EP3024373B1 - Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets - Google Patents

Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP3024373B1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: retainer; barrier; fingers; membrane; finger
Prior art date: 2013-07-22
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Not-in-force

Application number

EP14748424.0A

Other languages

German (de)

English (en)

French (fr)

Other versions

EP3024373A1 (en

Inventor

Glenn Allen Bradbury

Brent Michael Willey

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

Procter and Gamble Co

Original Assignee

Procter and Gamble Co

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

2013-07-22

Filing date

2014-07-22

Publication date

2017-05-10

2013-07-22 Priority claimed from US13/947,501 external-priority patent/US9408518B2/en

2014-07-22 Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co

2016-06-01 Publication of EP3024373A1 publication Critical patent/EP3024373A1/en

2017-05-10 Application granted granted Critical

2017-05-10 Publication of EP3024373B1 publication Critical patent/EP3024373B1/en

Status Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current

2034-07-22 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/42—Details
- A47L13/46—Securing scouring or polishing cloths or sponges to the handles by gripping means, tongs, or the like
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/20—Mops
- A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
- A47L13/254—Plate frames
- A47L13/256—Plate frames for mops made of cloth

Definitions

the present invention relates to retainers for devices having a removable floor sheet, which floor sheet is usable to clean a floor or other hard surface.
Nonwoven sheets may be made according to commonly assigned US 6,936,330 and/or 6,797,357 .
Cellulosic paper towels may be made according to commonly assigned US 4,191,609 and/or 4,637,859 .
Such sheets have been removably attached to manual cleaning devices.
the devices increase reach, and improve ergonomics. For example, when the hard surface to be cleaned is a floor, the device allows the user to clean from a standing position, improving comfort over cleaning from a crouched position or on the knees.
Manual devices may be made according to 2009/0077761 ; 7,346,428 and commonly assigned US 6,305,046 ; 7,676,877 and/or D588,770 .
rotatable beater bars have been utilized, as disclosed in US 9,783 , reissued June 28, 1881; 306,008 issued Sept. 30, 1884; 329,257 issued Oct. 27, 1885; 4,654,927 issued Apr. 7, 1987 ; and 7,134,161 issued Nov. 14, 2006 .
the beater bars in these teachings are driven by the wheels.
each of these references teaches plural wheels contacting the floor to be cleaned.
the wheels drive the beater bar, obviating the need for a separate electric motor. Electric motors add cost and weight to the device.
Split beater bars have also been used, as shown in 2005/0055792 and 7,134,161 .
the device may use a vacuum to remove debris from the floor. Vacuum may be accomplished with a fan to provide suction, as disclosed in US 7,137,169 and 7,293,322 .
Hook and loop attachments have been suggested, e.g. 3,792,505, but can be rendered ineffective by fibers which come off the sheet when it is removed.
adhesive attachment can be blocked over time.
Looped straps were proposed in 2,301,586, but have the drawback of requiring a dedicated attachment, such as a nail.
Clamps have been proposed, e.g. 5,426,809 and 5,815,878, but can be difficult to manipulate and may come loose over time.
Resilient retainers have been used to removably hold the sheet onto the foot of the device. These retainers use resilient fingers disposed around a cavity. The fingers extend from respective proximal ends juxtaposed with the cavity periphery to respective distal ends disposed in the cavity. The fingers may be generally planar and lying within the plane of the cavity opening or may extend into or out of the cavity.
Suitable retainers may be made according to commonly assigned 6,651,290 , particularly column 4, lines 15 - 65; 7,516,508 , 7,536,743 , D409,343 and D487,173 or according to 3,099,855 ; 3,760,450 ; 3,877,103 ; 5,876,141 ; and 6,098,239 .
US 2002/0184726 describes a cleaning implement including a cleaning head having an attachment structure according to the preamble of claim 1 including a base triangle and a plurality of substantially pie-shaped sections whose apexes meet at a substantially common point adjacent the base triangle.
these retainers do are not suited for devices having a foot which does not have sufficient space under the cavity. For example, if the foot is thin, the fingers may be visible from and accessed from either side. If the user is not familiar with the proper sheet attachment, s/he may attach the sheet to the wrong side of the foot. Accordingly, another approach is necessary.
the invention comprises retainer for a cleaning device.
the device has a foot which removably accepts a disposable floor sheet.
One or more retainers may be used to attach the floor sheet to the foot.
the retainers comprise cantilevered resilient fingers, extending into a cavity.
