Cleaning POD unit and method of use and manufacture

Abstract

A cleaning pod unit is provided. The cleaning pod unit comprises a fabric configured to clean a surface; at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet; and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet, wherein the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form a solution, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

Description

[0001] CLEANING POD UNIT AND METHOD OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 620,251, filed January 12, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] The disclosed subject matter relates to a cleaning pod unit for sanitizing and disinfecting and a method of use.

[0006] BACKGROUND

[0007] Within the healthcare and food service industries, there has been an on-going effort to improve the stability, user-friendliness, sustainability, and environmental profile of surface disinfecting and sanitizing products in recent years. Unfortunately, surfaces that have not been properly sanitized act as conduits for spreading germs, diseases, and infections. The poorly cleaned surfaces can stem from several different causes including, for purposes of example, using the same cleaning rag for long periods of time without proper cleaner. As such, there is on-going interest in hospitals, laboratories, clinics, restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and retirement centers for a cleaning product with improved efficacy and shelf life that can be used to disinfect and sanitize articles and hard surfaces from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other chemical or biological contaminants.

[0008] Currently existing cleaning systems typically involve having a cleaner separate from the wiping tool, such as a spray bottle cleaner and a towel. Other systems include a solid cleaning product that must be removed from its package, dissolved in a solvent, e.g., water, to form a sanitizing solution, and then immersing a fabric, e.g., nonwoven fabric, in the sanitizing solution before applying the fabric to clean surfaces. However, this process involves multiple steps and materials and thus increases the chance of user errors and contamination, as well as environmental wastes, e.g., package materials. In addition, the sanitizing solution often becomes non-stable after a short period of time, leading to dissatisfied cleaning results.

[0009] Thus, there remains a need in the art for a sanitizing product having lower to no environmental waste, better stability, and improved shelf life that avoids onerous handling and storage parameters than currently existing products.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] The purpose and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in and apparent from the description that follows, as well as will be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Additional advantages of the disclosed subject matter will be realized and attained by the methods and systems particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings.

[0012] One aspect of the disclosed subject matter is related to a cleaning pod unit. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the cleaning pod unit comprises a fabric configured to clean a surface; at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet; and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet, wherein the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form a solution, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the fabric is at least one of a nonwoven or a woven. In one embodiment, the nonwoven is at least one of a spunlace nonwoven or a spunbond nonwoven. In a more specific embodiment, the nonwoven comprises fibers made from at least one of biodegradable viscose, cellulose, polypropylene, polyester, PET, bicomponent fibers, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the fabric is microfiber. In one embodiment, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises di chloroisocyanuric acid. In a more specific embodiment, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione tablet. In one embodiment, the tablet generates hypochlorous acid when the tablet dissolves in water and the solution is a hypochlorous acid solution.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the dissolvable wrapper is made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In certain embodiments, the fabric and the at least one tablet are sealable, such as heat sealed in the dissolvable wrapper. In other embodiments, the fabric and the at least one tablet are heat and vacuum sealed in the dissolvable wrapper.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 8 hours of use.

[0016] Another aspect of disclosed subject matter is related to a method of using a cleaning pod unit. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method comprises placing a cleaning pod unit in a predetermining amount of water, the cleaning pod unit having a fabric, at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet, and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet; dissolving the dissolvable wrapper in the predetermined amount of water and dissolving the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet in the predetermined amount of water; immersing the fabric in a solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet to create a saturated fabric; and applying the saturated fabric to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the saturated fabric is returned to the solution to permit the solution to re-saturate the fabric. In one non-limiting embodiment, the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use at least up to 4 hours. In a more specific embodiment, the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use at least up to 8 hours. In certain embodiments, a concentration of the solution is controlled by the predetermining amount of water and a number of the tablets.

[0018] Another aspect of the disclosed subject matter is related to a method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the method comprises providing a fabric configured to clean a surface; providing at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet; and surrounding the fabric and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet with a dissolvable wrapper, wherein the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form a solution, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises dichloroisocyanuric acid. In one embodiment, the tablet generates hypochlorous acid when the tablet dissolves in water and the solution is a hypochlorous acid solution. In another embodiment, the dissolvable wrapper heat seals the fabric and the at least one tablet.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description of embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of the disclosure:

[0022] FIGs. 1A-1B illustrates a cleaning pod unit, according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0023] FIG. IB illustrates an exploded view of the cleaning pod unit of FIG. 1 A, according to certain non-limiting embodiments. FIG. 2A shows an exemplary dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet, according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 2B shows an exemplary dissolvable wrapper of the cleaning pod, according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 2C shows an exemplary nonwoven fabric of the cleaning pod, according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a cleaning pod unit according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit according to certain non-limiting embodiments.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The disclosed subject matter provides a cleaning pod unit with better stability, shelf life, and no environmental waste, and a method of use. For clarity and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the presently disclosed subject matter is divided into the following subsections for clarity and not limitation: 1. Cleaning pod unit; 2. Method of using a cleaning pod unit; and 3. Method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit.

