Patent Application
20120117744
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cleaning tool to clean an object to be cleaned.
2. Description of the related Art
Japanese non-examined laid-open Patent Publication No. H09-154791 discloses a cleaning tool which includes a cleaning cloth and a handle for detachably holding the cleaning cloth. A long head part (holding part) is formed on the end of the handle, and the cleaning cloth is held by the head by inserting the head into a receiving region of the cleaning cloth.
On the other hand, in designing a cleaning tool of this type in which a cleaning element is held by a holding part of a cleaning element holder, it is required to provide a structure which allows the holding part to deflect in more directions such that various types of cleaning operation can be performed according to the kind and location of the object to be cleaned. However, the known cleaning tool is capable of cleaning an object to be cleaned by using the cleaning cloth held by the handle, but deflection of the holding part (head part) having a plate-like shape and inserted into the receiving region of the cleaning cloth is almost limited in the vertical direction, so that it is difficult to secure directional freedom of deflection of the holding part during cleaning operation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a cleaning tool with a holding part with directional freedom of deflection for a smoother cleaning operation.
The above-described problem can be solved by the features of the claimed invention. This invention can be applied to the construction of cleaning tools for cleaning objects to be cleaned which include regions to be cleaned (floors, walls, windows, ceilings, external walls, posts, furniture, clothes, curtains, blinds, bedding, lighting, electrical cords, home electric appliances, etc.) inside and outside of houses, apartments, buildings, factories, vehicles, etc. and regions of human body parts to be cleaned. These regions to be cleaned may be either flat or curved, uneven or stepped.
A cleaning element holder according to this invention is an elongate cleaning element holder for holding a cleaning element to be used for cleaning an object to be cleaned and includes at least a grip part and a holding part. The grip part is designed to be held by user's hand. The holding part extends from the grip part in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder and is designed to hold the cleaning element. The grip part and the holding part may be inseparably formed as one piece, or they may be separably formed. One or more holding parts extending from the grip part are provided as necessary.
In the cleaning element holder of this invention, particularly, the holding part has deflection displacement characteristics at least in a first direction transverse to an extending direction of the holding part and a second direction transverse to the first direction. The holding part is allowed to deflect around a part between the grip part and the holding part, or typically around a connection between the grip part and the holding part or around a root of the holding part. Preferably, when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the first direction to an end of the holding part in the extending direction, the holding part deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the second direction to the end of the holding part, the holding part deflects 25 to 55 degrees in the second direction. The angle of deflection displacement of the holding part is typically defined as an angle formed between an extending line of the yet-to-be deflected holding part and a line connecting an end of the deflected holding part and a support point of the deflection. With such a deflection displacement characteristic, in a cleaning operation which is performed by lightly pressing the cleaning element against an object to be cleaned, the holding part can be deflected by proper deflection displacement appropriate to the load. Further, generally constant deflection displacement can be allowed in both the first and second directions, so that the holding part can be provided with directional freedom of deflection.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, when a load of 0.5 N is applied to the end in the first direction, the holding part deflects 6 to 50 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 0.5 N is applied to the end in the second direction, the holding part deflects 8 to 35 degrees in the second direction. With such a deflection displacement characteristic, in a cleaning operation which is performed by very lightly and softly sliding the cleaning element without pressing it against the object to be cleaned, the holding part can be deflected by proper deflection displacement appropriate to the load.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, when a load of 4.7 N is applied to the end in the first direction, the holding part deflects 35 to 85 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 4.7 N is applied to the end in the second direction, the holding part deflects 45 to 83 degrees in the second direction. With such a deflection displacement characteristic, in a cleaning operation which is performed by quite securely pressing the cleaning element against the object to be cleaned, the holding part can be deflected by proper deflection displacement appropriate to the load.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, an extent of the holding part along the first direction decreases toward the end from a connection. As for the manner of decreasing the extent of the holding part along the first direction and the manner of increasing the extent of the holding part along the second direction, for example, the manner of decreasing or increasing it in a straight or curved line or a stepped form can be appropriately selected. Thus, the cleaning element holder can be provided with the holding part having an extent along the first direction which decreases toward the end from the connection.
Further, such a construction is effective in more delicate wiping operation using the end of the holding part. Further, the end can absorb a primary contact pressure between the holding part and the object to be cleaned, so that this construction is also effective in providing the user with a soft feel in use. Moreover, in the holding part, the connection is provided with a higher rigidity than the end, so that the user can be readily convinced that the cleaning element holder has a high strength.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, an extent of the holding part along the first direction is constant in the extending direction of the holding part. Thus, the cleaning element holder can be provided with the holding part having an extent along the first direction which is constant in the extending direction of the holding part.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, one side of the holding part along the first direction is recessed in the first direction. With such a construction, by provision of the recess formed in the end of the holding part, the holding part can easily deflect in the first direction.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, a plurality of the holding parts are provided, and the holding parts are disposed side by side in the second direction and extend from the grip part in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder, and an insert space for the object to be cleaned is provided between the holding parts disposed side by side.
