[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning pad which is convenient to use and has
high washing effectiveness and antibacterial qualities.
[Background Art]
[0002] Various kinds of contamination may be removed to some degree with only water, but
in most cases, use of a detergent is required to remove contamination. A detergent
is mainly classified into soap and a synthetic detergent. The soap, which is the oldest
detergent, is formed by mixing animal or vegetable oil with sodium hydroxide and boiling
the mixed oil, and the synthetic detergent is formed by mixing a surfactant, which
is made of a raw material arising from petroleum compounds, with various additives.
[0003] The surfactant, which is a main component of soap and synthetic detergent, contains
both a hydrophilic group and a lipophilic group in a molecule thereof to play an important
role in removing contaminants. Specifically, when a detergent penetrates between an
object to be cleaned and a contaminant, the hydrophilic group and the lipophilic group
of the molecule of the surfactant adsorb onto the contaminant and are arranged so
that the hydrophilic group moves toward water and the lipophilic group moves toward
the contaminant. The detergent weakens a coupling force between the object to be cleaned
and the contaminant and swells to make the object to be cleaned and the contaminant
separable. Thus, when a physical force is applied to the object to be cleaned, the
contaminant may be easily removed.
[0004] However, when a detergent is excessively used, various problems may occur. Particularly,
since a dishwashing detergent for washing dishes is in direct contact with a user's
skin when in use, the dishwashing detergent is continuously exposed to a user's hand,
finger nails, and the like and removes a skin's protective barrier so as to cause
skin diseases such as housewife's eczema. Further, when the dishwashing detergent
remains on dishes, detergent components directly enter a user's mouth such as to cause
an adverse effect on health and sanitation.
[0005] Generally, a liquid-type dishwashing detergent is used. The liquid-type dishwashing
detergent is not easy to carry and store due to a heavy weight thereof, and when the
dishwashing detergent is used, a control of the amount of the dishwashing detergent
is difficult such that the dishwashing detergent may be excessively used, and thus
a solid-type dishwashing detergent has been developed. However, since the solid-type
dishwashing detergent is exposed to external environments after use until consumed,
bacteria may grow easily, and thus the hygienic management of the solid-type dishwashing
detergent may be difficult. Further, as the size of the solid-type dishwashing detergent
decreases according to use, it will be inconvenient for a user in a process of making
foam.
[0006] Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing a cleaning pad that enables
the hygienic management of a solid-type dishwashing detergent and has excellent usability
and washing effectiveness.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem]
[0007] The present invention is directed to providing a cleaning pad which is provided with
a solid detergent therein so as to have excellent usability and antibacterial qualities
and also have excellent washing effectiveness.
[Technical Solution]
[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a cleaning pad which has an empty space
formed therein, the cleaning pad including a detergent inlet formed on one end of
the cleaning pad and a sealing part that extends from each of both ends of the detergent
inlet and seals the other end of the cleaning pad, wherein the cleaning pad has a
structure in which the detergent inlet is folded from an outside of the cleaning pad
toward an inside thereof and is fixed.
[0009] The cleaning pad may be formed by folding and sewing a single fiber fabric.
[0010] The fiber fabric may include an external layer having a plurality of pores and an
internal layer interposed between the external layers, and the external layers may
be connected by the internal layer so that the fiber fabric has an integrated structure.
[0011] The fiber fabric may be one selected from the group consisting of polyester yarn,
polypropylene yarn, polyethylene yarn, low-density polyethylene yarn, high-density
polyethylene yarn, and combined yarn of two or more thereof.
[0012] A thickness of the yarn may be in a range of 300 to 800 deniers.
[0013] A thickness of the fiber fabric may be in a range of 5 to 10 mm.
[0014] A porosity of the fiber fabric may be in a range of 10 to 30 vol%.
[0015] The cleaning pad may include a seam allowance part of 5 to 15 mm.
