US3060486A - Disposable cleaning pad - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 30, 1962 l. D. LEWIS 3,060,486

DISPOSABLE CLEANING PAD Filed March 7, i960 INVENTOR, IRVIN D. LEWIS.

ATTORNEY 3,060,486 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 free 3,060,486 DISPOSABLE CLEANING PAD Irvin D. Lewis, Rte. 1, South St. Paul, Minn. Filed Mar. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 13,221 3 Claims. (Cl. -539) This invention relates to pads and more particularly deals with disposable pads used in the cleaning and drying of various surfaces, particularly of the human body.

Cleaning pads commonly in use are usually dependent upon a separate cleaning compound or a separate supply of moisture. Situations often arise when a cleaning pad is not readily available but more often a lack of moisture is the greater problem. For instance, an extended trip in an automobile often necessitates driving through unpopulated areas where a supply of water may not be readily available. Furthermore, public rest rooms are not always equipped to accommodate cleaning needs on occasions requiring the use of a cleaning compound such as when hands or clothing become soiled with grease, mud, grime and the like.

With these thoughts in mind, this invention contemplates a disposable cleaning pad which is especially adapted for personal cleaning occasions at such times when a supply of cleaning compound or water is not immediately available.

In general, the invention comprises an applicator pad having a frangible capsule containing a cleaning fluid embedded therein. The cleaning fluid which may be basically water may contain various cleaning compounds such as a detergent, antiseptic, medicated, or germicidal type fluids. The capsule is formed of a suitable fluid-impervious material such as polyethylene and which may be ruptured when certain pressures are applied to the applicator pad. The cleaning fluid will be dispersed through the applicator pad by a process of osmosis.

In addition, the applicator pad which is formed of a highly absorbent material, is provided with flaps which are formed of the same or other material and which enclose the pad in one folded position but may be unfolded prior to a cleaning operation, returned to a contiguous relation thereto and utilized both to enclose the soiled portion of the pad and to serve as a drying or butting means on the area which was cleansed.

The preferred dimensions of the pad which is generally rectangular and slightly elongated adapt it to be disposed of in a toilet stool.

Therefore, the primary object of this invention is to provide a cleansing pad which contains its own cleansing compound and which is adapted to disperse the cleansing fluid throughout the pad, flaps arranged to be utilized in a drying or bufling application, and general dimensions which permit disposal in a toilet stool.

Other and further objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings wherein: 1

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the invention showing the flaps in an unfolded position.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the new invention showing one flap in contiguous folded position and showing another flap folded slightly out of contiguous relation with the pad.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above referred to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And While there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention, it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

The invention embodies a pad which is generally indicated by the numeral 10 having opposite cleaning surfaces 12' and 14 and end walls 16 and 18 and side walls 15 and 17. The embodiment shown in the drawings includes a covering 20 which encloses the pad and is generally contiguous with the cleaning surfaces 12 and 14 and the end wall 18. The covering is folded around the end 16 and stitched transversely as at 22 to enclose the pad 10. Flaps 24 and 26 extend from the covering as is best shown in FIGURE 3. The flaps are designed to be folded into contiguous relation with the surfaces 12 and 14 of the pad when the pad is packaged for sale in a suitable container and for additional purposes later to be described.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the pad is formed of a highly absorbent material such as a cellulosic cotton, cloth, fluffed wood pulp or the like. The covering is preferably formed of a gauze-like cloth from which the flaps extend. It is understood, however, that the covering 29 may be dispensed with and that the flaps 24 and 26 may be attached directly to the pad at either of the ends 16 or 18.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the pad 10 is provided with a frangible capsule 28 which is embedded therein in a position which will disperse the fluid 30 through the pad in when the capsule 28 is ruptured. The capsule is formed of a frangible, water impervious material such as polyethylene which may be ruptured by applying pressure to the pad such as by squeezing in the hand.

In use, the flaps 24 and 26 are first folded out of engagement with the cleaning surfaces of the pad. The pad 10 is squeezed rupturing the capsule, dispersing the cleaning fluid through the pad. After a cleaning operation the inner flap layers are folded into contiguous relation with the surfaces 12 and 14 for a drying of the surface. The outer layers of the flap may be folded contiguous with the inner flap layers for a further drying or buffing operation.

It remains obvious that the flaps may be attached to the side walls 15 and 17 and that they be folded into contiguous relation with the surfaces 12 and 14 in the same manner as are flaps attached to the end walls. It is believed that flaps attached to the end walls would not interfere with a cleaning operation inasmuch as the pads are better adapted to be gripped by the hand along the edges or side walls 15' and 17.

From the foregoing specification, it will become apparent that the invention disclosed will adequately accomplish the functions for which it has been designed and in an economical manner, and that its simplicity, accuracy, and ease of operation are such as to provide a relatively inexpensive device, considering what it will accomplish, and that it will find an important place in the art to which it appertains when once placed on the market.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded unnecessary.

Changes in shape, size, and arrangement of details and parts such as come within the purview of the invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. A disposable article for use for cleaning purposes comprising an elongated generally rectangular applicator pad formed of absorbent material, said pad having a pair of opposed fiat surfaces, a frangible capsule containing a cleaning fluid embedded in said pad, a cover formed of an elongated strip of absorbent material of a Width substantially equal to the Width of said opposed 5 flat surface, said cover strip being folded intermediate its ends about one end surface of said pad and in face contact with said fiat surfaces, the portions of the strip on either side of the intermediate fold being drawn together over the other end surface and secured together, the ends of said strip extending to form flaps of sufficient length to overlie one or both of said covered flat surfaces, the side surfaces of said pad being exposed.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the portions of the cover strip are stitched together to frictionally hold said cover in pad encircling position.

3. The structure of claim 1 and in which said cover strip portions are of substantially equal length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,057,500 OConnor Oct. 13, 1936 10 2,209,914 Gerber et al. Feb. 25, 1937 2,779,465 Anderson Jan. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 293,898 Great Britain July 16, 1928

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