (e.g., multiple spot connections 16) to form a pocket 18 between the first panel 2 and the second panel 2. Additional connection lines 68 can be applied to connect portions of the substrate 6 of the first and second panels 2 that are free of the fiber layer 4 to further define and structurally reinforce the pocket 18, specifically the portion of the pocket 18 where the cleaning tool 30 is initially inserted.

[0032] Thereafter, as shown on the right side of Figure 7, excess portions of each substrate 6 are removed along the perforations 66 to form substrate edges 7. Furthermore, the cleaning fibers of the fibrous layer 4 of each panel 2 are then cut to provide the resulting cleaning article 28 with a desired shape.

[0033] While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description should be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention encompasses further embodiments having any combination of features from the different embodiments described above and below. Furthermore, statements made herein characterizing the present invention refer to one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily to all embodiments.

[0034] The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing. For example, the use of the article "a" or "the" when introducing an element should not be construed as excluding a plurality of elements. Similarly, "or" enumerations should be construed as inclusive; a recitation of "A or B" does not exclude "A and B" unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Furthermore, a reference to "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed as one or more of the group of elements consisting of A, B, and C, regardless of whether A, B, and C are related categorically, and should not be construed as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B, and C. Furthermore, a recitation of "A, B, and / or C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" should be construed as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B, and C. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 2 Panels 4 Cleaning supplies 6 Base material 7. Edge of substrate 7A Leading edge 7B first longitudinal edge 7C second longitudinal edge 8 Primary Connection Type 10 connecting lines 12 Center line 14 Secondary Connection Type 16 Spot connection 18 pockets 19 holes 20 First Set 22 Second Set 24 Tip 26 Handle end 28 Cleaning supplies 30 Cleaning Tools 32 Protrusion 34 Cleaning equipment 36 Handle 38 First Process Line 40 Second Process Line 42 Third Process Line 44 Fourth Process Line 46 Laura 48 Laura 50 Laura 52 Laura 54 Oil sprayer 56 Oil sprayer 58 Connection Device 60 Connection Device 62 Connection Device 64 Cutting device 66 perforation 68 additional connection lines α1 First angle α2 second angle A axis direction D1 First distance D2 Second distance L Length of Panel 2 R Radial direction

Claims

1. A first panel, a first fibrous layer; a first panel including a first substrate attached to the first fibrous layer by a first connection type; a second panel, a second fibrous layer; and a second substrate attached to the second fiber layer by the first connection type; and a second panel comprising: the first connection type includes a first connection line parallel to a second connection line, the first and second connection lines both straddling an axially extending centerline of each panel; The cleaning article, wherein the first panel is attached to the second panel by a plurality of spot connections to form a pocket between the first panel and the second panel.

2. 2. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate each have a radially extending leading edge, a first longitudinal edge extending in the axial direction adjacent to the leading edge, and a second longitudinal edge extending in the axial direction adjacent to the first longitudinal edge.

3. 3. The cleaning article of claim 2, wherein for each panel, the first longitudinal edge forms a first angle with respect to the leading edge and the second longitudinal edge forms a second angle with respect to the leading edge.

4. The cleaning article of claim 3 , wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.

5. the plurality of spot connections includes a first set of spot connections and a second set of spot connections; the first set of spot connections extend along the length of the respective panel approximately as far as the first longitudinal edge extends in the axial direction; the second set of spot connections extend along the length of the respective panel approximately as far as the second longitudinal edge extends in the axial direction; The cleaning article of claim 2.

6. the first substrate and the second substrate each have two first longitudinal edges, one on each side of the centerline of the respective panel, and two second longitudinal edges, one on each side of the centerline of the respective panel, all longitudinal edges extending generally in the axial direction; For each panel, the two first longitudinal edges are not parallel to one another; For each panel, the two second longitudinal edges are not parallel to one another. The cleaning article of claim 1.

7. 7. The cleaning article of claim 6, wherein one first longitudinal edge is adjacent one second longitudinal edge on either side of the centerline of each panel.

8. the first substrate and the second substrate each have a radially extending leading edge; 8. The cleaning article of claim 7, wherein for each panel, the leading edge is adjacent each of the two first longitudinal edges.

9. the plurality of spot connections includes a first set of spot connections and a second set of spot connections; the spot connections of the first set of spot connections are separated from one another by a first distance; the spot connections of the second set of spot connections are separated from one another by a second distance; The cleaning article of claim 1.

10. The cleaning article of claim 9, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

11. the cleaning implement having a tip end and a handle end opposite the tip end; 11. The cleaning article of claim 10, wherein a first set of spot connections is proximate the tip end and a second set of spot connections is proximate the handle end.

12. The cleaning article of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting lines each have a zigzag shape.

13. The cleaning article of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connecting lines each have a wavy shape.

14. The cleaning product according to claim 1; a flexible skeletal element configured to be coupled with a handle assembly, the flexible skeletal element comprising: A base and at least three elongate arms, each having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal ends extending from and spaced apart from one another at the base, the elongate arms being flexible and resilient; a plurality of cross members extending between the elongated arms; a plurality of living hinges disposed between the plurality of cross members and the elongated arms; a force applied to at least one of the elongated arms is transmitted to at least one other of the elongated arms by the plurality of cross members and the plurality of living hinges; The cleaning article is placed on the flexible skeletal element. Cleaning tools.

15. 15. The cleaning tool of claim 14, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate each have a radially extending leading edge, a first longitudinal edge extending in the axial direction adjacent the leading edge, and a second longitudinal edge extending in the axial direction adjacent the first longitudinal edge.

16. 16. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein for each panel, the first longitudinal edge forms a first angle with respect to the leading edge and the second longitudinal edge forms a second angle with respect to the leading edge.

17. 17. The cleaning tool of claim 16, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.

18. forming a first panel by attaching a first fiber layer to a first substrate using first connection lines parallel to second connection lines, the first and second connection lines both straddling an axially extending centerline of the first panel; forming a second panel by attaching a second fiber layer to a second substrate using third connecting lines parallel to fourth connecting lines, the third and fourth connecting lines both straddling the axially extending centerline of the second panel; attaching the first panel to the second panel using a plurality of spot connections to form a pocket between the first panel and the second panel; A method for manufacturing a cleaning product, comprising:

19. the first substrate and the second substrate each have two first longitudinal edges, one on each side of the centerline of the respective panel, and two second longitudinal edges, one on each side of the centerline of the respective panel, all longitudinal edges extending generally in the axial direction; For each panel, the two first longitudinal edges are not parallel to one another; For each panel, the two second longitudinal edges are not parallel to one another.

20. The method of claim 18.

20. a first longitudinal edge adjacent to a second longitudinal edge on each side of the centerline of each panel; the first substrate and the second substrate each have a radially extending leading edge; 20. The method of claim 19, wherein for each panel, the leading edge is adjacent each of the two first longitudinal edges.

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