With such a construction, an object to be cleaned can be held between the adjacent holding parts and wiped under appropriate load. For example, when wiping a wider object to be cleaned than the insert space, the wider object inserted into the insert space can be held between the easily deflected holding parts and wiped under appropriate load. Further, by holding the object between the holding parts and further twisting the holding parts around the longitudinal axis, even a narrower or thinner object to be cleaned than the insert space can be wiped under appropriate load with the cleaning element reliably held in close contact with the object
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, a distance between the holding parts disposed side by side is constant in the extending direction of the holding element and an extent of each of the holding parts along the second direction increases toward the end from the connection between the holding part and the grip part. As for the manner of increasing the extent of the holding part along the second direction, for example, the manner of increasing it in a straight or curved line or a stepped form can be appropriately selected.
With such a construction, the spacing between the holding parts is secured and prevented from becoming wider than necessary. This is effective in avoiding the user from having an image that it has a poor molding accuracy (poor quality) due to a sink generated during molding (a dent or depression generated by flow or shrinkage of material) or that the spacing between the holding parts is widened due to continued use. Further, in the state in which the holding parts having the second extent along the second direction which increases toward the end are placed side by side, the cleaning element holder is well balanced as a whole, so that the cleaning element holder can effectively give a better impression in its appearance on the user.
In a further embodiment of the cleaning element holder according to this invention, preferably, when a load of 2.5 N is applied to the end, the holding part deflects such that an amount of displacement in the second direction is smaller than an amount of displacement in the first direction. With such a construction, the amount of displacement in the second direction is reduced, which is effective in securing a load under which the cleaning element can be readily held in closer contact with the object to be cleaned when holding the object between the adjacent holding parts.
A cleaning element holder according to another embodiment of this invention is an elongate cleaning element holder for holding a cleaning element to be used for cleaning an object to be cleaned. The cleaning element holder includes a grip part to be held by user's hand, and a plurality of holding parts which are disposed side by side in a second direction and extend from the grip part in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder and hold the cleaning element. Particularly, each of the holding parts has deflection displacement characteristics at least in the second direction and a first direction transverse to the second direction. The holding part is allowed to deflect around a part between the grip part and the holding part, or typically around a connection between the grip part and the holding part or around a root of the holding part. With such a construction, the cleaning element holder can be provided with the holding part having directional freedom of deflection.
A cleaning tool according to this invention includes at least a cleaning element to be used for cleaning an object to be cleaned, and an elongate cleaning element holder for holding the cleaning element.
The cleaning element includes a fiber assembly formed by a plurality of fibers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element, a nonwoven fabric laminate formed by a plurality of nonwoven fabric sheets, a bonded part for bonding the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric laminate which are overlaid one on the other, and an insert region into which a holding part is inserted. The fiber assembly is formed by a plurality of fibers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element. Typically, the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element is also defined as an extending direction of the holding part in a state in which the cleaning element holder is attached to the cleaning element. The nonwoven fabric laminate is formed by a plurality of nonwoven fabric sheets. The bonded part is designed as bonded portions for bonding the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric laminate which are overlaid one on the other. The bonded part includes a bonded portion for bonding the fiber assembly in its entirety or in part, a bonded portion for bonding the nonwoven fabric laminate in its entirety or in part, and a bonded portion for bonding the fiber assembly in its entirety or in part and the nonwoven fabric laminate in its entirety or in part. The insert region is designed as a region which is defined by the plurality of nonwoven fabric sheets and the bonded part and receives the holding part. The insert region can be typically formed by an insert hole, a slit, a cut or the like into which the holding part can be inserted. As for the cleaning element holder, the above-described cleaning element holder can be used.
With such a construction, a cleaning tool having a cleaning element holder is provided in which the holding part can be provided with directional freedom of deflection and the holding part can be deflected by proper deflection displacement appropriate to the load.
Further, the cleaning element according to this invention may be of disposable type designed for single use, disposable type designed for multiple use which can be used several times, while holding dust or dirt which has been removed from the object to be cleaned, or reusable type which can be reused by washing.
As described above, according to this invention, in a cleaning tool in which a cleaning element for cleaning an object to be cleaned is held by a holding part of a cleaning element holder, the holding part can be provided with directional freedom of deflection so that smoother cleaning operation can be realized. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood after reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings and the claims.
Each of the additional features and method steps disclosed above and below may be utilized separately or in conjunction with other features and method steps to provide and manufacture improved cleaning element holders and cleaning tools and method for using such cleaning tools and cleaning element holders, and devices utilized therein. Representative examples of the present invention, which examples utilized many of these additional features and method steps in conjunction, will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to teach a person skilled in the art further details for practicing preferred aspects of the present teachings and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed within the following detailed description may not be necessary to practice the invention in the broadest sense, and are instead taught merely to particularly describe some representative examples of the invention, which detailed description will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A structure of a cleaning tool 100 as one embodiment of a “cleaning tool” according to the present invention is now explained with reference to the drawings. The cleaning tool 100 is configured as the cleaning tool which is used for cleaning an object to be cleaned. Objects to be cleaned typically include regions to be cleaned (floors, walls, windows, ceilings, external walls, posts, furniture, clothes, curtains, blinds, bedding, lighting, electrical cords, home electric appliances, etc.) inside and outside of houses, apartments, buildings, factories, vehicles (motor vehicles), etc. and regions of human body parts to be cleaned. These object to be cleaned may have a planar structure or a three-dimensional structure. These regions to be cleaned may be either flat or curved, uneven or stepped.
