Ergonomic cleaning device

Abstract

An ergonomic cleaning device that fits less than the entire hand can be used to effectively clean surfaces. The cleaning device can be used for inanimate or animate surfaces. The cleaning device optionally contains a cleaning composition and can optionally be attached to a cleaning implement. A kit containing the cleaning device optionally provides directions for use and information about disposal.

1 . A device comprising: 
 a. a substrate having a first outwardly facing side, a second outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, wherein said first and second sides are bonded together leaving an entry portion along one edge of each of said first and second sides between said first and second sides;    b. optionally, a treatment composition impregnated in said substrate;    c. optionally, at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer between said first and second sides; and    d. wherein said device is designed to cover the hand area comprising parts of more than one appendage selected from fingers and a thumb, and    e. wherein said device is designed not to cover the carpals area of the hand.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is designed to cover four fingers but not cover the thumb.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is designed to cover four fingers and the thumb.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is a mitt.  
   
   
       5 . A device comprising: 
 a. a substrate having a first outwardly facing side, a second outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and forming an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said substrate further having at least one entry portion such that said internal cavity is externally accessible;    b. a treatment composition impregnated in said substrate;    c. optionally, at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; and    d. wherein said device is designed to extend over at least two fingers and said device is designed not to extend over the carpals area of the hand.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said treatment composition comprises an organic acid selected from the group consisting of pyroglutamic acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, gluconolactone acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said treatment composition comprises a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said treatment composition comprises a biocide.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said device can be attached to a cleaning implement.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said substrate has an indicia that indicates the side of said substrate for attachment to said cleaning implement.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said device covers three fingers.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate comprises thermoplastic fibers.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate comprises sponge material.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate comprises superabsorbent material.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said treatment composition is applied to only one side of said substrate.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.5.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.25.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.1.  
   
   
       19 . A kit comprising: 
 a. a device comprising: 
 i. a substrate having a first outwardly facing side, a second outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said substrate further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible;  
 ii. optionally, a treatment composition impregnated in said substrate;  
 iii. optionally, one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; and  
   b. directions for use comprising: 
 i. indicia showing that said device is designed to extend over at least two fingers and designed not to extend over the carpals area of the hand; and  
 ii. optionally, instructions selected from the group consisting of a statement that the treatment device is disposable, a statement that the treatment device is not intended to be reused, a statement that the treatment device should be discarded after a single use, a statement that the treatment device should be discarded after a limited number of uses, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said directions additionally comprise instructions to treat a surface selected from the group consisting of a human surface, an animal surface, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said kit additionally comprises instructions to treat a hard surface.  
   
   
       22 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said kit additionally comprises instructions to treat soft textile surfaces.  
   
   
       23 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said kit additionally comprises indicia that said device can be used in a dry manner for treating surfaces.  
   
   
       24 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said kit additionally comprises indicia that said device can be used in a wet manner for treating surfaces.  
   
   
       25 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.5.  
   
   
       26 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.25.  
   
   
       27 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein said substrate has a ratio of length to width of greater than 1.0 and less than 1.1.