US20110138564A1

US20110138564A1 - Cleaning material and a cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: US20110138564A1
Application number: US12/639,217
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne K. Dunshee
Original assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Current assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date: 2009-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: WO2011084309A1

Abstract

A cleaning material and a cleaning tool, and methods of their use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleaning material and a cleaning tool having a plurality of cleaning segments.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a cleaning material and a cleaning tool, and methods of their use. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleaning material and a cleaning tool having a plurality of cleaning segments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of cleaning devices and cleaning materials are known. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2009/0032059, titled “Cleaning Material and Method of Cleaning a Surface” (Tuman et al.) discloses a cleaning material, a cleaning tool and a method of cleaning a surface. In one embodiment, a cleaning material comprises a backing including a first surface and a second surface, and an array of 20 to 1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter projecting from the first surface of the backing. Each stem has a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 105 A. In one embodiment, the method of cleaning a surface comprises providing a cleaning material having an array of 20 to 1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter, wherein each stem has a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 105 A, wiping the cleaning material over a surface to be cleaned, and capturing debris between the stems of the cleaning material.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/421,753, titled “Cleaning Sponge,” discloses a cleaning sponge with embedded clusters for providing enhanced scouring. In one embodiment, the cleaning sponge comprises a sponge body and a plurality of discrete fiber clusters embedded within the sponge body. Each fiber cluster is a matrix of interconnected fibers. In one embodiment, each fiber cluster is a three dimensional web of entangled fibers bonded to one another at their mutual contact points.
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/113,741, titled “Natural Fiber Nonwoven Scouring Material and Methods of Making” discloses an open, lofty nonwoven scouring material comprising natural fibers and a method of making the scouring material. The scouring material comprises a three dimensional nonwoven web of entangled fibers comprising natural vegetable fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural vegetable fibers comprise 20 to 80% wt. of the fibers of the web. The synthetic fibers comprise at least first synthetic fibers having a first melting point and second synthetic fibers having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The first synthetic fibers entirely melt and coalesce at mutual contact point of the natural fibers and second synthetic fibers to bond the fibers together and to create voids. The bonded web has a maximum density of 60 kg/m³.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0276971, titled “Cleansing Sponge” discloses a cleaning sponge with improved gripping for providing enhanced scouring and/or wiping ability. In one embodiment, the cleaning sponge comprises a foam body having a side perimeter contained between a first surface and a second surface, a first outer layer of material attached to the first surface of the body, and a second outer layer of material attached to the second surface of the body. At least a portion of the side perimeter includes a recessed groove extending along a length of the foam body.
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/148,738, titled “A Hair and Lint Cleaning Tool, discloses a flexible and conformable cleaning tool that includes a foam body with a first working surface, wherein the foam body has a shore hardness less than 40. The cleaning tool further comprises a cleaning material on at least a portion of the first working surface, wherein the cleaning material includes an array of 20 to 1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter, wherein each stem has a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 105 A, wherein the cleaning material is wiped over a surface to be cleaned to gather debris, lint, or hair.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0038102 discloses a hand-held scouring product. The hand-held scouring product is hand-sized in three dimensions and, throughout. The hand-held scouring product consists essentially of abrasive material comprising non-woven, autogeneously-bonded fibers.
One example of a prior art bath pouf was handed out to users at a trade show more than one year prior to the filing date of this patent application. This prior art bath pouf was handed out at the Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing trade show during January 2008 located in Destin, Fla. by 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn. This prior art bath pouf included a nylon mesh bath pouf with an additional minor strip of material tied around the middle of the pouf. The strip of material was made from polyurethane foam. The minor strip of polyurethane foam was previously cut to form individual segments extending from opposite sides of the strip, with an uncut middle portion there between. The segments were cut to directly align the segments with one another on opposite sides of the strip. The segments in this prior art pouf are not offset from one another. Instead, they are directly extending opposite each other. In other words, the cut surfaces of a first segment directly align with the cut surfaces of the segment directly opposite the first segment. Unfortunately with this design, the foam segments have a tendency to rip from the middle portion holding the segments together because of the material nature of the foam and the direct alignment of the segments opposite each other. In addition, the segments are very narrow in width and thickness, as compared to the very significant length of the segments, which makes them more prone to ripping. In order to help avoid the disengagement of the segments, the uncut middle portion is significantly wide enough to provide strength to the overall strip and to present the segments away from the cinched middle portion, thus reducing the possible length of the segments significantly. Additionally, the minor strip of material was provided as an add-on accessory, provided for ornamental appearance and to potentially provide additional lathering ability. The major functionality of the bath pouf is the nylon mesh pouf itself. Inside the nylon pouf, portions of thin films of soap were inserted, where the thin film was flat and the portion was individually heart-shaped. It was intended that the prior art bath pouf could be used one-time use without the need for additional bar soap or liquid soap. After the thin films soap portions were consumed, a user would need to add their own liquid soap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides one embodiment of a cleaning material. In this embodiment, the cleaning material comprises: a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip. In another embodiment, the cleaning material comprises: a strip of a material, wherein the material comprises a nonwoven material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, and wherein the cuts are aligned directly from one another on opposing sides of the strip.
Another aspect of the present invention provides one embodiment of a cleaning tool. In this embodiment, the cleaning tool, comprises: a handle portion including an attachment surface; a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip, wherein the strip of material is attached to the attachment surface.
Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method of cleaning a surface. In this embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: providing a cleaning tool, comprising: a handle portion having an attachment surface; a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip, wherein the plurality of segments include a plurality of surfaces and edges for cleaning the surface, and wherein the strip of material is attached to the attachment surface; cleaning a surface to be cleaned with the cleaning tool; and capturing debris matter from the surface to be cleaned with the surfaces and edges of the cleaning material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further explained with reference to the appended Figures, wherein like structure is referred to by like numerals throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a strip of cleaning material of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a strip of cleaning material of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a yet another alternative embodiment of a strip of cleaning material of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a is a side view of a cleaning tool of the present invention including the strip of cleaning material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 b is a side view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 4 a after it has been used to clean a surface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 4 b;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cleaning material after it has been removed from the cleaning tool of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a side view of one embodiment of the cleaning tool of the present invention cleaning a surface;

