CLEANING HEAD FOR A TARGET SURFACE

• US 20120084933A1
• Filed: 10/11/2010
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Vetter, Kerry Andrew, Uchiyama, Hirotaka, Bradbury, Glenn Allen, Gaines, Joseph Michael, Lao, Francisco Go Jr., Spooner, Gregory Clegg, Shafer, Adam Robert-George
• Granted Patent: US 8,641,311 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/143.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/0003 containing only one dose of substance, e.g. single-use toothbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/304 Lavatory brush, i.e. brushes for cleaning toilets
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/005 where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
• CPC Class Codes: A46D 1/0215 Bristles characterised by the material being biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 11/10 Hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl , seat or cover, e.g. toilet brushes cleaning devices without flushing A47K17/00; mechanical devices for cleaning toilet bowls E03D

Abstract

A unit dose for cleaning an unsanitary surface, such as a toilet bowl. The unit dose comprises a water dispersible shell containing granules defining a core. The granules obviate the need for sheet material in the unit dose and provide cleaning efficacy when submerged.

Claims

1. A unit dose for cleaning a toilet, said unit dose comprising:

a water dispersible shell, and

a core encased by and interior to said shell, said core comprising at least one granular material and being free of sheet material.

2. A unit dose according to claim 1 wherein said core is free of nonwoven material and cellulose material.

3. A unit dose according to claim 2 wherein said core comprises plural granular materials.

4. A unit dose according to claim 3 comprising a plurality of granular materials disposed in a like plurality of strata.

5. A unit dose according to claim 4 having a general planar configuration and further comprising a grip extending outwardly from said generally planar configuration, wherein said unit dose is attachable to a handle at said grip.

6. A unit dose according to claim 3 comprising at least three compartments, a first outwardly facing compartment juxtaposed with said shell and comprising surfactant, a second compartment comprising organic acid and an effervescent, said second compartment being interposed between said first compartment and a third compartment, said third compartment being substantially disposed within a grip and predominantly comprising an effervescent.

7. A unit dose for cleaning a toilet and optionally being attachable to a handle, said unit dose comprising:

a water dispersible shell, said shell being divided into plural compartments; and

a core encased by said shell, said core being free of sheet material and comprising plural materials, wherein different materials are disposed in each of said plurality of compartments.

8. A unit dose according to claim 7 comprising three compartments, including a first compartment adjacent an outwardly facing surface of said shell, said first compartment comprising surfactant therein.

9. A unit dose according to claim 8 comprising a first compartment and a second compartment adjacent thereto, said second compartment comprising at least one of a surfactant and an organic acid therein.

10. A unit dose according to claim 9 wherein said core further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of:

perfume, disinfectants, bleaches, detergents, enzymes, particulates and combinations thereof.

11. A unit dose for cleaning a toilet and being attachable to a handle, said unit dose comprising:

a water soluble shell, and

a core encased by said shell, said core comprising at least one granular material and being free of sheet material,

said unit dose having an outwardly facing surface and a grip oppositely extending therefrom, said outwardly facing surface comprising irregularities for scrubbing a target surface while submerged in water.

12. A unit dose according to claim 11 wherein said outwardly facing surface comprises macro-irregularities creating a first surface texture, and asperities thereon creating a microtexture.

13. A unit dose according to claim 12 wherein said core comprises plural compartments of granular materials, said granular materials having different particle sizes and creating said asperities on said outwardly facing surface.

14. A unit dose according to claim 13 wherein said shell comprises PVOH.

15. A unit dose according to claim 14 wherein said shell further comprises plural layers of PVOH disposed on and bounding said grip.

16. A unit dose according to claim 15 wherein said shell further comprises a heat seal circumscribing said core, said heat seal defining a flange extending radially outwardly from said core.

17. A unit dose according to claim 12 wherein said macrotexture comprises a plurality of outwardly extending protuberances.

18. A unit dose according to claim 17 wherein said outwardly extending protuberances 24 are arranged in a grid, said grid having protuberances of mutually different geometries.

19. A unit dose according to claim 12 further comprising particulates disposed in said core, said particulates being selected from the group consisting essentially of:

diatomaceous earth, coconut shell fibers, walnut shells, crushed sea shells, calcium carbonate, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, zeolites and combinations thereof.

20. A unit dose for cleaning a wetted target surface and optionally being attachable to a handle, said unit dose comprising:

a water soluble shell having an outer face and an inner face opposed thereto, and

a core encased by said shell, said core being free of sheet material, and having an outwardly facing surface defined by and interior to said shell, said core comprising farinaceous granular material disposed adjacent said interior face of said shell.

21. A unit dose according to claim 20 wherein said core comprises plural compartments, said compartments being separated by shell material.