Patent Application
20240251999
The global baby diaper market is expected to grow to more than $64 billion by 2022. Diapers, by nature, are a disposable product where there are bacterial exposure concerns for both the wearer and changer during the process of changing the diaper. Therefore, both manufacturers and users need technology that maximizes cleanliness and ease of use in actions that relate to this essential task, as applied to humans of all ages, including babies, children, and adults.
Current cleaning methods take a variety of forms and involve many steps to remove the soiled diaper and replace it with a clean one. The critical intermediary step of cleaning a child once the soiled diaper has been unfastened and disposed of, and then putting on a clean diaper can involve a multitude of products, actions, and steps, including disposing of the products used to help clean the child once the dirty diaper has been removed. Further, given the lack of uniformity in situations one encounters with changing a diaper, there are no foolproof systems that optimize time, convenience, and cleanliness but, an enhanced solution to the intermediary step between removal of the dirty diaper and application of the clean one is attainable.
Traditional methods of cleaning a child when changing a diaper include the application of a wipe or wipes, which means an accessory product needs to be purchased and disposed. It can involve a specifically treated wipe that cleans and sanitizes, or it can involve using a type of cleaning fluid, which necessitates the application of some kind of single use towel or single use wipe product that is then disposed. Therefore, a key aspect to addressing the problem of changing a diaper is the critical intermediary step that cleans the child sufficiently and safely while providing necessary bacterial protection for the person changing the wearer's diaper and attending to cleaning the wearer. Due to this sequence of necessary events, the diaper changer oftentimes has to use multiple products when changing a diaper, which makes an approximate all-in-one, or bundled solution to the task, desirable.
Birth rates vary globally, but approximately 130 million babies are born in the world each year. In 2019, 3.7 million babies were born in the USA. In 2018, 4.2 million children came into the world in the European Union. Since 2002, China has averaged about 16 million babies born every year. While diaper changing practices vary in different regions of the world, diaper wearers cannot clean themselves. Therefore, providing a customized solution to the task of diaper changing can benefit both the supply and demand side of the consumer products industry in multiple markets. In some instances, embodiments of the present disclosure can modify the wipe and disposal aspect of the intermediary cleaning step to enhance sanitary and disposal aspects of the process. Units can be manufactured into various sizes and packaging norms, including but not limited to, small, medium and large sizes of embodiments of the present disclosure that are merchandised in small, medium and large packages for distributions and sale. To facilitate implementation, embodiments disclosed herein may be offered via the many normal paths of distribution: licensed to companies that manufacture diaper and wipe products for children, and those enterprises that develop related manufacturing processes, including the development and installation of relevant assembly and tooling apparatuses for assembly of embodiments of the present disclosure's design features.
Generally, this disclosure relates to a customized self-contained disposable cleaning wipe system that provides a user with enhanced sanitary protection and convenience for the task of cleaning a human following the removal and changing of a soiled diaper. Embodiments integrate features that enhance the cleaning of the target area with efficient manipulation of the used cleaning device whereby the user converts the device, which can resemble a bag, via wrapping, folding and securing the impacted area with some closure mechanism into a compact form for convenient disposal, minimizing chance for contact with bacteria laden items trapped in the diaper and/or creating a need for additional cleaning or disposal steps. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure can relate to processes and methods of integrating functionality that combines the cleaning of a diaper wearer with converting the used device into a disposable form via closure methods, such as a tie, band, cinch or covering to secure the affected portion for traditional disposal.
Further embodiments of the present disclosure include a cleaning device featuring a layered construction providing a wiping surface, hand-protective engagement means and inversion means to isolate the wiping surface and soiled articles after use, particularly a disposable multilayered cleaning device with at least one cleaning, treatment or wiping surface, at least one hand-protective engagement means configured to receive at least one appendage of a user, for example, but not limited to a digit, finger, thumb, palm or hand of a user, the cleaning device being invertible after use to contain soiled articles used to clean a human during a diaper changing operation, enabling easy and sanitary disposal of a soiled diaper and articles.
The technology can be licensed to and advanced by manufacturers keen on leveraging the utility of embodiments of the present disclosure to package their products creatively, for example, in combinations or even different product types that relate to changing a child's diaper. In other words, embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various combinations of cleaning forms in the child and adult personal care categories and wearable diaper products accessory category. Further, embodiments can be expressed in shapes and sizes that are utility oriented, decorous in nature, or a combination of functionality with aesthetic design on either a mass-produced or smaller production scale. Also, in some applications, embodiments of the present disclosure can integrate logos, trademarks, creative designs, identifiable shapes and indicia for use.
