Flocked substrates for use as scouring materials

Abstract

A cleaning article comprises a flocked substrate ( 1 ) wherein the flock ( 3 ) comprises fibres that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the substrate and have a maximum length of 2.0 mm, the fibres being substantially free of abrasive particles. In one embodiment, the flocked substrate is laminated to a layer of foam ( 9 ) to provide a hand-held cleaning pad. In another embodiment, the substrate is a wipe.

1 . The use, as a domestic scouring material, of a flocked substrate wherein the flock comprises fibres that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the substrate and have a maximum length of 2.0 mm, the fibres being substantially free of abrasive particles.  
     
     
         2 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flock comprises fibres having a length in the range of from 0.4 to 0.8 mm.  
     
     
         3 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flock comprises fibres having a titre in the range of from 15 to 80 dtex.  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flock comprises fibres of a polyamide material.  
     
     
         8 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flock is secured to the substrate by an adhesive layer that does not substantially alter the flexibility of the substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the flock is secured to the substrate by an acrylic adhesive or a PVC resin.  
     
     
         10 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flock is non-uniformly disposed over the substrate.  
     
     
         11 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the substrate is a woven web material or a non-woven web material.  
     
     
         12 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the flocked substrate is laminated to a layer of foam.  
     
     
         13 . The use of a flocked substrate as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the substrate is a wipe material part of the liquid-absorbent surface of which is exposed and available for use as a wipe.  
     
     
         14 . A cleaning article comprising a flocked substrate laminated to a layer of foam, wherein the flock comprises fibres that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate to which they are secured and have a maximum length of 2.0 mm, the fibres being substantially free of abrasive particles.  
     
     
         15 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the layer of foam comprises a pad suitable for hand-held use.  
     
     
         16 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the foam is a polyurethane or a cellulosic foam.  
     
     
         17 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the foam has a thickness in the range of from 0.5 to 5.0 cm.  
     
     
         18 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the flock is non-uniformly disposed over the substrate.  
     
     
         19 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the substrate is a woven web material or a non-woven web material.  
     
     
         20 . A cleaning article comprising a flocked wipe, wherein the flock comprises fibres that are arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the wipe to which they are secured and have a maximum length of 2.0 mm, the fibres being substantially free of abrasive particles.  
     
     
         21 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 20 , in which the flock is applied to the wipe in such a way that at least one area of a liquid-absorbent surface of the wipe remains exposed.  
     
     
         22 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 21 , in which the flock is applied only on one surface of the wipe.  
     
     
         23 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 22 , in which the flock is applied only to certain parts of a surface of the wipe.  
     
     
         24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 24 , in which the wipe comprises a material having a basis weight in the range of from 15 to 300 gm/m 2 .  
     
     
         26 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 25 , in which the flock comprises fibres having a length in the range of from 0.4 to 0.8 mm.  
     
     
         27 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 26 , in which the flock comprises fibres having a titre in the range of from 15 to 80 dtex.  
     
     
         28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . (canceled)  
     
     
         30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 30 , in which the flock comprises fibres of a polyamide material.  
     
     
         32 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 31 , in which the flock is secured to the substrate by an adhesive layer that does not substantially alter the flexibility of the substrate.  
     
     
         33 . A cleaning article as claimed in  claim 32 , in which the flock is secured to the substrate by an acrylic adhesive or a PVC resin.