EP2539492B1

EP2539492B1 - Mop head comprising silver containing fibers

Info

Publication number: EP2539492B1
Application number: EP10708914.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephan Uhl; Elke Leuchten
Original assignee: Ecolab USA Inc
Current assignee: Ecolab USA Inc
Priority date: 2010-02-26
Filing date: 2010-02-26
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-26
Also published as: EP2539492A1; EP2539492C0; WO2011103885A1

Description

This invention relates generally to cleaning mops having anti-microbial properties.
In the field of surface cleaning various types of cleaning cloth are known. Usually, such cloth may be made of different kind of fibers, e.g. cotton or wool, synthetic fibers like polyamide or polyester, or mixtures of such natural and synthetic fibers.
A common use of said cloth is the use as a head for a cleaning mop. Such mops are commonly used for cleaning purposes of floors and other surfaces. The cloth of the mop head generally has fringes and/or loops of yarns, which are carried on a cloth backing, e.g. a woven fabric. The yarn fibers mentioned above have liquid absorbent characteristics, which make the mop head also useful for removing liquids from surfaces.
In course of using the mop head it will become contaminated with bacteria and/or other microorganisms. Due to the cloth structure of the mop head and the use in combination with water, the mop head constitutes an environment in which bacteria and/or microorganism can proliferate very quickly. This may cause an unpleasant odor of the mop head and the risk to contaminate cleaning surfaces with bacteria and/or microorganism.
It is already known to impregnate cloth for cleaning purposes with antimicrobial compounds. However, in the course of use of the mop heads such antimicrobials are washed up from the cloth, which makes the antimicrobial finish of the cloth less effective. Due to the decrease of antimicrobial efficiency of such prior art mop heads, said mop heads cannot be stored wet throughout their entire time of use.
JP 2002 165 741 A refers to a cleaning string excellent in antibacterial properties, a wiping performance, drying characteristics, and further with little dust making properties, and a cleaning utensil composed thereof. This cleaning string is composed of a 20-60 weight % of multifilament composed of a thermoplastic resin containing antibacterial ceramics and a 40-80 weight % of crimped multifilament of 0.5-2.0 dtex in single filament fineness composed of the thermoplastic resin, and the string is formed into a wiping portion.
WO 2007/078203 A refers to a micro fiber comprising an antibacterial agent that meets the following criteria: the agent must withstand (i.e. not loose its antibacterial activity) temperatures of at least 300 degrees C; the particles of the agent must have an average size in the range from 100 nm to 900 nm, preferably from 400 nm to 900 nm, and most preferably from 500 nm to 900 nm; the agent must be suitable for use in a consumer product, i.e. be non-toxic, non-allergenic and environmentally safe. The agent should preferably be a substance already approved by regulatory bodies for such use. The invention also provides a method of production and products made from the microfibers.
DE 10 2005 031711 A refers to a antimicrobial textile material containing metallic silver nano-particles, used for production of, e.g. underwear, towels, cleaning cloths, awnings, bandages and work clothing for medicine or the food industry.
WO 2004/089180 discloses a mop head, which comprises silver finished fibers. Silver finished means that on the outer surface of the fibers silver is deposited. All silver finished fibers on the mop head mentioned in WO 2004/089180 are fringes or loops. It is known that Silver has inhibiting properties to microorganism, especially to bacteria, yeasts, fungi and similar microbes. It is assumed that the silver ions bind to cell membranes thereby disrupting essential membrane function. This will cause the microorganism to die.
WO 2003/007773 discloses a wet mop head comprising a plurality of solution dyed synthetic yarn loops, which are secured by a synthetic headband centrally positioned across said yarns. The yarn loops are formed by repeatedly folding a continuous yarn onto itself at a regular length equal to the desired mop head length. The strands are resistant to mold and mildew, are or can be made hydrophilic, and can be coloured. Some yarns comprise a silver-based antimicrobial agent under the tradename Agion^®.
However, a disadvantage with such mop heads comprising silver on the outer surface only, i.e. silver finished fibers, is that the anti-microbial properties decrease dramatically over the time of use since the silver deposited on the outer surface ablates significantly due to wear and mechanical stress, e.g. during laundry of the mop head.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mop head for cleaning purposes having an effective and long lasting inhibiting effect on bacteria and/or microorganism proliferation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mop head for cleaning purposes that can be stored wet throughout their entire time of use, which almost maintains its long lasting inhibiting effect on bacteria and/or microorganism proliferation.
This object is solved by a mop head according to claim 1 of the present invention.