a flexible barrier is disposed behind the fingers. Upon deflection of at least one finger, it contacts the barrier.
An optional handle may be pivotally attached to the foot.
the invention comprises a retainer for use with a cleaning device (10).
the device (10) may have at least one such retainer, and more particularly, may have four retainers (60), one for each corner of a cleaning sheet (20).
the retainers (60) may be define a plane, which plane may be generally aligned with the surface of the cleaning device (10).
the retainers (60) may define a cavity (63) having a front and a back.
the sheet (20) is inserted through the front of the retainer, into engagement with one or more resilient fingers (62).
the fingers (62) may be cantilevered from the periphery of the cavity (63).
the back of the cavity (63) may be at least partially occluded by or covered with a barrier (80), such as elastic membrane (66).
the a barrier (80) may perform the barrier functions of preventing the user's finger from entering the cavity (63) in the wrong direction and also preventing the user's finger from penetrating too far into the cavity (63) from the front to back direction, as shown by arrow F in Fig. 4B .
the barrier (80) may cross the perimeter (64) in any desired direction, so that the barrier (80) provides a tactile and/or visual barrier to improper use/operation of the retainer (60).
the barrier (80) may be flexible. By flexible it is meant that the barrier (80) deforms under normal forces encountered in use when deflected by a finger (62). Such deflection may occur when a user is installing a sheet (20) into or even removing a sheet (20) from the retainer (60).
the barrier (80) may further be resilient. By resilient it is meant that the barrier (80) generally returns to its original position when the deflection from the fingers (62) is removed.
a resilient barrier (80) provides the benefit of increased tactile sensation to the user as s/he inserts the sheet (20) into the retainer (60). Thus, upon deflection, of at least one finger (62), and optionally prior thereto, the finger (62) contacts the barrier (80).
the finger (62) and barrier (80) may be in contacting relationship in the free state. This arrangement advantageously allows for minimizing the thickness of the foot (14). In another embodiment, the finger (62) and barrier (80) may be juxtaposed, but not in contacting relationship until the finger (62) is bent or deflected by the user.
the barrier (80) may provide visual and/or tactile barrier cues to a user.
the barrier (80) may qualitatively signal to the user which direction is proper for insertion of the sheet (20) into the retainer (60).
the barrier (80) may further quantitatively signal to the user how far the sheet (20) should be inserted into the retainer (60) and particularly signal when full insertion is reached.
the elastic membrane (66) deforms out of the plane of the cavity (63) in response to user-applied forces applied against the fingers (62).
the forces may be applied with a vector component normal to the fingers (62) and/or membrane (66).
This arrangement allows the device (10) to be used with a foot having a sole plate (16) which is advantageously rigid.
rigid it is meant that the sole plate (16) does not deform under normal usage conditions, such as cleaning and installing/removing the cleaning sheet (20).
a rigid sole plate (16) provides the benefit that the sole plate (16) may pivot relative to the housing (50) without undue deformation and possibly becoming loose over time.
a rigid sole plate (16) without the retainers (60) of the claimed invention does not easily allow for a thinner foot (14) or advantageous tactile sensation.
the retainers (60) of the claimed invention are equally applicable to a device (10) with or without a handle (12) and having a conventional foot (14), as shown in commonly assigned US 6,484,356 .
Such a conventional foot (14) does not have plural members, e.g. housing (50)/sole plate (16) which move relative to one another.
the retainer cavity (63) comprises a perimeter (64). An oval is shown, although one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited.
the cavity (63) may comprise a circle, rectangle, and other symmetric or irregular shapes, as desired.
the cavity (63) perimeter (64) is shown as being planar, although one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited.
the perimeter (64) may have a minimum dimension of 14, 12 or 10 mm in any direction. This dimension is sized to comfortably allow the user's finger, typically an index finger, to attach the sheet (20).
One or more fingers (62) extend from a proximal end on the perimeter (64) to a distal end in the cavity (63).
the fingers (62) are shown as being within the plane of the perimeter (64) of the cavity (63), although one of skill will recognize the invention is not so limited. Without regard to whether or not the perimeter (64) is planar, the fingers (62) may extend into the cavity (63) in a planar manner as shown. Alternatively the fingers (62) may extend outwardly from the cavity (63) and away from the surface of the foot (14) of the device (10). Alternatively the fingers (62) may extend inwardly towards the back of the cavity (63).
