Technical field

The present invention relates to a product for cleaning surfaces.

Background Art

In the sector of detergents and cleaning devices, for private or industrial use, there are numerous products available on the market which are specifically designed for washing and removing dirt from surfaces that are transparent and/or glossy and/or reflective.

As is known, the term "dirt" is used to mean substantially the group of chemical substances, organic, inorganic and/or of other nature, that can be deposited on surfaces thus altering their appearance, functionality and sanitary hygienic profile. For example, the organic substances can be molecules belonging to the category of fatty substances or other natural or synthetic substances which are deposited on the above-mentioned surfaces.

Detergents therefore must be capable of removing the impurities, sediments and deposits of dirt (which may be stratified) from the surface of materials in their natural state and/or materials that have been treated in any way. In particular, the cleaning of surfaces that are transparent and/or glossy and/or reflective is considered one of the most difficult, complex and delicate operations, with results that are not always long-lasting and satisfactory. Indeed, owing to the force of gravity, chemical interactions and phenomena associated with electrostatic attraction, dust, grease, saline residues and limescale are deposited on these surfaces, causing the loss of their lustre and/or transparency with particularly unpleasant results considering that these attributes constitute their principal aesthetic characteristic.

Thus the washing of surfaces such as, for the purposes of non-limiting example, mirrors, windows or stainless steel surfaces requires a detailed knowledge of products for cleaning, since this is the most delicate operation in the field because of the easy visibility of any residue of dirt or detergent that remains on the above-mentioned surfaces.

Furthermore, if we consider windows for example, some surfaces are also subjected to exposure to atmospheric agents, which are deposited on the surfaces thus contributing to increasing the risk that dirt accumulates on them.

With known methods, the cleaning of glossy and/or transparent and/or reflective surfaces is therefore performed with three distinct operations and with the use of specific products for the type of surface to be treated: the first operation is the wetting of the surface by dispensing a detergent product (typically liquid), and subsequently it is possible to remove the dirt mechanically by using cloths, sponges, natural or synthetic fabrics, and the like, and lastly the surface is dried to restore its normal transparency and/or gloss.

The diying operation is generally performed with fabrics, manual devices available on the market, or, as is nowadays commonly the case, with newspaper.

This implementation solution is not, however, without drawbacks. At the end of the drying operation, often the desired result is not achieved, since typically the materials and the devices employed for cleaning and drying do not achieve the complete removal of the impurities, which is necessary, in common feeling and perception, for a truly positive assessment of the effectiveness of cleaning (particularly for glossy, transparent or reflective surfaces).

Furthermore, the dispensing of the detergent by means of a spray, or the like, involves the dispersion of the product in the environment and the possible inhalation thereof by the user. In addition, this method can favour the application of an excessive amount of product with respect to the degree of dirt to be removed. In this case the excess product also causes a possible contamination, via drips, of surfaces located in proximity to the surfaces that are the subject of cleaning. Lastly, it should be noted that the choice to use a plurality of products or devices for the same activity (for example a bottle of detergent, a cloth or fabric for cleaning, a cloth or fabric for drying) is complex to manage and in any case uncomfortable for the user, particularly when the surfaces are located in environments where space is at a minimum (for example pleasure boats, cars, caravans and camper vans).

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to resolve the above-mentioned problems, by providing a product that is capable of practically and effectively performing the cleaning and diying of surfaces of various types, and in particular of glossy and/or transparent and/or reflective surfaces.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a product that makes it possible to achieve a thorough cleaning and the removal of marks and rings from the surfaces to be cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a product that makes it possible to limit waste of detergent and to avoid contaminating the surrounding objects with it.

Another object of the invention is to provide a product that minimizes the risk, for the user, of inhaling gases, aerosols or liquids emitted by the detergent.

A further object of the invention is to provide a product that can be easily made from elements and materials that are readily available on the market.

A further object of the invention is to provide a product that is low- cost and safely applied.