[Advantageous Effects]
[0016] A cleaning pad according to one embodiment of the present invention has an empty
space formed therein to accommodate a solid detergent, includes a detergent inlet
which is folded toward the inside of the cleaning pad and is fixed thereto so that
the solid detergent is easily put in the detergent inlet but does not come out of
the detergent inlet easily, and thus the usability of the cleaning pad can be increased.
Further, a fiber fabric that composes the cleaning pad has an integrated structure
having pores so that a large amount of foam is generated and maintained, and thus
the cleaning pad is highly washable.
[0017] It should be understood that effects of the present invention are not limited to
the above-mentioned effects and include all effects deducible from the detailed description
of the present invention or the configuration of the invention described in the claims.
[Description of Drawings]
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a view of a cleaning pad according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view of an integrated structure of a fiber fabric according to one embodiment
of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning pad having a detergent inlet according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[Description of Symbols]
[0019]
10: CLEANING PAD
11: EXTERNAL LAYER
12: INTERNAL LAYER
20: DETERGENT INLET
30: SEALING PART
[Modes of the Invention]
[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in
several different forms and are not limited to the embodiments described herein. In
addition, parts irrelevant to descriptions will be omitted in the drawings to clearly
explain embodiments of the present invention. Similar parts are denoted by similar
reference numerals throughout this specification.
[0021] Throughout the specification, when a portion is referred to as being "connected with"
another portion, the portion may be "directly connected with" another portion or may
be "indirectly connected" with another portion having other members interposed therebetween.
Further, when a portion "includes" an element, the portion may further include another
element rather than excluding other elements unless otherwise described.
[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a view of a cleaning pad according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning pad according to one embodiment of the present invention
may include a cleaning pad 10 having an empty space formed therein, a detergent inlet
20 formed on one end of the cleaning pad 10, and a sealing part 30 that extends from
each of both ends of the detergent inlet 20 and seals the other end of the cleaning
pad 10.
[0024] When the cleaning pad 10 is applied to an object to be cleaned, that is, a dish,
the cleaning pad 10 may serve to remove contamination by rubbing or scrubbing the
object to be cleaned. The cleaning pad 10 may be formed by folding and sewing a single
fiber fabric. After the fiber fabric is folded or the fiber fabrics overlap, an edge
of the fiber fabric may be sewed. In this case, the edge of the fiber fabric may be
sewed except the detergent inlet 20. The sewing may be performed by hand or by a sewing
machine, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0025] Further, the cleaning pad 10 may include a seam allowance part of 5 to 15 mm. The
term "seam allowance" used in the specification refers to a width from a stitching
line to an end of a fabric. The seam allowance part may be positioned on an outside
or an inside of the cleaning pad 10, however, when the seam allowance part is positioned
on the outside of the cleaning pad 10, the seam allowance part stimulates a user's
skin while cleaning such as to cause the user to have skin diseases and feel uncomfortable.
Therefore, when considering the usability and aesthetics of the cleaning pad 10, the
seam allowance part may be positioned inside the cleaning pad 10.
[0026] Further, when the fiber fabric is cut, cutting may be performed in consideration
of a portion to be used as a seam allowance part. The cutting size of the fiber fabric
is not specified but may be generally designed in a range of 200 to 300 mm in width
and 70 to 130 mm in length in consideration of user convenience, portability, and
storage property.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a view of an integrated structure of a fiber fabric according to one embodiment
of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the fiber fabric includes external
layers 11 having a plurality of pores and an internal layer 12 interposed between
the external layers 11, wherein the external layers 11 are connected by the internal
layer 12 so that the fiber fabric has an integrated structure. Specifically, the fiber
fabric may include the internal layer 12 interposed between the external layers 11
which are in parallel.
[0028] Since yarn of the internal layer 12 that connects the external layers 11 is irregularly
arranged in a loose structure, spaces, which are pores, may be formed between strands
of the yarn, and a solid detergent enters the pores so that foam is easily generated.
