The present application is generally related to personal and household cleaning products and is more specifically related to paper and sheet products that are impregnated with liquids and hydrophobic materials to provide individual sheets having moist sections and dry sections.
Dispensers containing wet or pre-moistened sheets have a wide variety of uses including personal hygiene (e.g., baby wipes), cleaning surfaces (e.g., kitchen surfaces), and sanitizing tools (e.g., medical devices). Such dispensers are designed to maintain the moisture content of the wet sheets while allowing individual wet sheets to be conveniently dispensed. The wet or pre-moistened sheets provide a cleaning and sanitizing capability not provided by dry towels, however, there is often a need to use dry towels together with wet towels. For example, dry towels may be used to dry a surface after the surface has been cleaned with a wet towel. To satisfy this need, dispensers have been designed to hold and dispense both wet and dry towels.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,687 to Fitzsimons discloses a wet and dry towel dispenser that contains and dispenses both wet and dry towels. The dispenser includes coaxially located compartments for containing the wet towels and the dry towels, in a nested arrangement, to use space efficiently within the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispenser has a substantially cylindrical shape and a removable cover on one end to allow the towels to be loaded into the respective compartments.
There have been other developments directed to combining wet and dry wipes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,593 to Bloch discloses a dispenser that combines dry sanitary tissue and pre-wetted personal hygiene wipes. The dispenser has front and rear housings that form a first compartment for a roll of dry sanitary tissue. A second compartment is provided inside the first compartment from which a roll of pre-wetted personal hygiene wipes is dispensed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,802 to Thompson discloses toilet tissue formed of a continuous strip having moist and dry tissue sheets in alternating sequence. Adjacent moist and dry tissue sheets are separated by perforations forming tear lines. Each moist tissue sheet includes a moist pad adhered to one side thereof by an adhesive substance forming a moisture resistant barrier between the tissue and the moist pad. A removable moisture resistant cover sheet covers the moist pad and is adhered to the moist tissue sheet about the periphery of the moist pad. A holding tab is secured to the side of the moist tissue sheet opposite the moist pad. The moist pad is exposed by grasping the holding tab and removing the cover sheet from the moist tissue sheet. In one embodiment, the toilet tissue is packaged on a tubular roll. In another embodiment, the toilet tissue is packaged in accordion-type folds within a substantially rectangular dispensing container.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,085,899 and 6,170,426 to Thorsbakken discloses a tissue dispenser for dispensing either dry or partially wet and partially dry segments of tissues. The tissue dispenser has a housing with a tissue egress passage, a tissue source of a predetermined quantity of dry tissue located in the housing, a fluid source of a predetermined volume of fluid located in the housing, and an actuatable application mechanism in fluid communication with the fluid source and operationally positioned proximate to the tissue egress passage. The application mechanism can be actuated to dispense fluid onto the tissue as the tissue passes through the tissue egress passage. One partially wet and partially dry tissue can be used to clean and dry an article. If the application mechanism is not actuated, the dispenser will dispense dry tissues.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,165 to Mackey et al. discloses wet-like cleansing articles that are dry to the touch prior to use, but deliver liquid when subjected to in-use shear and compressive forces. In one embodiment, the articles include a carrier and an emulsion applied to the carrier, the emulsion having a continuous external non-polar phase and an internal polar phase dispersed in the external non-polar phase so that the article is capable of retaining fluid prior to use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,153 to Lake discloses a dispenser for a flexible web that can provide a dry web or a liquid treated web. The liquid treatment can include an antimicrobial liquid treatment suitable for personal contact, a cleaner, a soothing lotion, a protective coating, a pharmaceutical treatment, or any other liquid that can provide a beneficial property to a skin surface. The dispenser operates by having a first position from which it provides a dry web, and a second position which contacts the web with a liquid treatment producing a web containing the liquid treatment composition. The user can interact with the dispenser and place the dispenser in the second position or the first position depending on the need for either a wet or dry web.
In spite of the above advances, there remains a need for improved systems, devices and methods for providing paper products having individual sheets or wipes having at least one moist section and one dry section on the same sheet. There also remains a need for paper products having moisture barriers that are able to effectively separate the moist sections from the dry sections and that retain the moisture within the moist sections of the individual sheets during storage and when not in use.
