Floor cleaning pad and apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning device including a mel amine sponge is employed for use in a floor scrubbing machine for cleaning uncoated, stone floors. A backing material is secured to the melamine sponge and a non-woven fabric is secured to the backing material which in turn is engaged by the driver block of the machine. The cleaning device in conjunction with the floor scrubbing machine is capable of removing dirt and scuff marks from stone floors using only water as the cleaning agent.

1 . A cleaning device for use on a portable, powered, hand-held tool, the cleaning device comprising:
 a melamine foam pad;   a backing layer connected to the melamine foam pad; and   a connection layer connected to the backing layer, the connection layer constructed and arranged to be connected and retained to the hand-held tool.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning pad of  claim 1  where the melamine foam pad is uncompressed. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning pad of  claim 1  where the melamine foam pad is compressed. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning pad of  claim 1  wherein the melamine foam pad is about ½ inch in thickness. 
     
     
         5 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning apparatus for use on a floor scrubbing machine, the cleaning apparatus comprising:
 a pad driver connected to the driving member; and   a melamine foam pad connected to the pad driver.   
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the melamine foam pad is essentially round and has a thickness of about ½ inch. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the melamine foam pad has a diameter in the range of about 3 to about 20 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10  further including a backing layer connected to the melamine foam pad. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the backing layer is composed of polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 13  further including a connection layer connected to the backing layer. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the backing layer is composed of a felt material. 
     
     
         17 . A method of cleaning a floor surface employing the cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the floor surface is a porous stone floor with grout. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the porous stone floor is porcelain. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein water is applied to the floor surface and is scrubbed into the surface, the melamine foam pad being essentially round and having a thickness of about ½ inch. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein a low volatile cleaning agent is applied to the floor surface and is scrubbed into the surface. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein only water is used as the cleaning agent applied to the floor surface and is scrubbed into the surface. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the floor surface is uncoated. 
     
     
         24 .- 28 . (canceled)