Further, although the fiber fabric is woven as a single layer, the fiber fabric has
a three-dimensional structure in which the two external layers 11 are connected by
the internal layer 12 so as to provide a sense of cushion as in the case in which
the fabrics are stacked in three or more layers, and thus durability and the washing
effectiveness of the cleaning pad can be increased.
[0029] The fiber fabric of the structure may be woven by a raschel knitting machine. The
raschel knitting machine, which is a knitting machine for warp-knit fabrics, uses
cotton yarn or filament-yarn of various natural fabrics or artificial fabrics as knitting
yarn and weaves fabrics by combining chain knitting with another type of knitting.
The warp-knit fabric is a fabric formed using loops vertically formed from yarn supplied
in a vertical direction.
[0030] A general method of weaving the warp-knit fabric includes the following operations
of threading a hooked needle with various laces in a preceding loop, threading new
yarn in the hook needle, and pulling the yarn through the loop to form a new loop.
When the operations are repeated, a chain stich, which is a chain knitting structure,
which is a basic structure of a warp-knit fabric, is made. However, since the fabric
is not only made based on the basic structure, when a new loop is made, guides that
supply knitting yarn are alternately moved from side to side so that loops on the
left and right are connected, and thus a fabric may be woven.
[0031] When a fabric is woven, a guide that supplies knitting yarn and a knitting needle
and a beam around which knitting yarn to be supplied to a guide needle is wound, and
the guide or the beam should be hung in the raschel knitting machine, and the numbers
of the beams and guides, and needle bed may vary according to the types of structures
of warp knit fabrics. When the needle bed is in a row, the needle bed is referred
to as one needle bed or a single needle bed. A raschel knitting machine with a single
needle bed is referred to as a single raschel knitting machine, and a raschel knitting
machine with two needle beds is referred to as a double raschel knitting machine.
[0032] Since the fiber fabric has a three-dimensional structure in which the two external
layers 11 are connected by the internal layer 12 interposed therebetween, it is preferable
to weave with the raschel knitting machine with two needle beds rather than the raschel
knitting machine with one needle bed.
[0033] Further, the external layer 11 may have a net-type structure. Generally, since the
cleaning pad serves to remove contamination while cleaning and contamination may remain
after cleaning, there is a risk of bacterial growth. Further, when dishes are washed
with a bacteria-infested cleaning pad, a user's infection rate increases, and particularly,
fatal effects are caused to users with low immunity such as the elderly and children.
The external layer 11 in the net-type structure, that is, the cleaning pad 10 according
to the present invention, dries quickly after cleaning to prevent bacterial growth
and to facilitate hygienic management.
[0034] Meanwhile, the fiber fabric may be one selected from the group consisting of polyester
yarn, polypropylene yarn, polyethylene yarn, low-density polyethylene yarn, high-density
polyethylene yarn, and combined yarn of two or more thereof.
[0035] Since the polyester is a resin with excellent productivity, a fabric, which is produced
from polyester, has an excellent durability and is resistant to bugs and molds such
as to be easily stored for long periods of time. Further, the polyester has a low
water absorption rate due to its strong interatomic coupling force so as to dry in
a short time even when wet.
[0036] The polypropylene is a resin widely used for producing fabrics with polyester. Particularly,
since a fabric structure of a polypropylene fabric is more lightweight than that of
a polyester fabric, the polypropylene fabric is comfortable to use. Due to a perspiration
effect that quickly absorbs sweat generated from a human body and discharges the sweat
to the outside, the polypropylene fabric can be maintained in a pleasant condition.
Further, the polypropylene fabric has excellent thermal insulation due to low thermal
conductivity and has excellent antibacterial qualities due to a moisture content thereof
being close to '0'.
[0037] The polyethylene, which is a thermoplastic resin, has excellent electrical insulation,
toughness, and water resistance. The polyethylene is inexpensive and is easy to process
so as to be widely used for household goods.
