Cleaning wipe comprising integral, shaped tab portions

Abstract

A cleaning wipe comprising integral, shaped tab portions adapted to engage the fastening devices of a cleaning tool is disclosed. Such wipes are generally more efficient, in that a greater percentage of the total surface area of the wipe is used for its intended purpose: cleaning and wiping. Furthermore, such wipes generally may more tenaciously engage certain kinds of fastening devices, thereby making these wipes potentially more effective. Processes for making said wipes, and packages and marketing methods for presenting said wipes to consumers, are also disclosed.

1 . A cleaning wipe comprising integral, shaped, tab portions adapted to engage a plurality of top-side fastening devices on a cleaning tool.  
   
   
       2 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of each shaped tab portion is curvilinear.  
   
   
       3 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of each shaped tab portion defines a triangle.  
   
   
       4 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the perimeter of each shaped tab portion defines a rectangle.  
   
   
       5 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe comprises a cleaning composition.  
   
   
       6 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe comprises electrets.  
   
   
       7 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe defines a total surface area corresponding to one side of the wipe, and wherein the percentage of the total surface area used for cleaning when the wipe is attached to a cleaning tool is greater than the corresponding percentage obtained for a conventional rectangular wipe attached to the same cleaning tool.  
   
   
       8 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe is adapted to engage the fastening devices of a Swiffer™-brand cleaning tool.  
   
   
       9 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe is adapted to engage the fastening devices of a Pledge®-brand cleaning tool.  
   
   
       10 . The wipe of  claim 1  wherein the wipe is adapted to engage the fastening devices of a private-label brand cleaning tool.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning wipe of  claim 7  wherein at least about 45% of the total surface area of the wipe is used for its intended purpose of cleaning.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning wipe of  claim 7  wherein at least about 50% of the total surface area of the wipe is used for its intended purpose of cleaning.  
   
   
       13 . A process for making a cleaning wipe comprising integral, shaped tab portions, the process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a fibrous substrate; and    cutting the fibrous substrate into separate wipes comprising integral, shaped tab portions.    
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 13  wherein some portion of the perimeter of the cleaning wipe nests with some portion of the perimeter of one or more adjacent cleaning wipes, thereby reducing or minimizing the amount of waste produced during cutting.  
   
   
       15 . A package comprising: 
 a container, and    a cleaning wipe of  claim 1  contained in said container.    
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 15  wherein the package comprises a liquid-impermeable material.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 15  further comprising a statement disposed in or on said container, and wherein the statement associates the cleaning wipe with improved effectiveness, reduced waste, or both.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 15  further comprising a cleaning tool comprising fastening devices, wherein the cleaning wipe is adapted to engage the fastening devices of the cleaning tool.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 15  further comprising a statement disposed in or on said package, and wherein the statement associates the cleaning wipe with a logo and/or brand name of a cleaning formulation, cleaning substrate, or both.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19  further comprising a statement disposed in or on said package, and wherein the statement associates the cleaning wipe with a logo and/or brand name selected from the group consisting of Mr. Clean®, Pledge®, Mr. Proper®, Flash®, AJAX®, Fabuloso®, Cif®, Clorox®, Pine-Sol®, Lysol®, Scrubbing Bubbles®; Fantastic®, 409®, Tilex®, Scrubby®, Comet®, Swiffer™, Viva®, Kleenex®, Scott®, Febreze®, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . A message embodied in a tangible medium and adapted to be transmitted to consumers, wherein the message refers to a cleaning wipe of  claim 1  and a logo and/or brand name selected from the group consisting of Mr. Clean®, Pledge®, Mr. Proper®, Flash®, AJAX®, Fabuloso®, Cif®, Clorox®, Pine-Sol®, Lysol®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Fantastic®, 409®, Tilex®, Scrubby®, Comet®, Swiffer™, Viva®, Kleenex®, Scott®, Febreze®, and combinations thereof.