Embodiments of the disclosed device may have a base sheet to which a moist sanitary cleaning wipe and formed sleeve for a hand are attached on opposing sides of the base, which can be made of a non-porous plastic of suitable thickness. This layered construction may deliver a more convenient and sanitary diaper changing experience due to a separate compartment for the hand to be inserted on the layer farthest away from contact with the affected area, which can feature a treated sanitary and, in some instances, scented wipe to be applied to the affected areas of the diaper wearing individual. This layered construction creates a cleaning system that will aid a user at any time, but also in those on-the-go circumstances, such as traveling in a car or being away from home and conventional services, when soap and water are not readily available for washing up after changing a diaper. The integration of sanitary wipe, bag and layered separation of the device's components represents a single disposable device system whereby a diaper wearer can be cleaned after diaper removal and the soiled cleaning device is conveniently converted into a suitable form, such as a bag, for easy and sanitary disposal.
One benefit of embodiments of the current disclosure is the ability to keep the contaminated waste matter separate from a user's hand or hands and, in related embodiments, treated by the presence of cleaning or sanitary agents, before easily folding or converting into a form that wraps or contains the contaminated elements into its own self-contained entity. In addition to isolating bacteria laden matter, securing or closing up the device also blocks unpleasant odors, scents and vapors from escaping embodiments of the disclosed device. Further, the contact points from user to target area can be intuitively interpreted from design features including indicia and designated instructional aids such as visual or access enhancements.
Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a wide range of cleaning uses that would benefit from the disclosed properties detailing seamless clean, wrap and dispose capabilities, including those, for example, which could apply to pet and/or animal waste clean-up. In this use, an individual would want the benefits of the layered barriers and convenience for disposal. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the disposable wipe cleaning device may be in a largely horizontal orientation for where the point of contact with the affected surface is comprised of one material that cleans and sanitizes the affected areas and the layering away from that surface towards the hand of the cleaner/changer is devised with design features to provide sanitary, protective and ease of use in terms of fitting to a diverse sizing of hands for application.
In some embodiments, a pre-configured fastening form may be integrated into the device so that the fastening, cinching or securing of the targeted material is convenient, sanitary and safe. In these embodiments, the securing of the targeted material is aided by design features that allow the user to convert the device into a convenient disposable form such as a bag or secured type of enclosure that can be either partially or fully closed.
In further related embodiments, the cleaning device consists of at least two attached layers forming an attached cavity that is bound along at least one edge to at least one of a second of the attached layers.
Alternatively, the cleaning device may have a first and a second attached layer that are bound within a bias region, wherein the bias region is located adjacent to an edge of the cleaning device or edge of a cavity formed within the cleaning device. Alternatively, some embodiments include a cleaning device wherein the layers are bound together within a bias region to form an attachment located adjacent to an edge of the cleaning device or edge of a cavity formed within the cleaning device. In further related embodiments, the seals used to form the attachment are in the form of a seal that is water tight and liquid tight, or alternatively further vapor and odor tight.
In one embodiment, the seal extends along the edges of at least three of the plurality of non-porous layers to form an attached cavity, while in another embodiment, the seal extends along the edges of at least two of the layers to form a pocket. In some further embodiments, the attached cavity has a seal that extends along at least three of the layers to form a cavity that is invertible into itself and acts to isolate soil or contaminants that may have been deposited onto an outer surface of the pocket or cavity.
In another embodiment as disclosed herein, the cleaning device has a least one seal that is formed between at least two of the attached layers; wherein the seal is located within a bias region, wherein the bias region is located adjacent to at least of one edges of the attached layers of to a least one edge of the cleaning device.
In a related embodiment, the cleaning device has at least one seal that is formed between at least three attached layers; wherein a first seal is located within a first bias region to form one edge of the cavity; wherein a second and third seal are located within a second and third bias region, respectively, to form two additional edges of the cavity; wherein the first, second and third seal form a cavity that has a continuous seal consisting of the first, second and third seal. In a further related embodiment, the cleaning device features a continuous seal that extends along at least three edges of the cavity; wherein the seal is located within a bias region of each of the attached layers; and wherein the seals have the property of being one of water tight, liquid tight, vapor tight and odor tight, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, there can be sizes and shapes that correspond to the size of the target area or the individual to whom it will be applied. Diapering needs apply to a variety of consumers and embodiments may apply to the various demographics, including unique branding to identify each group. For example, an embodiment targeted for infant use could be called “Tiny Bum.” Also, embodiments can be individually wrapped in plastic, or foil, to retain freshness and moisture of the sanitary wipe.