The mop head for cleaning surfaces has a fabric part and comprises a plurality of silver containing fibers individually fixated as multifilaments on said fabric part, wherein the silver is homogeneous dispersed in the fiber material; wherein areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers are surrounded by or in the vicinity of multifilaments of silver-free fibers, which reduces the slip resistance of the mop head, and wherein the silver containing fibers contain silver in metallic form and/or as a silver alloy. In general, a multifilament according to the present invention comprises a plurality of fibers. In the specification fiber/s is also named as monofilament/s.
A multifilament according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may comprise a plurality of fibers of the same material. More preferred, a multifilament according to the present invention may comprise a plurality of identical fibers, i.e. in kind of material, dtex and pile height.
In the claims and specification, the wording "comprising" does not exclude other features, and the identified article "a" or "an" represents singular and plural.
According to the present invention the term, "the silver is incorporated in the fiber" or "incorporated in the fiber" or "the fiber contains silver" means that the silver is dispersed throughout the fiber material, i.e. inside the fiber and on the fiber outer surface, for example manufactures by extrusion of a mixture of silver and polymer material.
The term "fiber" in the present specification, if not otherwise stated includes thick-fibers, normal-fibers and/or micro-fibers.
The term "fiber" in the present specification, if not otherwise stated is a monofilament.
The term "multifilament" in the present specification, if not otherwise stated comprises a plurality of fibers (monofilaments).
In the present specification, the term "silver" comprises silver in metallic form and/or silver alloys.
The term "silver containing fibers" or "silver comprising fibers" as used in the specification means that the silver is dispersed throughout the fiber.
In the case of mop heads comprising silver on the outer surface only, i.e. silver finished fibers, the anti-microbial properties decrease dramatically over the time of use, since the silver deposited on the outer surface is significantly ablated due to wear and mechanical stress.
The mop head of the present invention has the advantage that due to the substantially homogeneous dispersion of the silver in the fiber, the silver concentration on the outer surface of the fiber is not altered by ablation over the time of use. In the case of ablating silver from the outer surface of the silver containing fiber of the present invention due to mechanical stress, the silver concentration on the outer surface of the fiber remains almost unchanged, which upholds the inhibiting effect. Therefore, the silver containing fiber of the present invention will keep a continuous proliferation inhibiting effect. Thus, the anti-microbial properties of the silver containing fibers of the mop of the present invention are not affected by wear and mechanical stress over the time of use.
The term "substantially" as used in the specification means > 50%.
The fibers, including silver containing and/or silver-free fibers, in particular the silver containing fibers, of the mop head for cleaning surfaces according to the present invention are individually fixed as multifilament on said fabric part. The individual fixation of the fibers as multifilament prevents the loss of fiber fringes, which uphold the inhibiting effect of the cloth in use.
A silver containing multifilament according to the present invention consists of a number of fibers (monofilaments), wherein all fibers contain silver that is dispersed throughout the fiber.
According to the present invention, the silver containing fiber comprises silver in an amount of between ≥ 50 ppm to ≤ 1000 ppm, preferably of ≥ 100 ppm to ≤ 800 ppm, and more preferred of ≥ 150 ppm to ≤ 500 ppm. This is advantageous for many applications, since such a concentration ensures to provide an effective inhibition of the proliferation of microorganism and/or bacteria.
According to the present invention the concentration (ppm) of silver and/or silver alloys in the silver containing fiber, is calculated on the amount of silver only.
The silver containing fibers contain silver in metallic form and/or as a silver alloy.
The silver can be present in form of nanoparticles, particles and/or agglomerates and preferably as particles.
The nanoparticles, particles and/or agglomerates comprise silver in metallic form and/or as a silver alloy.
However, the nanoparticles, particles and/or agglomerates may consist of silver in metallic form and/or of a silver alloy.
According to an embodiment of the invention, silver containing fibers comprise silver in form of nanoparticles. This has shown to be advantages since nanoparticles have an improved ratio of the particle cross section in relation to its surface section. This further improves the inhibiting activity of the silver containing fibers within the cloth.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the silver, such as silver in metallic form and/or silver alloys, can be in the form of silver particles that are dispersed throughout the fiber/s of the multifilaments.
According to an embodiment of the invention the silver particles may have an average size d₅₀ of ≥ 100 nm to ≤ 100 pm, preferably an average size d₅₀ of ≥ 250 nm to ≤ 50 pm, further preferred an average size d₅₀ of ≥ 500 nm to ≤ 50 pm, more preferred an average size d₅₀ of ≥ 1 µm to ≤ 10 pm, and most preferred an average size d₅₀ of 1.2 µm to ≤ 1.5 µm.
According to an embodiment of the invention the silver particles may have an average size d₇₀ of ≥ 100 nm to ≤ 100 pm, preferably an average size d₇₀ of ≥ 250 nm to ≤ 50 pm, further preferred an average size d₇₀ of ≥ 500 nm to ≤ 50 pm, more preferred an average size d₇₀ of ≥ 1 µm to ≤ 10 pm, and most preferred an average size d₇₀ of 1.2 µm to ≤ 1.5 µm.