FIG. 7B is a side view of another embodiment of the cleaning tool of the present invention cleaning a surface; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative strip of cleaning material of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is a need to provide a cleaning material and a cleaning tool, which more effectively cleans surfaces. The cleaning material of the present invention includes a unique segmented design that has enhanced scouring ability and provides multiple cleaning surfaces and edges, which more effecting removes heavy debris, soil, dirt, slimy coatings, stuck-on food matter, such as macaroni and cheese, organic matter, hair, lint, or biological matter, and the like (generally referred to hereafter as generally “debris matter”) and more effectively cleans a surface, compared to unsegmented prior art designs. In addition, the cleaning tool includes a support surface for the cleaning material that is curved that enhances the separation between the segments to provide spaces and improves the cleaning tool's ability to capture debris matter to be cleaned or removed from the surface, as the cleaning material is rubbed against the surface. The curved nature of the support surface also requires rocking the cleaning tool against the surface to be cleaned, which actually enhances the cleaning tool's ability to remove debris matter from the surface and to capture the removed matter by the cleaning material.
Prior art sponges and other cleaning materials are typically made from a rectangular or square strip of material. The rectangular strip may have one working sides or two working sides opposite one another, that are used to clean a surface. The working side of the sponge includes edges, which are useful in cutting through matter stuck on a surface to be cleaned. The working sides and edges help scrape off or rub the matter from the surface, assisting in cleaning the surface. However, the usefulness of the prior art sponge is often limited by the life and extent of the cleaning sides and edges. Once the edges of the sponge are worn or the sides are filled with matter, the cleaning effectiveness of the sponge is significantly reduced, particularly in cleaning thick layers of dirt, scum, slime, food matter, or biological-based films.
Prior art rectangular or square cleaning materials also have a tendency to move the matter after it has been scraped or removed from the surface, creating various piles of debris matter along the surface. This means that the user must collect the various piles of debris matter with another tool, such as a small brush, to remove the debris matter from the surface. In contrast, the cleaning material of the present invention is configured to provide spaces or reservoirs for collecting the removed debris matter, thus making cleaning more efficient and without the need for additional cleaning tools.
The cleaning material and cleaning tool of the present invention provides a more effective means of cleaning and a longer-lasting cleaning material. The cleaning material includes a unique set of cleaning segments, which provide multiple surfaces and multiple edges for cleaning of a surface, and spaces for capturing the debris matter being removed from the surface. The cleaning tool also provides a curved support surface for the cleaning material that enables the user to use a rocking motion when cleaning a surface, which increases the effectiveness of the cleaning and ergonomically is better for the user, because the user is not forced to hold the cleaning surface flat against the surface to be cleaned.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a strip 10 of material, which is useful for making the cleaning material of the present invention. The strip 10 is illustrated as being made of a nonwoven material. However, the strip 10 of material may be made from a variety of materials. For example, strip 10 may be made of sponge materials, such as a cellulose sponge, a hydrophilic foam sponge, coiled web, woven materials, nonwoven materials, or laminates or combinations of any of these materials. Preferably, the segment material includes some rigidity, and stiffness to provide segments that are self-supporting. A nonwoven material exhibits the characteristics of lofty strands of material that are crimpled and form bonds at points where they intersect and contact each other. One example of a suitable nonwoven material is commercially available from 3M Company located in St. Paul, Minn. under the trade designation “Scotch-Brite.” Scotch-Brite™ nonwoven sponges are commercially available in a variety of hardness, to provide different levels of cleaning. Another example of a suitable nonwoven material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,022, “Cleansing Pad,” by Chang et. al, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Other examples of suitable woven and nonwoven structures include jute, sisal, hemp, flax, or linen.
The strip of material 10 includes a variety of segments 12. When using the term “strip” herein, including the claims, it is meant that the form of material has a certain length, width and thickness. The strip 10 is illustrated as a longer, narrow piece of material having a uniform width; however, this configuration is not necessary. For example, the strip may be cut from material in any length, width and thickness desired. Cuts 26 are made through the thickness of the strip 10 to form the segments 12 in desired configuration. FIG. 1 illustrates one preferred configuration. In strip 10, the segments 12 are on opposing sides, forming a first plurality of segments 12 a and a second plurality of segments 12 b, which extend in opposite directions. Between the opposing pluralities of segments 12 a, 12 b is an uncut middle portion 28 of the strip 10. The middle portion 28 connects the segments 12 together. Cuts 26 a form segments 12 a and cuts 26 b form segments 12 b.