the fingers (62) may be generally flat as shown, have a round cross section, I beam shaped cross section, etc.
the fingers (62) may be of constant or variable width including tapered as shown, may be of constant thickness as shown, or variable thickness, etc. as necessary to provide the desired bending stiffness.
the fingers (62) may be cantilevered from a proximal end juxtaposed with the perimeter (64) and taper to a point at the distal end. The point is useful for engaging the sheet (20) to prevent unintentional sheet (20) dislodging during use.
the fingers (62) may be of similar geometry and/or stiffness or may have different geometries, as shown.
One or more fingers (62), and particularly at least one distal end thereof, may contact the barrier (80) in use to cause deflection thereof.
Such deflection of the barrier (80) may provide a tactile and/or visual signal to the user during sheet (20) insertion/removal.
a membrane (66) which may be a resilient membrane (66).
resilient it is meant the membrane (66) deforms normal to the plane of the cavity (63) under insertion force applied by the user to the finger(s) (62) and returns to its original configuration when the insertion force is removed.
the membrane (66) may be congruent with the cavity (63) perimeter (64) and extend throughout the cavity (63). If desired, the membrane (66) may be larger than the cavity (63), so that the membrane (66) may unexpectedly minimize occurrences of the user's finger (62) being pinched by the retainer finger (62). The membrane (66) may be held in place in the foot (14) with a collar (67).
the collar (67) may function as an insert between the membrane (66) and the foot (14).
the membrane (66) may be stretched and held in place by the collar (67).
the membrane (66) may be held in place by adhesive or other attachment to the wall of the foot (14).
the membrane (66) and the fingers (62) may be spaced apart in the direction perpendicular the plane of the cavity (63) at least 2, 4, 6 or 8 mm and less than 10 mm.
This spacing unexpectedly provides for the retainer to be used with a thinner foot (14) geometry than is necessary if the cavity (63) has to be deep enough to allow sheet (20) insertion without the membrane (66) present.
the spacing is measured as the closest distance between the barrier (80) and finger (62) using a common ruler.
the membrane (66) and fingers (62) may be juxtaposed and in contact with one another in the free position. This arrangement prophetically provides the an even thinner foot (14) geometry.
the finger (62), and particularly the distal end thereof, may contact the membrane (66) upon deflection towards the membrane (66). Such contact will likewise deform the membrane (66) in the same direction.
the finger (62) may particularly deflect, in response to sheet (20) insertion force applied by the user in a first direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the cavity (63) as designated by arrow F.
one or more retainers (60) having a membrane (66) may be disposed on the inner surface of the sole plate (16).
the retainer of this invention unexpectedly allows for the sole plate (16) to be thin enough to pivot to a closed position underneath the housing (50) during use.
the retainer of the present invention may unexpectedly utilize shorter fingers (62), conserving material without undue occurrences of the sheet (20) becoming dislodged during use.
the membrane (66) may be taut, optionally pre-tensioned and optionally bilaterally pre-tensioned.
pre-tensioning it is meant that the membrane (66) is under tension while spaced from and not in contact with the fingers (62). This arrangement provides the benefit that less deflection of the finger (62) is necessary to deflect the membrane (66) sufficiently to cause the membrane (66) to resist the finger (62) deflection and return to the original configuration.
the membrane (66) may be flaccid, and optionally convex. This arrangement allows for longer fingernails to be used without tearing the membrane (66). Alternatively, the membrane (66) may be thicker near the center of the cavity (63), providing increased return force upon deformation. While a solid membrane (66) is shown, one of skill will recognize a perforate or aperture membrane (66) may also be used.
the membrane (66) may have a Shore A hardness of to 40 to 60, and particularly 48 to 52, as measured by GB/T531-1992.
the tear strength may be at least 12, 14, 16, or 18 KN/M as measured by GB/T529-1999.
the elongation may be at least 200, 250, 320 or 420 % as measured by GB/T528-1998.
the membrane (66) may comprise 60 to 80 weight percent methyl vinyl silicone, 18 - 36 weight percent silicone dioxide, and balance of other materials. If desired, a zero strain elastic may be utilized, as disclosed in commonly assigned US 5,143,679 may be used for the membrane (66).
An elastomeric polymer film and/or elastomeric polymers embedded into non-wovens such as Flex FeelTM, Flex aireTM, Extra FlexTM and Fabri FlexTM available from Tredegar Corp. of Richmond, VA may be used for the membrane (66).
