Cleaning article with differential overlap between sheet and tow fibers

Abstract

A cleaning article optionally removably attachable to a handle. The cleaning article has a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a layered construction. The tow fiber layer has a greater width than the sheet, so that the tow fibers overhang the edge of the sheet. The amount of overhang varies throughout at least a portion of the length of the cleaning article. Such variation provides a differential overhang believed to promote fluffing of the tow fibers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning article for optional removable attachment to a handle and having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal length, said cleaning article comprising:
 at least one layer of tow fibers, said tow fibers extending transversely outward from proximal ends juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis to distal ends transversely remote therefrom, said layer further having first and second opposed faces and defining a tow fiber width from said spine to said distal ends of said fibers; and   a generally planar sheet disposed on said first face of said at least one layer of tow fibers, wherein said distal ends of said tow fibers differentially overhang the edges of said sheet 4 mm to 60 mm, and   said cleaning article optionally comprising transversely extending gather strips.   
     
     
         2 . A cleaning article for optional removable attachment to a handle and having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal length, said cleaning article comprising:
 at least one layer of tow fibers, said tow fibers extending transversely outward from proximal ends juxtaposed with said longitudinal axis to distal ends transversely remote therefrom, said layer further having first and second opposed faces and defining a tow fiber width;   a generally planar sheet disposed on said first face of said at least one layer of tow fibers, said sheet having two longitudinal edges, at least one said longitudinal having a plurality of notches therein to provide a differential overhang of said tow fibers relative to said sheet, said differential overhang being from 4 mm to 60 mm.   
     
     
         3 . A cleaning article for optional removable attachment to a handle and having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal length, said cleaning article comprising:
 at least one layer of tow fibers, said tow fibers extending transversely outward from proximal ends juxtaposed with said spine to distal ends transversely remote therefrom, said layer further having first and second opposed faces and defining a tow fiber width, said tow fiber width varying throughout said longitudinal length;   a generally planar sheet disposed on said first face of said at least one layer of tow fibers, said sheet having two opposed longitudinal edges, at least one said longitudinal edge having a portion convex outwardly from said longitudinal axis, so that said tow fibers overhang said longitudinal edges of said sheet at said convex portion.   
     
     
         4 . A cleaning article according to  claim 1  wherein said distal ends of said tow fibers differentially overhang the edges of said sheet 10 mm to 30 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A cleaning article according to  claim 1  wherein at least one said longitudinal edge of said sheet has a concave notch therein and said distal ends of said tow fibers differentially overhang the edges of said sheet at said at least one notch. 
     
     
         6 . A cleaning article according to  claim 5  wherein said differential overhang occurs throughout said longitudinal length of said notch. 
     
     
         7 . A cleaning article according to  claim 6  wherein said sheet has two opposed transverse edges, said notch not intercepting either said transverse edge. 
     
     
         8 . A cleaning article according to  claim 5  wherein said notch is arcuate. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning article according to  claim 1  wherein said generally planar sheet comprises a first sheet and further comprising a second sheet joined to said first sheet to form at least one longitudinally oriented sleeve therebetween for receiving a fork tine therein. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning article according to  claim 9  further comprising a third sheet joined to said second face of said tow fibers, said third sheet optionally comprising laterally extending gather strips. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning article according to  claim 9  further comprising a layer of tow fibers joined to said second sheet and facing outwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         12 . A cleaning article according to  claim 1  wherein said tow fibers have different lengths taken in a width direction. 
     
     
         13 . A cleaning article according to  claim 12  wherein said differential overhang occurs randomly throughout said longitudinal length of said product. 
     
     
         14 . A cleaning article according to  claim 2  wherein distal ends of said tow overhang said longitudinal edges of said sheet from about 5 mm to about 50 mm at said notches. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaning article according to  claim 14  wherein said generally planar sheet comprises a first sheet having first sheet longitudinal edges, said cleaning article further comprising a second sheet having respective second sheet longitudinal edges and joined to said first sheet, said first sheet longitudinal edges and said second sheet longitudinal edges not being identically disposed outwardly from said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaning article according to  claim 15  wherein said differential overhang occurs throughout said longitudinal length of said sheet. 
     
     
         17 . A cleaning article according to  claim 3  wherein both said longitudinal edges of said sheet comprise a convex portion. 
     
     
         18 . A cleaning article according to  claim 17  wherein both said longitudinal edges comprise plural convex portions. 
     
     
         19 . A cleaning article according to  claim 3  wherein said convex portion occurs throughout said entire length of said longitudinal edge of said sheet. 
     
     
         20 . A cleaning article according to  claim 3  wherein said tow fibers have different lengths taken in a width direction.