[0038] The polyethylene may be classified into a high density polyethylene (HDPE), a low
density polyethylene (LDPE), a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and the like
according to density. The LDPE has many side chains connected to a main chain to have
a low packing capacity, and thus there is a problem in that the crystallization of
the LDPE is lower than that of the HDPE.
[0039] Generally, fiber yarn may be produced by spinning and stretching a molten resin composition.
A spinning process refers to a process of spinning molten polymer material, which
forms a fiber, into yarn through micro-holes. Since the fiber has an irregular molecular
arrangement and a weak strength immediately after the spinning process, the fabric
is stretched so that fiber orientation is adjusted, and thus the strength of the fiber
can be increased.
[0040] Therefore, yarn may be produced through processes of selecting, melting, spinning,
and stretching a resin which is a main material of yarn to be produced. Further, single
or combined yarn may be selected as the yarn for producing the fiber fabric in consideration
of properties and costs to be implemented in an end article, effects to be implemented
therefrom, and the like.
[0041] The thickness of yarn may be in a range of 300 to 800 deniers. When the thickness
of yarn is less than 300 deniers, the pores of the fabric become smaller so that foam
of detergent is not sufficiently generated, and thus washing effectiveness may be
degraded. When the thickness of yarn is greater than 800 deniers, the pores of the
fabric become larger than necessary, and thus the durability may be degraded.
[0042] The term "denier" used in the specification is an international unit used to express
the thickness of a filament, which is long like a noodle, such as silk, of synthetic
fibers, regenerated fibers, or natural fibers. A thickness of yarn having a length
of 9000 m and a weight of 1 g is defined as 1 denier. For example, 10 deniers mean
that 9,000 meters of yarn weighs 10 gram, and 100 deniers mean that 9,000 meters of
yarn weighs 100 gram. Thus, when a denier value of yarn is large, the yarn is thick,
and when a denier value of yarn is small, the yarn is thin.
[0043] The thickness of the fiber fabric may be in a range of 5 to 10 mm. When the thickness
of the fiber fabric is less than 5 mm, the amount of input solid detergent is decreased,
and thus washing effectiveness may be degraded. When the thickness of the fiber fabric
is greater than 10 mm, the fiber fabric becomes thicker than necessary, and thus usability
may be degraded.
[0044] The porosity of the fiber fabric may be in a range of 10 to 30 vol%. When the porosity
of the fiber fabric is less than 10 vol%, the amount of input solid detergent decreases,
and thus washing effectiveness may be degraded. When the porosity of the fiber fabric
is greater than 30 vol%, the durability of the cleaning pad may be degraded.
[0045] Meanwhile, the cleaning pad 10 may have an empty space formed therein, and a solid
detergent may be input to the cleaning pad 10 through the detergent inlet 20. When
a solid detergent is provided in the cleaning pad 10, foam may be consistently generated,
and thus user convenience can be increased when cleaning. Since a separate detergent
storage box or detergent storage space is not necessary, cleanliness of a kitchen
can be maintained.
[0046] The length of the detergent inlet 20 may be in a range of 35 to 45 mm. When the length
of the detergent inlet 20 is less than 35 mm, it may be difficult to input a solid
detergent in the detergent inlet 20, and when the length of the detergent inlet 20
is greater than 45 mm, the length of the detergent inlet 20 becomes larger than necessary,
and thus usability of the cleaning pad may be degraded.
[0047] The size of the solid detergent may be adjusted to be in a range that passes through
the detergent inlet 20, and the shape of the solid detergent is not limited but may
be a circular, elliptical, square shape, or the like in accordance with user's preference.
Further, since the solid detergent adjusted to the above range may be used three to
four times, the solid detergent is conveniently carried and stored, and since the
solid detergent is exposed to the outside for a shorter period of time, hygienic management
of the solid detergents can be facilitated.
