Cleaning pad and method of obtaining a clean surface thereon

Abstract

A sponge and a scouring pad in which an outer surface layer can be peeled away to expose a clean surface when the outer surface of the sponge or scouring pad becomes soiled. A method of obtaining a clean surface on a sponge or scouring pad is also disclosed, wherein a predetermined thickness of the material of the sponge or pad is grasped and peeled away to expose a clean surface.

Description

This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60/488,539, filed Jul. 18, 2003, and Ser. No. 60/569,660, filed May 7, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to cleaning tools, and more particularly, to a renewable cleaning pad, namely, a sponge or scouring pad in which soiled layers can be removed to expose a clean surface, thereby prolonging the useful life of the cleaning pad.

Background Art

Sponges and scouring pads are used in households and different types of industries for many diverse tasks. For example, sponges are commonly used for cleaning various surfaces, such as kitchen counter tops, wall surfaces, and floors, or for washing dishes, or washing automobiles, and the like. Sponges also are used for applying or removing cosmetics, or to apply paint or stain to a surface, and for many other purposes. Scouring pads, being more abrasive, typically are used for cleaning surfaces that are soiled with more difficult to remove contaminants, such as, for example, barbecue grills, cooking utensils, and the like, or for removing paint from a surface, or for other similar tasks. Inevitably, with continued use the outer surface of the sponge or scouring pad becomes contaminated or soiled to the point that it is no longer satisfactory for use. It generally is only the external surface of the sponge or scouring pad that is dirty, and the internal body of the sponge or scouring pad remains relatively clean. However, since conventional sponges and scouring pads are manufactured as integral, one-piece blocks or bodies of material, when the outer surface becomes unsatisfactory for use, it is necessary to discard the entire sponge or scouring pad and replace it with a new one. This means that every time a sponge or scouring pad is thrown away, a very large portion of the sponge or scouring pad material is unnecessarily wasted. Moreover, conventional sponges as typically used for household cleaning chores, for example, and scouring pads, in particular, are relatively thin and uncomfortable to use for some tasks.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,403 and published pending US applications 2002/0083964, 2002/0118993 and 2004/0031119, all disclose cleaning implements in which discrete, individual, thin sheets of cleaning material are laminated together in layers so that when the outer sheet becomes soiled or unsuitable for use, it can be peeled off the stack and discarded, exposing a clean sheet for use. The cleaning material is described as a non-woven or a paper towel-like bibulous material, or a bibulous sponge-like or woven material. There is no suggestion of a sponge or scouring pad body that is made in one integral unitary piece, but in which an outer layer can be removed to expose a clean surface.

Accordingly, there is need for a sponge and/or scouring pad in which an outer surface layer can be removed to expose a clean surface for continued use of the sponge and/or scouring pad.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a cleaning pad in which an outer surface layer can be removed to expose a clean surface, thus prolonging the useful life of the cleaning pad and minimizing waste. As used herein, “cleaning pad” is intended to encompass both sponges and scouring pads, and specifically, an integrally formed one-piece sponge or scouring pad.

The cleaning pad of the invention (sponge or scouring pad) can be combined with known accessories, such as dish washing handles, mops, soap dispensers, and the like.

A scouring pad according to the present invention may be manufactured of conventional materials using substantially conventional manufacturing techniques. The difference between the prior art and the scouring pad of the invention is that an outer surface layer of the scouring pad of the invention can be removed to expose a clean surface, thereby prolonging the useful life of the scouring pad. Any one or a combination of several ways achieves this.

In a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the scouring pad is made conventionally, except that it preferably has a greater thickness than a conventional scouring pad. For instance, the scouring pad may have a thickness of about three inches, as compared with conventional scouring pads that typically have a thickness no greater than about one inch. When the exterior surface of the pad becomes soiled so that it is no longer suitable for use, the material or fibers of the pad at one edge are grasped and separated at a suitable depth from the soiled surface, e.g., about one-half inch, and pulled back away from the body of the pad, forming a layer that is carefully peeled away from the body of the pad, thereby exposing a clean surface. The relatively thick pad permits a layer to be removed that has sufficient thickness to avoid tearing of the layer. That is, by peeling off a sufficiently thick layer the fibers of the pad will separate relatively uniformly along a plane parallel to one of the surfaces of the pad.

Depending upon the material and construction of the pad, it may be possible in some instances to separate the fibers uniformly along a plane to enable a thinner layer to be peeled away, as shown in FIG. 2.

