Patent Application
20190298117
The present invention relates to cleaning pads. More specifically, the present invention provides a cleaning pad having a reinforcement layer.
Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to toilet paper and cleaning towels. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices in the known art have several known drawbacks. For example, these toilet paper and cleaning towels fail to adequate remove waste from a given surface, thereby requiring the use of numerous towels to achieve a satisfactory cleaning.
Many people rely on paper rolls of various types or styles to clean themselves after using the bathroom. Large quantities of paper rolls are being consumed on a daily basis across the world. As traditional paper rolls are rolled around a rigid cardboard core, this leads to excessive amounts of waste generated, as the rigid cores are thrown away and crowd landfills. Additionally, costs of manufacturing and shipping these cardboard cores increase the overall costs of manufacturing a paper roll. Cardboard cores require can increase cost astronomically.
Previous attempts to cost and environmental concerns of a paper roll having a core have had limited to no successful, however some problems are left unaddressed. One product uses a rigid cardboard tube as a core that is made of a biodegradable material to minimize waste generation. However, leaves a costly additional step in the manufacturing process of creating and transporting the cardboard tube. Another product eschews the cardboard tube in favor of simply winding paper to create a coreless paper roll, however these paper rolls collapse under the weight of the paper, leading to difficulty in unrolling the paper for use. Therefore, a paper roll that eliminates environmental waste and minimizes manufacturing costs, while still providing a convenient to use paper roll is needed.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the devices in the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing cleaning pad devices. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. Consequently, there is a need in for an improvement in the art of paper cleaning products. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art while at the same time solves a problem many people face when using and disposing of paper cleaning products. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toilet paper and cleaning towels now present in the art, the present invention provides a new cleaning pad having a reinforcement layer wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cleaning and scrubbing debris from surfaces. The cleaning pad includes a front panel that is coextensive and attached with a base panel, wherein a reinforcing layer is positioned therebetween, on the front panel, and/or on the base panel. The reinforcing layer provides a foundation to the cleaning pad, and textured elements on the front panel are configured for scrubbing for the removal of debris from surfaces. In one embodiment the cleaning pad is a single layer of tissue that is then coated in adhesive this allows the cleaning pad to be a single ply.
The present system comprises a plurality of sheets spirally wound about an axis to form a roll. The roll comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end forms an inner section. The inner section defines an axial passageway extending from a first side of the roll to a second side of the roll. The plurality of sheets of the first end, making up the inner section, are bonded together by an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is configured to stiffen the inner section. In some embodiments, the adhesive is configured to degrade when in contact with water. In another embodiment, the adhesive is configured to stiffen the inner section more ridged than the second end. In other embodiments, the adjacent sheets of the plurality of sheets are divided by perforations. In yet another embodiment, the inner section comprises 4-6 layers of the plurality of sheets. In some embodiments, the axial passageway comprises a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the adhesive further comprises a fragrance agent. In other embodiments, the fragrance agent is configured to emit a scent when exposed to air. In yet another embodiment, the fragrance agent is configured to emit a scent when in contact with water. In some embodiments, the adhesive further comprises a non-chemical disinfectant configured to sanitize a container having a volume of water therein, such as a toilet bowl. In another embodiment, the adhesive comprises polyvinyl alcohol. In other embodiments, the plurality of sheets further comprises textured elements thereon. In yet another embodiment, the inner section further comprises corrugation configured to provide rigidity and a roll stop when installed in an a solution dispenser.