[0030] CLEANING POD UNIT

[0031] Solely for purpose of illustration and not for limitation, an embodiment of a cleaning pod unit 100 is shown in FIGs. 1A - IB. As illustrated in FIGs. 1A and IB, the cleaning pod unit 100 comprises at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet 101, a cleaning tool such as a nonwoven fabric 102, and a dissolvable wrapper 103 that houses and surrounds the fabric 102 and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet 101. In certain embodiments, the cleaning pod unit 100 is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water in a container to dissolve the wrapper 103 and the at least one tablet 101 to form a solution, wherein the fabric 102 is configured to absorb the solution. Once the fabric 102 is immersed in the solution and absorbs the solution, the fabric is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces for up to 4 hours of use. A user can take the saturated fabric out of the container, use the saturated fabric to disinfect surfaces and then return the fabric to the container to re-saturate the fabric with cleaning solution. In other embodiments, the fabric 102 is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces for up to 8 hours of use.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the dissolvable wrapper 103 is made from any suitable material that is dissolvable in water. An example of a dissolvable wrapper 103 is provided in FIG. 2B. In one embodiment, the dissolvable wrapper 103 is made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In the example depicted in FIG. 2B, the dissolvable wrapper is a thin and transparent film made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). In certain embodiments, the dissolvable wrapper 103 prevents the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet 101 from exposure to moisture, air, and the external environment before use, and thus, increases the stability and shelf life of the cleaning pod unit 100. In one embodiment, the fabric 102 and the at least one tablet 101 are heat sealed in the dissolvable wrapper 103. In another embodiment, the fabric 102 and the at least one tablet 101 are heat and vacuum sealed in the dissolvable wrapper 103. In another embodiment, the cleaning pod unit is individually wrapped in a cellophane wrapper.

[0033] In one embodiment, the cleaning pod unit 100 comprises one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet 101. In other embodiments, the cleaning pod unit 100 comprises plurality of dissolvable cleaning formulation tablets 101, such as two or more as shown in FIG. 2A. In the example depicted in FIG. 2A, the dissolvable cleaning formulation tablets are sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione tablets. In the example depicted in FIG. 1 A, the cleaning pod unit 100 comprises two dissolvable cleaning formulation tablets 101. In certain embodiments, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet 101 comprises di chloroisocyanuric acid. In a more specific example, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione tablet. In another more specific example, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises about 50% by weight of sodium dichloro- s-triazinetrione and about 50% by weight of other ingredients. For example, and not by way of limitation, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is multi-purpose sanitizer & disinfecting tablet from Effersan. In certain embodiments, hypochlorous acid solution is formed after the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet dissolves in water.

[0034] The fabric 102 can be made of any suitable material for cleaning surfaces, such as nonwovens and wovens. Specifically, the nonwoven can be a spunlace nonwoven or a spunbond nonwoven. In another specific embodiment, the nonwoven is made from biodegradable viscose and can absorb up to eight times its own weight. In another embodiment, the fabric 102 is a woven fabric. In another embodiment, the fabric 102 is microfiber. The fabric can be any suitable dimension to fit into the wrapper and in one embodiment is at least 15 inches by 15 inches. Furthermore, the cleaning pod unit can include more than one fabric, such as two nonwovens. An example nonwoven is provided in FIG. 2C, which shows a nonwoven separable along a perforation to create two nonwovens for use with the solution. In the example depicted in FIG. 2C, the fabric is nonwoven made from biodegradable compostable viscose fibers. METHOD OF USING A CLEANING POD UNIT

[0035] The disclosed subject matter provides a method S300 of using the cleaning pod unit, as provided in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3 at S301, the method 300 comprises placing a cleaning pod unit in a predetermining amount of water.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the cleaning pod unit has a fabric, at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet, and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet. In certain embodiments, the predetermining amount of water is at ambient temperature. In other embodiments, the predetermining amount of water is at elevated temperature

[0037] At S302 and S303, after the cleaning pod unit being placed in the predetermining amount of water in a container at S301, the dissolvable wrapper and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet are dissolved in the water to form a solution (S304). In one embodiment, hypochlorous acid solution is formed after the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is dissolved in water. In certain embodiments, the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use up to 4 hours. In another embodiment, the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use up to 8 hours. In certain embodiments, a concentration of the solution is controlled by the predetermining amount of water and a number of the tablets and the size / weight of the tables. In certain embodiments, the weight / size / numbers of the tablets and the predetermining amount of water used can vary depending on the intended use, as shown in Table 1 with respect to tablets available by

[0038] Effersan. intended use.

