Cleaning implement

Abstract

A cleaning implement includes an erodible foam adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned and a hydrophobic film attached to the erodible foam. The erodible foam is adhered to the hydrophobic film with an adhesive attachment. The cleaning implement may also include a handle attached to the impermeable film.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a) an erodible foam adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned, and   b) a hydrophobic film attached to the erodible foam,   wherein the erodible foam is adhered to the hydrophobic film with an adhesive attachment.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the erodible foam is heat-compressed. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam has an average pore size of about 50 μm to about 250 μm. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam has an average pore size of about 80 microns to about 150 microns. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam substrate has a density of about 18 kg/m 3  to about 25 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam substrate is a heat-compressed melamine foam substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the erodible foam has a thickness of at least about 5 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the hydrophobic film. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , further comprising an active agent impregnated in the erodible foam. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 9 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, bleaching agents, limescale reducing agents, biocides, solvents, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a) an erodible foam adapted to contact a surface to be cleaned, and   b) a impermeable film attached to the erodible foam,   wherein erodible foam is adhered to the film with an adhesive attachment.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11 , wherein the erodible foam is heat-compressed. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam has an average pore size of about 50 μm to about 250 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam has an average pore size of about 80 microns to about 150 microns. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam substrate has a density of about 18 kg/m 3  to about 25 kg/m 3 . 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12 , wherein the heat-compressed erodible foam substrate is a heat-compressed melamine foam substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11 , wherein the erodible foam has a thickness of at least about 5 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11 , further comprising a handle attached to the hydrophobic film. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11 , further comprising an active agent impregnated in the erodible foam. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning implement of  claim 19 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of surfactants, bleaching agents, limescale reducing agents, biocides, solvents, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A method of cleaning a surface comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a cleaning implement comprising an erodible foam substrate, an impermeable film attached adhered to the film with an adhesive attachment, and a handle attached to the impermeable film; and   b) rubbing said cleaning implement against a surface.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of wetting the cleaning implement with an appropriate solvent prior to step b.