In one embodiment, a cleaning product, such as a personal cleaning product or a cleaning towel, preferably includes an elongated sheet having a first end, a second end, and a length that extends from the first end to the second end thereof.
In one embodiment, the elongated sheet is preferably divided into a plurality of individual sheet sections that extend in series along the length of the elongated sheet. In one embodiment, at least one of the individual sheet sections is a moist sheet section having a moist center section impregnated with a cleaning solution, and at least one of the individual sheet sections is a dry sheet section having a dry center that is impregnated with a hydrophobic solution.
In one embodiment, the cleaning product may have a plurality of the moist sheet sections that are spaced from one another along the length of the elongated sheet, and a plurality of the dry sheet sections that are spaced from one another along the length of the elongated sheet.
In one embodiment, the moist sheet sections and the dry sheet sections are arranged in a binary pattern that alternates back and forth along the length of the elongated sheet between one of the moist sheet sections and one of the dry sheet sections.
In one embodiment, in the binary pattern, one of the moist sheet sections is disposed between two of the dry sheet sections and one of the dry sheet sections is disposed between two of the moist sheet sections.
In one embodiment, each moist sheet section preferably includes a top surface, a bottom surface, the moist center section impregnated with the cleaning solution, a first dry outer section bounding a first edge of the moist center section, and a second dry outer section bounding a second edge of the moist center section.
In one embodiment, each moist sheet section may include a first moisture impermeable barrier at the first edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the first dry outer section, and a second moisture impermeable barrier at the second edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the second dry outer section.
In one embodiment, each moist sheet section may have a water impermeable membrane extending laterally from the first moisture impermeable barrier to the second moisture impermeable barrier and between the top and bottom surfaces of the moist sheet section for dividing the moist center section into a first region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the top surface of the moist sheet section and a second region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the bottom surface of the moist sheet section.
In one embodiment, the first and second dry outer sections may be impregnated with the hydrophobic solution.
In one embodiment, each dry sheet section may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and the dry center section impregnated with the hydrophobic solution. In one embodiment, each dry sheet section may include a first dry outer section bounding a first edge of the dry center section, and a second dry outer section bounding a second edge of the dry center section.
In one embodiment, each dry sheet section may include a first moisture impermeable barrier at the first edge of the dry center section that divides the dry center section from the first dry outer section, and a second moisture impermeable barrier at the second edge of the dry center section that divides the dry center section from the second dry outer section.
In one embodiment, the cleaning product may include a core element, whereby the elongated sheet is wound around the core element to form a roll of the individual sheet sections. In one embodiment, the first end of the elongated sheet is within an inner region of the roll of the individual sheet sections and the second end of the elongated sheet is within an outer region of the roll of the individual sheet sections.
In one embodiment, the moist sheet sections have respective lengths that increase sequentially in length between the first end and the second end of the elongated sheet so that one of the moist sheet sections adjacent the second end of the elongated sheet has a length that is greater than one of the moist sheet sections adjacent the first end of the elongated sheet.
In one embodiment, the dry sheet sections have respective lengths that increase sequentially in length between the first end and the second end of the elongated sheet so that one of the dry sheet sections adjacent the second end of the elongated sheet has a length that is greater than one of the dry sheet sections adjacent the first end of the elongated sheet.
In one embodiment, the first and second moisture impermeable barriers extend continuously over each of the individual sheet sections wound around the core element and along the length of the elongated sheet, from the first end to the second end of the elongated sheet.
In one embodiment, the core element preferably includes a cardboard roll having a center section that is aligned with the moist center sections of the individual sheet sections wound around the cardboard roll, and first and second outer sections that are aligned with the first and second dry outer sections of the individual sheet sections wound around the cardboard roll. The center section of the cardboard roll is preferably covered by a moisture impermeable barrier.
In one embodiment, the first and second moisture impermeable barriers on the individual sheet sections may include wax and/or nano particles and the water impermeable membrane extending through the paper sheet may include natural biodegradable materials, synthetic biodegradable materials, soy, and/or albumin protein films.
In one embodiment, the cleaning solution may include liquid solutions, moisturizers, antiseptics, medicated solutions, alcohol, liquid soap, baby wipes solutions and/or cleaning wipes solution.
