Cleaning article exhibiting reduced surface occlusion

Abstract

The present invention is directed a nonwoven fabric cleaning article which is imparted with a three-dimensional image or pattern during the fabrication stage. The three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric results in a material with a variable level of leading surface contact region as measured across the face of the fabric. The leading surface contact regions are present in the form of projections out of the planar background of the fabric, the prevalence of three-dimensional projections being such that the number and/or dimension of such projections increases as one moves away from the leading edges of the cleaning article.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning substrate, comprising; 
 a pre-bond fibrous matrix of fibers, said fibrous matrix being hydroentangled on a three-dimensional transfer device so as to impart a three-dimensional pattern into the resultant nonwoven fabric, the three-dimensional image or pattern imparted into the structure of the nonwoven fabric resulting in said substrate having a variable level of leading surface contact region as measured across the face of the fabric.    
     
     
         2 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the fibrous matrix is selected from the group consisting of staple length fibers, continuous filaments, and blends thereof.    
     
     
         3 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the blend of fibrous matrix consists of a blend of fibers and/or filaments having a difference in denier of at least  25 %.    
     
     
         4 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the leading surface contact regions are present in the form of projections out of the planar background of the nonwoven fabric, the prevalence of three-dimensional projections being such that the number and/or dimension of such projections increases as one moves away from the leading edges of the cleaning substrate.    
     
     
         5 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 one or more apertures are formed in the surface contact region.    
     
     
         6 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the prevalence of the one or more apertures being such that the number and/or dimension of such apertures decreases as one moves away from the leading edges of the cleaning substrate.    
     
     
         7 . A cleaning substrate as in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 one or more performance modifying additives are applied to the three-dimensionally imaged nonwoven fabric.    
     
     
         8 . A cleaning article in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the cleaning substrate is affixed to a mop head.