This aim and these objects are achieved by a product for cleaning surfaces, comprising at least one superficial cleaning layer that is suitable, by sliding, to remove dirt from a surface to be cleaned, characterized in that said cleaning layer comprises a plurality of fibers woven so as to constitute a net, the cavities formed by said net accommodating non-detachably solid particles having a plurality of pores suitable to accommodate stably, by adsorption or absorption, liquids and/or mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description that follows of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the product according to the invention.

The product according to the invention is indicated for surfaces to be cleaned of various different types and comprises at least one superficial cleaning layer that is suitable, by sliding, to remove dirt from the surface to be cleaned.

It should be made clear from this point onward that the preferred application for the invention is constituted by the removal of dirt (and of marks and rings) from surfaces to be cleaned which are transparent, glossy and/or reflective (such as, for example, windows, stainless steel surfaces, mirrors and the like), for which such activity assumes particular importance, precisely because of the necessity to restore the gloss and the transparency that constitute their distinctive characteristics.

However, the possibility is not excluded (and lies within the scope of protection claimed herein) of using the product according to the invention for different types of surfaces to be cleaned, as a function of the specific requirements of application.

According to the invention, the cleaning layer comprises a plurality of fibers, woven so as to constitute a net: the cavities formed by the net of fibers non-detachably accommodate solid particles that in turn have a plurality of pores suitable to accommodate stably, by adsorption and absorption, liquids (for example water and/or detergents of various types) and/or mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt (where, again, the liquids can be water and/or detergents of various types).

It is thus possible to remove, from the surface to be cleaned, the particles of dirt and the liquid used for cleaning, thus simultaneously providing for the drying of the surface itself.

In particular, according to a first possible embodiment, the fibers are constituted by natural plant fibers, and obtained from the leaves, seeds or bast (the woody part) of the plant.

The natural fibers can therefore be chosen among fibers of cotton, abaca, hemp, jute, linen, ramie, esparto, seaweed, broom, hibiscus, raffia, sisal, cellulose.

For example, the choice of cotton provides the net with excellent hygroscopicity (which is the capacity to absorb the molecules of water present in the surrounding environment), good toughness, high resistance to heat, and optimum physiological adaptability and ability to be dyed. Thanks to the properties indicated above, and to a mechanical resistance that increases when the fibers are in the wet state, the cleaning layer made of cotton fibers can be easily washed even at high temperatures and with alkaline detergents.

The adoption of linen fibers, according to a different embodiment, ensures that the product according to the invention has high toughness and very low elasticity (these are typical properties of the cellulose that makes up linen fibers) thus yielding fabrics that are dimensionally stable and do not deform neither with use nor with repeated washing. Moreover, this implementation choice, by exploiting other properties of linen, gives the product natural brightness, increased hygroscopicity (and thus the capacity to absorb water up to 12% of its weight), resistance to wear, long useful life, resistance to washing at high temperatures, comfort in contact with the skin due to its coolness, and furthermore the product is completely non- allergenic.

By means of the adoption of fibers constituted by seaweed, it is possible to make products according to the invention with the mo-regulating properties. According to a different embodiment, the fibers that constitute the net are synthetic fibers, preferably chosen among aciylic fibers, chlorofibers, elastane, viscose, fluorofibers, elastomeric fibers, modacrylic fibers, polyamide fibers (for example nylon fibers), polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, chlorovinyl fibers, polyurethane fibers.

As previously observed for natural fibers, the adoption of a specific synthetic fiber also provides the product with respective distinctive characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the material selected. In the following, some properties of the synthetic fibers proposed above will be described, which properties positively can be acquired by the product according to the invention that adopts the respective fiber.

Acrylic fibers are resistant to moulds and microorganisms, with optimum ability to be dyed and resistance to sunlight, high softness and excellent resistance to washing, and they are also low-weight.

Aramid fibers (which belong to the polyamides class) are flame- resistant and, in some variants, they are also resistant to cutting and abrasion.

Chlorofibers are hydrorepellent, tough, elastic and can be stretched both when dry and when wet.

