Directional scrubbing and cleaning article

Abstract

The present invention relates to an abrasive article, an abrasive cleaning system, and a method for cleaning a hard surface, with improved versatility between maximum and minimum scrubbing capacity. The abrasive article may be used for a broad range of cleaning tasks because the scrubbing capacity of the abrasive article changes with the direction of motion. The abrasive article contains protrusions on at least one side of the abrasive article, which form a pattern of substantially parallel lines. When the direction of motion is perpendicular to the parallel lines, maximum scrubbing capacity is achieved. When the direction of motion is parallel to the parallel lines, minimum scrubbing capacity is achieved. The abrasive article may be used alone or as part of an abrasive cleaning system where it may be attached to a cleaning head that is in turn coupled to a handle by a yoke section.

1 . An abrasive article for cleaning hard surfaces comprising: 
 one or more protrusions on at least one side of the abrasive article    wherein the protrusions form a pattern of substantially parallel lines.    
   
   
       2 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article has different scrubbing capacities depending on the direction of motion in which the abrasive article is moved.  
   
   
       3 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein a maximum scrubbing capacity occurs when the direction of motion of the abrasive article is perpendicular to the parallel lines.  
   
   
       4 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein a minimum scrubbing capacity occurs when the direction of motion of the abrasive article is parallel to the parallel lines.  
   
   
       5 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article comprises a non-woven material.  
   
   
       6 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: polymeric resin, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, filaments, open cell foam, particulates, mono-directional scrims, oriented fibers or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       7 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article is disposable.  
   
   
       8 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the protrusions are located on a surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       9 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are woven through the abrasive article so that only portions of the protrusions are on the surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       10 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the protrusions are located beneath the surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       11 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are capable of retaining soil and dirt from the surface being cleaned.  
   
   
       12 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a height of less than about 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       13 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a width of less than about 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       14 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive article is absorbent.  
   
   
       15 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions are stiff enough to maintain their shape after vigorous scrubbing.  
   
   
       16 . The abrasive article of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions have a shape, which includes at least one pointed edge.  
   
   
       17 . An abrasive cleaning system for cleaning hard surfaces comprising: 
 a. an abrasive article with one or more protrusions on at least one side of the abrasive article and wherein the protrusions form a pattern of substantially parallel lines;    b. a cleaning head where the abrasive article is attached to the cleaning head; and    c. a handle coupled to the cleaning head with a yoke section.    
   
   
       18 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the abrasive article is removably attached to the cleaning head.  
   
   
       19 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the cleaning head is capable of rotation about a perpendicular axis.  
   
   
       20 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the abrasive article has different scrubbing capacities depending on the direction of motion in which the article is moved.  
   
   
       21 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein a maximum scrubbing capacity occurs when the direction of motion of the abrasive article is perpendicular to the parallel lines.  
   
   
       22 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein a minimum scrubbing capacity occurs when the direction of motion of the abrasive article is parallel to the parallel lines.  
   
   
       23 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the abrasive article comprises a non-woven material.  
   
   
       24 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: polymeric resin, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, filaments, open cell foam, particulates, mono-directional scrims, oriented fibers or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the abrasive article is disposable.  
   
   
       26 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein one or more of the protrusions are located on a surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       27 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions are woven through the abrasive article so that only portions of the protrusions are on the surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       28 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein one or more of the protrusions are located beneath the surface of the abrasive article.  
   
   
       29 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions retain soil and dirt from the surface being cleaned.  
   
   
       30 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions have a height of less than about 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       31 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions have a width of less than about 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       32 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the abrasive article is absorbent.  
   
   
       33 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions are stiff enough to maintain their shape after vigorous scrubbing.  
   
   
       34 . The abrasive cleaning system of  claim 17 , wherein the protrusions have a shape that includes at least one pointed edge.  
   
   
       35 . A method for cleaning a hard surface comprising the steps of: 
 a. placing an abrasive article, with protrusions forming a pattern of substantially parallel lines, in contact with the surface to be cleaned;    b. moving the abrasive article in a direction perpendicular to the parallel lines for maximum scrubbing capacity; and    c. moving the abrasive article in a direction parallel to the parallel lines for minimum scrubbing capacity.    
   
   
       36 . The method for cleaning a hard surface of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of rotating the abrasive article 90 degrees to switch between maximum scrubbing capacity and minimum scrubbing capacity.  
   
   
       37 . The method for cleaning a hard surface of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of maintaining contact between the abrasive article and the surface to be cleaned while switching from maximum scrubbing capacity to minimum scrubbing capacity.