Cleaning system and apparatus

• US 20030121116A1
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Original Assignee: James Jay Tanner, Jeanette Ann Allen, Laura Elizabeth Keck
• Inventors: Tanner, James Jay, Keck, Laura Elizabeth, Allen, Jeanette Ann
• Granted Patent: US 6,807,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/104.94
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/16 Cloths; Pads; Sponges metal scraping sponges A47L13/07
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24331 including nonapertured component

Abstract

Absorbent, multilayer cleaning fabrics are provided which have (i) a porous, abrasion resistant liquid pervious top layer, (ii) a liquid impervious bottom layer, and (iii) an absorbent mat sealed between the top and bottom layers. The top and/or bottom layers form highly flexible tabs that extend beyond the absorbent mat and allow the cleaning fabric to be easily attached and removed from a cleaning tool having fasteners. The multilayer cleaning fabrics are well suited for wiping wet surfaces and/or cleaning surfaces with soap and water or other liquid cleaners.

Claims

1. An absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric comprising:

a liquid transfer layer;

a liquid barrier layer; and

an absorbent material positioned between said liquid transfer layer and said liquid barrier layer, said absorbent material comprising a mixture of thermoplastic polymer fibers and pulp and wherein said absorbent material has an absorbency of at least about 15 g/g.

2. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 1 wherein said absorbent material comprises a stabilized matrix of thermoplastic polymer fibers and pulp.

3. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 2 wherein said absorbent material comprises a stabilized matrix of meltblown fibers and pulp.

4. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 3 wherein said meltblown fibers comprise propylene polymer fibers.

5. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 1 wherein said liquid transfer layer comprises a nonwoven web of spunbond fibers.

6. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 5 wherein said liquid transfer layer has an abrasion resistance of at least 500 cycles.

7. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 5 wherein said liquid transfer layer comprises a nonwoven web of spunbond fibers having a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of multilobal, crescent, and wedge shaped fibers.

8. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 5 wherein said liquid transfer layer comprises a nonwoven web of split spunbond fibers.

9. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 5 wherein said liquid transfer layer contains a plurality of apertures therein.

10. The absorbent multilayer cleaning fabric of claim 1 wherein said liquid transfer layer comprises an apertured nonwoven web and has an abrasion resistance of at least 500 cycles.

11. A cleaning implement comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 1, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.

12. A cleaning tool comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 3, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.

13. A cleaning tool comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 6, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.

14. A cleaning tool comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 7, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.

15. A cleaning tool comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 8, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.

16. A cleaning tool comprising:

a handle;

a head; and

the cleaning sheet of claim 9, wherein said liquid barrier layer faces said head and further wherein said cleaning fabric is releasably engaged with said head.