The present method comprises winding a plurality of sheets about a low-friction tube to form a roll, applying adhesive to the plurality of sheets at a first end of the roll to form an inner section having an axial passageway, curing the adhesive to provide rigidity to the inner section, and removing the low-friction tube from the roll. In some embodiments, the low-friction tube comprises a tubular platen having a plurality of recesses disposed about an outer surface thereof, wherein each of the plurality of recesses comprises an aperture therein. In other embodiments, the method further comprises circulating air through the tubular platen such that negative pressure is generated at the apertures, thereby securing the plurality of sheets to the tubular platen. In another embodiment, the temperature of the air circulated through the tubular platen is configured to decrease curing time of the applied adhesive. In other embodiments, the method further comprises generating positive pressure at the plurality of recesses to remove the roll from the tubular platen. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises cutting the roll to a desired length. In some embodiments, the method further comprises packaging the roll for distribution. In another embodiment, the adhesive further comprises a fragrance agent. In other embodiments, the adhesive further comprises a non-chemical disinfectant. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises determining the desired thickness of the roll. In some embodiments, the method further comprises applying adhesive to additional layers of the first end to increase the rigidity of the inner section.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved single cleaning pad that is more efficient and effective at cleaning surfaces.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dissolvable cleaning pad that may be discarded in water or other solutions with no detrimental effects of blockage and the like.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning pad that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the cleaning pad. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for cleaning a body part of a user. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring to
In the shown embodiment, the front panel 11 is coextensive and attached with the base panel. The front panel 11 and base panel may be formed from a single ply or multiple plies of paper. In one embodiment, the front panel 11 is made from paper material in a single ply configuration. The front panel 11 includes textured elements 23 that are configured for scrubbing debris from surfaces. The textured elements 23 may include alternating or consecutive series of ridges and recessed channels. In the shown embodiment, the textured elements 23 are ridges that are positioned towards a center region of the cleaning pad 10. In this way, as the cleaning pad 10 is manipulated across a surface, the textured elements 23 and the front panel 11 frictionally engage with debris to remove the debris therefrom. In an alternative embodiment, the textured elements 23 are disposed on the reinforcing layer 13.
In one embodiment, the front panel 11 and the base panel are removably joined along a perimeter of the cleaning pad 10. In another embodiment, a fragrance agent is impregnated within the front panel 11, the reinforcing layer 13, and/or the base panel. The fragrance includes, without limitation, fragrances of perfume, clove, flowers, peppermint, spearmint, fruit flavor, apple, lemon, cinnamon, grape, vanilla, and chocolate.
In the shown embodiment, the reinforcing layer 13 is positioned between the base panel and the front panel 11. The reinforcing layer 13 provides structural rigidity so as to allow the general shape of the cleaning pad 10 to be retained upon scrubbing or other frictional engage with a surface. In the shown embodiment, the reinforcing layer 13 is a planar conical member that is tapered from the first end 14 to the second end 15.
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the solution package 18 is positioned between the reinforcing layer 13 and the front panel 11. In this way, a user can release the cleaning agent by pressing the base panel 12 towards the front panel 11, whereby the pressure causes the solution package 18 to rupture and release the cleaning agent on the front panel 11. In an alternative embodiment, the solution package 18 may be integrated into the reinforcing layer 13, disposed lateral the reinforcing layer 13, or the like, as to ensure that the solution can permeate through the front panel.
In one exemplary use, a cleaning pad 10 is selected and handled by a user. The user actuates a pull tab 19 that is operably connected to the solution package 18, wherein the cleaning agent is released therefrom. A user may further press the base panel 12 towards the front panel 11 so as to discharge the cleaning agent through the apertures 20 of the front panel 11. The reinforcing layer 13 with textured elements is selectively and frictionally engaged with a desired surface, such as wiping after defecation. The cleaning pad 10 is discarded into a toilet bowl, whereby the cleaning pad 10 dissolves or otherwise breaks apart upon therein. In an alternative embodiment, the textured elements 23 are disposed on the front panel 11.
Referring to
In the shown embodiment, the second end is curved between the tab and recesses of the first cleaning pad 10a and the first end of a second cleaning pad 10b. Thus, the transverse perforated edge 21 formed between adjacent cleaning pads 10a-10b and 10b-10c corresponds to the shape of the ends of the adjacent cleaning pads.
Specifically referring to
Referring now to
The first end 130 forms an inner section 140 of the roll 110. The inner section 140 comprises several layers of plurality of sheets 120 of the first end 130 bonded together by an adhesive 190 to provide rigidity to the inner section 140. This provides the roll 110 with structural integrity similar to that provided by a traditional cardboard tube. In some embodiments, the inner section 140 further comprises a corrugated inner surface 240. The corrugated inner surface 240 is formed as the plurality of sheets 120 are layered together and is configured to provide additional strength and rigidity to the inner section 140.