Each segment includes a variety of surfaces or sides. For example, segment 12 a includes a first major surface 14 a opposite a second major surface 22 a. Segment 12 a includes a first cut surface 16 a opposite a second cut surface 18 a. Each segment 12 a also includes a distal end 20 a having a distal end surface 24 a. The distal end 20 a is located opposite the middle portion 28. Likewise, segment 12 b includes a first major surface 14 b opposite a second major surface 22 b. Segment 12 b includes a first cut surface 16 b opposite a second cut surface 18 b. Each segment 12 b also includes a distal end 20 b having a distal end surface 24 b. The distal end 20 b is located opposite the middle portion 28. Edges 17 are provided where two adjacent surfaces 14, 16, 18, 22, 24 meet. The multiple surfaces and edges are convenient for scrubbing or removing debris matter from a surface to be cleaned, when the cleaning material is rubbed against the surface.
In one embodiment, the first and second plurality of segments 12 a, 12 b are configured similarly. In another embodiment, the first and second plurality of segments 12 a, 12 b all include the same dimensions of length, width, and thickness. However, in alternative embodiments, one plurality of segments 12 a may be configured differently than the other plurality of segments 12 b. The segments 12 may be all uniform, in that they are configured to be the same size and shape. Uniformly-shaped segments are convenient for continuous cutting of equal sized segments, and are useful for ease of manufacture. However, it is not necessary that the segments 12 be uniform. For example, segments 12 a, 12 b adjacent one another could be sized differently, depending on what is desired.
In one embodiment, the cuts are configured to provide segments 12 that are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip 10. For example, first cut surface 16 a and second cut surface 18 a of segment 12 a is offset from first cut surface 16 b and second cut surface 18 b of segment 12 b. In other words, the cut surfaces of segments 12 a and 12 b are not aligned with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the cut surface 18 a of segment 12 a is parallel to cut surface 18 b of segment 12 b, but cut surface 18 a is approximately aligned with the middle of segment 12 b. The cuts provide more edges 17 and surfaces for the cleaning material 10 to remove debris matter from a surface to be cleaned. Also, the cuts allow more spaces 46 between adjacent segments 12 (shown in FIG. 5), which assists in capturing removed debris matter from the surface.
In addition, the offset cuts 26 forming the offset segments 12 provide a configuration where the individual segments may be provided with a maximum length that extends into the middle portion. This configuration allows lengthy segments 12, while still maintaining segments in one strip of material 10. One preferred embodiment of a suitable configuration for the segments 12 and middle portion 28 includes a middle portion 28 that is between one-quarter to one-half of the length of the segments, measured along the same direction. In addition, in the embodiment of a nonwoven material strip 10, the nonwoven nature of the fibers being interconnected and bonded to one another randomly helps provide strength between segments 12 a, segments 12 b opposite segments 12 a, and the middle portion 28 there between, making the segments 12 less prone to tearing from the middle portion 28. For another suitable example, with a nonwoven material strip 10, the length of the cuts 26 may be no more than twice of the thickness of the segments 12, to provide a configuration that rocks well against the work surface.
For comparison sake, if, the cuts 26 a, 26 b were aligned directly across from each other, the segments 12 would be more prone to ripping from the middle portion 28. For example, if the segments 12 were made from foam, such an a polyurethane foam for instance, and the segments 12 a and 12 b were directly aligned opposite from each other, as the prior art 3M bath pouf ball is described in the Background Section, then the foam segments would have a tendency to rip from the middle portion 28. Alternatively, in order to avoid the disengagement of the segments, the middle portion would need to be significantly wide enough to provide strength to the overall strip and to present the segments away from the middle portion, thus reducing the possible length of the segments 12 significantly. If instead, the segments 12 were made from woven or nonwoven materials and the segments were provided in the offset configuration of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the segments 12 have a tendency to remain intact when the cleaning material is used against a surface to be cleaned, both because of the internal strength of the materials and because of the offset design.