a heat cured silicone elastomer such as GF(E)-151 from Momentive Fine Performance Materials Shenzhen Co. of Shenzhen, China may be used for the membrane (66).
a polymer which can be formed into non-woven fabrics to create elastic properties such as MD6717, MD6705, and G1643 available from Kraton Polymers LLC of Houston, TX may be used for the membrane (66).
the membrane (66) may have holes therethrough and be attached to the collar (67) via upstanding posts (70).
a post (70) may be inserted through a respective hole, so that the membrane (66) does not become dislodged over the life of the foot (14).
the barrier (80) need not be resilient.
the barrier (80) may, for example, comprise a membrane (66) made of nonwoven material, formed film, or similar material as are known in the art.
the material for such membrane may be either flaccid or taut.
the non-resilient membrane (66) may function as a visual and or tactile barrier (80) to the cavity (63) as described above.
the resilient barrier (80) may comprise one or more flexible strands (65).
the strands (65) may perform the barrier functions, similar to membrane (66), of preventing the user's finger from entering the cavity (63) in the wrong direction and also prevent the user's finger from penetrating too far into the cavity (63) from the front to back direction, as shown by arrow F in Fig. 4B .
the at least one strand (65) may cross the perimeter (64) in any desired direction, so that the strand (65) provides a tactile and/or visual barrier to improper use/operation of the retainer (60).
the strands (65) may be resilient, i.e. elastic or inelastic.
the strands (65) may be disposed in a regular grid, as shown, a radial pattern, a random pattern, etc.
Elastic strands (65) may prophetically be flaccid, taut or pre-tensioned, as discussed above with respect to the membrane (66) type of barrier (80).
Suitable elastic strands (65) may be Fulflex System 7000 rubber bands and TEX3CW15 TPE tape, both available from Fulflex, Inc of Brattleboro, VT 05301 and also LYCRA elastomer strands (65) available from EI DuPont de Nemours and Co of Wilmington, DE, within the range of about 470 - 1500 decitex and particularly 620 -1050 decitex.
Inelastic stands may comprise common nylon or cotton string, etc.
a particular retainer (60) is not limited to one set of fingers (62) and/or barriers (80).
Plural barriers (80), particularly hybrid barriers (80) may be used, for example in series.
the user's finger may encounter a first barrier (80) which is flaccid, which sends a first tactile signal.
a second barrier (80) which is elastic and which provides a second, and optionally stronger signal that appropriate finger (62) deflection has been reached.
the same barrier (80) may comprise two or more membranes (66), or membrane(s) 66 coupled with strands (65).
one or more strands (65) may be used behind a membrane (66) as reinforcement.
Such arrangement may be advantageous if an elastic strand (65) is used behind a flaccid membrane (66).
a membrane (66) barrier (80) provides a better visual barrier than a strand (65) barrier (80). Conversely, a strand (65) barrier (80) is prophetically less expensive than a membrane (66) barrier (80).
the invention may be used with a surface cleaning device, (10) with an axially rotatable beater bar (44) and/or a vacuum nozzle (not shown), to remove debris from the floor.
the beater bar (44) may sweep loose debris into a dirt bin (58), as described in 2010/0287716 .
the device (10) may comprise a handle (12) and foot (14) mounted thereto in pivoting single axis as occurs with a hinge, or pivoting multi-axis relationship as occurs with a universal joint connection.
the handle (12) and foot (14) may be disposed in fixed relationship, so that countertops, showers and similar surfaces may be cleaned.
the foot (14) may comprise a housing (50) and a sole plate (16) pivotally attached thereto.
the foot (14), and particularly the sole plate (16) may removably receive a sheet (20) on the bottom thereof, so that such sheet (20) can slidably contact the floor during cleaning.
the device (10) may optionally comprise an axially rotatable beater bar (44) having opposed ends (42) and one or more bristles or blades (46) to remove debris from the floor.
the beater bar (44) may be electrically powered, as is known in the art.
the beater bar (44) may sweep loose debris into a dirt bin (58), as described in 2010/0287716 .
the foot (14) may comprise a footprint large enough to accommodate the floor sheet (20) and beater bar (44).
the foot (14) may be generally rectangular, having a housing (50) with a front (52), and two spaced apart sides (54H). The spaced apart sides (54H) define a housing (50) width therebetween.
the foot (14) may comprise two symmetrically opposite mirror images, disposed about a longitudinal centerline.
the user may generally push the device (10) from front (52) to rear (53), and back, in a series of strokes.
the sole plate (16) may have a rectangular footprint on the target surface.
