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Cleaning deviceRelated Patent Categories: Brushing, Scrubbing, And General Cleaning, Implements, Tool Coated Or Impregnated With Material Supply, Including Means For Manual Manipulation Of ImplementCleaning device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060130252, Cleaning device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] This disclosure relates to cleaning devices. [0002] Many cleaning devices comprise a handle with a cleaning instrument attached thereto (e.g., a mop attached to a handle, and the like). These devices, over the course of multiple uses, receive a great deal of pressure and wear on their cleaning surface. This wear can cause the device to loose its cleaning efficiency. Additionally, due to the nature of the use of the cleaning devices, the cleaning devices can become fouled with dirt, grease, bacteria, and other contaminants. [0003] The cleaning surface usually comprises a scrubbing material for cleaning other surfaces. The scrubbing materials tend to be expensive. [0004] Accordingly, there remains a need for cleaning devices with inexpensive cleaning surfaces. There also remains a need for cleaning devices with efficiently and effectively designed handles. BRIEF SUMMARY [0005] Disclosed herein are cleaning pads and cleaning devices comprising cleaning pads. In one embodiment, a cleaning pad comprises: a non-woven web having a length along a length dimension and a width along a width dimension, and having a height along a height dimension, wherein the length and the width define a cleaning surface, wherein the height and the length defining a side surface. The width is less than the height which is less than the length. The cleaning surface is capable of cleaning other surfaces. [0006] In one embodiment, a cleaning device comprises a holder and a cleaning pad removably attached to the holder. The cleaning pad comprises a non-woven web having a length along a length dimension and a width along a width dimension, and having a height along a height dimension, wherein the length and the width define a cleaning surface, wherein the height and the length defining a side surface. The width is less than the height which is less than the length. The cleaning surface is capable of cleaning other surfaces. [0007] The above described and other features are exemplified by the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0008] Refer now to figures, which are exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several figures and, as such may not be discussed in relation to each figure. [0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a portion of a cleaning pad. [0010] FIGS. 2-5 are top views of various embodiments of the cleaning surface of the cleaning pad of FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cleaning side of a cleaning pad comprising a partially segmented nonwoven web. [0012] FIGS. 7-10 are side views of various embodiments of a cleaning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0013] Disclosed herein are cleaning pads and cleaning devices comprising cleaning pads. The cleaning pads have one or more cleaning surfaces capable of cleaning other surfaces. All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive and combinable (e.g., ranges of "up to about 25 wt %, or, more specifically about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %" is inclusive of the endpoints and all intermediate values of the ranges of "about 5 wt % to about 25 wt %," etc.). The terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. [0014] Referring now to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a cleaning pad 10 comprises a nonwoven web 12 having a length dimension 14 (a portion of the length 14 is shown in FIG. 1) along a length dimension, a width 16 along a width dimension, and a height 18 along a height dimension. For the purpose of illustration, the length dimension is represented on an axis 50-50, the width dimension represented on an axis 52-52, and height dimension represented on an axis 54-54, the three axis (50-50, 52-52, 54-54) being orthogonal to each other. The length dimension 14 and the width 16 define a cleaning surface 20. The height 18 and the length dimension 14 define a side surface 22. [0015] The nonwoven web can be continuous along the length dimension (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5), or can be partially segmented (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the length dimension 14 is cut along a portion of the height 18). Similarly, the width 16 and height 18 can, individually, be constant (e.g., uniform) or varied. For example, the cleaning device can have a shorter height toward the edge(s) and a longer height toward the center to attain a rounded effect. In another embodiment, the height can be variable across the device to attain a greater scrubbing (e.g., abrasive) effect and enhance the ability to clean uneven surfaces, e.g., having depressions, crevices, and so forth. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning device can have a longer height toward the edge(s) and a shorter height toward the center. Various combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing designs are also possible. [0016] Desirably, the width 16 can be less than the height 18, which can be less than the length dimension 14 (e.g., as is illustrated in FIG. 3-5), essentially using an end 20 of the nonwoven instead of the surface 22 to perform the cleaning. In certain embodiments, the nonwoven web can have an average width along the width dimension of about 0.1 millimeter (mm) to about 10 mm, or, more specifically, about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, or, even more specifically, about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The average height along the height dimension can be about 1 mm to about 40 mm or so, or, more specifically, about 5 mm to about 30 mm, or, even more specifically, about 10 mm to about 20 mm. The average length along the length dimension can be about 10 centimeters (cm) to about 200 cm or so, or, more specifically, about 20 cm to about 100 cm, or, even more specifically, about 30 cm to about 70 cm. The specific dimensions are chosen based upon the specific intended application (e.g., scrubbing a stove-top versus an exfoliant for use on skin). [0017] In order to attain the desired cleaning effect, the width 16 can be substantially smaller than the length dimension 14 and even than the height 18. The ratio of the average height along the height dimension to the average width along the width dimension (i.e., a height to width ratio), can be sufficiently high for the cleaning edges 20 to have bristle-like mechanical properties. The cleaning edges can move independently of one another; such, nonwoven webs provide void spaces between cleaning surfaces to hold cleaning agents and debris. For example, the nonwoven web can have a length that is greater than or equal to an order of magnitude larger than the width, and, more specifically, greater than or equal to 2 orders of magnitude larger than the width, e.g., a length of 30 cm with a width of about 4 mm, or a length of 100 cm with a width of about 5 mm, and so forth. [0018] To further enhance the scrubbing characteristics of the cleaning device, the nonwoven web can have a density that, for example, enables trapping of debris between the layers and optionally that is capable of inducing foaming and/or a lather. For example, in some embodiments, the density can be about 0.01 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) to about 0.9 g/cc, or, more specifically, about 0.1 g/cc to about 0.5 g/cc, or, even more specifically, about 0.15 g/cc to about 0.25 g/cc. [0019] As is illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the cleaning surface 20 can have a variety of geometries. Desirably, the geometries are chosen to enhance cleaning efficiency and effectiveness. Optionally, the geometry can be chosen to also enhance brand differentiation. Geometries include various rounded (FIGS. 2 and 6) and multisided (FIGS. 3 and 4) spiral type geometries (wherein the length dimension 14 is the entire length of the spiral from point "A" to point "B" (see FIG. 3)), linear geometries, folded geometries (e.g., fan folded geometry, wherein the nonwoven web is folded back and forth on itself, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B), and so forth, as well as combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing geometries. FIG. 3 is an exemplary square spiral geometry, while FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary pentagonal spiral geometry. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the cleaning surface 20 is substantially continuous. [0020] In other embodiments, the cleaning surface 20 has a geometry partially segmented along the length dimension (as illustrated in FIG. 6). The segments can be formed by a separation in the height dimension (e.g., perpendicular to the length dimension). The separation that forms the various segments can extend a distance of less than or equal to about 85% of the height dimension as measured from the cleaning surface 20, or, more specifically, an extension of about 15% to about 75%, or, even more specifically, an extension of about 30% to about 70%, and, yet more specifically, an extension of about 45% to about 65% of the height. In this embodiment, the width dimension is substantially constant and the length dimension is segmented. The segments can have a length 114 that is constant or varied. This segment length 114 can be about 1 mm to about 20 mm, or, more specifically, about 4 mm to about 15 mm, and even more specifically, about 5 mm to about 10 mm; in some embodiments. Continue reading about Cleaning device... Full patent description for Cleaning device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cleaning device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cleaning device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device for cleaning a smooth-walled tube Next Patent Application: Toothbrush Industry Class: Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cleaning device patent info. 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