In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1, one half of the top right segment 12 a is protruding along the top right portion of the strip 10 and another half of the bottom left segment 12 b is protruding along the bottom left portion of the material strip 10. However, to provide a more rectangular strip of material, those half segments may be cut off to provide a material strip 10 with flush ends.
In an alternative embodiment, the cut surfaces 16 and 18 of the same segment 12 may be cut at different angles relative to each other and not be parallel. In another alternative embodiment, the cut surface 16 of one segment 12 and the cut surface 18 of an adjacent segment 12 may be cut at different angles relative to each other and not be parallel.
FIGS. 2 and 3 provide alternative strips of material 10′, 10″ that are also useful for making the cleaning material of the present invention. The segments 12 in FIG. 2 are configured the same as the segments in FIG. 1, except that the distal ends 20 are cut to provide different shaped distal end surfaces 18. The distal surfaces 24 are cut to provide a zigzag arrangement, and provide a variety of alternating sharp points and valleys. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the cut surfaces 16 are not the same sized surfaces, but rather alternate between a shorter and longer surface. Similarly, cut surfaces 18 alternate between a shorter and longer surface. In FIG. 3, the distal ends 20 are cut to provide a sinusoidal arrangement, and provide a variety of alternating softer hills and valleys. Also in FIG. 3, the cut surfaces 16, 18 are cut to provide a sinusoidal arrangement.
The distal ends 20 may be arranged in any shape desired. For example, the distal end 20 may be in the shape of a rectangle, square, trapezoid, triangle, wave, or oval. The shape of the distal end 20 may be chosen by one skilled in the art.
In one particular embodiment of cleansing device of the present invention, where the cleansing device is made from a nonwoven material, it is possible to use multiple hardness nonwovens as a way to provide different levels of cleaning. For example, a suitable nonwoven material is commercially available under the trade designation Scotch-Brite from 3M Company, based in St. Paul, Minn. and provides different hardness of materials ranging from very gentle to very aggressive cleaning levels.
Segments 12 may be formed to optimize the fullness of the cleaning material ultimately formed and used on the cleaning tool 50, as illustrated in FIG. 4 a. One example of a strip 10 that provides this ratio is a nonwoven strip having dimensions of 8.0 inches length (20.32 cm.) by 4.5 inches width (11.43 cm.) by 1 inch thick (2.54 cm.), which includes 16 segments. Another example of a strip 10 is a nonwoven strip having dimensions of 8.0 inches length (20.32 cm.) by 4.5 inches width (11.43 cm.) by 2 inches thick (5.08 cm), which includes 16 segments. Yet another example of a strip 10 is a nonwoven strip having dimensions of 8.0 inches length (20.32 cm.) by 4.5 inches width (11.43 cm.) by 3 inches thick (7.2 cm.), which includes 16 segments.
In another optimized embodiment, the segments 12 each include a thickness, width and length and are generally in a form of a parallel piped. In one particular embodiment, the ratio of length to width to thickness is 8 to 4 to 1. In another optimized embodiment, the ratio of length to width to thickness is 8 to 4.5 to 1. Depending on what is desired, the segments may be sized to provide a more segmented cleaning material, where the segments have more spaces between adjacent segments and more cleaning edges and surfaces, or the segments may be sized to provide a less segmented cleaning material, where the segments have less space between adjacent segments and less cleaning edges and surfaces.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate one embodiment of the cleaning tool 50 of the present invention. FIG. 4A illustrates the cleaning tool 50 before it is used to clean a surface. FIG. 4B illustrated the cleaning tool 50 after it is used to clean a surface. FIGS. 4A and 4B include the cleaning material 10 described above attached to the cleaning tool 50. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the cleaning tool 50 after it has been used.
Cleaning tool 50 includes a handle portion 30 and an attachment portion 34. The handle portion 30 may include optional grooves 42 for receiving a user's fingers comfortably. The attachment portion 34 includes a first end and a second end attached to the handle portion 30, defining a cavity 40 in between the handle portion 30 and the attachment portion 34. The attachment portion 34 includes an attachment surface 38 opposite the handle portion 32. The cleaning material 10 is attached to the attachment portion 34 by the attachment surface 38. The attachment surface 38 may include any means known in the art for attaching the cleaning material 10 to the cleaning tool 50. For example, the attachment surface may include hook or loops or mushroom-shaped fasteners. Examples of hook or loop fasteners are commercially available from 3M Company based in St. Paul Minn. under the trade designation “Scotchmate.” Examples of mushroom-shaped fasteners are commercially available from 3M Company under the trade designation “Dual Lock.” Alternatively, the cleaning material 10 may be attached by adhesive.
In one embodiment, the attachment portion includes a curved support surface 36 for the attachment surface 38. In another embodiment, the attachment surface 38 could be the same as the curved support surface 36. The curved support surface 36 is preferably convexly shaped to allow a user to rock the cleaning tool 50 against a surface to be cleaned. This rocking motion enhances the cleaning tool's ability to scrape off the debris matter to be removed, and then scooping up or capturing the removed debris matter into the cleaning material 10 (as illustrated in FIG. 7B).