The cleaning element 110 has a function of wiping, sweeping or scraping dust, dirt or contamination on a region to be cleaned (hereinafter also referred to as “object to be removed”) on an object to be cleaned. The cleaning element 110 is in a sheet-like or plate-like form at the time of purchase or in initial unused state, and in use, it is loosened such that its volume is increased in the direction of the sheet thickness. The cleaning element 110 is a rectangular sheet in plan view, extending in a predetermined longitudinal direction (the direction of the length), and has a layered structure in which a plurality of sheets (a cleaning element sheet part 116 and a holding sheet part 112 which are described below) having the same planar shape are overlaid one on the other, which will be explained in more detail below. The cleaning element 110 herein is a feature that corresponds to the “cleaning element” according to this invention.
Further, the cleaning element 110 may also have a square or other shape in plan view as necessary. The cleaning element 110 having a rectangular or square shape in plan view is designed such that its corners are right-angled or rounded as necessary. The cleaning element 110 may be of disposable type designed for single use, disposable type designed for multiple use which can be used several times, while holding the object to be removed which has been removed from the region to be cleaned, on the brush portion, or reusable type which can be reused by washing.
The cleaning element holder 130 is removably attached to the cleaning element 110 constructed as described above. The cleaning element holder 130 is an elongate member including a holder body 140 and a handle 150 connected to each other. The cleaning element holder 130 is typically formed of synthetic resin material. The cleaning element holder 130 herein is a feature that corresponds to the “cleaning element holder” according to this invention. The handle 150 includes a handle body 151 extending in an elongate form, and the handle body 151 is connected to the holder body 140 via a connection 141. The handle body 151 of the handle 150 is a part to be held by user's hand. An appropriate structure of the cleaning element holder 130 includes a structure in which the holder body 140 and the handle 150 (the handle body 151 and the connection 141) are separately formed and designed to be assembled together, a structure in which the holder body 140 and the handle 150 are integrally formed together with the connection 141, a structure in which two of the holder body 140, the handle 150 and the connection 141 are integrally formed. The handle 150 and the handle body 151 herein form the “grip” according to this invention.
The holder body 140 has a function of detachably holding the cleaning element 110. The holder body 140 includes a pair of right and left holding parts 142. The pair of right and left holding parts 142 herein are disposed side by side in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the handle 150 when the longitudinal direction of the handle 150 is defined as a longitudinal direction of the cleaning tool.
The pair of holding parts 142 extend forward in the longitudinal direction from the connection 141 to an end 143 and in parallel (side by side) with a predetermined spacing therebetween on the same plane. The connection 141 and the end 143 are features that correspond to the “connection” and the “end”, respectively, according to this invention. The holder body 140 has a bifurcated form having the holding parts 142. Preferably, each of the holding parts 142 typically has an extending length of 100 to 180 mm in the longitudinal direction. Each of the holding parts 142 has a protruding piece 146 protruding outward from the outer edge of the holding part 142. One or more protruding pieces 146 are preferably provided in the longitudinal direction of the holding part 142. With this construction, a region of the holding part 142 which has the protruding piece 146 forms a large-width portion having the largest extent in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, each of the holding parts 142 is formed of synthetic resin material or particularly olefinic thermoplastic elastomer resin by injection molding and has a flexural modulus of about 310 MPa. The holding parts 142 herein form the “holding part” according to this invention.
Further, in this specification, the extending direction of the holding parts 142 in the longitudinal direction is defined as the “longitudinal direction of the cleaning element” with respect to the cleaning tool 100 and the cleaning element 110, and the direction of parallel placement of the pair holding parts 142 or the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the holding parts 142 is defined as the “lateral direction of the cleaning element” with respect to the cleaning tool 100 and the cleaning element 110. Further, a region of the end 143 of the holding part 142 with the cleaning element attached to the cleaning element holder is defined as the “front end region of the cleaning element” or the “front of the cleaning element”, and a region of the connection 141 of the holding part 142 is defined as the “rear end region of the cleaning element” or the “rear of the cleaning element”.
Each of the holding parts 142 can be inserted into an associated insert region (an insert hole 115 which is described below) formed in the cleaning element 110 and has a function of holding the cleaning element 110 in the inserted state. In the inserted state, the holding parts 142 are fitted in the insert region of the cleaning element 110 by close sliding contact, so that the cleaning element 110 is securely attached to the cleaning element 110. Further, in the inserted state, the large-width portions or the protruding pieces 146 of the holding parts 142 serve as a stopper for preventing the cleaning element 110 from coming off. With this construction, in the inserted state in which each of the holding parts 142 is inserted into the insert region of the cleaning element 110, the cleaning element 110 is reliably retained as being prevented from coming off by the holder body 140.
The specific structure of the above-described holding parts 142 is now explained in more detail with reference to
As shown in
The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are features that correspond to the “first direction” and the “second direction”, respectively, according to this invention.
The construction in which the first extent dl of the holding part 142 decreases toward the end 143 from the connection 141 is effective in more delicate wiping operation using the end 143 of the holding part 142. Further, the end 143 can absorb a primary contact pressure between the holding part 142 and the object to be cleaned, so that this construction is also effective in providing the user with a soft feel in use. Moreover, the connection 141 is provided with a higher rigidity than the end 143 in the holding part 142, so that the user can be readily convinced that the cleaning element holder has a high strength.