In one embodiment, the hydrophobic solution may include a water repelling spray sold under the trademark LiquidOff by Aken Technologies LLC and/or a hydrophobic material sold under the trademark ULTRA EVER DRY by Ultra Tech International, Inc.
In one embodiment, the elongated sheet may be made of paper, compressed fiber, and/or one-ply compressed fiber.
In one embodiment, the cleaning product may include perforation lines extending between at least some of the individual sheet sections for enabling the individual sheet sections to be separated from one another.
In one embodiment, during the manufacturing of a toilet tissue product or a cleaning tissue product, sections of the roll of sheet of material, in the center between the borders/rails that separate the dry from wet, the sheet may contain a water-resistant, water-repelling, or hydrophobic treatment rather than being moist. In one embodiment, the water-resistant, water-repelling, or hydrophobic material may be sprayed on to the sheet like a liquid. The tissue paper or compressed fiber sheets may be treated with the water-resistant, water-repelling, or hydrophobic material for the length of one revolution around the roll.
The treatment with the water-resistant, water-repelling, or hydrophobic material is preferably intermittent in order to keep sections or layers of the sheets moist and avoid evaporation in between moist sections. This methodology allows the product to be made with just one pliable sheet of compressed fiber for the entire roll, rather than adding additional layers. This will also simplify production tremendously.
In one embodiment of the present invention, paper products are impregnated with a liquid, such as a cleaning solution, to provide individual paper sheets having at least one wet or moistened section and at least one dry section. The paper products may be used for various applications including but not limited to cleaning surfaces, personal hygiene, sanitizing instruments, and/or providing medical treatments. In one embodiment, the paper products may have moistened sections that contain various forms of cleaning agents, disinfectants, antiseptics, perfumes, colognes, medical solutions, and/or combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, a moisture impermeable material is utilized for separating moistened sections of a paper product from dry sections of the paper product. In one embodiment, the moisture impermeable material includes a wax material that is deposited on the paper to form a moisture impermeable or water-proof barrier between moist or wet sections and dry sections of the paper product. In one embodiment, the paper product is a paper roll and the moisture impermeable barrier permeates through every layer of the paper roll to form a seal from one layer to the next. During storage and non-use, the barrier material forms a seal that retains the moisture of the moist or wet sections of the paper product. In one embodiment, a user may pull on an end of the paper roll to separate the layers of paper for exposing the moistened sections of the paper roll for use in various applications as needed.
In one embodiment, a paper product has a plurality of individual paper sheets with a moist center section and dry outer sections comprising. The paper product includes a core element and a plurality of individual paper sheets wound around the core element. Each individual paper sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface, a moist center section containing a liquid, a first dry outer section bounding a first edge of the moist center section, a second dry outer section bounding a second edge of the moist center section, a first moisture impermeable barrier at the first edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the first dry outer section, a second moisture impermeable barrier at the second edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the second dry outer section, and a water impermeable membrane extending laterally from the first moisture impermeable barrier to the second moisture impermeable barrier and between the top and bottom surfaces of the individual paper sheet for dividing the moist center section into a first region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the top surface of the individual paper sheet and a second region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the bottom surface of the individual paper sheet.
In one embodiment, the first and second moisture impermeable barriers extend continuously over each of the paper sheets wound around the core element. The water impermeable membranes preferably extend through each of the paper sheets between the top and bottom surfaces of the paper sheets.
In one embodiment, the plurality of paper sheets wound around the core element form a plurality of layers, whereby the moist center sections of the paper sheets are aligned with one another on the core element.
In one embodiment, the core element is a cardboard roll having a center section that is aligned with the moist center sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll, and first and second outer sections that are aligned with the first and second dry outer sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll. The center section of the cardboard roll is desirably covered by a moisture impermeable barrier to present evaporation of the liquid contained within the moist center sections.
In one embodiment, the first and second moisture impermeable barriers on the paper sheets may be made of wax and/or nano particles. The water impermeable membranes extending through the paper sheets may be made of natural biodegradable materials, synthetic biodegradable materials, soy, and/or albumin protein films.
