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

• US 6,854,911 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2003
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1998
• 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): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US10/618,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20040086320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 4136-140, 426/8, 427/0
• 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: B08B 1/14 Wipes; Absorbent members, e.g. swabs or sponges with integrated means for dispensing fluids B08B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/143 Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/40 Cleaning tools with integrated means for dispensing fluids, e.g. water, steam or detergents cleaning by the force of jets or sprays B08B3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/28 and associated with receptacle hodlers
• 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;

a liquid delivery system connected to said handle wherein said fluid delivery system is in fluid communication with a nozzle connected to said mop head;

a reservoir filled with a cleaning solution wherein said reservoir is removably attachable to said liquid delivery system; 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 removably attaching said disposable cleaning pad about said mop head, wherein said attachment layer has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said attachment layer comprises at least one notch such that said cleaning solution is dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 wherein said mop head further comprises at least one attachment structure disposed on said mop head for receiving and retaining said cleaning pad about said mop head.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 2 wherein said at least one attachment structure is formed from a slitted flexible material.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 2 wherein the width of said attachment layer is greater than the width of said mop head such that said attachment layer engages in said at least one attachment structure.

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

6. The cleaning implement of claim 4 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer.

7. The cleaning implement of claim 6 wherein said absorbent layer is in fluid communication with said scrubbing layer.

8. The cleaning implement of claim 7 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent said upper surface of said absorbent layer.

9. A method of cleaning a surface 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; and

a liquid delivery system connected to said handle wherein said fluid delivery system is in fluid communication with a nozzle connected to said mop head;

a reservoir filled with a cleaning solution wherein said reservoir is removably attachable to said liquid delivery system;

providing 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 removably attaching said disposable cleaning pad about said mop head, wherein said attachment layer has a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein said attachment layer comprises at least one notch such that said cleaning solution is dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer;

actuating said fluid delivery system; and

mopping said surface to be cleaned with said pad.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said mop head further comprises at least one attachment structure disposed on said mop head for receiving and retaining said cleaning pad about said mop head.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said at least one attachment structure is formed from a slitted flexible material.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the width of said attachment layer is greater than the width of said mop head such that said attachment layer engages in said at least one attachment structure.

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

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said absorbent layer is in fluid communication with said scrubbing layer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said cleaning pad farther comprises an impervious layer adjacent said upper surface of said absorbent layer.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein said surface is cleaned without a rinsing step.

18. A cleaning implement comprising:

a handle,

a mop head pivotably connected to said handle;

a liquid delivery system connected to said handle wherein said fluid delivery system is in fluid communication with a nozzle for dispensing a fluid cleaning composition to a surface to be cleaned;

a reservoir filled with a cleaning composition wherein said reservoir is fluidically connected to said liquid delivery system; and

a disposable cleaning pad for absorbing the fluid composition from said surface to be cleaned, said disposable cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer and an attachment layer for removably attaching said disposable cleaning pad to said mop head, wherein said attachment layer comprises at least one notch such that said fluid cleaning composition is dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer when said cleaning pad is attached to said mop head.

19. The cleaning implement of claim 18 wherein said mop head further comprises at least one attachment structure disposed on said mop head for receiving and retaining said cleaning pad about said mop head.

20. The cleaning implement of claim 18 wherein the width of said attachment layer is greater than the width of said mop head such that said attachment layer engages in said at least one attachment structure.

21. The cleaning implement of claim 18 wherein said absorbent lay has a t₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.

22. The cleaning implement of claim 21 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer in direct fluid communication with said absorbent layer.

23. The cleaning implement of claim 22 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent an upper surface of said absorbent layer.

24. A method of cleaning a surface comprising the steps of:

providing a cleaning implement comprising;

a handle;

a mop head pivotably connected to said handle;

a liquid delivery system connected to said handle wherein said fluid delivery system is in fluid communication with a nozzle for dispensing a fluid cleaning position to a surface to be cleaned;

a reservoir filled with a cleaning composition wherein said reservoir is fluidically connected to said liquid delivery system; and

a disposable cleaning pad for absorbing the fluid composition from said surface to be cleaned, said disposable cleaning pad comprising an absorbent layer and an attachment layer for removably attaching said disposable cleaning pad to said mop head, wherein said attachment layer comprises at least one notch such that said fluid cleaning composition is dispensed from said nozzle without being obstructed by said attachment layer when said cleaning pad is attached to said mop head;

actuating said fluid delivery system; and

mopping said surface to be cleaned with said pad.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said mop head further comprises at least one attachment structure disposed on said mop head for receiving and retaining said cleaning pad about said mop head.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the width of said attachment layer is greater than the width of said mop head such that said attachment layer engages in said at least one attachment structure.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said absorbent layer has a t₁₂₀₀ absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams/gram.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said attachment layer is a liquid pervious scrubbing layer in direct fluid communication with said absorbent layer.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said cleaning pad further comprises an impervious layer adjacent an upper surface of said absorbent layer.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein said surface is cleaned without a rinsing step.