Further, with the construction in which the second extent d2 of the holding part 142 increases toward the end 143 from the connection 141, the cleaning element holder is well balanced as a whole with the pair holding parts placed side by side, so that the cleaning element holder can effectively give a better impression in its appearance on the user.
The first extent dl and the second extent d2 of the holding part 142 can be appropriately changed as necessary, for example, according to the specifications of the holding part. For example, the holding part may have the first extent dl which decreases toward the end 143 from the connection 141 and the second extent d2 which is constant (“the same”, “equal”, “even” or “uniform”) in the extending direction or decreases toward the end 143 from the connection 141. Or, the holding part may have the first extent dl which is constant in the extending direction or increases toward the end 143 from the connection 141 and the second extent d2 which increases toward the end 143 from the connection 141.
Particularly, by provision of the holding part having the first extent dl which is constant in the extending direction, the spacing between the holding parts is secured and prevented from becoming wider than necessary. This is effective in avoiding the user from having an image that it has a poor molding accuracy (poor quality) due to a sink generated during molding (a dent or depression generated by flow or shrinkage of material) or that the spacing between the holding parts is widened due to continued use.
Further, in this embodiment, the end 143 of the holding part 142 has an upper surface (one side in the first direction D1) in the form of an inclined surface 144 inclined with respect to the extending direction of the holding part. Further, the end 143 has a lower surface (the other side in the first direction D1) in the form of a recessed surface 145 recessed upward in the first direction D1 (to one side in the first direction DD. The inclined surface 144 of the holding part 142 is effective in realizing ease of insertion of the holding part 142 into the insertion hole of the cleaning element 110. The recessed surface 145 of the end 143 of the holding part 142 is effective in realizing ease of deflection of the holding part 142 in the first direction Dl. This construction is a feature that corresponds to the construction in which “one side along the first direction is recessed in the first direction” according to this invention. The inclined surface 144 and the recessed surface 145 can be appropriately omitted as necessary.
Further, in this embodiment, the pair holding parts 142 are disposed side by side with a spacing in the second direction D2 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder 130. An insert space 147 between the holding parts 142 is designed as a space for receiving and holding an object to be cleaned from the both sides. Preferably, the width of the space 147 is typically 12 to 25 mm. The insert space 147 herein is a feature that corresponds to the “insert space” according to this invention.
The holding part 142 has predetermined deflection displacement characteristics (“deflection characteristics” or “bending elastic deformation characteristics”) and predetermined deflection recovery characteristics (“elastic recovery characteristics” or “bending elastic recovery characteristics”) around the connection 141, in the directions of 360 degrees including at least the first direction D1 transverse to the extending direction of the holding part and the second direction D2 transverse to the first direction D1, or around the axis of the holding part 142 (in all the radial directions on a plane transverse to the extending direction of the holding part 142).
The deflection displacement characteristics can be measured, for example, by a deflection displacement measuring method as shown in
Inventors have actually measured the deflection displacement characteristics. They have repeatedly conducted the measurements about five to ten times and validated the reproducibility of the measurement results. In a cleaning operation which is performed by inserting a wider object to be cleaned than the insert space 147 into the insert space 147 between the holding parts 142, such deflection displacement characteristics are effective in efficiently performing a smooth wiping movement under appropriate load without need of application of a large load. Specifically, when objects to be cleaned having respective diameters of about 30 mm, 50 mm and 65 mm are inserted into the insert space 147, loads of 0.6 to 0.7 N, 1.5 to 1.7 N and 2.1 to 3.0 N can be provided on the respective objects to be cleaned. Further, when an object to be cleaned having a diameter of about 15 mm is inserted into the insert space 147, and twists of 45 degrees and 90 degrees is applied to the cleaning element holder 130 around its axis, loads of 0.3 to 0.5 N and 0.6 to 1.5 N can be provided on the cleaning element holder by the respective twists.
The load of 0.5 N is intended for a cleaning operation which is performed by very lightly and softly sliding the cleaning element without pressing it against the object to be cleaned. The load of 4.7 N is intended for a cleaning operation which is performed by quite securely pressing the cleaning element against the object to be cleaned. The load of 2.7 N is intended for a moderate cleaning operation intermediate between the cleaning operation under the load of 0.5 N and the cleaning operation under the load of 4.7 N and in which the cleaning element is lightly pressed against the object to be cleaned by moderate strength. The load range of 0.5 to 4.7 N intended for cleaning operations in this embodiment is defined as a load range in which the user's hand does not get easily fatigued during cleaning operation.
The holding part 142 needs to have deflection recovery characteristics of quickly recovering to its original form when the load is taken off the holding part 142. The deflection recovery characteristics can be confirmed by a deflection recovery rate (%) obtained from an equation of (recovery displacement)/(deflection displacement upon application of load)×100, for example, by using the same device used for measuring the deflection displacement characteristics as shown in
Inventors have actually measured the deflection recovery characteristics. As a result of the measurements, when the deflection displacement upon application of load is 30 mm, 50 mm and 65 mm, it is confirmed that the holding part 142 of this embodiment has a simple deflection recovery rate R1 of 99 to 100%. It is also confirmed that the holding part 142 of this embodiment has a repeated deflection recovery rate R2 of 97 to 99% when the deflection displacement upon application of load is 30 mm, 50 mm and 65 mm Further, it is also confirmed that the holding part 142 of this embodiment has a deflection recovery rate with lapse of time R3 of 95 to 97% when the deflection displacement upon application of load is 30 mm, 50 mm and 65 mm These measurements were repeatedly conducted about five to ten times in order to obtain each recovery rate and the reproducibility of the measurement results were validated. With such deflection recovery characteristics, deflection recovery is performed at a high rate of over 90% for any of the deflection recovery rates R1, R2, R3. Therefore, the deflection recovery characteristics are effective in repeatedly performing a cleaning operation or performing a cleaning operation for a long hour.