In one embodiment, the liquid contained within the moist center section of each paper sheet may be liquid solutions, moisturizers, cleaning solutions, antiseptics, medicated solutions, alcohol, liquid soap, baby wipes solutions and/or cleaning wipes solution.
In one embodiment, a paper product having a plurality of individual paper sheets with a moist section and at least one dry section includes a core element, and a plurality of individual paper sheets wound around the core element. Each individual paper sheet has a top surface, a bottom surface, a first edge, a second edge, a moist section containing a liquid, a dry section bounding the first edge of the moist section, a first moisture impermeable barrier at the first edge of the moist section that divides the moist section from the dry section, a second moisture impermeable barrier at the second edge of the moist section, and a water impermeable membrane extending laterally from the first moisture impermeable barrier to the second moisture impermeable barrier and between the top and bottom surfaces of the individual paper sheet for dividing the moist section of the paper sheet into a first region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the top surface of the paper sheet and a second region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the bottom surface of the paper sheet.
In one embodiment, the first and second moisture impermeable barriers extend continuously over each of the paper sheets wound around the core element. The water impermeable membranes preferably extend through each of the paper sheets between the top and bottom surfaces of the paper sheets.
In one embodiment, the core element desirably includes a cardboard roll having a first section that is aligned with the moist sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll, and a second section that is aligned with the dry sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll. The first section of the cardboard roll is preferably covered by a moisture impermeable barrier.
In one embodiment, a paper product having a plurality of individual paper sheets with a moist center section and dry outer sections includes a cardboard roll having a center section and two outer sections, whereby the center section is covered by a moisture impermeable barrier, and a plurality of individual paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll. In one embodiment, each individual paper sheet preferably has a top surface, a bottom surface, a moist center section containing a liquid, a first dry outer section bounding a first edge of the moist center section, a second dry outer section bounding a second edge of the moist center section, a first moisture impermeable barrier at the first edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the first dry outer section, a second moisture impermeable barrier at the second edge of the moist center section that divides the moist center section from the second dry outer section, and a water impermeable membrane extending laterally from the first moisture impermeable barrier to the second moisture impermeable barrier and between the top and bottom surfaces of the individual paper sheet for dividing the moist center section into a first region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the top surface of the individual paper sheet and a second region that extends from the water impermeable membrane to the bottom surface of the individual paper sheet.
In one embodiment, the center section of the cardboard roll is preferably aligned with the moist center sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll, and the first and second outer sections of the cardboard roll are aligned with the first and second dry outer sections of the paper sheets wound around the cardboard roll.
In one embodiment, the water impermeable membrane of the outer-most paper sheet wound around the cardboard roll prevents the liquid contained in the moist center sections from evaporating into the ambient air surrounding the paper product.
In one embodiment, the moisture impermeable barrier on the cardboard roll prevents the liquid contained in the moist center sections of the paper sheets from evaporating into the ambient air through the cardboard roll.
These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the center section 16 is preferably separated from the dry outer sections 18A, 18B by a moisture impermeable barrier 20 that extends continuously along the length of the paper roll 10. The moisture impermeable barrier preferably extends along the length of each of the individual sheets 12, whereby the center section 16 of each sheet are aligned with one another, the dry outer sections 18A, 18B of each sheet are aligned with one another, and the moisture impermeable barrier 20 of each sheet are aligned with one another. In one embodiment, the moisture impermeable barrier 20 preferably includes a first barrier row 22A and a second barrier row 22B. The first and second barrier rows 22A, 22B preferably define a width W1 of the moist center section 16. In one embodiment, the moist center section 16 has a width W1 of about 4-20 mm and more preferably about 6-8 mm.
In one embodiment, when the paper roll 10 is being stored and is not in use, the barrier 20 is preferably made of a material that retains the moisture and/or the liquid within the moistened center section 16 so that the moisture and/or liquid therein does not evaporate. In one embodiment, the barrier 20 is made of a wax material that provides a moisture impermeable barrier between the moist center section 16 and the dry outer sections 18A, 18B. The wax material preferably permeates every layer of the paper roll 10 to create a seal from one sheet 12 to the next sheet. In one embodiment, when the paper is needed, a user may pull on the free end of the paper roll 10 to break the wax seal and separate the layers of paper for exposing the moistened center sections 16 of the sheets. In one embodiment, the moisture impermeable barrier 20 may include nano particles that are used instead of or in combination with the wax in order to separate the moist center section from the dry sections of the sheets. The nano material preferably blocks the moisture from permeating into the dry sections of the sheets. In one embodiment, the moist center sections 16 are used for applying the wet cleaning solution in order to clean surfaces using moisture/wetness. The dry outer sections 18A, 18B are preferably used for drying the surfaces that have been cleaned by the moist center sections.