[0048] Particularly, the solid detergent remaining in the cleaning pad 10 after use can
inhibit bacterial growth in the cleaning pad 10.
[0049] Specifically, in the case of a general cleaning pad, the cleaning pad remains wet
after use, and when scraps of food are not removed from the cleaning pad, bacteria
may grow easily. On the other hand, since the cleaning pad according to one embodiment
has part of the solid detergent remaining in an empty space thereof even after use,
the bacterial growth can be inhibited. Further, as described above, since the solid
detergent may be used three to fourth times, the cleaning pad can consistently provide
an effect of inhibiting the bacterial growth.
[0050] The solid detergent may be a natural detergent or a synthetic detergent, but the
present invention is not limited thereto, and a natural detergent may be used in consideration
of the health of a user. The natural detergent, which is mainly made from a natural
ingredient and is made without a synthetic ingredient such as synthetic fragrance,
preservatives, and the like, is easily softened but is environmentally friendly and
protects a user' skin. Since the synthetic detergent uses an additive that is not
decomposed in a natural state, such as a petroleum chemical surfactant, a phosphate,
and the like, washing effectiveness is excellent, but the synthetic detergent may
cause environment pollution and skin diseases of a user.
[0051] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning pad with a detergent inlet according
to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the detergent inlet
20 may be folded from the outside of the cleaning pad 10 toward the inside of the
cleaning pad 10 and fixed. When the detergent inlet 20 is exposed to the outside,
the solid detergent is easily put in the cleaning pad but does not come out thereof
easily during the use of the cleaning pad such that usability may be degraded. Therefore,
the detergent inlet 20 is folded from the outside of the cleaning pad 10 toward the
inside thereof, the detergent inlet 20 may be formed in a triangular shape, and a
lower end of the detergent inlet 20 is sewed in parallel with an upper end of the
cleaning pad 10 to be fixed.
[0052] Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, since the detergent inlet 20 is formed in the cleaning
pad 10, the solid detergent is easily put in the cleaning pad 10 but does not easily
come out thereof, and thus a user can conveniently wash dishes during cleaning.
[0053] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail.
Example
[0054] A fiber fabric having a thickness of 7 mm and a porosity of 20 vol% was made of high
density polyethylene yarn of 500 deniers.
[0055] The produced fiber fabric was cut into a size of 260 mm in width and 90 mm in length,
the width of the fiber fabric was folded in half, and an edge of the fiber fabric
was sewed by a sewing machine except for 40 mm of a portion at which the detergent
inlet was formed, and thus an empty space was formed inside the cleaning pad. The
detergent inlet was folded in a triangular shape to be perpendicular to an upper surface
of the cleaning pad and was folded from the outside of the cleaning pad toward the
inside thereof, and a lower end of the detergent inlet was sewed to be fixed, and
thus the cleaning pad was manufactured.
Comparative Example 1
[0056] Except that the detergent inlet was formed on the outside of the cleaning pad, the
cleaning pad was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.
Comparative Example 2
[0057] Since the fiber fabric was not sewed, a one-layer cleaning pad that did not have
a separate detergent inlet was manufactured.
Experimental Example 1: Evaluation of Cleaning Pad Performance
[0058]
[Table 1]
Category |
Washing effectiveness |
Usability |
Sanitation |
Degree of foam generation |
Example |
⊚ |
⊚ |
⊚ |
⊚ |
Comparative Example 1 |
Δ |
× |
⊚ |
Δ |
Comparative Example 2 |
× |
× |
⊚ |
× |
-Washing effectiveness: conditions of dishes after cleaning were relatively evaluated. |
-Usability: products were compared with respect to ease of use during use of a solid
detergent. |
-Sanitation: drying speeds of the products after cleaning were compared. |
-Degree of foam generation: degrees of generation and maintenance of foam were compared
when a detergent was applied. |
(Relative evaluation criteria: ⊚ excellent, ○ good, Δ moderate, × poor) |
[0059] Referring to Table 1, when the cleaning pad was manufactured by folding the detergent
inlet from the outside of the cleaning pad toward the inside thereof and fixing the
detergent inlet (Example), the cleaning pad is shown to be excellent in all performance
evaluations including washing effectiveness, usability, sanitation, and degree of
foam generation. Particularly, since the solid detergent was provided inside the cleaning
pad, a large amount of foam was generated and maintained, and thus washing effectiveness
is excellent. Since the solid detergent did not come out, it is expected that a user
can wash dishes without inconvenience.