The sectional shape of the holding part 142 can be appropriately changed as necessary, such as circular, elliptical, semicircular, semi-elliptical, triangular, rectangular or polygonal shape, V-, Y- or X-shape or stelliform shape.
As for the predetermined deflection displacement characteristics, the holding part preferably has at least a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 2.5 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction D1 and 25 to 55 degrees in the second direction D2. Further, preferably, the holding part further has a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 0.5 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects 6 to 50 degrees in the first direction D1 and 8 to 35 degrees in the second direction D2. Further, preferably, the holding part further has a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 4.7 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects 35 to 85 degrees in the first direction D1 and 45 to 83 degrees in the second direction D2.
Further, in the case of the holding part 124 having the extending length of, for example, 110 mm, preferably, the holding part further has at least a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 2.5 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects by the amount of displacement of 29 to 98 mm in the first direction D1 and 45 to 83 mm in the second direction D2. Further, preferably, the holding part further has a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 0.5 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects by the amount of displacement of 11 to 81 mm in the first direction D1 and 15 to 60 mm in the second direction D2. Further, preferably, the holding part further has a deflection displacement characteristic that, when a load of 4.7 N is applied to the end 143, the holding part deflects by the amount of displacement of 60 to 100 mm in the first direction D1 and 74 to 99 mm in the second direction D2.
Further, in the case of the holding part 124 having the extending length of over 110 mm, the above-described range of the amount of displacement for each load shifts upward, while, in the case of the holding part 124 having the extending length shorter than 110 mm, the above-described range of the amount of displacement for each load shifts downward. Further, when a selected extending length of the holding part 124 is, for example, out of the range of 100 to 180 mm, a sectional shape of the holding part which has a deflection displacement characteristic that it deflects at least within the above-described angular range can be appropriately selected.
With the cleaning element holder 130 having the above-described construction, by the above-described deflection displacement characteristics of the holding part 142, generally constant deflection displacement can be allowed in all directions, so that the holding part 142 can be provided with directional freedom of deflection. Further, the holding part 142 deflects by proper deflection displacement appropriate to the load. Therefore, the cleaning operation can be performed without concern for orientation (for example, whether the right side or the wrong side) of the cleaning element 110. Further, portions of the cleaning element 110 which are not used for cleaning operation so much in a conventional technique can be effectively used, so that smoother cleaning operation can be realized. Further, even if a relatively heavy load is applied to the cleaning element holder 130, an excessive load can be absorbed and lessened by deflection of the holding part 142, so that delicate wiping operation can be always performed on the object to be cleaned. Even in wiping an uneven object to be cleaned or a very narrow region, such a cleaning element holder 130 can exert a desired cleaning effect by sliding the holding part along the region to be cleaned.
Further, with the cleaning element holder 130 of this embodiment, an object to be cleaned can be held between the pair holding parts 142 and wiped under appropriate load. For example, when wiping a wider object to be cleaned than the insert space 147, the wider object inserted into the insert space 147 can be held between the easily deflected holding parts 142 and wiped under appropriate load. Further, by holding the object between the holding parts 142 and further twisting the holding parts 142 around the longitudinal axis, even a narrower or thinner object to be cleaned than the insert space 147 can be wiped under appropriate load by reliably holding the cleaning element 110 in close contact with the object.
As for the cleaning operation of holding and wiping the object to be cleaned between the pair holding parts 142, preferably, when a load of 2.5 N is applied to the end 143, each of the holding parts 142 deflects such that the amount of displacement in the second direction D2 (in the lateral direction) is smaller than the amount of displacement in the first direction D1 (in the vertical direction). With this construction, the amount of displacement in the second direction D2 is reduced, which is effective in securing a load under which the cleaning element 110 can be readily held in closer contact with the object to be cleaned when holding the object between the holding parts 142.
Further, the cleaning element holder 130 of this embodiment is constructed such that the first extent dl of the holding part 142 decreases toward the end 143 from the connection 141. Such a construction is effective in more delicate wiping operation using the end 143 of the holding part 142. Further, the end 143 can absorb a primary contact pressure between the holding part 142 and the object to be cleaned, so that this construction is also effective in providing the user with a soft feel in use. Moreover, the connection 141 is provided with a higher rigidity than the end 143 in the holding part 142, so that the user can be readily convinced that the cleaning element holder 130 has a high strength.
Now, the specific structure of the above-described cleaning element 110 is explained in more detail with reference to
As shown in
Further, as shown in
Particularly, as shown in
A space defined by the pair holding sheets 114 opposed to each other in the holding sheet part 112 is configured as an insert space in the form of the insert hole 115 extending in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts 124 in order to allow insertion of the holding parts 142. At this time, the base sheet 113 which protrudes from the holding sheets 114 to the side of insertion of the holding parts 142 can smoothly guide the holding parts 142 into an opening 115a of the insert hole 115. The longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts 124 is typically also defined as the extending direction of the holding parts 142 in a state in which the cleaning element holder 130 is attached to the cleaning element 110. The insert hole 115 herein is a feature that corresponds to the “insert region” according to this invention. Any insert region, such as a slit and a cut, into which the holding part can be inserted may also be used in place of the insert hole 115.