Elastane, which belongs to the polyurethane fibers class, is resistant to washing, has high elasticity (like elastomeric fibers) and is capable of being stretched, repeatedly, to up to six times its initial length; elastane is also resistant to oxidating agents and to chlorinated water.

Flourofibers are hydrorepellent and heat-resistant.

Modacrylic fibers have excellent resistance to flames and more generally, they have high thermal insulation, toughness, dimensional stability, and good ability to be dyed.

Polyamide fibers have high resistance to breaking, to deformation and to abrasion, are easy to maintain and can be dyed well and have high resistance to creases, and they also have a low tendency to absorb water and so the fabric dries quickly.

Polyester fibers have high resistance to breaking, elasticity and recovery, they are crease-proof and can be washed and dried easily and quickly; in addition they are resistant to microorganisms and/or bacteria.

Polyethylene fibers have exceptionally high resistance to traction.

Lastly, polypropylene fibers are lightweight, can be dyed well, have high mechanical resistance and resistance to abrasion, and they are easy to maintain, breathable and completely hydrorepellent.

It should be made clear that the possibility, which falls within the scope of protection claimed herein, is not ruled out of making cleaning layers that are constituted by two or more different types of fiber (and these two or more types of fiber can be all natural, or all synthetic, or a combination of synthetic and natural fibers).

Such different types of fiber can be woven and/or overlaid with each other.

Whatever the type of fibers chosen, the cavities formed by their net have dimensions comprised preferably between 0.1 micrometers and 100 micrometers, and these dimensions are larger than those of the solid particles (or in any case larger than the statistical distribution of the dimensions of the solid particles).

Even more specifically, it is possible to use cleaning layers that have nets of fibers with cavities comprised between 1 micrometer and 30 micrometers, and such cavities can be mutually connected by channels with a passage clearance comprised between 0.1 micrometers and 11 micrometers, thus achieving overall an empty space within the net which, as occupied volume, fluctuates from 30% to 90% of the overall volume.

Conveniently, the product according to the invention comprises solid particles (included within the product) in a percentage comprised between 0.01% and 15%, and preferably in a percentage comprised between 0.5% and 1.5%; these percentages refer to the total weight of the solid particles with respect to the total weight of the cleaning layer.

The particles are physically trapped according to various methods (which also lie within the scope of protection claimed herein) inside the cavity and, as previously mentioned, they are capable of absorption and/or adsorption of the liquids and/or the mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt.

As is known, the phenomenon of absorption involves the penetration and diffusion of the substances absorbed until they reach the inner layers of the absorbent body. In adsorption however, molecules, atoms or ions form a chemical link or establish a chemical/physical interaction, by means of Van der Waals forces, on the surface of an interphase. In any case, these phenomena ensure an effective and complete removal of liquids and/or of mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt from the surface to be cleaned.

For example, it is possible for the net of fibers to be treated (by means of washing) with an aqueous, alcoholic and/or solvent suspension of the selected solid particles (which can also be directed, according to an alternative method, with a jet of air and/or liquid toward the net). In this way, once the net is dried from this solution, the solid particles remain obstructed in the cavities, typically in a quantity, as previously observed, preferably equal to or in any case not greater than 5% by weight of the weight of the treated net.

The obstruction means that the solid particles are not released during the normal use of the product according to the invention, but act only as an absorbent/adsorbent element for the liquids contaminated by the dirt removed from the surface to be cleaned.

More specifically, according to an embodiment of important practical interest, cited for the purposes of non-limiting illustration of the application of the invention, the solid particles are substantially solid particles of activated carbon (which therefore contain principally carbon in the form of microcrystals of graphite, amorphous and treated so as to have a high porosity with a large inner surface area, up to values of the order of 2,500 mVg).

This structure ensures high adsorbent and/or absorbent capacities of numerous types of materials and substances, which are attracted to the inner surface of the activated carbon, thus providing the cleaning layer with a high reactive degree. The activation of the carbon increases the energy of the inner surface, making the attractive effect much stronger.