In one embodiment, the moisture impermeable barrier 20 preferably includes two rows 22A, 22B of barrier material placed in the center of the paper sheets 12. In one embodiment, the barrier rows 22A, 22B are made of wax, such as wax gelate. In one embodiment, the wax barrier is preferably placed on the paper during the final stages of manufacturing such as when the paper is being rolled up on a core for accurately positioning and placing the wax barrier. In one embodiment, the wax barrier preferably serves as a moisture impermeable barrier that traps the moisture or liquid solution within the center section 16. In one embodiment, the paper is preferably rolled around a core in order to hold the liquid solution or moist solution within the center sections 16 of the sheets of the paper roll.
In one embodiment, the wax barrier is preferably delicate in texture and non-abrasive. The wax barrier is desirably well contained so that it does not smear during use. As such, it is preferable that the wax material does not end up on a user when applied to the user's skin. In one embodiment, the wax barrier is desirably made of a natural material that is hypoallergenic. The wax barrier may have a color that is similar to the underlying paper substrate.
In one embodiment, the layers of a paper product may be sealed using heat injected material, material that is pressure sprayed onto the paper sheets, or by pressure sealing the layers using various materials including barrier rows made of moisture impermeable materials such as wax.
In one embodiment, after the paper roll 10 has been manufactured, the barrier rows 22A, 22B desirably maintain a moisture impermeable seal while the product is not being used. In one embodiment, the barrier rows 22A, 22B are preferably capable of enabling a user to easily unravel the paper roll when tugging at the paper sheets. In one embodiment, it is relatively easy for a user to break the seal formed by the barrier material when unrolling the paper product.
In one embodiment, the barrier rows 22A, 22B are preferably capable of handling excessive heat during shipment. The barrier material, such as a wax gelate, is preferably a natural, biodegradable material. In one embodiment, the moist center sections 16 of the sheets of the paper product may be modified to improve the moisture-holding properties of the sheets. In one embodiment, the center sections 16 of the paper sheets have the same density and/or properties as the dry outer sections 18A, 18B of the paper sheets so as to avoid the formation of a paper roll having a swelled center section.
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in
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In one embodiment, the moist center section 116 is made up of three layers including the water resistant membrane 128, which divides the first region 130A of the moist center section 116 from the second region 130B of the moist center section 116. The water resistant membrane 128 preferably acts as a thin, water resistant barrier that stops moisture from evaporating or seeping into sheets 112 that are exposed to ambient air. The thin moisture resistant membrane 128 may be made of numerous biodegradable materials that are both natural and synthetic. Materials may include natural soy material, albumin protein film such as the type found between a hard-boiled egg and the outer shell.
Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing a moist center section 116 having three layers will maximize moisture and/or liquid retention within the moist center section 116 of each sheet 112 by minimizing exposure of the moisture/liquid to air. Providing sheets 112 with a water resistant membrane 128 located between the first and second regions 130A, 130B of each moist center section desirably prevents moisture from evaporating and/or seeping to the outside of the paper product, where exposure to air could dry out the layers over time.
Referring to
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In one embodiment, the various components of the paper product may be joined together using heat sealing, pressure, and/or other methods. In one embodiment, the dry sections of the sheets are made separately from the moist sections of the sheets and the components are joined together when the materials are ready to be rolled onto the core element such as a cardboard roll.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the moist sections 216 have a width that is substantially similar to the width of the dry sections 218. In one embodiment, the moist section may be wider than the dry section associated therewith. In one embodiment, the moist section may be narrower than the dry section associated therewith.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the moist section 216 is made up of three layers including the water resistant membrane 228, which divides the first region 230A of the moist section 216 from the second region 230B of the moist section 216. The water resistant membrane 228 preferably acts as a thin, water resistant barrier that stops moisture from evaporating or seeping into sheets 212 that are exposed to ambient air. The thin moisture resistant membrane 228 may be made of numerous biodegradable materials that are both natural and synthetic. Materials may include natural soy material, albumin protein film such as the type found between a hard-boiled egg and the outer shell.
