Cleaning composition, pad, wipe, implement, and system and method of use thereof

• US 6,663,306 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Jackson, Rhonda Jean, Policicchio, Nicola John, Rhamy, Preston James, Dusing, Michael William, Willman, Kenneth William
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US10/093,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20030095826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 401/138, 401/137, 401/140, 401/139, 401/268, 401/270, 401/282
• US Class Current: 401/138
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/256 for mops made of cloth
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/51 Storing of cleaning tools, e.g. containers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0861 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 9/0866 the pump being a gear, centrifugal or screw-type pump
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/00 Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto B08B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/662 Carbohydrates or derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/049 Cleaning or scouring pads; Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3792 Amine oxide containing polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/43 Solvents

Abstract

The cleaning implement has a handle a mop head attached to the handle and the mop head comprises a plurality of attachment structures formed from a flexible material. The cleaning implement also comprises a liquid delivery system which has a container filled with a cleaning solution and removably attached to a fitment. The fitment has a fluid transfer check valve which communicates with a nozzle which is adjacent the leading edge of the mop head.

A disposable cleaning pad having an absorbent layer and an attachment layer adjacent the absorbent layer can be attached to the mop head. When the cleaning solution is dispensed, it has an average exit velocity of at least 0.009 cm/sec with 95% of the delivered cleaning solution being located within an area defined by an isosceles triangle defined by an apex adjacent the nozzle, a base and a first and second side which intersect at the apex and are equal in length. The base of the isosceles triangle is substantially parrallel to the leading edge of the mop head and the angle between the first and the second side is at least 30 degrees.

Claims

1. A cleaning implement comprising:

a handle;

a mop head pivotably attached to said handle, said mop head having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said mop head comprising a plurality of attachment structures formed from a flexible material, wherein said attachment structures comprise a plurality of substantially pie-shaped sections wherein two sides of each of said pie-shaped sections are defined by slits passing through said flexible material;

a liquid delivery system comprising a container filled with a cleaning solution, said container being removably attached to a fitment, said fitment having a fluid transfer check valve and a vent valve wherein said fluid transfer check valve is in fluid communication with a nozzle attached adjacent said leading edge of said mop head; and

a disposable cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, an attachment layer adjacent said lower surface of said absorbent layer for engaging said attachment structures and retaining said disposable cleaning pad about said mop head, wherein said cleaning solution has an average exit velocity of at least about 0.009 cm/sec when said liquid delivery system is actuated and wherein about 95% of the delivered cleaning solution is located within an area defined by an isosceles triangle having an apex adjacent to said nozzle, a base and a first and second side which intersect at said apex and are equal in length, wherein said base is substantially parallel to the leading edge of said mop head and wherein the angle between said first and second side is at least about 30 degrees.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution has an average exit velocity of between about 0.009 cm/sec and about 0.9 cm/sec when said liquid delivery system is actuated and wherein said angle is comprised between about 30 degrees and about 120 degrees.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 2 wherein said cleaning solution has an average exit velocity of between about 0.01 cm/sec and about 0.02 cm/sec when said liquid delivery system is actuated and wherein said angle is comprised between about 50 degrees and about 75 degrees.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said attachment layer has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said attachment layer comprises at least one notch located on said leading edge such that said cleaning solution is dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer.

5. The cleaning implement of claim 4 wherein the width of said attachment layer is greater than the width of said mop head such that said attachment layer engages in said attachment structures.

6. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer has a t₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.

7. The cleaning implement of claim 6 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer.

8. The cleaning implement of claim 7 wherein said absorbent layer is in direct fluid communication with said scrubbing layer.

9. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent said upper surface of said absorbent layer.