Over time, aspects of the present invention can evolve. This ongoing nature of embodiments of the disclosed devices and method disclosed herein means diaper changing accessory products, and further enhancement of cleaning and disposing of the items, could yield ever more utility to users. These benefits mean that the accumulated adoption, in addition to its primary function of integrating the target area cleaning and disposal steps, can have broad reach in terms of how diaper wipes and related products are packaged, combined and developed.
Still further embodiments relate to methods of applying the techniques and technology of the device. In one instance, for example, a sanitary anti-bacterial agent could be integrated into embodiments of the present disclosure. Other combinations could include scented additions, conditioning properties and/or other protective and ease of disposal qualities.
In general, the disclosed embodiments relate to a layered cleaning device having (a) one or a plurality of non-porous layer(s) with an attached cavity; and (b) an opening to the cavity disposed on the exterior surface of the cleaning device to receive a hand; wherein at least one of the layers bears a cleaning layer on the exterior surface; wherein the cleaning layer is suitable for contact with human skin; and wherein the device can be folded or inverted and thereby secured into a collapsible disposable form. In some alternatives, the device is shaped in the form of a rectangle. In related embodiments, access to the device and applied surfaces are horizontal in nature.
In some embodiments the cleaning device has between two and ten of the non-porous layers, and alternatively at least one porous or wettable layer corresponding to a cleaning layer that may further contain a cleaning material.
In related embodiments, the cleaning device can be secured by a string, a plastic pull, a zipper closure means, an adhesive or tacky surface, or a combination thereof.
in further embodiments, the cleaning layer of the device may be treated with anti-bacterial compounds, optionally including additional materials such as, but not limited to, a cleaning aid, surfactant, solvent, fragrance, preservative, odor-control material, wetting aid, drying aid, skin lotion, soothing material, anti-inflammatory compound, anti-itch compound, diaper-rash additive, stabilizer, and combinations thereof.
In one embodiment, at least of the attached layers forming the attached cavity is bound along at least one edge to at least one of a second of the attached layers.
In a second related embodiment of the cleaning device the first and the second attached layers are bound within a bias region, wherein the bias region is located adjacent to the edge, and in a third related embodiment the attached layers are bound together within the bias region to form an attachment located adjacent to at least one edge of the cleaning device.
In further embodiment, device features attachment means in the form of a seal that is water tight and liquid tight, and in alternative embodiment wherein the seal is further vapor and odor tight.
In other embodiments, the cleaning device features seals that extend along the edges of at least three of the plurality of non-porous layers to form the attached cavity, or in related embodiment, the seal cavity has a seal that extends along at least two of the layers to form a pocket.
In related embodiments, the seal is formed between at least two of the attached layers; wherein the seal is located within a bias region, wherein the bias region is located adjacent to at least of one of the edges.
In further related embodiments, the seal is formed between at least three of the attached layers; wherein a first seal is located within a first bias region to form a first edge of the cavity; wherein a second and third seal are located within a second and third bias region, respectively, to form two additional edges, a second edge and a third edge, respectively, of the cavity; wherein the first, second and third seal form a cavity that has a continuous seal formed between the first, second and third seal; wherein the continuous seal is located adjacent to the first, second and third edges and extends across the first, second and third bias regions.
Alternatively, in further embodiments, the cleaning device features a continuous seal extends along at least three edges of the cavity; wherein the seal is located within a bias region of each of the layers; and wherein the seals have the property of being one of water tight, liquid tight, vapor tight and odor tight, or a combination thereof.
In other embodiments the device features a fourth edge of the cavity that is not sealed and which provides an opening to the cavity to receive at least one appendage selected from a digit, finger, thumb, palm, hand, or combination thereof, of a user; and wherein the cavity is invertible.