As shown in
Further, the holding sheet part 112 and the cleaning element sheet parts 116 which are described above are fusion-bonded together via a bonded part 123 in the state in which the cleaning element sheet parts 116 are overlaid on the both sides of the holding sheet part 112. The bonded part 123 is configured as an assembly of a plurality of bonding lines (also referred to as the “fusion-bonding lines”) which continuously extend along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element.
In this embodiment, the bonded parts 121, 123 constructed as described above have at least two functions by fusion bonding. The first function (hereinafter also referred to as the “first function of the bonded part”) is to form the insert hole 115 into which the holding parts 142 can be inserted in a desired manner between the pair holding sheets 114. The second function (hereinafter also referred to as the “second function of the bonded part”) is to bond the holding sheet part 112 and the cleaning element sheet parts 116 together to thereby form a brush portion having a desired shape formed by the cleaning element sheet parts 116 on the holding sheet part 112. The bonded parts 121, 123 constructed as described above form the “bonded part” according to this invention. Further, as for the manner of bonding the bonded parts 121, 123, alternatively or in addition to fusion bonding, gluing, fastening, seaming or other bonding manners may be used.
Here, the first and second functions by the bonded parts 121, 123 are described in more detail with reference to
As shown in
Specifically, the bonded part 121 is designed as a bonded part which defines the inner side (the space 125 side) of the insert hole 115 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110 (in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part 124). The bonded part 121 includes a bonding line 121a, a bonding line 121b and a bonding line 121c which are arranged in this order from an opening 115a side of the insert hole 115 toward the front end of the cleaning element 110 and connected to each other. In other words, in the bonded part 121, a single extending line is continuously formed by the bonding lines 121a, 121b, 121c. The bonding lines 121a, 121c extend straight substantially in the same direction as the direction of insertion of the holding part 142 into the insert hole 115, and the bonding line 121c is disposed outward of the bonding line 121a (on the opposite side from the space 125). The bonding line 121b is configured as an intermediate bonding line which is obliquely formed between the bonding line 121a and the bonding line 121c so as to connect associated ends of the bonding lines 121a, 121c.
The bonded part 123 is designed as a bonded part which defines the opposite side of the insert hole 115 from the bonded part 121 and extends along the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110 (the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part 124). The bonded part 123 includes bonding lines 123a, 123b, 123c which are arranged in this order from the opening 115a side toward the front end of the cleaning element 110, and a bonding line 123d disposed inward of the bonding line 123a. In this embodiment, the bonding lines 123a, 123b, 123c of the bonded part 123 form a continuous single extending line. Further, the bonding lines 123a, 123b, 123c may be separated from each other by non-bonded parts formed therebetween, and/or the bonding line 123d may be omitted.
Further, in this embodiment, a predetermined relationship is preferably realized in the spacing between the bonded parts 121 and 123 which are constructed as described above. Specifically, as shown in
With such arrangement, when the holding parts 142 of the cleaning element holder 130 are inserted into the insert holes 115 of the cleaning element 110, the entire cleaning element 110 (the holding sheet part 112 and the cleaning element sheet parts 116) is gathered toward the inward or center of the cleaning element according to the distance L3 between the holding parts 142. Then the fiber assemblies of the split cleaning parts 124 which are adjacent to each other in the region (the widely spaced part) extending along the right and left bonded parts 121 move toward each other and overlap each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts 124 in the space 125, so that an overlap region 119 which is described below is formed. As a result, the volume of the cleaning element 110 can be increased to a desired extent by the split cleaning parts 124. Therefore, even if the object to be cleaned which is inserted into the space 125 between the split cleaning parts 124 is relatively small, a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained by applying an appropriate pressure to the object to be cleaned.
In order to further ensure such a cleaning effect, it is preferred that the pair holding parts 142 of the holder body 140 which are constructed as described above are formed of an elastic material which can deform at least in a direction in which the pair holding parts are spaced apart from each other, or typically a plastic material having both flexibility and shape retaining function. With such construction, the entire cleaning element 110 is reliably gathered toward the inward or center of the cleaning element by its shape retaining function of the holding parts 142, and the object to be cleaned which is inserted into the space 125 is reliably wiped due to flexibility of the holding parts 142.
Further, with the construction in which the holding parts 142 of the cleaning element holder 130 are made of non-metallic material, even if the insertion width of the object to be cleaned which is inserted into the space 125 between the split cleaning parts 124 is longer than the distance between the holding parts 142, a sufficient cleaning effect can be obtained without damaging the object to be cleaned by the holding parts 142.
Further, in this embodiment, preferably, the relationship between the distance L1 and the distance L3 is designed to be L1>L3, and their relationship with a distance L2 between a center line (an extending line of the space 125) in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element and the bonded part 123 is designed to be (L1/2-L3/2)<L2. Such configuration is designed such that an inner edge (an edge on the space 125 side) of one of the split cleaning parts 124 is not gathered over the bonded part 123 of the other split cleaning part 124, when the holding parts 142 of the cleaning element holder 130 are inserted into the insert hole 115 of the cleaning element 110.