[0039] Next, at S305, the fabric is immersed in the solution to create a re-saturated fabric. In one embodiment, the fabric is nonwoven. In another embodiment, the fabric is woven. At S306, the saturated fabric is applied to disinfect a plurality of surfaces up to 4 hours of use. In certain embodiments, after cleaning a plurality of surfaces, the method proceed back to S305 in which the saturated fabric is returned to the solution to permit the solution to resaturate the fabric.

[0040] METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CLEANING POD UNIT

[0041] The disclosed subject matter provides a method of manufacturing the cleaning pod unit. As shown in FIG. 4 at S401, the method 400 comprises providing a fabric configured to clean a surface. In one embodiment, the fabric is nonwoven. In another embodiment, the fabric is woven. Next, at S402, the method comprises providing at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet. In one embodiment, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises dichloroisocyanuric acid. In one embodiment, the fabric is folded and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is placed on a side of the folded fabric. In another embodiment, the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is placed within the folded fabric. Next, at S403, the method comprises surrounding the fabric and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet with a dissolvable wrapper. In one embodiment, the fabric and the at least one tablet are heat sealed in the dissolvable wrapper. In one embodiment, the fabric and the at least one tablet are heat and vacuum sealed in the dissolvable wrapper. In certain embodiments, the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form a solution, and the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces for up to 4 hours of use. The unit can additionally be encased in a package for shipping and storage. Additionally, several units can be encased in the same package.

[0042] While the disclosed subject matter is described herein in terms of certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and improvements can be made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scope thereof. Moreover, although individual features of one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter can be discussed herein or shown in the drawings of the one embodiment and not in other embodiments, it should be apparent that individual features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment or features from a plurality of embodiments.

[0043] In addition to the various embodiments depicted and claimed, the disclosed subject matter is also directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features disclosed and claimed herein. As such, the particular features presented herein can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the disclosed subject matter such that the disclosed subject matter includes any suitable combination of the features disclosed herein. Thus, the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the disclosed subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed subj ect matter to those embodiments disclosed.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the system and unit of the disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the disclosed subject matter include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning pod unit, comprising: a fabric configured to clean a surface; at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet; and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet, wherein the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form a solution, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

2. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the fabric is at least one of a nonwoven or a woven.

3. The cleaning pod unit of claim 2, wherein the nonwoven is at least one of a spunlace non woven or a spunbond non woven.

4. The cleaning pod unit of claim 2, wherein the nonwoven comprises fibers made from at least one of biodegradable viscose, cellulose, polypropylene, polyester, PET, bicomponent fibers, and combinations thereof.

5. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the fabric is microfiber.

6. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises dichloroisocyanuric acid.

7. The cleaning pod unit of claim 6, wherein the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises about 50% of sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione.

8. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the tablet generates hypochi orous acid when the tablet dissolves in water and solution is a hypochlorous acid solution.

9. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the dissolvable wrapper is made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

10. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 8 hours of use.

11. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the fabric and the at least one tablet are heat sealed in the dissolvable wrapper.

12. The cleaning pod unit of claim 1, wherein the fabric and the at least one tablet are heat and vacuum sealed in the dissolvable wrapper.

13. A method of using a cleaning pod unit, comprising: placing a cleaning pod unit in a predetermining amount of water, the cleaning pod unit having a fabric, at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet, and a dissolvable wrapper that surrounds the fabric and the at least one tablet; dissolving the dissolvable wrapper in the predetermined amount of water and dissolving the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet in the predetermined amount of water;immersing the fabric in a solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet to create a saturated fabric; and applying the saturated fabric to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

14. The method of using the cleaning pod unit of claim 13, wherein the saturated fabric is returned to the solution to permit the solution to re-saturate the fabric.

15. The method of using the cleaning pod unit of claim 13, wherein the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use at least up to 4 hours.

16. The method of using the cleaning pod unit of claim 13, wherein the solution created by the water and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet is stable to use at least up to 8 hours.

17. The method of using the cleaning pod unit of claim 13, wherein a concentration of the solution is controlled by the predetermining amount of water and a number of the tablets.

18. A method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit, comprising: providing a fabric configured to clean a surface; providing at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet; and surrounding the fabric and the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet with a dissolvable wrapper, wherein the cleaning pod unit is configured to be placed in a predetermined amount of water to dissolve the wrapper and the at least one tablet to form asolution, wherein the fabric is configured to absorb the solution and is configured to disinfect a plurality of surfaces at least up to 4 hours of use.

19. The method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit of claim 18, wherein the at least one dissolvable cleaning formulation tablet comprises dichloroisocyanuric acid.

20. The method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit of claim 18, wherein the tablet generates hypochlorous acid when the tablet dissolves in water and the solution is hypochlorous acid solution.

21. The method of manufacturing a cleaning pod unit of claim 19, further comprising heat sealing the fabric and the at least one tablet in the dissolvable wrapper.

Images