In the illustrated embodiment, the inner section 140 forms an axial passageway 160 extending between a first side 170 and a second side 180 of the roll 110. The axial passageway 160 is configured to receive a rod (shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the inner section 140 is bonded by an adhesive 190. The adhesive 190 is configured to penetrate through several layers of the plurality of sheets 120. These bonded layers stiffen the inner section 140 to provide structural integrity to the roll 110 such that the roll 110 does not collapse under its own weight. In some embodiments, the adhesive 190 is configured to penetrate four to six layers of the plurality of sheets 120. In another embodiment, the adhesive 190 is configured to increase the rigidity of the inner section 140 to at least twice that of the second end 150. The adhesive 190 is further configured to degrade when in contact with water. In this way, the inner section 140 loses its rigid properties, regaining the physical properties of the plurality of sheets 120. This allows the inner center 140 to be disposed of similarly to the plurality of sheets 120, such as via flushing into a toilet. In some embodiments, the adhesive 190 comprises polyvinyl alcohol.
In some embodiments, the adhesive 190 further comprises a fragrance agent configured to emit a scent when exposed to air or water. In this way, when the roll 110 is rotated about the rod, the fragrance agent is activated by the increased airflow through the axial passageway 160, causing a pleasant scent to be emitted from the inner section 140. Furthermore, when the user disposes of the inner section 140 in a toilet, the fragrance agent is activated when it contacts the water, releasing a pleasant scent. In another embodiment, the adhesive 190 further comprises a non-chemical disinfectant configured to sanitize a container having a volume of water therein, such as a toilet bowl, after a predetermined amount of time in contact with the water. In some embodiments, the amount of time required to sanitize the container is greater than that required to degrade the adhesive 190. In this way, the disinfectant provides an efficient and simple means of cleaning the container.
Referring now to
To increase the thickness d2 of the inner section 140, additional layers of tissue and adhesive is applied to the plurality of sheets during the manufacturing process, such that the adhesive penetrates further layers of the plurality of sheets. As the adhesive cures, the rigidity and strength of the inner section 140 increases. In this way, the inner section 140 can support increased weight and stress without failing. This process can be repeated as desired to achieve the desired rigidity as required by the desired final width dl.
Referring to
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In some embodiments, the low-friction tube comprises a tubular platen having a plurality of recesses thereon, wherein each of the plurality of recesses comprises an aperture therein. In this embodiment, air is circulated through the tubular platen such that negative pressure is generated at the apertures, thereby securing the plurality of sheets to the tubular platen for rolling. Additionally, as the plurality of sheets are layered on top of each other, the plurality of recesses form a void space between layers such that a corrugated texture is formed in the inner section of the roll. This corrugated pattern adds structural integrity to the roll.
The method of manufacturing the paper roll further comprises determining the desired thickness of the roll 204. At this time, a user determines 204 the overall desired size and thickness of the roll to be manufactured. The larger the roll, the greater the stresses placed on the inner section of the roll, and therefore, the greater the required strength and rigidity of the inner section to resist those stresses.
An adhesive is then applied to the roll to form an inner section 206. The adhesive is applied 206 during the winding 202 process, such that multiple layers of the plurality of sheets are bonded together. In some embodiments, the adhesive is configured to penetrate and bond 4-6 adjacent layers of the plurality of sheets. If the inner section requires increased strength and rigidity to counteract the weight of the roll, additional layers of adhesive can be applied 206 such that the thickness of the inner section is increased. In this way, the thickness of the inner section can be increased by an additional 4-6 layers of the plurality of sheets each time a new layer of adhesive is applied 206.
Once the desired thickness of the inner section is achieved, the adhesive is then cured 208. In one embodiment, curing the adhesive 208 comprises allowing the inner section to dry over time. In some embodiments, the temperature of the air circulated through the tubular platen is configured to decrease the curing 208 time of the adhesive applied. In this way, the curing 208 process can be completed more efficiently.