FIGS. 4 b and 5 illustrate the cleaning tool 50 after it has been used to clean a surface. The cleaning material 10 now contains debris matter 48. The debris matter 48 is captured by the most bottom portion of the cleaning material 10, and in the spaces 46 formed between the cut surfaces 16 and 18. As discussed above, the cleaning material 10 also includes multiple edges 17 for scraping or removing the debris matter and for assisting in removing the debris matter 48 from the surface and into the cleaning material 10. The debris matter 48 is captured by the nonwoven material, as the debris matter 48 is removed from the cleaning surface. For example, the debris matter 48 may become embedded within the cleaning material 10 along the second major surfaces 22 of the segments 12, in the cut surfaces 16, 18 extending towards the attachment surface 38, and on the distal end surfaces 24.
FIG. 5 best illustrates how the segments 12 of the cleaning material 10 separate from one another, once they are attached to the attachment surface 38. Once attached, the cleaning material 10 includes spaces 46 between adjacent segments 12. This provides the cleaning tool 50 with more areas for receiving the debris matter 48, compared to a prior art rectangular or square sponge, which makes it a more effective cleaning tool, as evidenced by the Examples below.
Once the cleaning material 10 is sufficiently full of debris matter 48, the cleaning material 10 may then be removed as illustrated in FIG. 6. The used cleaning material 10 may then be thrown away, and then replaced with a new strip of cleaning material 10. In this embodiment, the cleaning material 10 is removably attached to the cleaning tool 10. Alternatively, the used cleaning material 10 may be removed and then rinsed with water to clean the material 10 of debris matter 48, particularly to remove the debris matter 48 that was captured by the spaces 46 of the cleaning material 10. Afterwards, the cleaning material 10 may then be reused.
FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate two embodiments of the handle portion 30 useful for the cleaning tool of the present invention, and some advantages affiliated with a handle portion having the curved support surface 36. FIG. 7A includes a handle portion 30′ having a flat support surface 37. To clean the surface 70 with the cleaning tool 50′, the cleaning material 10 is rubbed back and forth against the surface 70 in a horizontal direction, as indicated by arrow 90. In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the cleaning material 10 is rubbed back and forth against the surface 70 in a rocking direction, as indicated by arrow 100. As either cleaning tool is used, both tend to gather the debris matter 48 on the front or back ends of the cleaning tool 50, 50′. However, the cleaning tool 50, where the cleaning material 10 is shaped in a curved manner, supported by the curved support surface 36, has a tendency to capture more of the removed debris matter 48, compared to the cleaning tool 50′. This is evidenced by the smaller pile 80 of debris matter in front of the cleaning brush 50, compared to the larger pile 60 of debris matter in front of cleaning brush 50′.
FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the cleaning material 10′ of the present invention. The cleaning material 10′ is just like the cleaning material 10 described above relative to FIG. 1, except that the cuts 26 are aligned with one another to provide segments 12 directly across from one another on opposing sides of the strip. For instance, the cuts 26 a forming the plurality of segments 12 as are parallel to each other and aligned across from the cuts 26 b on the opposing side of the strip 10′″. As a result, the segments 12 a are directly lined opposite from the segments 12 b. In one preferred embodiment of this cleaning material 10′″, the material is made from a nonwoven material, such as those nonwoven materials described above. In another preferred embodiment, the cleaning material 10′″ may also be made thinner compared to the cleaning material 10. In this embodiment, approximate distance between adjacent cuts is approximately equal to the thickness of the material.
The cleaning tool 50 of the present invention may be used to clean all types of items and surfaces. For example, the cleaning tool may be used to clean boats, grills, or any other surface that has heavy soil or debris matter.
The operation of the present invention will be further described with regard to the following detailed examples. These examples are offered to further illustrate the various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. It should be understood, however, that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
The invention will be further explained with the following illustrative examples. The particular materials and amounts thereof recited in these examples, as well as other conditions and details, should not be construed to unduly limit this invention. A description of the web utilized in all of these examples and comparative examples is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,284, “Body Cleansing Device,” Orentreich, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