In a general embodiment, the present disclosure describes and claims a method for cleaning a skin surface in a diaper changing process, comprising using the cleaning as disclosed in the numerous embodiments presently described herein in a series of steps to: (a) first clean the skin surface using the cleaning layer, then; to (b) fold or invert the cleaning layer into an interior cavity formed from at least one of the non-porous layers, and then; to (c) close the interior cavity by securing with a closure means selected from a string, strap, adhesive or combination thereof, and then: (d) disposing of the cleaning device, optionally with a soiled diaper or other soiled articles contained within the cavity; wherein the interior cavity is in the form of a pocket formed from at least two of the non-porous layers bound together to form a seam located within a bias region; wherein the bias region is located adjacent to at least of edge of at least one of the layers; and wherein the seam is selected from seam that is water tight, liquid tight, odor tight, and vapor tight, and combinations thereof.
The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalization, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent in the teachings set forth herein. The summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description.
The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only multiple embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope; the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. An apparatus, method, or process according to some of the described embodiments can have several aspects, no single one of which necessarily is solely responsible for the desirable attributes of the apparatus, method or process. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features described herein provide a number of advantages in the desired application.
The features, aspects, applications and advantages of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings of several embodiments, which are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure herein disclosed. These, and other embodiments, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiments.
Some embodiments described herein overcome some of the drawbacks of existing products while adding favorable functionality that can facilitate efficient and sanitary diaper changing activities. Generally, embodiments relate to enhanced protections in terms of minimizing contact with bacterial items in the target use areas by the user that are pressed on the exterior of the skin of the person who is being changed. Some embodiments can relate to methods and processes that facilitate the cleaning of a person and ease of disposal to the cleaning elements involved in the changing of a diaper. Other embodiments include devices equipped with aspects of the present disclosure to increase their capabilities that facilitate and improve aspects of the cleaning and disposal techniques. Additional positive externalities of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to adjusting the technology with respect to accommodating various sizes of target use individuals.
In some embodiments described herein, a device may be applied as part of a method in a cleaning process where aspects may be optimized for both the cleaning and disposing of the items needed in changing a diaper. In some applications, the implementation might be to a use not described herein.
In some embodiments, one end of the strip 211 can be affixed to base of the cleaning device and, in other embodiments, the whole strip 211 may come free for the user to then apply like a conventional twist-tie around a wrapped end of a bag. In yet other embodiments, the strip 211 and/or binding element can be located anywhere on the cleaning device and in some other instances, there can be a separate unattached binding element. In yet other embodiments, the strip 211 may be removed and the cleaning device inverted to encapsulate the, now dirty, cleaning wipe 101 before using the strip 211 for sealing.
In another embodiment shown in
To form the cleaning device shown in
In further embodiments, a bias region may be defined along any of the edges of an attached layer, generally located adjacent to and approximately parallel to at least on edge of the attached layer, the bias region extending sufficient to provide for an attachment means to be made or formed in order to attach two layers together or alternatively to form a seam between two or more layers as disclosed herein in related embodiments.
Optionally, a soiled object such as a diaper or cleaning wipe can also be placed within the inverted open pouch of the cleaning device after it is used to secure the object and prevent further contact with the user. At this stage, the draw strip 332 can be grasped and pulled rightward, resulting in the closing of the inverted cleaning device which can be further secured in a closed position by tying the draw string or pulling it tightly to close the opening of the inverted cleaning device, making it suitable for disposal. The advantages of this approach includes the ability to use to cleaning device to clean a surface in addition to providing a means to safely dispose of contaminated objects within the cleaning device after it has been used.
In a related embodiment, the region corresponding to the hand sleeve 310 portion may be replaced by a region of similar or similar shape, style or outline in which the attachment (upper) surface of the top panel 305 is treated with a sticky or tacky but releasable adhesive that is capable of temporarily gripping and releasing the surface of a user's hand, so that the user can engage the cleaning device by pressing their hand or one or more fingers onto the sticky region to engage the surface, but wherein the releasable adhesive does not permanently engage the user's fingers, palm or hand or become attached to another interior surface (such as the inner (upper) surface of the lower panel 340, enabling the wiping device to be opened and accessed via the opening 352 and also enabling the ability of the wiping device to be inverted with respect to the opening 352 to secure the soiled surface of the cleaning pad 306 after use.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in
In this exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device consists of an open pouch with upper panel 405 and a lower panel 440 having an opening 452 (see lower panel) into which a user's hand (illustrated as 450) can enter the opening 452 and engage with a palm sleeve 410 and an optional thumb loop 411 by passing through the right side openings thereof. In this embodiment, the palm sleeve 410 is positioned about a center axis passing longitudinally through the cleaning device as denoted by the dotted line 402. The palm sleeve 410 and thumb loop 411 portions may be attached along their respective upper and lower edges by some attachment means to the surface of 405, leaving a right and left opening in each, respectively, that enables entry of one or a plurality of the user's fingers and thumb.
