Degradable cleaning assembly

Abstract

A degradable cleaning assembly ( 300 ) which is formed from a plurality of substantially identical layers ( 10 ) of a food starch, wherein the layers ( 10 ) are coupled together. Particularly, the coupled layers ( 10 ) cooperatively form an assembly ( 100 ) which is then permitted to soak in a glycerin and soap additive material ( 250 ), removed from the material ( 250 ), and allowed to solidify, thereby forming the degradable cleaning assembly ( 300 ) which selectively degrades or dissolves when exposed to water for a certain amount of time.

1 ) A degradable cleaning assembly comprising: 
 a first layer of degradable material having a generally thin profile, a porous top surface, a porous bottom surface, and a plurality of oppositely projecting arcuate portions;    at least one second layer of degradable material having a generally thin profile, a porous top surface, a porous bottom surface, and a plurality of oppositely projecting arcuate portions, wherein said first layer and said at least one second layer are coupled together; and    at least one first non-water based material which is disposed between said first layer of degradable material and said at least one second layer of degradable material and within said porous top and bottom surfaces, thereby forming said degradable cleaning assembly.    
   
   
       2 ) The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first layer is formed from a starch.  
   
   
       3 ) The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said at least one second layer is formed from a starch.  
   
   
       4 ) The assembly of  claim 3  wherein said at least one first non-water based material further comprises: 
 a first non-water based material; and    at least one second non-water based material.    
   
   
       5 ) The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said first non-water based material comprises glycerin.  
   
   
       6 ) The assembly of  claim 5  wherein said at least one second non-water based material comprises a soap additive.  
   
   
       7 ) The assembly of  claim 6  wherein said starch comprises corn starch.  
   
   
       8 ) The assembly of  claim 6  wherein said starch comprises wheat starch.  
   
   
       9 ) The assembly of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of oppositely projecting arcuate portions are selectively deformable.  
   
   
       10 ) A degradable cleaning assembly made by the process of: 
 forming a first layer of degradable material having generally porous top and bottom surfaces;    forming at least one second layer of degradable material having generally porous top and bottom surfaces;    coupling said first layer of degradable material to said at least one second layer of degradable material;    compacting said coupled first and at least one second layers of degradable material, thereby selectively deforming said coupled first and at least one second layers;    providing at least one first non-water based material; and    disposing said at least one first non-water based material between said first and said at least one second layers of degradable material and within said generally porous top and bottom surfaces of said first and said at least one second layers of degradable material.    
   
   
       11 ) The process of  claim 10  wherein said step of forming a first layer of degradable material further comprises the steps of: 
 obtaining a first amount of degradable material;    forming a mold of a certain geometrical configuration;    disposing said first amount of degradable material within said mold;    allowing said first amount of degradable material to set; and    removing said set first amount of degradable material from said mold.    
   
   
       12 ) The process of  claim 11  wherein said step of forming at least one second layer of degradable material: 
 obtaining at least one second amount of degradable material;    disposing said at least one second amount of degradable material within said mold;    allowing said at least one second amount of degradable material to set; and    removing said set at least one second amount of degradable material from said mold.    
   
   
       13 ) The process of  claim 12  wherein said step of coupling said first layer of degradable material to said at least one second layer of degradable material further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a first amount of moisture;    applying said amount of moisture to a bottom surface of said first layer of degradable material;    allowing said amount of moisture to partially dissolve said bottom surface of said first layer of degradable material;    providing at least one second amount of moisture;    applying said at least one second amount of moisture to a top surface of said at least one second layer of degradable material;    allowing said top surface of said at least one second layer of degradable material to partially dissolve; and    disposing said first layer of degradable material upon said at least one second layer of degradable material, such that said partially dissolved bottom surface of said first layer of degradable material is in intimate contact with said partially dissolved top surface of said at least one second layer of degradable material.    
   
