Wiping articles having a scouring surface

Abstract

A wiping article ( 1 ), for cleaning surfaces, comprises a liquid-absorbent web material and, disposed on a liquid-absorbent surface thereof, abrasive areas ( 5 ) comprising at least cured particulate binder material, the abrasive areas being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas ( 4 ) of the web material. A method for making the wiping article, for cleaning surfaces, the method comprising the steps of: providing a liquid-absorbent web material; providing a dry particulate material that comprises at least particulate curable binder material; depositing spaced areas of the dry particulate material on a liquid-absorbent surface of the web material; and curing the binder material to form spaced abrasive areas on the surface of the web material, the said abrasive areas being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas of the web material.

1 - 25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method of making a wiping article for cleaning surfaces, the method comprising the steps of 
 (i) providing a liquid-absorbent web material;    (ii) providing a dry particulate material that comprises at least particulate curable binder material;    (iii) depositing the dry particulate material on a liquid-absorbent surface of the web material to form spaced areas having a pre-selected shape; and    (iv) curing the binder material while retaining the pre-selected shape to form spaced abrasive areas on the surface of the web material, the said abrasive areas being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas of the web material.    
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the dry particulate material is deposited on the web material through a screen that defines the shape of the said spaced areas.  
   
   
       28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the screen is in direct contact with the surface of the web material while the dry particulate material is being deposited thereon.  
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the areas of dry particulate material are deposited in an ordered pattern.  
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the deposited areas of dry particulate material cover no more than 50% of the area of the surface of the web material.  
   
   
       31 . A method of making a wiping article for cleaning surfaces, the method comprising the steps of 
 (i) providing a liquid-absorbent web material;    (ii) providing a dry particulate material that comprises at least particulate curable binder material;    (iii) depositing dry particulate material on a liquid-absorbent surface of the web material, to cover no more than 50% of the area of the surface; and    (iv) curing the binder material to form spaced abrasive locations on the surface of the web material, the said abrasive locations being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas of the web material.    
   
   
       32 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the dry particulate material also comprises abrasive particles, in an amount of no more than 50% by weight.  
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the deposited dry particulate material covers 15-40% of the surface area of the web material.  
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the dry particulate material is deposited on the web material under the action of an electrostatic force.  
   
   
       35 . A method as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein an electrostatic charge is applied to the dry particulate material, which is then directed towards the web material while the latter is located on an electrically-grounded support surface.  
   
   
       36 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the particulate binder material is a thermosetting or a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       37 . A method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the web material is a non-woven material having a basis weight in the range of from 20 to 300 g/m 2 .  
   
   
       38 . A wiping article for cleaning surfaces, comprising a liquid-absorbent web material and, disposed on a liquid-absorbent surface thereof, abrasive locations comprising at least cured particulate binder material, the said abrasive locations being spaced apart by liquid-absorbent areas of the web material.  
   
   
       39 . A wiping article as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the abrasive locations are disposed in an ordered pattern over the surface of the web material.  
   
   
       40 . A wiping article as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the abrasive locations cover no more than 50% of the area of the surface of the web material.  
   
   
       41 . A wiping article for cleaning surfaces, comprising a liquid-absorbent web material and, disposed on a liquid-absorbent surface thereof, at least one abrasive area comprising at least cured particulate binder material, wherein the total abrasive area covers no more than 50% of the surface of the web material and the remainder of the surface is liquid absorbent.  
   
   
       42 . A wiping article as claimed in  41 , wherein the abrasive area comprises abrasive particles in an amount of no more than 50% by weight.  
   
   
       43 . A wiping article as claimed in  claim 42 , wherein the abrasive particles comprise a polymeric or a natural material.  
   
   
       44 . A wiping article as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the binder material is a thermosetting or a thermoplastic resin.  
   
   
       45 . A wiping article as claimed in  claim 41 , wherein the web material is a non-woven material having a basis weight in the range of from 20 to 300 g/m 2 .