The cleaning device further features a wipe or cleaning pad 406, which may optionally include a cleaning or treatment composition thereon, wherein a lower surface of 406 (with respect to the side view 401) is attached to an outer (outside, top) surface the upper panel 405 by either by some fastening means, including but not limited to, an adhesive, crimp, glue-dot, glue strip, heat seal, laser weld, ultrasonic weld, and the like, or may alternatively be attached to upper panel 405 by means of a crimp or heat seal along the outer perimeter of 406, located within the bias zone 422, or immediately adjacent to the bias zone at position 408. In a further embodiment, the cleaning device may be constructed so that the attachment of the cleaning pad 406 to the upper panel 405 is achieved while the upper panel 405 is being secured to the lower panel 440 along the outer bias zones, 422 (and the corresponding lower 422′) and the left side bias zone 418, while optionally also securing attachment along the bias zone between the upper corner 404 and lower corner 404′. Alternatively, multiple crimps or heat-welds can be employed to attach the cleaning pad 406 to the cleaning device, either in a first step to adhere it to the upper surface of 405, or in a combined step of simultaneously adhering 406 to 405 in a single step in which the crimps or heat-welds along the top, left-side and bottom edges within or adjacent to the respective bias regions 422, 418 and 422′ as they themselves are formed. Accordingly, the cleaning device may be constructed in several alternative ways by means of either first attaching the cleaning pad to at least one upper panel 405 or alternatively one upper panel 405 with some finger, thumb or hand engagement means (such as 310, 410, 411 or equivalents thereof) pre-attached to the opposing face of the upper panel 405. This can be followed by a second step of attaching the lower panel 440 to the lower side edges of the upper panel 405.
In related embodiments, the cleaning wipe or pad may be a single, dual, or triple-layered construct, or alternatively two or a plurality of stacked or partially overlapping layers that serve to capture and retain solid matter and debris during use. In a further embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaning wipe or pad may be formed onto the support layer of the upper panel 405 in the form of a flocked surface treatment applied to all or a portion of the panel 405 to create a wiping surface that is integral, being a surface layer treatment rather than a separate independent layer that is subsequently attached to the surface of panel 405 as disclosed in other embodiments herein. Flocking is well known in the art, and enables a surface to be transformed into a wiping surface by means of modifying the surface of a suitable base member, film or layer by the application of a second, compatible material in the form of particles or fibers, for example. In one example embodiment, flocking essentially results in a surface of deposited absorbent fibers onto the wiping surface of the wiping layer to produce a textured and absorbent coating that acts in a similar manner to a wiping implement or wipe. One advantage of a flocked treatment is reduced material use, elimination of an attachment means otherwise required to secure a cleaning wipe to the wiping surface, as well as ease in construction and manufacture of the cleaning devices disclosed herein.
Accordingly, in one embodiment the cleaning device as shown in
In a related embodiment, the cleaning device can be constructed in a second series of steps wherein the cleaning pad 406 is attached and bound simultaneously to the bias or near the bias zones of the periphery of the cleaning device adjacent to the bias regions 422, 418 and 422′, by means of a crimping or heat sealing operation that simultaneously welds the upper panel 405 to the cleaning pad 406 and the lower panel 440 in a single operation.
Formation of a closure or draw-string closure as illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, the upper panel 405 and lower panel 440 may be a single contiguous sheet that is formed with a closure or draw-string closure means on one end, then folded approximately at a midpoint (corresponding to the position of edge 416 to form a water and liquid-tight junction or fold without the need for crimping or sealing that specific edge.
In general, it is desirable for all folds and seals that are formed to be water and liquid as well as at least partially vapor tight, so that when the cleaning device is inverted, any liquid or waste materials, and odors, are trapped within the inverted cleaning device, particularly if a closure or draw-string closure means is then engaged to seal the cleaning device with the soiled cleaning wipe and any extraneous materials collected thereon being fully contained within the inner portion of the cleaning device after its inversion through the prior opening 452.
