Cleaning element

Abstract

A cleaning element (1) comprising at least one planar layer (2) made of a textile fabric and a liquid reservoir (4), wherein the liquid reservoir (4) has a membrane (5), wherein the membrane (5) delimits a volume in which a cleaning liquid is received, wherein the liquid reservoir (4) is planar.

Description

[0001] 2023P00009WQ

[0002] 1

[0003] October 23, 2025

[0004] Ripper / MB

[0005] Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KG, 69469 Weinheim

[0006] Cleaning element

[0007] Description

[0008] The invention relates to a cleaning element comprising at least one planar layer of a textile surface structure and a liquid reservoir, wherein the liquid reservoir has a membrane, the membrane defining a volume into which a cleaning fluid is absorbed.

[0009] Technical field

[0010] For quick cleanups or dusting of smooth floors, cleaning devices with a mop plate are frequently used, to which a cleaning element in the form of a cleaning cloth can be attached. The cleaning cloths used for this purpose are usually disposable.

[0011] State of the art

[0012] From DE 20 2020 106 548 U1, a cleaning cloth is known which has a flat, non-woven-based layer to which a liquid reservoir is assigned, wherein the liquid is enclosed in a liquid-impermeable membrane. The cleaning liquid is enclosed in the liquid reservoir by the membrane, so that the cleaning cloths can be stored dry and the cleaning liquid does not evaporate before intended use. 2023P00009WQ

[0013] 2

[0014] In the previously known cleaning wipe, the liquid reservoir is located in the center of the wipe, and the cleaning fluid stored in the reservoir is released when the membrane bursts. The bursting of the membrane releases the cleaning fluid in a surge, moistening the wipe. The problem here is that the release of the cleaning fluid is both sudden and localized, occurring in the center of the wipe. This can result in areas that are heavily saturated with cleaning fluid and other areas that are only lightly saturated.

[0015] Description of the invention

[0016] The invention is based on the objective of providing a cleaning element which has improved performance characteristics.

[0017] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0018] The cleaning element according to the invention comprises at least one planar layer of a textile surface structure and a liquid reservoir, wherein the liquid reservoir has a membrane, wherein the membrane defines a volume into which a cleaning liquid is absorbed, and wherein the liquid reservoir is planar.

[0019] The membrane is essentially impermeable to liquids, so the cleaning fluid is absorbed within the volume defined by the membrane and only escapes when the membrane is opened, for example, by a perforation intentionally created in the membrane. Due to the flat design of the liquid reservoir, the fluid is distributed across the surface of the layer, ensuring a particularly even distribution of the fluid when the membrane is perforated. This results in a particularly consistent wiping performance. This is especially true when... 2023P00009WQ

[0020] 3. if the membrane is perforated multiple times across its surface. Preferably, the liquid reservoir is cushion-shaped. The cleaning element can form a cleaning cloth. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the cleaning element is a sponge body, with the two layers forming a sponge.

[0021] The cleaning element can have several layers formed from a textile fabric, with an advantageous embodiment having two layers, the liquid reservoir being embedded between the two layers. In this embodiment, the cleaning element can be used on both sides, which increases its cleaning capacity. Furthermore, the liquid reservoir is particularly well protected from external influences.

[0022] The liquid reservoir can cover at least three-quarters (3 / 4) of the layer's surface. Particularly preferably, the liquid reservoir covers four-fifths (4 / 5) of the layer's surface. In these configurations, the liquid reservoir covers almost the entire surface of the layer, ensuring a particularly uniform liquid dispensing, especially when the liquid reservoir is perforated at several points simultaneously. This can be achieved by a suitable cleaning device equipped with features on the wiping plate for activating the liquid reservoir, such as needle-shaped activation devices. Particularly in the multi-layer configuration of the cleaning element, it is advantageous if the liquid reservoir is arranged such that the two layers between which the liquid reservoir is embedded touch each other along their circumferential edges.In this case, it is possible to bond the two layers together using a material-bonded process, e.g. by welding, by local heat input or by ultrasonic welding.

[0023] Preferably, the first layer, the second layer, and / or the liquid reservoir are rectangular. This design is advantageous because the wiping plates of cleaning devices are also usually rectangular. 2023P00009WQ

[0024] 4

[0025] The height of the liquid reservoir is preferably no more than one-tenth (1 / 10) of the extent of its longer longitudinal side. In this design, the liquid reservoir is relatively shallow and has a low height. This improves handling, particularly when the cleaning element is ready for use without the liquid reservoir being activated by perforation of the membrane and cleaning fluid escaping from it. This design also prevents the cleaning element from tilting during the cleaning process.

[0026] The membrane can be made of plastic. Polypropylene, polyethylene, or a biodegradable plastic are particularly preferred membrane materials. Suitable biodegradable plastics include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starches (TPS), cellulose acetates, polycaprolactones (PCL), fossil-based polybutylene succinates (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalates (PBAT), and especially plastics based on polylactic acid. Such cleaning wipes can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively.

[0027] The layer can be saturated with a cleaning fluid. In this configuration, the cleaning element is already pre-moistened and designed for wet cleaning, eliminating the need to activate the fluid reservoir before cleaning. Activating the fluid reservoir in this configuration can increase the cleaning element's surface area or to remove particularly stubborn dirt by using a larger quantity of cleaning fluid.

