Cleaning Cloths with Discrete Scrubbing Elements to Facilitate Removal of Grease, Grime and Dirt

Abstract

A cleaning cloth comprises a base fabric layer, a pile comprising a plurality of strands or loops extending from a first side of the base fabric layer, and a plurality of generally spherical mini-dots applied to the first side of the base fabric layer. Each mini-dot is preferably made of an acrylic paint and is applied in liquid from to at least one side of the base fabric layer. When the mini-dots harden or set, the mini-dots encapsulate one or more strands or loops of the pile.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning cloth comprising:
 a base fabric layer;   a pile comprising a plurality of strands or loops extending from a first side of the base fabric layer;   a plurality of generally spherical mini-dots applied to the first side of the base fabric layer, each of said mini-dots encapsulating one or more strands or loops of the pile.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots have a minimum diameter of about 2 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots are spaced apart by a minimum distance of about 2 mm between mini-dots. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots are a minimum of 2 mm in height. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 4  wherein the mini-dots penetrate at least 50% of the distance from the outer extent of the pile to the base fabric layer. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots comprise an acrylic dimensional paint. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots are arranged in an array that covers approximately 25% of the extent of the base fabric layer. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the base fabric layer comprises a microfiber cloth. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning cloth of  claim 1  wherein the base fabric layer comprises a terry cloth. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a cleaning cloth comprising:
 forming a cloth including a base fabric layer and a pile including a plurality of strands or loops on at least one side of the base fabric layer;   applying generally spherical mini-dots to the first side of the base fabric layer, each of said mini-dots encapsulating one or more strands or loops of the pile.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein applying generally spherical mini-dots to the first side of the base fabric layer comprises printing the mini-dots on the first side of the base fabric layer with a jet printer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mini-dots have a minimum diameter of about 2 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mini-dots are spaced apart by a minimum distance of about 2 mm between mini-dots. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mini-dots are a minimum of 2 mm in height. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the mini-dots penetrate at least 50% of the distance from the outer extent of the pile to the base fabric layer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mini-dots comprise an acrylic dimensional paint. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the mini-dots are arranged in an array that covers approximately 25% of the extent of the base fabric layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the base fabric layer comprises a microfiber cloth. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the base fabric layer comprises a terry cloth.