According to an embodiment of the invention the silver particles may have an average size d₉₀ of ≥ 100 nm to ≤ 100 pm, preferably an average size d₉₀ of ≥ 250 nm to ≤ 50 pm, further preferred an average size d₉₀ of ≥ 500 nm to ≤ 50 pm, more preferred an average size d₉₀ of ≥ 1 µm to ≤ 10 pm, and most preferred an average size d₉₀ of 1.2 µm to ≤ 1.5 µm.
The term "d₅₀" means that ≥ 50 %, the term "d₇₀" means that ≥ 70 % and the term "d₉₀" means that ≥ 90 %, of all the silver particles or nanoparticles in said silver particles or nanoparticles containing fibers have the defined average size range above mentioned.
A particle size within the mentioned range ensures a substantially homogeneous distribution of silver over the entire fiber cross section in particular in micro-fibers and/or normal fibers.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the silver containing fibers and/or silver-free fibers may comprise polyester, polyamide, polyacryl, polyethylene and/or polypropylene.
The silver containing fibers and/or silver-free fibers may also comprise other polymers.
Preferably, the silver containing fibers and/or silver-free fibers essentially consist of polyesters, for example polyethylene terephthalate.
This has been found to be advantageous for many applications, since silver and/or silver alloys can easily be incorporated into a polyester fiber by addition of such compounds to a polyester raw mixture, e. g. prior to an extrusion of the fiber material.
The fibers of the mop head are silver-free fibers and silver containing fibers.
A mixture of silver-free fibers and silver containing fibers reduces the costs for the mop head compared to a mop head with silver-containing fibers only.
The mop head comprises multifilaments of silver-free-containing fibers and silver-containing fibers.
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, 85 % to 15 %, preferably 80 % to 20 %, more preferably 70 % to 35 % and even more preferred 65 % to 40 % of the fibers on the functional surface of the mop head, calculated on all fibers of the functional surface of the mop head, are silver containing fibers.
The term "functional surface of the mop head" means the surface, fabric part and/or pile of the mop head, which in use of the mop head comes into direct contact with the surface to be cleaned.
The term "fibers on the functional surface" means the pile of the mop head.
The term "the mop head of the present invention comprises multifilaments" means that the multifilaments are arranged at least on the fabric part.
In more detail, the multifilaments of the mop head of the present invention can be multifilaments of micro-fibers, multifilaments of normal-fibers and/or multifilaments of thick-fibers.
The titer of the micro-fibers can be in the range of ≥ 0,4 dtex to < 1,0 dtex, preferably ≥ 0,5 dtex to ≤ 0,9 dtex and further preferred ≥ 0,6 dtex to ≤0,8 dtex.
The titer of normal-fibers can be in the range of ≥ 1 dtex to < 15 dtex, preferably ≥ 1,1 dtex to ≤ 13 dtex, further preferred ≥ 1,5 dtex to ≤ 11 dtex, also preferred ≥ 2 dtex to ≤ 9 dtex and still preferred ≥ 4 dtex to ≤ 6 dtex.
The titer of thick-fibers can be in the range of ≥ 15 dtex to ≤ 40 dtex, preferably ≥ 18 dtex to ≤ 30 dtex, further preferred ≥ 20 dtex to ≤ 25 dtex, also preferred ≥ 22 dtex to ≤ 24 dtex.
According to the present invention, the micro-fibers, the normal-fibers and/or the thick fibers can comprise silver or can be free of silver.
Preferably, at least one multifilament of fibers selected from the group of micro-fibers, normal-fibers and/or the thick fibers contains silver.
According to the present invention, the micro-fibers can comprise silver or the micro-fibers can be free of silver. Preferably, the micro-fibers are free of silver.
According to the present invention, the normal-fibers can comprise silver or the normal-fibers can be free of silver. Preferably, the normal-fibers contains silver.
According to the present invention, the thick-fibers can comprise silver or the thick-fibers can be free of silver. Preferably, the thick-fibers are free of silver.
In general, a multifilament can consists of one kind of fibers only. Thus, a multifilament can consist of micro-fibers, a multifilament can consist of normal-fibers or a multifilament can consist of thick fibers. However, a multifilament according to the present invention can comprise a mixture of at least to different kind of fibers selected from the group of micro-fibers, normal-fibers and/or thick-fibers.
It can be preferred that all fibers of a multifilament are silver containing fibers.
On the fabric part, a plurality of different multifilaments can be fixated that forms the active surface of the mop head.
A multifilament of micro-fibers can comprise micro-fibers containing silver throughout the fiber and/or silver free micro-fibers. However, it is preferred that a multifilament of micro-fibers contains silver containing micro-fibers only, wherein the silver is dispersed throughout the micro-fiber.
A multifilament of normal-fibers can comprise normal-fibers containing silver throughout the fiber and/or silver free normal-fibers. However, it is preferred that a multifilament of normal-fibers contains silver containing normal-fibers only, wherein the silver is dispersed throughout the normal-fiber.
A multifilament of thick-fibers can comprise thick-fibers containing silver throughout the fiber and/or silver free thick-fibers. However, it is preferred that a multifilament of thick-fibers contains silver containing thick-fibers only, wherein the silver is dispersed throughout the thick-fiber.
A mop head of the present invention can comprise:

a) multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers; and/or
b) multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers; and/or
c) multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mop head with multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers and multifilaments of silver-free normal fibers and multifilaments of silver-free thick fibers.
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mop head with multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers and multifilaments of silver-free normal fibers and multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers.
Still preferred is a mop head of the present invention with silver containing multifilaments of normal fibers and silver-free multifilaments of micro-fibers.
More preferred is a mop head of the present invention with silver containing multifilaments of normal-fibers, silver-free multifilaments of micro-fibers and silver-free multifilaments of thick-fibers.
Most preferred is a mop head of the present invention with silver containing multifilaments of normal-fibers, silver-free multifilaments of normal-fibers, silver-free multifilaments of micro-fibers and silver-free multifilaments of thick-fibers.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the mop head on its functional surface comprises:

a) ≤ 100 % to ≥ 0 % multifilaments of normal-fibers, preferably ≤ 80 % to ≥ 1 %, preferred ≤ 75 % to ≥ 10 %, also preferably ≤ 70 % to ≥ 20 %, still preferred ≤ 70 % to ≥ 30 % and further preferred ≤ 60 % to ≥ 40, wherein the normal-fibers of said multifilaments can contain silver dispersed throughout the fibers and/or the normal-fibers of said multifilaments can be silver-free, more preferred the normal-fibers of the multifilaments contain silver and most preferred it comprises multifilaments of silver-containing fibers and multifilaments of silver-free fibers; and/or
b) ≥ 0 % to ≤ 100 % multifilaments of micro-fibers, preferably ≥ 1 % to ≤ 50 %, preferred ≥ 5 % to ≤ 40 %, further preferred ≥ 10 % to ≤ 30 and still preferred ≥ 15 % to ≤ 20 %, said multifilaments of micro-fibers can contain silver dispersed throughout the fiber and/or can be silver-free, more preferred the micro-fibers of the multifilaments are silver-free; and/or
c) ≥ 0 % to ≤ 100 % multifilaments of thick-fibers, preferably ≥ 1 % to ≤ 50 %, preferred ≥ 5 % to ≤ 40 %, further preferred ≥ 10 % to ≤ 30 and still preferred ≥ 15 % to ≤ 20 %, said multifilaments of thick-fibers can contain silver dispersed throughout the fiber and/or can be silver-free, more preferred the thick-fibers of the multifilaments are silver-free; and