A series of parallel, offset cuts were made in a section of cleaning material strip 4-inches (10.2 cm) wide by 6-inches (15.2 cm) long by 1-inch (2.54 cm) thick. The strip basis weight was 9.0 grams, with a density of approximately 0.023 gm/cm³. The cuts extended approximately 2.0 inches (5.1 cm) into the material strip and were spaced approximately 1-inch (2.54 cm) apart which. A series of 1-inch (2.54 cm) square segments were formed, extending outwardly from the middle portion of the material strip. This cleaning material strip was attached to a scrubbing handle to form a cleaning tool.

Examples 2 and 3

Two additional cleaning devices were made according to Example 1 utilizing a material strip with a density of approximately 0.024 gm/cc, 9.5 g/pad (Example 2) and 0.032 gm/cc, 12.5 g/pad (Example 3).

Comparative Examples 1, 2, 3

The same web material and size as utilized in Examples 1 through 3 were attached to a scrubbing handle. No cuts for forming segments were made in the comparative examples.

Results

A propylene glycol based gel was used to determine the ability of the scrubbing devices to pick up and retain dirt. This gel was contained within the Nexcare™ Cold/Heat Pack commercially available from 3M Company in St. Paul, Minn., which comprised of propylene glycol, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, and water. An excess of gel was placed on a flat surface. Each Example and Comparative cleaning tool was wiped over the gel. Weight of the cleaning material before and after wiping was recorded to determine how much gel was retained. Results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Weight of Gel Retained in the Cleaning
Material of the Cleaning Tool

	Web Basis Weight	Gel Retained
	(g/pad)	(g)

Example
1	9.0	98.2
2	9.5	101.3
3	12.5	103.3
Comparative
1	9.0	34.4
2	9.5	46.0
3	12.5	63.3

The present invention has now been described with reference to several embodiments thereof. The foregoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarity of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom. All patents and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the exact details and structures described herein, but rather by the structures described by the language of the claims, and the equivalents of those structures.

