Abstract: A method of making a scouring material comprises the steps of: 1) forming a three-dimensional nonwoven web of natural fibres contacted with dry particulate material that includes fusible binder particles, 2) exposing the web to conditions that cause the binder particles to form a flowable liquid binder, and then solidifying the liquid binder to form bonds between the fibres of the web and thereby provide a pre-bonded web and 3) applying abrasive particles to the pre-bonded web and bonding the abrasive particles to the fibres of the pre-bonded web by at least a make-coat resin to provide the scouring material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus for selecting, dispensing and collecting re-usable items comprising at least one user interface comprising a computer for selecting re-usable items and at least one device for dispensing and/or collecting re-usable items, a storage system for storing the re-usable items, a transportation system for transferring the re-usable items between the storage system and the at least one device for dispensing and/or collecting re-usable items, wherein the re-usable items are stored and transferred within the apparatus by means of carriers but dispensed and/or collected carrier-less.

Abstract: A head (1) for a strip mop comprises a hollow dome-shaped body (3) which is attachable at its top to one end of an elongate mop handle (4). Web material is secured within the body (3) so that a portion hangs down from the base of the dome-shaped body to provide the cleaning substrate (2) of the mop. To facilitate access to confined areas of a surface that is being cleaned, such as corners, the base of the dome-shaped body (3) of the mop head has the general form of an equilateral triangle. A spacer (17, FIG. 4) is provided between two adjacent layers of the web material within the dome-shaped body, to enhance the volume of the cleaning substrate (2); and a peripheral skirt (8) of a more resilient material is provided at the base of the wall of the dome-shaped body (3) to reduce the risk of damage to surfaces that might be impacted by the mop head (1) when in use.

Abstract: An article for the wet/damp wiping of surfaces comprises a moisture-absorbing wipe that provides at least one surface of the article, the wipe comprising bamboo fibres. The wipe may be formed from a textile material and contains at least 10%, preferably at least 30%, by weight of bamboo fibres.

Abstract: A head (1) for a strip mop comprises a hollow dome-shaped body (3) which is attachable at its top to one end of an elongate mop handle (4). Web material is secured within the body (3) so that a portion hangs down from the base of the dome-shaped body to provide the cleaning substrate (2) of the mop. To facilitate access to confined areas of a surface that is being cleaned, such as corners, the base of the dome-shaped body (3) of the mop head has the general form of an equilateral triangle. A spacer (17, FIG. 4) is provided between two adjacent layers of the web material within the dome-shaped body, to enhance the volume of the cleaning substrate (2); and a peripheral skirt (8) of a more resilient material is provided at the base of the wall of the dome-shaped body (3) to reduce the risk of damage to surfaces that might be impacted by the mop head (1) when in use.

Abstract: A scouring material comprises a three-dimensional non-woven web of entangled fibres bonded to one another at their mutual contact points by a pre-bond resin and a plurality of abrasive particles are adhered to the fibres of the bonded web by a make-coat resin. A majority by weight of the fibres comprise natural fibres and the bonded web has a maximum density of 50 kg/m3. A method of making a scouring material comprises the steps of: 1) forming a three-dimensional nonwoven web of natural fibres contacted with dry particulate material that includes fusible binder particles, 2) exposing the web to conditions that cause the binder particles to form a flowable liquid binder, and then solidifying the liquid binder to form bonds between the fibres of the web and thereby provide a pre-bonded web and 3) applying abrasive particles to the pre-bonded web and bonding the abrasive particles to the fibres of the pre-bonded web by at least a make-coat resin to provide the scouring material.

Abstract: A wiping article (1), for cleaning surfaces, comprises a liquid-absorbent web material and, disposed on a liquid-absorbent surface thereof, abrasive areas (5) comprising at least cured particulate binder material, the abrasive areas being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas (4) of the web material. A method for making the wiping article, for cleaning surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liquid-absorbent web material; providing a dry particulate material that comprises at least particulate curable binder material; depositing spaced areas of the dry particulate material on a liquid-absorbent surface of the web material; and curing the binder material to form spaced abrasive areas on the surface of the web material, the said abrasive areas being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas of the web material.

Abstract: A cleaning article comprises a flocked substrate (1) wherein the flock (3) comprises fibres that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the substrate and have a maximum length of 2.0 mm, the fibres being substantially free of abrasive particles. In one embodiment, the flocked substrate is laminated to a layer of foam (9) to provide a hand-held cleaning pad. In another embodiment, the substrate is a wipe.

Abstract: A strip mop has a head (101) comprising a holder (103) which is attached to the mop handle (104) and in which a replaceable strip assembly (126, FIG. 21) is located. The strip assembly is formed from layers of absorbent web material cut into strips (102) over part of their length, the uncut parts being located in the holder (103). When the strips (102) become worn, the holder (103) is opened (FIG. 18) so that the strip assembly (126) can be removed and replaced by another.