The functional surface of the mop head of the present invention can comprise a mixture of and/or a pattern of areas of micro-fibers, normal-fibers and/or thick-fibers.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the mop head can comprise at least two different types of multifilaments of micro-fibers, multifilaments of normal-fibers and/or multifilaments of thick-fibers, preferably at least one type of multifilaments of normal-fibers containing silver and at least one type of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers.
However, the different types of multifilaments of micro-fibers, normal-fibers and/or thick-fibers may differ in its polymer-material, pile-height, titer, number of monofilaments, and/or silver-content.
In a preferred embodiment of the mop head according to the present invention:

a) one or more areas of the fabric part of the mop head can comprise multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, silver containing normal-fibers and/or silver containing thick-fibers; and/or
b) one or more areas of the fabric part of the mop head can comprise multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, silver-free normal fibers and/or silver-free thick-fibers, wherein at least one area of the active surface of said fabric is of multifilaments of silver containing fibers.

Preferred is at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
Further, preferred is a mop head with an active surface having at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
Also preferred is a mop head with an active surface having at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers.
Furthermore preferred is a mop head with an active surface having at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers.
Also preferred is a mop head with an active surface having at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers.
Still preferred is a mop head with an active surface having at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver containing thick-fibers.
Especially preferred is at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
In particular preferred is at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers.
Most preferred is at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers, at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers and at least one discrete pattern of areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
It can be preferred that the pattern of the functional surface of the mop head has repeating sequences.
The average multifilament pile height of silver containing fibers and/or silver-free fibers can be in the range of between ≥ 2 mm to ≤ 12 mm, preferably of ≥ 4 mm to ≤ 10 mm, and more preferred of ≥ 6 mm to ≤ 8 mm.
The average multifilament pile height of silver containing micro-fibers and/or silver-free micro-fibers can be in the range of between ≥ 2 mm to ≤ 12 mm, preferably of ≥ 4 mm to ≤ 10 mm, and more preferred of ≥ 6 mm to ≤ 8 mm.
The average multifilament pile height of silver containing normal-fibers and/or silver-free normal-fibers can be in the range of between ≥ 2 mm to ≤ 12 mm, preferably of ≥ 4 mm to ≤ 10 mm, and more preferred of ≥ 6 mm to ≤ 8 mm.
The average multifilament pile height of silver containing thick-fibers and/or silver-free thick-fibers can be in the range of between ≥ 2 mm to ≤ 12 mm, preferably of ≥ 4 mm to ≤ 11 mm, and more preferred of ≥ 6 mm to ≤ 10 mm.
It can be preferred that the multifilaments of thick-fibers, multifilaments of normal-fibers and multifilaments of micro-fibers have the same average pile height.
Further preferred is that the multifilaments of thick-fibers may have a higher pile height than the multifilaments of normal-fibers and/or multifilaments of micro-fibers.
Most preferred, the multifilaments of thick-fibers can have a higher pile height than the multifilaments of normal-fibers and multifilaments of micro-fibers.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers are surrounded by multifilaments of silver-free fibers selected from the group of micro-fibers, normal-fibers and/or thick-fibers.
Further preferred is a mop head of the present invention with areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers surrounded by multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers.
Preferably, the multifilaments of silver micro-fibers can be surrounded by or are adjacent arranged to multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
Most preferred is a mop head of the present invention with areas of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers surrounded by multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers; and with areas of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers surrounded by multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
The term "surrounded" means according to the present specification that a ring of multifilaments of silver-free fibers is arranged around areas of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers and/ or silver containing fibers.
The term "adjacent" means according to the present specification that areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers and areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers are arranged nearby.
Preferably, areas of multifilaments of silver-free fibers are arranged between at least two stripes of multifilaments of silver containing fibers, in particular stripes of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers and most preferred stripes of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers.
More preferred, a plurality of stripes of multifilaments of silver-free fibers and stripes of multifilaments of silver containing fibers are alternating arranged.
A pattern of ≥ 4, ≥ 8, ≥ 10 or ≥ 20 alternating arranged stripes of multifilaments of silver-free fibers and stripes of multifilaments of silver containing fibers can be preferred.