The removal of liquids and/or mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt occurs both by mechanical action (the particles of dirt in suspension are obstructed by the pores of the granulate), and by chemical/physical action (the dissolved particles of dirt are attracted electrostatically).

For the purposes of example, we give the non-limiting possible illustration of the application of the invention whereby the product comprises solid particles constituted by activated carbon of about 60 micrometers in size and trapped in a net of fibers with cavities of approximately 70-100 micrometers.

According to a different embodiment, the solid particles are substantially zeolites.

As is well-known, zeolites, the general formula of which is M _x/ n[(A10 ₂ ) _x (Si0 ₂ ) _y ].mH ₂ 0, have a structural framework based on aluminosilicates with cations trapped in "tunnel" or "cage" cavities, and basically they constitute a form of molecular sieves. The structure of zeolites is that of a regular weave of cages (internal cavities) of different shapes and sizes, connected to each other and with the outside by a net of channels, with diameters comprised between 3 Angstroms and 10 Angstroms.

The inner surface (which can assume values of the order of 600 m ² /g) allows the molecules to have a large capacity for adsorption and/or absorption, and in particular they are capable of adsorbing and/or absorbing water at extremely low partial pressures.

Since dehydrated zeolites have a porous structure that is open to the outside, they are able to adsorb and/or absorb large quantities of different particles of dirt and liquids, as well as water.

It should also be noted that zeolites feature the perfect reversibility of the process of adsorption and/or absorption, and thus the possibility of reusing the product several times: indeed, it is possible to adsorb and/or absorb liquids and particles of dirt and later arrange for their desorption by heating or by means of a reduction in pressure, or also by means of washing with a flow of inert gas or by shifting the adsorbed and/or absorbed molecules with other molecules that have a greater affinity for zeolites.

It is also possible to make use of different types of solid particles, for example comprising a functional group of a type preferably selected among an ammoniacal group and an alcoholic group, and which have a high degree of chemical affinity with surfactants.

Whatever the type of solid particles chosen, the sliding of the product according to the invention on the surface to be cleaned therefore makes it possible to simultaneously obtain the cleaning and the drying thereof, without marks and rings or opaque areas remaining thereon. Indeed, the solid particles trapped in the net of fibers increase the capacity of the cleaning layer to remove from the surface the mixture (liquid and impurities) deriving from the cleaning process and retain it.

Conveniently, the product according to the invention can be substantially shaped like a cloth, which is provided with the cleaning layer on one of its faces.

Moreover, according to a non-limiting embodiment of particular practical interest of the application of the invention, the cloth comprises, at the face that lies opposite the one provided with the cleaning/drying layer, a superficial washing layer.

This washing layer is substantially impregnated with liquid, preferably of the detergent type, which can be applied to the surface to be cleaned to facilitate the subsequent removal of dirt. The liquid detergent can be chosen so as to have high chemical affinity with the principal elements of the dirt and at the same time a high capacity to be absorbed and/or adsorbed by the cleaning/drying layer. The washing layer can be provided by means of a net of fibers of the same type (or of another type) as those used for the cleaning layer, but it is also possible to make use of different materials.

In any case, by adopting this implementation choice, the product according to the invention is capable of performing all the operations associated with the process of washing and cleaning, thus offering to the user the possibility of using a single device, ready for use, which can ensure a saving of space and time.

This makes use of the product according to the invention particularly suitable where space is an essential factor for the efficient use of the environment and where therefore it is preferable to avoid the accumulation of cumbersome objects (for example pleasure boats, caravans, camper vans etc.).

Indeed, a reduction is achieved in the number of objects that must be used for cleaning surfaces, by concentrating in a single device elements which are at present separate (for example a sponge, typically wetted, for cleaning and fabric for drying).

The removal of the dirt occurs in two successive steps: first the product is slid on the surface to be cleaned at the washing layer, and subsequently it is sufficient to slide the cleaning layer on the surface to be cleaned in order to achieve the cleaning and the drying thereof.