A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the fibers or material of the pad are connected only at spaced locations lying in a plane extending transversely through the body of the pad. This facilitates separation of soiled layers of the pad along the planes where the material of the pad is connected only at a number of locations. The disconnected areas can be formed by any suitable means, such as by making a series of cuts or slits laterally through the body of the pad from one or more edges of the pad, parallel to one of the outer surfaces, or by using a suitable media during manufacture of the pad to prevent connection of the fibers at predetermined locations. This creates weak areas of uncut material near the lateral sides that can be easily torn apart.

A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, wherein one or more apertured separation sheets are embedded in the pad during its manufacture to prevent adherence or connection of the fibers of the pad at predetermined locations lying in a plane parallel to one of the pad surfaces, thereby facilitating separation of a layer of the pad to expose a clean surface.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, a scouring pad is adhered at one side to a sponge. The scouring pad preferably is constructed so that layers of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface. This can be achieved as in the previous embodiments, or the scouring pad can be made in thin layers and adhesively laminated together.

A fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. This embodiment comprises a sponge that has a plurality of cuts or slits formed laterally through the body of the sponge, forming weakened areas lying in a plane parallel to one of the surfaces of the pad to permit thin layers of the sponge to be peeled off to expose a clean surface.

Alternatively, inserts can be placed inside the mold cavity during manufacture of the sponge, arranged in such a way that the material of the sponge is kept separated at predetermined locations during the injection process, thus forming planes of weakness in the sponge body along which a layer of sponge can be separated from the main body.

A variation of the scouring pad is shown in FIG. 11, wherein the pad has the shape of a truncated pyramid. This provides a larger base than top, whereby the pad can be used to clean in corners, or against adjacent vertical surfaces, without the sides of the pad coming into contact with the adjacent surface. Also, this configuration avoids bumping of the user's fingers against adjacent surfaces when the pad is being used close to adjacent vertical surfaces and the like.

A similar configuration of the sponge is shown in FIG. 12. The truncated pyramid shaped sponge has the same advantages as the pad discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a scouring pad according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a variation of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a scouring pad according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the pad of FIG. 3, showing a layer of the pad being peeled away to expose a clean surface.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of scouring pad according to the invention, showing use of a separation sheet to define areas of weakness lying in a plane to facilitate separation of a layer of the pad along the plane.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein a scouring pad having areas of weakness to facilitate peeling off layers of the pad is laminated at one side to a sponge.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing a layer of the scouring pad being peeled away.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the cleaning pad is a sponge.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the sponge of FIG. 9, showing a layer of the sponge being peeled away.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of a modified scouring pad, wherein the pad has the shape of a truncated pyramid.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a modified sponge, wherein the sponge has the shape of a truncated pyramid.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The scouring pad 10 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 essentially comprises a bundle of tangled fibers compressed together into a porous mass, and has a thickness “t” sufficient to permit one or more layers 11 of substantially uniform thickness to be separated from the body of the pad by breaking or separating the material of the pad, i.e., the fibers, along a plane parallel to a surface S of the pad. Thus, when the surface S becomes soiled and is no longer suitable for use, the material of the pad can be grasped at one edge of the pad and pulled away from the pad body, breaking apart the fibers along a plane substantially parallel to the soiled surface, so that a layer of substantially uniform thickness can be pulled away to expose a clean surface. To insure separation of a layer having substantially uniform thickness, the plane of separation should be spaced approximately one-half inch from the soiled surface, although in some instances it may be possible to separate a relatively thin layer 12 as shown in FIG. 2, depending upon the composition and structure of the pad 10′.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of cuts or slits 13 are made in the scouring pad 14, extending laterally across the interior of the pad body from one or more edges thereof. The cuts form areas of weakness lying in spaced parallel planes along which successive layers 15 of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface when desired. The areas of weakness may be formed during manufacture of the pad, or post manufacture, and may be made by any suitable means, including cutting blades, laser, mold inserts, etc. The provision of weakened areas facilitates removal of a layer from the pad, and enables separation from the pad of layers that are thinner than in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a third embodiment, wherein one or more spaced apart parallel separation sheets 20 are embedded in the scouring pad 21 during its manufacture. The sheets 20 separate the material of the pad in predetermined locations between adjacent layers, forming planes of weakness along which a layer can be separated from the pad. The sheets have openings 22 formed therein through which the material of adjacent layers is connected or joined to form a one-piece, unitary body. To facilitate grasping of an edge portion to initiate separation of a layer, the sheets can extend in selected locations through the edge of the pad, whereby portions of the material between adjacent layers at the edge of the pad are not attached and can be easily separated or spread apart to initiate tearing.

A variation of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, wherein the holes or openings 22′ through the separation sheet 20′ are differently shaped and extend through at least one edge of the pad body so that the material of the pad is joined in those areas 23 at the edge of the pad.