[0060] On the other hand, when the detergent inlet was exposed to the outside (Comparative
Example 1), the solid detergent came out during cleaning so that usability is poor,
and it is difficult to continuously generate and maintain foam, and thus the washing
effectiveness of the cleaning pad is degraded when compared to Example. Further, when
the cleaning pad was manufactured of a one layer-fiber fabric and did not have a detergent
inlet (Comparative Example 2), the drying speed after cleaning was the fastest, but
the cleaning pad was too thin to have sufficient pores, and a small amount of foam
was generated, and thus the washing effectiveness of the cleaning pad is relatively
poor.
Experimental Example 2: Evaluation 1 of Antibacterial Performance of Solid Detergent
(Escherichia coli)
[0061] For an evaluation of inhibition of bacterial growth by a solid detergent remaining
after use of the cleaning pad, the solid detergent was pulverized, 1 g powder was
dissolved in 9g light water (JIS K3362) at level 3 dGH, and a solution at 10 wt% was
prepared.
[0062] Meanwhile, Escherichia coli (NBRC 3972) at 0.3 wt% was inoculated in a medium broth
(DIFCO co.) so that a sample was prepared. A sample 1 into which a 0.5 g solution
was added and a sample 2 into which the 0.5 g solution was not added were left for
18 hours at a temperature of 25 °C, the viable cell count was measured three times,
and the results are shown in Table 2 below.
[Table 2]
Category |
First |
Second |
Third |
First bacteria count |
1.1E+08 |
1.2E+08 |
1.5E+08 |
Sample 2 |
4.8E+08 |
7.0E+08 |
5.8E+08 |
Sample 1 |
<21 |
<21 |
<21 |
Experimental Example 3: Evaluation 2 of Antibacterial Performance of Solid Detergent
(Staphylococcus aureus)
[0063] For an evaluation of inhibition of bacterial growth by a solid detergent remaining
after use of the cleaning pad, the solid detergent was pulverized, 1 g powder was
dissolved in 9g light water (JIS K3362) at level 3 dDH, and a solution at 10 wt% was
prepared.
[0064] Meanwhile, staphylococcus aureus (NBRC 12732) was inoculated in a medium broth (DIFCO
co.) at a centration of 0.3 wt% so that a sample was prepared.
[0065] A sample 3 into which a 0.5 g solution was added and a sample 4 into which the 0.5
g solution was not added were left for 18 hours at a temperature of 25 °C, the viable
cell count was measured three times, and the results are shown in Table 3 below.
[Table 3]
Category |
First |
Second |
Third |
First bacteria count |
1.1E+08 |
1.1E+08 |
1.4E+08 |
Sample 4 |
6.1E+08 |
8.2E+08 |
5.7E+08 |
Sample 3 |
1.1E+07 |
1.3E+07 |
2.1E+07 |
[0066] The above description is only exemplary, and it should be understood by those skilled
in the art that the invention may be performed in other concrete forms without changing
the technological scope and essential features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments
should be considered as only examples in all aspects and not for purposes of limitation.
For example, each component described as a single type may be realized in a distributed
manner, and similarly, components that are described as being distributed may be realized
in a coupled manner.
[0067] The scope of the present invention is defined not by the detailed description but
by the appended claims and encompasses all modifications or alterations derived from
meanings, the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.