Therefore, such configuration is effective for preventing the cleaning element 110 from excessively increasing in volume and preventing the brush portion of the split cleaning parts 124 (the holding sheet part 112 and the cleaning element sheet parts 116) from becoming entangled too much with each other to provide a suitable form for cleaning.
Further, as shown in
Specifically, the bonded part 123 includes the bonding line 123c which extends straight in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts 124 in the front end region of the cleaning element in which the front end of the holding part 142 is placed when the cleaning element holder is attached to the cleaning element, the bonding line 123b which is disposed rearward of the bonding line 123c in the cleaning element and extends straight in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part 124, and the bonding line 123a which is disposed rearward of the bonding line 123b in the cleaning element and extends straight in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part 124. Then the bonding line 123b formed between the bonding line 123a and the bonding line 123c is disposed outward of the bonding lines 123a and 123c (on the opposite side from the space 125) in the cleaning element. Further, in the bonded part 123, inclined bonded parts each are disposed between the bonding line 123a and the bonding line 123b and between the bonding line 123b and the bonding line 123c. Further, the bonded part 123 herein is designed as an outer bonded part which defines an outer side of the insert hole 115 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element 110.
With such a construction, the distance from the bonded part 123 to outer free ends of the holding sheet part 112 and the cleaning element sheet parts 116 is longer in the front and the rear of the cleaning element than in the middle of the cleaning element in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning element. Thus, when the holding part 142 of the cleaning element holder 130 is inserted into the insert hole 115 of the cleaning element 110, a contiguous contour of the bonded part 123 which is formed by the bonding lines 123a, 123b, 123c is formed in an outwardly bulged gentle curve, so that the cleaning element has a rounded shape as a whole. The cleaning element having such a rounded shape as a whole makes a soft impression on the user, and the user is emotionally convinced that the shape of the cleaning element is suitable for cleaning operation or ensures an easy cleaning operation. As a result, the user's motivation for cleaning can be effectively enhanced.
Further, by provision of the bonded part 123 constructed as described above, the length of the fiber assemblies extending outward from the bonded part 123 of each of the split cleaning parts 124 in the cleaning element is longer in the rear of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123a is formed and in the front of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123c is formed than in the middle of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123b is formed. On the other hand, the length of the fiber assemblies extending inward from the bonded parts 123 of each of the split cleaning parts 124 in the cleaning element is shorter in the rear of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123a is formed and in the front of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123c is formed than in the middle of the cleaning element in which the bonding line 123b is formed.
With such arrangement, corners of the front or rear end of the cleaning element in which the length of the fiber assemblies is relatively long come in soft contact with the object to be cleaned. Further, due to the relatively short length of the fiber assemblies extending inward in the front of the cleaning element, the object to be cleaned can be easily inserted into the space 125 between the split cleaning parts 124 (the object can be easily caught in the space 125).
Further, in this embodiment, a predetermined relationship is preferably realized between the lengths of the bonding lines in the bonded part 123 constructed as described above. Typically, the bonding lines 123a and 123c are designed to extend in the range of 15% to 30% of the longitudinal length of the split cleaning part 124 from the rear end and the front end of the cleaning element, respectively. Further, the bonding line 123a and the bonding line 123b, or the bonding line 123c and the bonding line 123b may be designed to overlap each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part 124.
Preferably, each of the holding sheets 114 and the front sheets 118 which are described above has a plurality of zigzag strips (strip portions) 114a, 118a at the both ends in its lateral direction. In this case, the holding sheets 114 and the front sheets 118 are also referred to as strip sheets. The strips 114a, 118a having such a construction are provided with a highly effective cleaning function which can easily trap dust or scrape dust out of a depression. Further, the strips 114a, 118a may have the same kind or different kinds of shape appropriately selected from various shapes, such as zigzag, linear and curved shapes. In this embodiment, each of the strips 114a, 118a extends in the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts 124 (in a direction transverse to the extending direction of the holding part 142).
The construction of a nonwoven fabric forming the above-described base sheet 113, holding sheet 114 and front sheet 118 and the construction of the fiber assembly 117 are now explained in detail.
The base sheet 113, the holding sheet 114 and the front sheet 118 can typically be formed of sheet-like nonwoven fabric comprising thermal melting fibers (thermoplastic fibers). Therefore, the base sheet 113 and the holding sheet 114 are also referred to as the “nonwoven fabric sheet”. The base sheet 113, the holding sheet 114 and the front sheet 118 herein form the “nonwoven fabric sheet” according to this invention. The nonwoven fabric has a sheet-like configuration formed by fixing or intertwining fibers by mechanical, chemical or heat treatment. The nonwoven fabric partly includes thermoplastic fibers and thus can be fusion bonded. Further, the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of strips. Examples of the thermal melting fibers (thermoplastic fibers) include polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate.
Further, the nonwoven fabric preferably comprises thermoplastic fibers having practical strength of 10 to 100 g/m2. The nonwoven fabric may be manufactured by through-air bonding, spun bonding, thermal bonding, spun lacing, point bonding, melt blowing, stitch bonding, chemical bonding, needle punching or other similar processes. This nonwoven fabric is a feature that corresponds to the “nonwoven fabric” according to this invention. In order to enhance the dust wiping function, it is preferred to use a nonwoven fabric having higher rigidity. Further, as an alternative to or in addition to the nonwoven fabric, strips made of urethane, sponge, woven fabric, net, split cloth or other similar materials may be used.