The choice to make use of a cloth provided with the two surface layers mentioned above also makes it possible to control and limit the quantity of detergent liquid used, since the quantity is predosed on one face of the cloth itself, thus avoiding excess and needless waste, with environmental and economic benefits. Furthermore, the presence of the liquid detergent on the device prevents the possible dripping thereof, as occurs with the known methods which make use of dispensers in a separate step, thus also avoiding the possibility of inhalatory exposure for the user.

In a convenient embodiment, in order to obtain the mutual isolation of the cleaning layer and of the washing layer, and thus prevent the passage between them of any element (for example liquid detergent or, in the other direction, particles of dirt), at least one shielding film, made of preferably polymeric material, is interposed between the superficial cleaning layer and the superficial washing layer.

Advantageously, according to a possible embodiment, the cloth is internally hollow and open on one side, so as to substantially form a mitt, in order to allow the user to insert a hand and facilitate the operation of washing and cleaning, thus minimizing the contact of the skin with the liquid detergent in the various steps of use.

After having substantially donned the mitt, for example donning it so that the washing layer is at the palm of the hand, the user can apply the liquid detergent on the surface to be cleaned by making it slide.

Subsequently, it is sufficient to invert the orientation of the mitt (with or without extracting the hand), so that the cleaning layer is at the palm of the hand, in order to proceed with the cleaning and the diying.

In this way the user does not come into contact with the compounds, and in order to ensure better protection for the hand and therefore for the user's skin, it is possible to line the inner surfaces of the cavity for the hand with the film of polymeric material.

The following paragraphs show some examples (for the purposes of non-limiting illustration of the application of the invention) of implementations of the invention.

Example 1.

The product is composed of a cleaning layer constituted by a non- bonded hydrofabric on which a 3% p/p aqueous suspension of solid particles of activated carbon is absorbed. The hydrofabric has the following properties:

• web structure: random

• composition: 50 % viscose and 50 % PES

• weight in g/m2: 50 ± 10

The activated carbon meets the specifications of the U.S. Food

Chemicals Codex (5th edition, 2004) and has:

• (European) molasses index, which is an absolute number indicating the capacity of the carbon to adsorb substances with heavy molecular weight: max. 1300;

· Humidity: max. 10%.

The product is prepared by uniformly distributing the aqueous suspension of activated carbon on the hydrofabric and the product thus impregnated is allowed to diy completely. At the end of the diying, it is verified by weight difference that the activated carbon absorbed in the fibers of the hydrofabric is 0.152 g (which corresponds to 1.52% of the weight of the hydrofabric used).

Example 2.

The product is composed of a cleaning layer constituted by a non- bonded hydrofabric on which a 0.3% p/p aqueous suspension of solid particles of activated carbon is absorbed. The hydrofabric has the following properties:

• web structure: random

• composition: 50 % viscose and 50 % PES

• weight in g/m2: 50 ± 10

The activated carbon meets the specifications of the U.S. Food

Chemicals Codex (5th edition, 2004) and has:

• (European) molasses index: max. 1300;

• humidity: max. 10%.

The product is prepared by uniformly distributing the aqueous suspension of activated carbon on the hydrofabric and the product thus impregnated is allowed to diy completely. At the end of the diying, it is verified by weight difference that the activated carbon absorbed in the fibers of the hydrofabric is 0.05 g (which corresponds to 0.5% of the weight of the hydrofabric used).

In practice it has been observed that the product according to the invention fully achieves the set aim and objects, in that the choice to make use of a product provided with at least one superficial cleaning layer comprising a plurality of fibers, woven and adapted to accommodate, in the cavities of the net thus defined, solid particles provided with a plurality of pores suitable to accommodate stably, by adsorption or absorption, liquids and/or mixtures of liquids and particles of dirt, makes it possible to practically and effectively execute the cleaning and the drying of surfaces of various types, and in particular of glossy and/or transparent and/or reflective surfaces.

The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

In the embodiments illustrated, the individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

Moreover, it should be noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

In practice the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. BO2010A000201 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.