Areas, such as stripes, of multifilaments of silver-free fibers and/or multifilaments of silver containing fibers can have a length (machine direction) of ≥ 1 mm to ≤ 1000 mm, preferably of ≥ 5 mm to ≤ 800 mm, more preferred of ≥ 10 mm to ≤ 700 mm, further preferred of ≥ 20 mm to ≤ 600 mm, and still preferred ≥ 30 mm to ≤ 500 mm.
Areas, such as stripes, of multifilaments of silver-free fibers and/or multifilaments of silver containing fibers can have a width (cross direction) of ≥ 0.01 mm to ≤ 500 mm, preferably of ≥ 0.05 mm to ≤ 250 mm, more preferred of ≥ 0.1 mm to ≤ 100 mm, further preferred of ≥ 0.5 mm to ≤ 50 mm, and still preferred ≥ 1 mm to ≤ 10 mm.
The surrounding and/or vicinity of areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers by areas of multifilaments of silver-free fibers reduces the slip resistance of the mop head (active surface), which makes the use of the mop head easier.
In particular, the surrounding and/or vicinity of areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers, such as micro-fibers and/or normal-fibers by areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers and/or areas of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers reduces the slip resistance of the mop head (active surface), which makes the use of the mop head easier.
Further, the multifilaments of silver containing fibers of the present invention can differ from the multifilaments of silver-free fibers for example in its elastic, flexibility and/or bending characteristics.
The straighten-up time characteristic after bending of multifilaments of silver containing fibers of the present invention may be delayed compared with multifilaments of silver-free fibers.
The arrangement of areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers, preferably silver containing micro-fibers, adjacent to areas of multifilaments of silver-free fibers selected from the group of multifilaments of micro-, normal- and/or thick-fibers increase the straighten-up time and/or straighten-up characteristic after bending of multifilaments of silver containing fibers. In particular, straighten-up characteristic after bending of multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers can be significantly improved.
Further, surrounding and/or an adjacent arrangement of areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers to areas of multifilaments of silver-free fibers increases the cleaning properties and/or decreases slip resistance of the mop head of the present invention.
Especially the multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers decrease the slip resistance of the mop-head and increase the soil removal. Moreover, the multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers increase the straighten-up or sit-up characteristics of adjacent arranged multifilaments of silver containing fibers, especially multifilaments of silver containing micro-fibers and/or multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers.
It can be preferred that according to the present invention the functional surface area of the mop head has a fiber density of all fibers, i.e. monofilaments, preferably of the silver containing monofilaments and/or silver containing micro-monofilaments, in the range of ≥ 60.000 monofilaments/cm² to ≤ 180.000 monofilaments/cm².
According to an preferred embodiment of the invention, the mop head is free of any fringes and/or loops of fibers on the functional surface of the mop head. This is advantageous, in particular for micro-fibers, since the cleaning capability of the mop head is increased.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the multifilaments of normal-fibers comprise silver only, while the other fibers, i.e. non-normal-fibers, are silver-free fibers. This is advantageous for many applications, since silver-free fibers show a reduced slip resistance.
Preferably, the silver containing multifilaments consist of silver containing normal-fibers or of silver containing micro-fibers and most preferred of silver containing normal-fibers.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the mop head has a friction coefficient on floor surfaces within in the range of ≥ 0,2 to ≤ 0,6, preferably of ≥ 0,3 to ≤ 0,55, further preferred of ≥ 0,35 to ≤ 0,50 and more preferred of ≥ 0,40 to ≤ 0,45.
The friction coefficient on floor surfaces is the coefficient of a tension F in horizontal direction to a force F_N = m x g which acts in vertical direction, wherein m is the mass of a test equipment and g is the earth gravity.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the backing fabric of the pile fabric has a yarn density of ≥ 10 yarn/cm to ≤ 20 yarn/cm, preferably of ≥ 12 yarn/cm to ≤ 18 yarn/cm for the warp, and ≥ 15 yarn/cm to ≤ 30 yarn/cm, preferably of ≥ 18 yarn/cm to ≤ 28 yarn/cm for the weft.
In an embodiment according to the invention, the back fabric is a polyester fabric.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the mop head adsorbs a liquid rather than absorbing it. This is advantageous since the mop head easier releases liquid when being wringed. This may reduce the consumption of water.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the mop head comprises means to attach the mop head to a cleaning implement. Preferably, the means to attach the mop head to a cleaning implement is at least one strap, a latch, pocket and/or velcro, preferably at least two straps, latches, pockets and/or velcro are arranged on the backside of the mop head.
The afore mentioned components, as well as the claimed components and the components to be used in accordance with the invention in the described embodiments, are not subject to any special exceptions with respect to their size, shape, material selection and technical concept such that the selection criteria known in the pursuant field can be applied without a limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional details, features, characteristics and advantages of the invention are disclosed in more detail in the subclaims, the figures and examples.

