US20070256261A1

US20070256261A1 - Cleaning cloth assembly

Info

Publication number: US20070256261A1
Application number: US11/308,792
Authority: US
Inventors: Israel Benitez; Mary Sarao
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-04
Filing date: 2006-05-04
Publication date: 2007-11-08

Abstract

A cleaning cloth assembly has a microfiber fabric layer, a knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer, and the layers connected about perimeter edges.

Description

Microfiber is relatively recent fabric development that is typically a blend of polyester and polyamide. Most commonly microfiber fabric is constructed in a blend of 80/20, 75/25, or 70/30, ratios of polyester/polyamide.
Microfiber performs better for cleaning tasks than other types of material, because the micro-fibers are split in such a way that their surface area is greatly increased. This creates a capillary action that makes microfiber super absorbent, and makes it cling to all kinds of dust, dirt and grime.
Microfiber has many applications relating to cleaning in general. The blend of microscopic polyester and polyamide fibers are split in such a way as to create microscopic “hooks” which act as claws that scrape up and hold dust, dirt, and grime.
The present invention combines microfiber and knit mesh layers to obtain a surprisingly effective cleaning cloth assembly. In one embodiment, the cleaning cloth assembly is a washcloth for use in human skin cleaning. Other versions of the cleaning cloth may be incorporated into such implements as mops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning cloth constructed in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a back view of the cleaning cloth of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially broken-away front view of the cleaning cloth, and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially broken-away back view of the cleaning cloth.
As shown in FIGS. 1-5, where like numerals indicate like and corresponding elements, cleaning cloth assembly 10 includes a a microfiber fabric layer 12 and a knit mesh netting layer 14 adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer 12. The microfiber fabric layer has a nubbly weave pattern, as shown in FIG. 5, and is preferably of a 70/30 ratio of polyester/polyamide. The knit mesh netting layer 14 has openings 16 of about ⅛ inch. Openings 16 in the range of 1/16 inch to 3/16 inch would be equivalently effective. An optional stitch 18 in the center of the layers 12,14 may be provided to prevent them from separating. A binding 20 joins the layers 12,14 about perimeter edges of the layers 12,14. A hanging loop 22 extends from one corner of the cleaning cloth assembly 10, though other equivalent locations for the loop may be used alternatively. Loop 22 may be made of the material of binding 20 or it may be a rope, a piece of fabric, or other construction.
In the preferred embodiment cleaning cloth assembly 10 is made of a nubbly weave microfiber fabric, knit mesh netting and a binding. It can also be made of other variations of microfiber fabric or similar materials containing the same characteristics. The preferred knit mesh netting has approximately ⅛ inch openings, but it may be made using knit mesh of other diameters of openings as well. It may also be made of other types of microfiber materials so long as they are absorbent and relatively quick drying.
Cleaning cloth assembly 10 is made by sewing the two fabrics together with a binding. The binding is also used to form a hook for hanging the cloth for drying. There is one stitch in the center of the cloth to prevent the cloths from separating completely.
In operation, when cleaning cloth assembly 10 is used as a human skin washcloth, it creates generous lather, exfoliates the skin and cleans the skin by removing soap, dirt, exfoliated skin and oil from the surface of the skin. It is quick drying and can be used reused after washing.
The advantage of cleaning cloth assembly 10 is that it lathers like a mesh sponge or scrunchie but has the feel and weight of a washcloth. The knit mesh side exfoliates the skin removing dead skin cells. The microfiber side provides superior cleaning by removing the dead skin, soap, dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. The cleaning cloth assembly of the present invention can be used on all areas of the body including face, ears, nose and genital areas for which mesh sponges or scrunchies are unsuitable. Cleaning cloth assembly 10 provides superior lather, like a mesh sponge, without the limitations on use that encumber mesh sponges. The fibers of the microfiber push through the netting slightly, holding the netting in place and preventing it from twisting or rolling up.
Conventional washcloths are generally made of terrycloth which do not provide any of the benefits offered by the cleaning cloth assembly 10. They do not exfoliate the skin, they do not lather well, and they do not provide the superior removal of dirt, oil, dead skin and soap that the cleaning cloth assembly 10 provides. In addition, washcloths do not air dry as efficiently as microfiber cloths. Mesh sponges exfoliate the skin and lather well, but they do not effectively remove soap, dirt and oil from the skin.
The surprising results of the combination of microfiber and knit mesh in a washcloth include that cleaning cloth assembly 10 cleans and invigorates the skin in a superior manner. Women who have used the cleaning cloth assembly 10 report that their faces feel so clean that it feels like they have had a facial. Their faces and complexions have a healthy glow after using the cleaning cloth assembly 10. Users also report that the exfoliation (knit) side of the cleaning cloth assembly 10 gently removes calluses and dead skin from their entire bodies. It is especially helpful on their feet and elbows. Users enthuse that they have never felt as clean after a bath or shower as when they use the cleaning cloth assembly 10. The users are completely baffled as to why the cleaning cloth assembly 10 combination of the microfiber cloth and the knit mesh works in the extraordinary way that it does, but once they have used it they frequently state that they never want to return to using just washcloths, just mesh sponges or a combination of the two. Another surprising result is that less soap or body gel is required during the shower or bath. The unexpected results make the user feel cleaner than traditional methods.
In creating cleaning cloth assembly 10, several combinations were tried that did not work. We tried adding the knit mesh to a terrycloth washcloth. It lathered well but did not leave the skin feeling extraordinarily clean. It did not remove the soap, oil and dirt as well as the microfiber cloth.
We also tried various types of mesh. Cotton meshes were too soft to provide effective exfoliation of the skin. Nylon meshes were too abrasive. We also tried mesh with various sizes of holes. Some of the mesh did not provide the superior lathering because the holes were either too large or two small.
We tried plain cotton knit material and it was not absorbent enough to hold the water. It also felt too light and insubstantial. Regular cotton, polyester and other types of materials were also tried and found to be unsuitable due to poor absorbency and/or texture.
Cleaning cloth assembly 10 is exactly the right combination to provide the advantages of both washcloths and mesh sponges with none of the drawbacks of either of those items. This unique combination produces an all in one solution for bathing.
The cleaning cloth assembly of the present invention, while described above in one embodiment used as a human skin washcloth, may also be incorporated in other cleaning situations and implements, such as floor mops.

Claims

1. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising:

a microfiber fabric layer;

a knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer; and

the layers being connected about perimeter edges of the layers.

2. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the microfiber fabric layer having a nubbly weave pattern.

3. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the knit mesh netting layer having openings of about ⅛ inch.

4. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with a stitch in the center of the layers to prevent them from separating.

5. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 1 with the layers being connected by a binding joining the layers.

6. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising:

a microfiber fabric layer having a nubbly weave pattern;

a knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer and having openings of about ⅛ inch; and

the layers being connected about perimeter edges of the layers by a binding joining the layers.

7. The cleaning cloth assembly of claim 6 with a stitch in the center of the layers to prevent them from separating.

8. A cleaning cloth assembly, comprising:

a microfiber fabric layer;

the microfiber fabric layer having a nubbly weave pattern;

a knit mesh netting layer adjacent to the microfiber fabric layer;

the knit mesh netting layer having openings of about ⅛ inch;

a stitch in the center of the layers to prevent them from separating; and

a binding joining the layers about perimeter edges of the layers.