Claims

1. A cleaning material, comprising:

a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, and wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip.

2. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments include a plurality of surfaces and edges for cleaning a surface.

3. The cleaning material of claim 1, further comprising spaces stretched between adjacent segments for capturing debris matter to be removed from a surface.

4. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is attached to a cleaning tool.

5. The cleaning material of claim 4, wherein the cleaning tool includes an attachment surface, and wherein the cleaning material is attached to the attachment surface.

6. The cleaning material of claim 5, wherein the attachment surface comprises loops or hooks for securing the cleaning material to the attachment surface.

7. The cleaning material of claim 5, wherein the attachment surface comprises mushroom-shaped fasteners.

8. The cleaning material of claim 4, wherein the cleaning material is removably attached to the cleaning tool.

9. The cleaning material of claim 3, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a curved support surface, wherein the cleaning material is attached to the curved support surface.

10. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the device includes a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments, wherein the first plurality of segments extend in the opposite direction of the second plurality of segments.

11. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein each segment includes a distal end, and wherein the distal end is in the shape of a rectangle, square, trapezoid, wave, or oval.

12. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments are uniform segments.

13. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a nonwoven material.

14. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a sponge material.

15. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the material comprises a combination of a nonwoven and a sponge material.

16. The cleaning material of claim 1, wherein the material comprises woven materials.

17. A cleaning tool, comprising:

a handle portion including an attachment surface;

a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip, and wherein the strip of material is attached to the attachment surface.

18. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the plurality of segments include a plurality of surfaces and edges for cleaning a surface.

19. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the strip of material further comprises spaces stretched between adjacent segments for capturing debris matter to be removed from a surface.

20. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the attachment surface comprises loops or hooks for securing the cleaning material to the attachment surface.

21. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the attachment surface comprises mushroom-shaped fasteners.

22. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the cleaning material is removably attached to the cleaning tool.

23. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the device includes a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments, wherein the first plurality of segments extend in the opposite direction of the second plurality of segments.

24. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein each segment includes a distal end, and wherein the distal end is in the shape of a rectangle, square, trapezoid, wave, or oval.

25. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the plurality of segments are uniform segments.

26. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the material comprises a nonwoven material.

27. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the material comprises a sponge material.

28. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the material comprises a combination of a nonwoven and a sponge material.

29. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the material comprises woven materials.

30. The cleaning tool of claim 17, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a curved support surface, and wherein the cleaning material is attached to the curved support surface.

31. A method of cleaning a surface, comprising the steps of:

providing a cleaning tool, comprising:

a handle portion having an attachment surface;

a strip of a material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, wherein the cuts are offset from one another on opposing sides of the strip, wherein the plurality of segments include a plurality of surfaces and edges for cleaning the surface, and wherein the strip of material is attached to the attachment surface;

cleaning a surface with the cleaning tool; and

capturing debris matter from the surface with the surfaces and edges of the cleaning material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the strip of material includes stretched out spaces between adjacent segments for capturing debris matter to be removed from the surface to be cleaned.

33. A cleaning material, comprising:

a strip of a material, wherein the material comprises a nonwoven material, wherein the strip includes cuts through the strip to form a plurality of segments and a middle portion, and wherein the cuts are aligned directly from one another on opposing sides of the strip.

34. The cleaning material of claim 33, wherein the plurality of segments include a plurality of surfaces and edges for cleaning a surface.

35. The cleaning material of claim 33, further comprising spaces stretched between adjacent segments for capturing debris matter to be removed from a surface.

36. The cleaning material of claim 33, wherein the cleaning material is attached to a cleaning tool.

37. The cleaning material of claim 36, wherein the cleaning tool includes an attachment surface, and wherein the cleaning material is attached to the attachment surface.

38. The cleaning material of claim 33, wherein the device includes a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments, wherein the first plurality of segments extend in the opposite direction of the second plurality of segments.