The fiber assembly 117 is a single fiber structure formed by fibers, a fiber structure having fibers aligned in the length direction and/or the radial direction (twist yarn, spun yarn, yarn to which a plurality of filaments are partially connected), or an assembly of the fiber structures. The fiber assembly 117 partially includes thermoplastic fibers and can be fusion bonded. The fibers forming the fiber assembly 117 are elements of yarn, textile or the like and defined as being thin and flexible fibers having a substantially longer length compared with the thickness. Typically, a long continuous fiber is defined as a filament and a short fiber as a staple. Like the strips 114a and 118a of the holding sheet 114 and the front sheet 118, the fibers of the fiber assembly 117 extend in elongate shape in a direction transverse to the extending direction of the holding part 142. The fiber assembly 117 is also referred to as the “fiber bundle” having a plurality of fibers in a bundle. The fiber assembly 117 herein is a feature that corresponds to the “fiber assembly” according to this invention.
Further, in this embodiment, three fiber assemblies 117 are stacked in layers, but one or more layers of fiber assemblies may be used as necessary. Preferably, the fiber assembly 117 has a planar structure having a predetermined flat or curved surface and has a three-dimensional form having a certain thickness or has a thin sheet-like form. The “fiber assembly” here is typically formed of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, rayon or the like. In practical use, an assembly of filaments formed by opening a tow is frequently used as the fiber assembly. It is particularly preferable that the fiber assembly comprises conjugated fibers having a core of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a core covering sheath of polyethylene (PE). Further, the filaments of the fiber assembly are preferred to have a fineness of 0.5 to 66 dtex. The individual fiber assembly may contain fibers of substantially the same fineness, or it may contain fibers of different finenesses. When using fibers containing thermoplastic resin, it is preferred to use at least two or more kinds of resins having different melting points (for example, resins between which the difference in the melting point is 20° C. or more).
Further, in order to enhance the dust wiping function, it is preferred to use a fiber assembly including fibers having higher rigidity or fibers having higher fineness. It is further preferred that the fiber assembly has crimped fibers. In this case, it is preferred to use crimped fibers having 5 to 30 crimps per inch. Here, the crimped fibers are fibers subjected to a predetermined crimping process and easily intertwined with each other. With the fibers being crimped, the fiber assembly becomes bulkier than before the holder is attached thereto, and dust can be easily captured by the crimped portions. This structure can be realized especially by using crimped fibers opened from a tow. Further, in order to reliably adsorb dirt, dust or the like, it is preferred to use fibers containing dust adsorbent oil.
For the fiber assembly, flat yarns or split yarns may also be used. The flat yarns are prepared by slitting a film into tapes and by stretching the tapes in the longitudinal direction. The split yarns are prepared by splitting a thermoplastic film resin in the direction perpendicular to the orientation direction of the resin so that the film is fibrillated and interconnected into a net shape. Alternatively, a nonwoven fabric which is bulky and has low fiber density, such as a through-air bonded nonwoven fabric, may be used to form the fiber assembly.
Specific effects in cleaning an object 200 to be cleaned by the cleaning tool 100 constructed as described above are now described with reference to
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but rather, may be added to, changed, replaced with alternatives or otherwise modified. For example, the following embodiments can also be performed in application of the above-described embodiment.
In this invention, the kinds and numbers of the component parts of the cleaning element 110 and the cleaning element holder 130 are not limited to those described in the above-described example, and can be selected as necessary.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning element holder 130 having the pair holding parts 142 and the cleaning element 110 having the two split cleaning parts 124 associated with the holding parts 142 are described, but in the present invention, the numbers of the holding parts 142 and the split cleaning parts 124 are not limited to two and may also be appropriately set to one or in the range of three or more.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cleaning element 110 is formed by a sheet-like nonwoven fabric and a fiber assembly, but in this invention, the cleaning element 110 may be formed by either one of the sheet-like nonwoven fabric and the fiber assembly.
Further, in the cleaning element 110 of the above-described embodiment, each of the cleaning sheet parts 116 has the front sheet 118, but the front sheet 118 can be omitted as necessary, for example, according to change of design specifications of the cleaning element 110.
100 cleaning tool
110 cleaning element
112 holding sheet part
113 base sheet
114 holding sheet
114
a strip
115 insert hole
115
a opening
115
b first insert hole component
115
c second insert hole component
116 cleaning element sheet part
117 fiber assembly
118 front sheet
118
a strip
119 overlap region
121 bonded part
121
a,
121
b,
121
c bonding line
123 bonded part
123
a,
123
b,
123
c,
123
d bonding line
124 split cleaning part
125 space
130 cleaning element holder
140 holder body
141 connection
142 holding part
142
a root
143 end
144 inclined surface
145 recessed surface
146 protruding piece
147 insert space
150 handle
151 handle body
160 retainer
171 first region
172 second region
173 dirty region
200 object to be cleaned
201 surface to be cleaned
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-123619 | May 2009 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2010/058620 | 5/21/2010 | WO | 00 | 1/30/2012 |