[0028] The liquid reservoir can have multiple chambers separated by a membrane. For example, it is conceivable to arrange several chambers on top of each other, which can be activated sequentially. This further increases the cleaning element's area coverage. 2023P00009WQ

[0029] 5

[0030] The volume of the liquid reservoir is preferably between 20 ml (milliliters) and 200 ml. Accordingly, the liquid reservoir holds between 20 ml and 200 ml of cleaning fluid. This quantity significantly increases the cleaning element's area coverage and results in favorable performance characteristics with regard to the element's weight and dimensions.

[0031] The layer is preferably made of nonwoven fabric. Nonwoven fabrics are inexpensive to produce and have good performance characteristics. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is preferably between 25 g / m². 2 and 250 g / m² 2At this basis weight, advantageous properties arise with regard to water absorption and release capacity, as well as the capacity to absorb contaminants. The amount of liquid absorbed by the membrane is preferably between 50% and 400% of the nonwoven fabric's absorption capacity.

[0032] The absorption capacity can be determined as follows: first, the dry weight of the layer is determined. Then, the layer is placed in a water-filled tray and completely wetted. Next, the layer is removed from the tray and attached to a rack to allow the water to drain. After the water column has stopped dripping, the layer is weighed again after a maximum of one minute, and the wet weight is determined. The absorption capacity is calculated as the difference between the wet weight and the dry weight, based on the dry weight.

[0033] Brief description of the drawing

[0034] Some embodiments of the cleaning element according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures. These show, schematically:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a cleaning element in section; 2023P00009WQ

[0036] 6

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a cleaning element with a liquid reservoir with several chambers in section;

[0038] Fig. 3 shows the cleaning element according to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 in a top view.

[0039] Implementation of the invention

[0040] The figures show a cleaning element 1 comprising at least one planar layer 2 made of a textile fabric. In the present embodiments, the cleaning element 1 comprises two layers 2, 3, each made of nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric of the two layers 2, 3 in the present embodiments consists of biodegradable plastic. Accordingly, the cleaning element 1 is multi-layered. The basis weight of the nonwoven fabric is 100 g / m². 2 Cleaning element 1 is designed as a cleaning cloth.

[0041] Figure 1 shows that the cleaning element 1 comprises a liquid reservoir 4, which includes a membrane 5. The membrane 5 defines a volume into which a cleaning fluid is absorbed. The liquid reservoir 4 is planar and has a cushion-like shape. In the present embodiment, the liquid reservoir 4 is embedded between the two layers 2 and 3. The two layers 2 and 3 are bonded together along their circumferential edges by ultrasonic welding. In this embodiment, the volume of the liquid reservoir 4 is 100 ml, or 150% of the absorption capacity of the nonwoven fabric of layers 2 and 3. The membrane 5 is made of a biodegradable polylactic acid-based plastic.

[0042] In the alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the liquid reservoir 4 has several chambers 8, 9, the chambers being arranged one above the other and extending completely over the base of the liquid reservoir 4.

[0043] Figure 3 shows that the liquid reservoir 4 covers seven-eighths (7 / 8) of the area of ​​layer 2. Layers 2, 3, and the liquid reservoir 4 are rectangular. The height 6 of the liquid reservoir 4 (shown in Figure 2023P00009WG)

[0044] 7

[0045] The length of the longer longitudinal side 7 of the liquid reservoir 4 (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) is one-twentieth (1 / 20) of the length of the longer longitudinal side 7 of the liquid reservoir 4. The membrane 5 is made of plastic, in this case a biodegradable plastic based on polylactic acid. According to a first embodiment, the layers 2, 3 of the cleaning element 1 are dry before intended use and are only impregnated with the liquid emerging from the liquid reservoir 4 immediately before the cleaning process. Such cleaning wipes 1 can be stored particularly easily and for a long period of time.

[0046] According to a second embodiment, layers 2 and 3 of the cleaning element 1 are already impregnated with cleaning fluid and thus pre-moistened before intended use. In this embodiment, the surface area coverage and cleaning effect of the cleaning element 1 can be increased by perforating the membrane 5 of the liquid reservoir 4 and the cleaning fluid that thereby escapes from the liquid reservoir.

Claims

2023P00009WQ 8 Patent claims 1. Cleaning element (1) comprising at least one planar layer (2) of a textile surface structure and a liquid reservoir (4), wherein the liquid reservoir (4) has a membrane (5), wherein the membrane (5) defines a volume into which a cleaning liquid is absorbed, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (4) is planar.

2. Cleaning element according to claim 1, characterized in that several layers (2) are provided, wherein the liquid reservoir (4) is arranged between two layers (2, 3).

3. Cleaning element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (4) covers at least 3 / 4 of the surface of the layer (2, 3).

4. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position (2, 3) and the liquid reservoir (4) are rectangular in shape.

5. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the height (6) of the liquid reservoir (4) is at most 1 / 10 of the extent of the longer longitudinal side (7) of the liquid reservoir (4).

6. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the membrane (5) is made of plastic.

7. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the membrane (5) is made of polypropylene, polyethylene or 2023P00009WQ 9 consists of a biodegradable plastic.

8. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the layer (2, 3) is soaked with cleaning fluid.

9. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the liquid reservoir (4) has several chambers (8), (9).

10. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the volume of the liquid reservoir (4) is between 50 ml and 200 ml.

11. Cleaning element according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the layer (2, 3) is made of nonwoven fabric.

12. Cleaning element according to claim 11, characterized in that the amount of liquid absorbed in the liquid reservoir (4) is between 50% and 400% of the absorption capacity of the nonwoven fabric of the layers (2, 3).

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