The winding 202 stops once the desired size of roll is reached. At this point, the curing 208 process is complete and the low-friction tube is removed 210 from the roll. In some embodiments, once removed from the low-friction tube, the method 201 further comprises cutting the roll to a desired length 212. In another embodiment, the method 201 further comprises packaging the roll for distribution 214.
In another embodiment, the adhesive comprises polyvinyl alcohol mixture. In one embodiment the adhesive for forming a rigid object, comprises a polyvinyl alcohol mixture and a pliable substrate; the adhesive configured to form a rigid object; wherein the rigid object is dissolvable in a solution. The pliable substrate includes, but is not limited to fibrous material, such as paper.
In one embodiment, application of the adhesive to a pliable substrate causes the pliable substrate to form the rigid object upon drying thereof. The adhesive may further comprise an additive of graphite configured to increase conductivity of the adhesive. The adhesive is oil and solvent resistance to materials.
A method of forming a rigid object, comprising: applying an adhesive to a pliable substrate, wherein the adhesive include a polyvinyl alcohol mixture; wherein the adhesive configured to cause the pliable substrate into a rigid object upon drying; drying the adhesive such that the pliable substrate forms the rigid object.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises moistening the pliable substrate; positioning the pliable substrate within a mold to be coextensive with a molding surface of the mold.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises positioning the substrate onto a mandrel, wherein the rigid object maintains an exterior shape of the mandrel.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises positioning the pliable substrate between an inner mold and an outer mold, wherein the inner mold mates with the outer mold defining an interior adapted to receive the pliable substrate, wherein the adhesive is applied between coextensive layers of the pliable substrate; wherein the pliable substrate is pressed so as to form the rigid object having a shape of the interior.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises positioning the pliable substrate between an inner mold and an outer mold, wherein the inner mold mates with the outer mold defining an interior adapted to receive the pliable substrate, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol adhesive is applied between coextensive layers of the pliable substrate; wherein the pliable substrate is pressed so as to form the rigid object having a shape of the interior.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises blowing the pliable substrate onto a mold.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises applying the pliable substrate to an interior of a mold, the pliable substrate further includes fiber or cellulose, wherein the mold is rotated causing the pliable substrate to form the rigid object having a hollow interior volume; warming the mold to release the rigid object therefrom.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises injecting the pliable substrate to an injection mold, the pliable substrate further includes fiber or cellulose; applying pressure to the injection mold.
In one embodiment, the method further comprises extruding the pliable substrate thru a mold, the pliable substrate further includes fiber or cellulose.
Referring now to
In one embodiment the cleaning pad is made using only one layer of tissue paper 1101. In one embodiment the tissue paper is a single ply toilet paper. In another embodiment the tissue paper is a paper towel. The adhesive 1103 is applied to a single side of the tissue paper and this creates the cleaning pad. In this embodiment the cleaning pad is a single ply.
In one embodiment the cleaning pad 1000 can be textured. In this embodiment the texturing is applied by pressing a texturing tool into the tissue paper. The adhesive is applied to at least on side of a piece of tissue paper then the texturing tool is pressed into the tissue paper. Once the adhesive dries tissue paper will hold the texture.
Referring now to
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Once the inner tube is created the cleaning pads need rolled onto the inner tube. In one embodiment this begins by rolling more material onto the roll 1605. In one embodiment while the material is being rolled onto the inner tube adhesive is applied to the material 1605. The roll will then need cut to length 1606. Lastly, the roll is taken off of the tube 1607.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of Applications and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/049,125 filed on Jul. 30, 2018 which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/640,772 filed on Jul. 3, 2017 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/515,152 filed on Jun. 5, 2017, U.S. application Ser. No. 15/674,311 filed on Aug. 10, 2017, and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/483,021 filed on Apr. 10, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62515152 | Jun 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15483021 | Apr 2017 | US |
| Child | 15640772 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16049125 | Jul 2018 | US |
| Child | 16439118 | US | |
| Parent | 15674311 | Aug 2017 | US |
| Child | 16049125 | US | |
| Parent | 15483021 | Apr 2017 | US |
| Child | 15674311 | US | |
| Parent | 15640772 | Jul 2017 | US |
| Child | 16049125 | US |