   
       14 ) The process of  claim 13  wherein said step of compacting said coupled first and at least one second layers of degradable material further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a press having a first selectively movable pressing portion and a second selectively movable pressing portion;    disposing said coupled first and at least one second layers of degradable material between said first selectively movable pressing portion and said second selectively movable pressing portion while said top surface of said first layer of degradable material and said bottom surface of said at least one second layer of degradable material are partially dissolved;    selectively moving said first and said second selectively movable pressing portions, such that said first selectively movable pressing portion abuts and deforms said first layer of degradable material, and such that said second selectively movable pressing portion abuts and deforms said at least one second layer of degradable material;    allowing said bottom surface of said at least one second layer of degradable material and said top surface of said first layer of degradable material to bond and set;    selectively moving said first and said second selectively movable pressing portions, such that said first and said at least one second layers of coupled degradable material are no longer in contact with said first and second selectively movable pressing portions; and    removing said coupled first and said at least one second layer of degradable material from said press.    
   
   
       15 ) The process of  claim 14  wherein said step of providing at least one first non-water based material further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a certain amount of glycerin;    providing a certain amount of soap additive; and    combining said certain amount of glycerin with said certain amount of soap additive.    
   
   
       16 ) A degradable cleaning assembly made by the process of: 
 forming a first layer of food starch having generally porous top and bottom surfaces and a substantially porous middle portion;    forming at least one second layer of food starch having generally porous top and bottom surfaces and a substantially porous middle portion;    coupling said first layer of food starch to said at least one second layer of food starch;    compacting said coupled first and at least one second layers of food starch, thereby selectively deforming said coupled first and at least one second layers;    providing a certain amount of glycerin;    providing a certain amount of soap additive;    combining said certain amount of glycerin with said certain amount of soap additive; and    disposing said combined certain amounts of glycerin and soap between said first and said at least one second layers of starch and within said generally porous top and bottom surfaces and said substantially porous middle portion of said first and said at least one second layers of starch.    
   
   
       17 ) The process of  claim 16  wherein said step of forming a first layer of starch further comprises the steps of: 
 obtaining a first amount of food starch;    forming a mold of a certain geometrical configuration;    disposing said first amount of food starch within said mold;    allowing said first amount of food starch to set; and    removing said set first amount of food starch from said mold.    
   
   
       18 ) The process of  claim 17  wherein said step of forming at least one second layer of food starch further comprises the steps of: 
 obtaining at least one second amount of food starch;    disposing said at least one second amount of food starch within said mold;    allowing said at least one second amount of food starch to set; and    removing said set at least one second amount of food starch from said mold.    
   
   
       19 ) The process of  claim 18  wherein said step of coupling said first layer of food starch to said at least one second layer of food starch further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a first amount of moisture;    applying said amount of moisture to said bottom surface of said first layer of food starch;    allowing said amount of moisture to partially dissolve said bottom surface of said first layer of food starch;    providing at least one second amount of moisture;    applying said at least one second amount of moisture to said top surface of said at least one second layer of food starch;    allowing said top surface of said at least one second layer of food starch to partially dissolve; and    disposing said first layer of food starch upon said at least one second layer of food starch, such that said partially dissolved bottom surface of said first layer of food starch is in intimate contact with said partially dissolved top surface of said at least one second layer of food starch.    
   
   
       20 ) The process of  claim 13  wherein said step of compacting said coupled first and at least one second layers of food starch further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a press having a first selectively movable pressing portion and a second selectively movable pressing portion;    disposing said coupled first and at least one second layers of food starch between said first selectively movable pressing portion and said second selectively movable pressing portion while said top surface of said first layer of food starch and said bottom surface of said at least one second layer of food starch are partially dissolved;    selectively moving said first and said second selectively movable pressing portions, such that said first selectively movable pressing portion abuts and deforms said first layer of food starch, and such that said second selectively movable pressing portion abuts and deforms said at least one second layer of food starch;    allowing said bottom surface of said at least one second layer of food starch and said top surface of said first layer of food starch to bond and set;    selectively moving said first and said second selectively movable pressing portions, such that said first and said at least one second layers of coupled food starch are no longer in contact with said first and second selectively movable pressing portions; and    removing said coupled first and said at least one second layers of food starch from said press.