Cleaning tool and cleaning element

Abstract

It is an object of the invention to provide an effective technique for realizing smoother cleaning operation in a cleaning tool having a cleaning element for cleaning an object to be cleaned. According to a representative cleaning tool, a cleaning element 110 includes a plurality of elongate split cleaning parts 123, 123 having respective insert regions 115 for receiving the associated holding elements. Each of the split cleaning parts 123 includes a fiber assembly 117 formed by a plurality of fibers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part, and a nonwoven fabric sheet 113, 114, 118 made of nonwoven fabric. The fiber assembly 117 and the nonwoven fabric sheet 113, 114, 118 are overlaid one on the other and bonded together via a bonded part extending in the longitudinal direction.

1 . A cleaning tool for use in cleaning an object to be cleaned comprising:
 an elongate cleaning element holder and   a cleaning element to be attached to the cleaning element holder, wherein:   the cleaning element holder includes a grip to be held by a user and a plurality of holding elements extending from the grip in parallel in a longitudinal direction,   the cleaning element comprises a plurality of elongate split cleaning parts having respective insert regions for receiving the associated holding elements, and each of the split cleaning parts includes a fiber assembly formed by a plurality of fibers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part, and a nonwoven fabric sheet made of nonwoven fabric, the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric sheet being overlaid one on the other and bonded together via a bonded part extending in the longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the split cleaning part is constructed such that the fiber assembly is overlaid on the both sides of the nonwoven fabric sheet and bonded together via the bonded part. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the fibers of the fiber assembly radiate out from the bonded part when viewed in a section taken in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning tool as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the fibers of the fiber assembly form a generally circular or elliptical shape in section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabric sheet comprises a plurality of split pieces extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning tool as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a space is provided into which the object to be cleaned can be inserted between adjacent ones of the split cleaning parts. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning element for use in cleaning an object to be cleaned, wherein the cleaning element comprises a plurality of elongate split cleaning parts, the split cleaning parts having respective insert regions for receiving the associated holding elements, and each of the split cleaning parts includes a fiber assembly formed by a plurality of fibers extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part, and a nonwoven fabric sheet made of nonwoven fabric, the fiber assembly and the nonwoven fabric sheet being overlaid one on the other and bonded together via a bonded part extending in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning element as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the split cleaning part is constructed such that the fiber assembly is overlaid on the both sides of the nonwoven fabric sheet and bonded together via the bonded part. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning element as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the fibers of the fiber assembly radiate out from the bonded part when viewed in a section taken in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning element as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the fibers of the fiber assembly form a generally circular or elliptical shape in section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning part. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning element as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the nonwoven fabric sheet comprises a plurality of split pieces extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the split cleaning parts. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning element as defined in  claim 7 , wherein a space is provided into which the object to be cleaned can be inserted between adjacent ones of the split cleaning parts.