In further related embodiments, the cleaning device can be inverted after use, such as after wiping a surface or a baby, and the wiping surface folded back into the cavity, so that any soil or contaminants are further contained within the folded cavity to reduce or prevent exposure of the user to any soil or contaminant transferred to the surface of the wiping surface during a cleaning operation. Further, larger amounts of materials, such as feces if cleaning a baby, can also be retained within the cavity by means of folding one, two or three sides of the cavity back onto itself, or alternatively, inverting the cavity by means of folding the free edge or free material of the cleaning wipe into the cavity to isolate the contents of the cavity from the outside and thus acting to reduce or prevent exposure of the user to any bulk soils or contaminants transferred to the surface of the wiping surface during a cleaning operation.
In related embodiments, the cleaning device can feature one or a plurality of finger, palm, hand, thumb and wrist engagement means suitable for engaging one or more digits or portions of a user's hand to enable the holding and manipulation of the cleaning device, and in particular the surface bearing a cleaning or wiping surface or pad.
In further embodiments, the cleaning device and its component parts can be formed into any suitable shape, including square, rectangular, triangular, circular, oval, ellipsoidal or in the shape of a glove, mitt or hand, or combination thereof as selected to enable the wipe or cleaning pad portion to be manipulable and tailored to the intended application. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosed cleaning device can be sized proportionally for use, for example, a smaller cleaning device for smaller newborns, larger cleaning devices for older babies and yet larger cleaning devices for younger children and adults.
Materials suitable for use herein include natural and synthetic materials, such as carbon-based and silicone-based polymers, copolymers and mixtures thereof that are suitable for their intended use and are also amenable to being adhered or attached to one another by at least one attachment means as disclosed hereinabove.
Polymer materials, such as high and low density polyalkylenes (polyethylene, polybutene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride being non-limiting examples) may be suitably employed and lend themselves to convenient heat, impulse or laser sealing, forming strong water, liquid and vapor tight joints and seals following a fusion step. The cleaning wipe can also be composed of a synthetic polymer material or mixture of a synthetic with a natural polymer fiber such as cotton, cellulose, wool or the like, or mixtures thereof. These can be configured in any loft or density, pore size or fiber configuration owing to the multiple methods known in the art to form absorbent and soft wiping materials, such as through spun-bonding, spin-weaving, air-laid and weaving techniques that transform thin polymer strands and fibers into three-dimensional cleaning wipes and pads. One advantage of an at least partially synthetic (polyalkylenes for example) fiber content in a cleaning wipe or pad is the ability to heat or impulse seal the fiber pad to itself or another polymeric portion of the cleaning devices as disclosed herein, enabling easy construction and fabrication without the need for additional adhesives or attachment means (such as sewing).
For use on skin or tissue, the cleaning pad material may be selected from a soft and absorbent material to prevent undue abrasion or irritation during use. The cleaning pad material can be selected from materials that are water-wettable, weakly, moderately or high water absorbing, depending on whether a cleaning solution is added, and the extent of saturation of the cleaning solution desired when present. Any acceptable cleaning solution, including just water, is suitable for use with the various disclosed embodiments of the present disclosure.
With respect to any embodiment, the cleaning device may be comprised of materials including polymers (such as polyalkylenes), silicone-based materials, wool, cotton, polyesters, fibrous wood materials and those found in commonly used diaper related products. Further, there are other manufacturing components and processes, such as making devices expandable or fitted in some manner, which can contribute to and benefit from designs and technologies described herein. Also, some shapes, designs and implementations can be based on licensing agreements or marketing considerations that integrate popular icons and images from industries that can elevate appeal on a basis that leverages identity and recognition. Further, the implementations can accommodate different numbers of integrated layers across other aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments of the disclosure, the cleaning device can feature two treatment surfaces in a dual-layer configuration with two opposed cleaning surfaces bearing two different cleaning or treatment pads, such as for example one cleaning pad for cleaning and/or disinfection, and a second cleaning pad bearing a skin care treatment such as a lotion or moisturizer. In another example embodiment of the disclosure, the cleaning device can feature two separate openings in a tri-layer configuration with two opposed cleaning surfaces bearing two different cleaning pads, such as for example on cleaning pad for cleaning and/or disinfection, and a second cleaning pad bearing a skin care treatment such as a lotion or moisturizer.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art, that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components or processes described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the claims are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.
This application claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. provisional patent application 63/308,232 entitled “DISPOSABLE LAYERED CLEANING DEVICE”, filed on Feb. 9, 2022, which is hereby included here within in its entirety by reference.