the sole plate (16) may form the rear (53) of the foot (14) and have two spaced apart sides (54SP).
the spaced apart sides (54SP) define a sole plate (16) width therebetween.
the sole plate may (16) have an inner surface and outer surface opposed thereto.
the inner surface may face the bottom of the housing (50) where the sole plate (50) is in a closed position.
Both the inner surface and outer surface of the sole plate (16) may have one or more retainers (60) thereon.
This arrangement advantageously allows the floor sheet (20) to be attached to the sole plate (16) of the device (10) independent of and without attachment to the housing (50) of the device (10).
the floor sheet may wrap the distal edge of the sole plate (16), and be attached to retainers (60) on both opposed surfaces thereof.
This arrangement provides the benefit that a conventional, flat as manufactured, floor sheet (20) may be utilized.
the floor sheet (20) does not have a free edge in contact with the floor and snowplowing of debris may be reduced.
the sole plate (16) and housing (50) may pivot, one relative to the other, about an axis A-A.
the axis A-A may be disposed parallel to the axis of the optional rotatable beater bar (44).
the axis A-A may be disposed across the housing (50) and intermediate the top and bottom thereof.
the sole plate (16)/housing (50) may pivot through an included angle of 20 to 180 degrees and particularly about 90 degrees. Pivoting 90 degrees to a configuration where the sole plate (16)/housing (50) are approximately or substantially mutually perpendicular provides the benefit that one of the sole plate (16)/housing (50) can maintain contact with the floor while the other is elevated, ergonomically juxtaposed with the handle and out of the way should the user encounter a corner.
the device (10) may be used with both the beater bar (44) and sheet (20) for a particular cleaning task, as shown in Fig. 5 .
the device (10) may be used with only the sheet (20) for a particular cleaning task, as shown in Fig. 6 .
An optional plow (56) may intercept debris on the floor and divert such debris away from the wheel (40). Particularly, the plow (56) may divert debris to a beater bar (44) or to both beater bars (44), so that the debris can be picked up thereby and directed to the dirt bin (58).
the plow (56) may be flexible, so that it deforms under the weight of the foot (14). This deformation may allow the optional beater bar (44), nozzle (not shown), sheet (20), to better contact the floor during cleaning.
the plow (56) may be made of butadiene acrylonitrile copolymer, Shore A 40.
the foot (14) may further comprise a hinge, universal joint, etc. or portion thereof to pivotally receive a handle (12). Optionally and if small enough, the foot (14) may be used without a handle (12).
the device (10) may further comprise a vacuum (not shown), to removed debris from the floor.
the vacuum may be fan powered, and provide for delivery of lose debris to a dirt bin.
the dirt bin (58) may be mounted on the handle (12) of the device (10), as disclosed in US 7,137,169 . If a vacuum system is used, the vacuum system may have a pivoting nozzle to allow access to sheet retainers (60), as disclosed in US 7,293,322 .
the device (10) may spray the cleaning solution onto the floor or other target surface. This arrangement provides the benefit that the user can see where the cleaning solution is being applied, with it being blocked under the floor sheet (20).
the cleaning solution may be any of the liquid solutions described above, aqueous or otherwise.
the sprayer may be a pump system, as described with respect to commonly assigned US 8,186,898 , or a gravity feed system, either permanently/removably attached to the device (10) or a part thereof. Or a separate aerosol or trigger (not shown) pump sprayer may be utilized, as are well known in the art.
a spray system (not shown) is selected, such a system may allow for use with reusable floor sheets (20), such as the microfiber floor sheets (20) used with commercially available steam devices (10). But the reusable floor sheets (20) have the disadvantages disclosed herein. Thus a spray system may be advantageously used with a single-use floor sheet (20), which is discarded after one cleaning event. If spray is used it will be advantageous to use dry absorbent floor sheets (20) such those described and referenced herein by US 6,716,805 B1 , US 7,420,656 B2 , US 7,163,349 , US 6,101,661 , and US 7,144,173 .
the floor sheet (20) usable with the present invention may comprise a textured nonwoven and more particularly a hydroentangled nonwoven.
the nonwoven may comprise a single ply having three layers.
the three layers may comprise a layer of carded fibers interposed between two layers of spunbonded fibers.
the floor sheet (20) may be made according to commonly assigned US 6,561,354 ; 6,645,604 and/or 2002/0042962 .
the floor sheet (20) may comprise a laminate construction, particularly if wet cleaning is contemplated with the present invention.
the laminate may comprise at least one floor contacting layer and at least one absorbent, reservoir storage layer.