A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, wherein a scouring pad 25 is laminated with a sponge 26. The sponge is conventional, but the scouring pad is manufactured so that a layer or layers 27 of the pad can be removed when the outer surface S becomes soiled. To this end, a plurality of cuts or slits 13 can be made in the scouring pad, extending laterally across the interior of the pad from one or more edges thereof to define areas of weakness along which a layer of the pad can be removed, or the scouring pad can comprise a tangled compressed bundle of fibers, as in embodiment 1, that will break when pulled, thus allowing separation of the layer.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 8, the pad 28 can be formed in separate layers 29 that are then laminated together by use of an adhesive 30, or a heat seal, or other suitable attaching means. In this regard, the attachment between adjacent layers must be such as to permit a layer to be readily separated from the pad when desired, but strong enough to hold the layers together during use.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein the cleaning pad comprises a sponge 40. The sponge is manufactured of conventional materials using essentially conventional manufacturing methods, but either during manufacture or post manufacture, one or more cuts or slits 41 are formed laterally through the sponge body from one or more edges thereof, defining areas of weakness lying in one or more spaced apart parallel planes that are parallel to a surface S of the sponge. Layers 42 of the sponge may be separated from the sponge body along these planes to expose a clean surface when the outer surface becomes soiled.

A variation of the FIGS. 1 and 2 embodiment is shown at 50 in FIG. 11. In this figure, the scouring pad 50 has the shape of a truncated pyramid. For example, the base 51 could measure five inches on a side, the top 52 could measure three inches on a side, and the height “h” of the pad could measure three inches. Other dimensions could be used to obtain the same result. For instance, the base and top could be rectangular rather than square as shown in FIG. 11. Layers 53 of this scouring pad could be peeled away to expose a clean surface, represented in broken lines, just as in the previous embodiments.

A variation of the sponge is shown at 60 in FIG. 12, wherein the sponge is shaped as a truncated pyramid. For example, the base 61 could measure five inches on a side, the top 62 could measure three inches on a side, and the height “h” of the sponge could measure three inches. Other dimensions could be used to obtain the same result. For instance, the base and top could be rectangular rather than square as shown in FIG. 12. Cuts or areas of separation 63 may be formed in this sponge to facilitate separation of layers 64, just as in the previous embodiments.

Although particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning pad in which an outer, soiled surface of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface, said cleaning pad comprising a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary body formed of a material capable of being separated along planes parallel to the soiled surface so that a layer of the material containing the soiled surface can be peeled away from the pad to expose the clean surface.

2. A cleaning pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said material comprises a sponge material.

3. A cleaning pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said material comprises a compressed bundle of tangled fibers.

4. A cleaning pad as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pad has the shape of a truncated pyramid.

5. A scouring pad in which an outer, soiled surface layer of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface, comprising:

a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary scouring pad body formed of a material adapted for scouring a surface, said material being interrupted in predetermined locations to define a weakened area lying in a plane parallel to the soiled surface and along which the material may be separated in a layer to expose a clean surface.

6. A scouring pad as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more cuts made in the pad, extending laterally across the interior of the pad from at least one edge thereof.

7. A scouring pad as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more separation sheets embedded in the material of the pad, said sheets having at least one opening through which the material is connected between adjacent layers.

8. A cleaning pad, comprising:

a scouring pad laminated to a sponge, said scouring pad formed in separable layers that may be peeled off the pad to expose a clean surface when an outer surface of the scouring pad becomes soiled.

9. A sponge in which an outer, soiled surface layer of the sponge can be removed to expose a clean surface, comprising:

a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary sponge body formed of a sponge-like material, said material being interrupted in predetermined locations to define a weakened area lying in a plane parallel to the soiled surface and along which the material may be separated in a layer to expose a clean surface.

10. A sponge as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more cuts made in the sponge, extending laterally across the interior of the sponge from at least one edge thereof.

11. A sponge as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sponge has the shape of a truncated pyramid.

12. A method of exposing a clean surface on a scouring pad when a surface thereof becomes soiled, comprising the steps of:

providing a unitary, integrally formed, one-piece scouring pad having a first predetermined thickness and made of a material capable of being separated;

grasping a second predetermined thickness of the material at an edge portion of the pad and peeling the material back to remove a layer of the material to expose said clean surface.

13. A method of exposing a clean surface on a sponge when a surface thereof becomes soiled, comprising the steps of:

providing a unitary, integrally formed, one-piece sponge having a first predetermined thickness and made of a material capable of being separated;

grasping a second predetermined thickness of the material at an edge portion of the sponge and peeling the material back to remove a layer of the material to expose said clean surface.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, including the steps of:

forming cuts or slits in the body of the sponge to define weakened areas along which the layer of material is removed.