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

• US 6,814,519 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Rhamy, Preston James, Dusing, Michael William, Jackson, Rhonda Jean, Policicchio, Nicola John, Willman, Kenneth William
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US10/094,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034050A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 401/136-140, 401/279, 401/276, 401/270, 401/268
• US Class Current: 401/139
• 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

Cleaning compositions, pads, wipes, and implements provide effective cleaning of hard surfaces.

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; and

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, wherein said cleaning implement delivers said cleaning solution on a hard surface and wherein about 95% in volume 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 comprised between about 132 degrees.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said angle is comprised between about 22.6 degrees and about 82.2 degrees.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 1 further comprising a cleaning pad comprising an attachment layer 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.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 3 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.

5. The cleaning pad of claim 3 wherein said attachment layer of said cleaning pad further comprises at least one notch on said trailing edge of said attachment layer.

6. The cleaning implement of claim 5 wherein said angle is comprised between about 22.6 degrees and about 82.2 degrees.

7. The floor cleaning kit of claim 1 wherein said cracking pressure of said vent valve is at least about 0.6 Kpa.

8. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said disposable cleaning pad comprises an absorbent layer adjacent said attachment layer.

9. The cleaning implement of claim 8 wherein said absorbent layer has a t₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.

10. The cleaning implement of claim 8 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer.

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

12. The cleaning implement of claim 8 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent said absorbent layer such that said impervious layer is in contact with the bottom surface of said mop head when said cleaning pad is attached to said mop head.

13. 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 dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer.

14. The cleaning implement of claim 13 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.

15. 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 to said mop head and wherein said vent valve has a cracking pressure such that venting occurs in said container when said container is attached to said fitment and said container is inverted and when said liquid flows by gravity through said transfer check valve; and

a disposable cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer having a bottom surface and a lower surface, an attachment layer adjacent said bottom surface of said absorbent layer for engaging said attachment structures and retaining said disposable cleaning pad about said mop head, wherein said cleaning implement delivers said cleaning solution on a hard surface 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 comprised between about 132 degrees.

16. The cleaning implement of claim 15 wherein said cracking pressure of said venting check valve is at least about 0.6 Kpa.

17. The cleaning implement of claim 15 wherein said absorbent layer has a t₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.

18. The cleaning implement of claim 15 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent said top surface of said absorbent layer such that said impervious layer is in contact with the bottom surface of said mop head when said cleaning pad is attached to said mop head.

19. A method of cleaning a floor, said method comprising the steps of:

providing 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 attachable 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, a trigger for actuating said fluid delivery system and a disposable cleaning pad comprising an attachment layer for engaging said attachment structures and retaining said disposable cleaning pad about said mop head;

attaching said container to said fitment such that a fluid communication is established between said container and said nozzle;

attaching said cleaning pad to said mop head;

actuating said trigger such that said cleaning solution is delivered to the floor and wherein about 95% in volume 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 comprised between about 9.5 degrees and about 132 degrees; and

mopping said floor with said cleaning implement.