Referring to
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In one embodiment, the moistened sections of the paper rolls that hold the moisture and/or liquid material are made of a specialized material that is absorbent and that has properties that do not encourage the moisture to leak out. In one embodiment, the paper material used for the moist sections is preferably adapted to maintain moisture as long as the paper roll is stored on a shelf and/or during extended periods of non-use. In one embodiment, the moist sections of the paper rolls are made of paper having a micro-sponge like pattern. In one embodiment, the micro-sponge like pattern has an additional micro layer that preferably helps seal and/or retain the moisture within the center sections.
In one embodiment, any section of a sheet may be isolated using moisture impermeable barrier material to provide at least one moist section of the sheet and at least one dry section of the sheet. In one embodiment, the moist section of a sheet may have a geometric shape such as a square or circular shape that is surrounded by the barrier material for separating the moist section from the dry section.
Referring to
In one embodiment, each individual sheet section 412A-412D preferably includes a center section 416 bounded by dry outer sections 418A, 418B. As will be described in more detail below, the center sections 416 may be moistened by a cleaning solution such as a moisturizer and/or liquid solutions used in baby wipes, and/or treated with a hydrophobic material or a water repelling solution to provide alternating moist and dry center sections 416.
In one embodiment, the center sections 416 may be separated from the dry outer sections 418A, 418B by a moisture impermeable barrier such as a first row 422A of a moisture impermeable material and a second row 422B of a moisture impermeable material. In one embodiment, the rows of the moisture impermeable material 422A, 422B preferably extend along the entire length of the elongated sheet 410 for retaining the moisture/wetness of the center sections 416, and preventing the moisture in the center sections from seeping into the dry outer sections 418A, 418B.
In the embodiment shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, the dry center sections 416B are preferably treated with a hydrophobic material and/or a water repelling solution, which is defined as a material that repels or fails to mix with water. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic material may be a water repelling spray sold under the trademark LiquidOff by Aken Technologies LLC. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic material may be sold under the trademark ULTRA EVER DRY by Ultra Tech International, Inc.
In one embodiment, the liquid solution for the moist center sections 416A and the hydrophobic material (e.g., solution) for the dry center sections 416B may be dispensed (e.g., sprayed) onto the individual sheet sections 412A-412C as the elongated sheet 410 is passed by dispensing components (e.g., sprayers) that apply the cleaning solution and the hydrophobic material/solution. In one embodiment, the elongated sheet may be placed atop a conveyor (e.g., conveyor belt) that moves the elongated sheet 410 downstream for passing different work stations. In one embodiment, a first work station may include a first dispenser for dispensing a cleaning solution onto the individual sheet sections that have been designated as moist sheet sections 416A, and a second work station may include a second dispenser for dispensing a hydrophobic material/solution onto the individual sheet sections that have been designated as dry sheet sections 416B. In one embodiment, the elongated sheet may remain stationary and the work stations may move relative to the elongated sheet for applying the cleaning solution and the hydrophobic material/solution.
Referring to
The
In one embodiment, each individual sheet section preferably includes the center sections 516 bounded by dry outer sections 518A, 518B. In one embodiment, the center sections may be separated from the dry outer sections 518A, 518B by moisture impermeable barriers such as a first row 522A of a moisture impermeable material and a second row 522B of a moisture impermeable material. In one embodiment, the rows of the moisture impermeable material 522A, 522B preferably extend along the entire length of the elongated sheet 510 for retaining the moisture/wetness of the moist center sections of the respective moist sheet sections 516A-516A″, and preventing the moisture in the moist center sections from seeping into the dry outer sections 518A, 518B and/or evaporating.
In one embodiment, any of the components and/or structure disclosed in the embodiments of
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
The present patent application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/802,150, filed on Feb. 26, 2020, published as US 2020/0187726, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,870, filed on Oct. 10, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,602,885, which, in turn, claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/887,707, filed Oct. 7, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.