a third, dedicated foot (14) contacting layer is optional and can be used for attachment to the device (10).
the floor sheet (20) of the present invention may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or more layers.
the outer floor contacting layer may contain at least about 30% hydrophobic fibers for oil removal and glide on floors.
the floor contacting layer may comprise a polyolefinic, discrete apertured nonwoven. This nonwoven may comprise carded, spunbonded, and/or meltblown fibers.
Materials useful in the floor contacting layer may be sufficiently durable to retain integrity during the cleaning process.
the floor contacting layer may be capable of absorbing liquids and soils, and relinquishing those liquids and soils to the storage layer. This transfer ensures the floor contacting layer will be able to remove additional material from the surface being cleaned.
materials particularly suitable for the floor contacting layer include synthetics such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, synthetic cellulosics (e.g., Rayon), and blends thereof.
synthetics such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene), polyesters, polyamides, synthetic cellulosics (e.g., Rayon), and blends thereof.
synthetic materials can be manufactured using known process such as carded, spunbond, meltblown, airlaid, needle punched and the like.
the floor contacting layer may comprise 50 gsm, 80:20 PP/Rayon nonwoven material.
a suitable fibrous web for use in the floor sheet (20) of the present invention.
a web can be made by nonwoven dry forming techniques, such as airlaying, or alternatively by wet laying, such as on a paper making machine.
non-woven manufacturing techniques including but not limited to techniques such as melt blown, spunbonded, needle punched, and hydroentanglement methods can also be used.
the dry fibers can be an airlaid nonwoven web comprising a combination of natural fibers, staple length synthetic fibers and a latex binder.
the dry fibrous web can be about 20 to 80 percent by weight wood pulp fibers, 10 to 60 percent by weight staple length polyester fibers, and about 10 to 25 percent by weight binder.
the dry floor sheet (20) can have a basis weight between about 30 and about 1000 grams per square meter.
the floor sheet (20) may be generally rectangular, and sized to removably fit on the sole plate (16) of the device (10).
the floor sheet (20) may have two opposed faces, an upper face to receive for attachment to the sole plate (16) of the device (10), and a lower face which contacts and cleans the target surface.
the floor sheet (20) can function as a scrubbing layer or have additional materials added for scrubbing.
the floor sheet (20) may comprise a perforate or imperforate film, such as is commonly used for of wetted floor sheets (20) in the art.
An imperforate film will inhibit, if not prevent, transmission of steam or liquid therethrough, potentially reducing efficacy of the cleaning system.
the floor sheet (20) may be disposable after a single use.
disposable it is meant that the floor sheet (20) is discarded after a single use of cleaning at least 5, 10, 15, 20 or more square meters and is not laundered or restored.
Pre-moistened floor sheets (20) used in the system of the present invention may be particularly advantageous in that they are always ready for use, and simple to use without special dosing. The user does not have to worry about applying too much cleaning solution, leading to waste, or too little cleaning solution to be efficacious.
a pre-moistened floor sheet (20) may be made according to the teachings of commonly assigned US 6,716,805 .

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Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

EP14748424.0A 2013-07-22 2014-07-22 Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets Not-in-force EP3024373B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
US13/947,501 US9408518B2 (en)	2012-06-15	2013-07-22	Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets
PCT/US2014/047588 WO2015013260A1 (en)	2013-07-22	2014-07-22	Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets

Publications (2)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP3024373A1 EP3024373A1 (en)	2016-06-01
EP3024373B1 true EP3024373B1 (en)	2017-05-10

Family

ID=51299029

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP14748424.0A Not-in-force EP3024373B1 (en)	2013-07-22	2014-07-22	Retainers for a device having removable floor sheets

Country Status (3)

Country	Link
EP (1)	EP3024373B1 (zh)
CN (1)	CN105451625B (zh)
WO (1)	WO2015013260A1 (zh)

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2014
- 2014-07-22 CN CN201480041418.5A patent/CN105451625B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2014-07-22 WO PCT/US2014/047588 patent/WO2015013260A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-07-22 EP EP14748424.0A patent/EP3024373B1/en not_active Not-in-force

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
CN105451625B (zh)	2018-01-19
EP3024373A1 (en)	2016-06-01
CN105451625A (zh)	2016-03-30
WO2015013260A1 (en)	2015-01-29

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