Fig. 1: shows the top view of a head mop.
Fig. 2: shows a pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head according to the present invention
Fig. 3: shows a further pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head according to the present invention
Fig. 4: shows a further pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head according to the present invention

Fig. 1 shows the top view of a head mop 1 with straps 2 to fixate the mop head on a mop frame of a mop device.
Fig. 2 shows a pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head according to the present invention with areas of multifilaments of silver free normal-fibers (3), areas of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers (4), areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers (5) and areas of multifilaments of silver free micro-fibers (6).
Fig. 3 shows a pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head according to the present invention that differs from Fig. 2 in an different distribution of the areas of multifilaments of silver free normal-fibers (3), areas of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers (4), areas of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers (5) and areas of multifilaments of silver free micro-fibers (6).
Fig. 4 shows another pattern of multifilaments of an active surface of a mop head with areas of multifilaments of silver free normal-fibers (3), areas of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers (4) and areas of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers (6).

Example 1

A mop head having a polyester fabric part with a yarn density of 18 yarn/cm for the warp and 23 yarn/cm for the weft with individually fixated multifilaments on the functional surface. The fibers of said multifilaments had different pile heights, wherein 80 % of the fibers had a pile height of about 8 mm and 20 % of the fibers had a pile height of > 8 mm and ≤ 10 mm. 80 % of the fibers were polyethylene terephthalate fibers containing silver in an amount of 150 to 500 ppm, substantially homogeneous distributed over the whole cross section of the fiber as silver.
The silver was comprised in the fibers as particles having a particle size D₅₀ of 1.6 um. The yarn titer of the silver containing fiber was 1.3 dtex, while the titer of the multifilaments of the silver-free micro-fibers was 0.6 dtex and the titer of the multifilaments of the silver-free thick-fibers was 25 dtex. The monofilament per area was about 120.000 cm². The functional surface had 30% of multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers, 40% of multifilaments of silver containing normal-fibers, 5% of multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers and 25% of multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers.
The above described mop head was washed for five times to reach dimensional stability, while the shrinking during the first washings was in the range of about 3 % per washing. The mop head was washed in a laundry single tank washing machine for 70 min at a temperature of 60° C, and the temperature was held for 15 min.
The mop head had a water adsorption analogue to DIN 53923 of 200 to 400 %. For the evaluation of the water adsorption, the dry weight n_dry of the mop head was evaluated. The mop head was put in deionisized water until it completely lies approximately 1 cm under the water surface for a time of 180 +/- 3 sec. Subsequently, the mop head was hung up carefully with the narrow side in a clamp and the water was allowed to drip off for 180 +/- 3 sec. Subsequently, the weight m_wet of the wet mop head was evaluated. The adsorption W % was calculated according to the equitation $W % = \frac{n_{wet} - m_{dry}}{m_{dry}} \times 100$
.
Furthermore, the gliding properties of the mop head were evaluated. To do so, the mop head was put into a cleaning solution containing 1 wt.-% of common light duty floor cleaner for a dwell time of 2 to 3 sec. Subsequently the mop head was put into a vertical press and pressed for 10 seconds with a force of 100 N. The mop head was clamped to a mop holder of a measuring apparatus of the type GMG 100 and the tackle unit was moved out to 100 % = 1,5 meter.
The measurement was started and the gliding coefficient was detected. The measurement was repeated for five times on uncoated linoleum floor. The average value was calculated and results to ≥ 0.4 to ≤ 0.45.
Further, the antibacterial effect of a mop head of the present invention was studied in comparison to an identical mop head with the exception that all fibers were silver-free.
The active surface of the test mop head according to the present invention had:

