Cleaning pad and method of obtaining a clean surface thereon

Abstract

A sponge and a scouring pad in which an outer surface layer can be peeled away to expose a clean surface when the outer surface of the sponge or scouring pad becomes soiled. A method of obtaining a clean surface on a sponge or scouring pad is also disclosed, wherein a predetermined thickness of the material of the sponge or pad is grasped and peeled away to expose a clean surface.

1 . A cleaning pad in which an outer, soiled surface of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface, said cleaning pad comprising a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary body formed of a material capable of being separated along planes parallel to the soiled surface so that a layer of the material containing the soiled surface can be peeled away from the pad to expose the clean surface.  
   
   
       2 . A cleaning pad as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said material comprises a sponge material.    
   
   
       3 . A cleaning pad as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said material comprises a compressed bundle of tangled fibers.    
   
   
       4 . A cleaning pad as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pad has the shape of a truncated pyramid.  
   
   
       5 . A scouring pad in which an outer, soiled surface layer of the pad can be removed to expose a clean surface, comprising: 
 a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary scouring pad body formed of a material adapted for scouring a surface, said material being interrupted in predetermined locations to define a weakened area lying in a plane parallel to the soiled surface and along which the material may be separated in a layer to expose a clean surface.    
   
   
       6 . A scouring pad as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more cuts made in the pad, extending laterally across the interior of the pad from at least one edge thereof.    
   
   
       7 . A scouring pad as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more separation sheets embedded in the material of the pad, said sheets having at least one opening through which the material is connected between adjacent layers.    
   
   
       8 . A cleaning pad, comprising: 
 a scouring pad laminated to a sponge, said scouring pad formed in separable layers that may be peeled off the pad to expose a clean surface when an outer surface of the scouring pad becomes soiled.    
   
   
       9 . A sponge in which an outer, soiled surface layer of the sponge can be removed to expose a clean surface, comprising: 
 a one-piece, integrally formed, unitary sponge body formed of a sponge-like material, said material being interrupted in predetermined locations to define a weakened area lying in a plane parallel to the soiled surface and along which the material may be separated in a layer to expose a clean surface.    
   
   
       10 . A sponge as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the interruptions in the material are formed by one or more cuts made in the sponge, extending laterally across the interior of the sponge from at least one edge thereof.    
   
   
       11 . A sponge as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the sponge has the shape of a truncated pyramid.  
   
   
       12 . A method of exposing a clean surface on a scouring pad when a surface thereof becomes soiled, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a unitary, integrally formed, one-piece scouring pad having a first predetermined thickness and made of a material capable of being separated;    grasping a second predetermined thickness of the material at an edge portion of the pad and peeling the material back to remove a layer of the material to expose said clean surface.    
   
   
       13 . A method of exposing a clean surface on a sponge when a surface thereof becomes soiled, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a unitary, integrally formed, one-piece sponge having a first predetermined thickness and made of a material capable of being separated;    grasping a second predetermined thickness of the material at an edge portion of the sponge and peeling the material back to remove a layer of the material to expose said clean surface.    
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , including the steps of: 
 forming cuts or slits in the body of the sponge to define weakened areas along which the layer of material is removed.