40% multifilaments of silver-particles containing normal-fibers with a titer of 1.3 dtex, a mean silver content of 150 ppm, a yarn titer of 200 dtex, and a pile height of about 6 mm,
5 % multifilaments of silver-free normal-fibers with a titer of 6 dtex, a yarn titer of 400 dtex, and a pile height of about 6 mm,
30 % multifilaments of silver-free micro-fibers with a titer of 0.6 dtex, a yarn titer of 400 dtex, and a pile height of about 6 mm,
25 % multifilaments of silver-free thick-fibers with a titer of 25 dtex, a yarn titer of 100 dtex, and a pile height of about 10 mm.

The comparative test mop was identical with the exception that all fibers were silver-free.

Description of the test method

The mop heads were cut in carrier-pieces with a size of 5 cm x 5 cm and sterilized in an autoclave. Then the pieces were incubated with 10 ml of a injection suspension of the test germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa of 6,32 x 10³ CFU/ml in a Trypton-NaCL-solution. Afterwards the incubated test pieces were stored for 24 hours at room temperature. In this process it was ensured, that the test germ carrier could not dry. After the storage time the test pieces were separately extracted in 90 ml inactivator solution and the living germ number of the extraction solution was evaluated. The evaluation was repeated three times under the same conditions.

The results are shown in table 1 below.

Table 1

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Number of germs in the injection suspension: 6.32 x 10³ CFU / ml
10 ml injection suspension for one carrier of germs of 5 cm x 5 cm
Incubated germ carrier was extracted with 90 ml inactivator solution
Mop head	Number of Washing cycles	CFU / ml carrier after 24 h storage
Silver free mop head (comparative mop)	5 x 60° C	4,23 x 10⁵
Silver containing mop	5 x 60° C	2,42 x 10²
Silver containing mop	100 x 60° C	1,28 x 10¹
Silver containing mop	200 x 60° C	7,04 x 10¹
Silver containing mop	300 x 60° C	1,37 x 10²
Silver containing mop	400 x 60° C	4,23 x 10²

These tests clearly demonstrate that the silver containing mop head according to the present invention shows a significant antibacterial effect. Further, the throughout dispersion of the silver in the silver containing fibers effects that even after 400 washing cycles the antibacterial effect has not been altered. This is remarkable, because the silver containing fibers of the multifilaments are subjected to massive mechanical stress and abrasion.
It has been further found by the inventors, that the mop heads of the present invention have an improved antibacterial effect for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus and Klebsiella pneumonia. Further, the mop heads of the present invention have also an improved antifungal effect.

Claims

A mop head (1) for cleaning surfaces having a fabric part and comprising a plurality of silver containing fibers (4) individually fixated as multifilaments on said fabric part, wherein the silver is homogeneous dispersed in the fiber material, characterized in that areas of multifilaments of silver containing fibers are surrounded by or in the vicinity of multifilaments of silver-free fibers (3, 5, 6), which reduces the slip resistance of the mop head, and in that the silver containing fibers (4) contain silver in metallic form and/or as a silver alloy.
The mop head (1) according to claim 1, wherein the silver containing fibers (4) comprise silver in form of nanoparticles, particles and/or agglomerates.
The mop head (1) according to any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the silver containing fiber (4) comprises silver in an amount of ≥ 50 ppm to ≤ 1000 ppm.
The mop head (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the silver containing fibers (4) comprise polyester, polyamide, polyacryl, polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and more preferred polyethylene terephthalate.
The mop head (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the percentage of silver containing fibers (4) on the functional surface of the mop head (1), calculated on all fibers on the functional surface of the mop head (1), is in the range of ≥ 15 % to ≤ 80 %.
The mop head (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 5, whereby the mop head (1) comprises latches to fixate the mop head (1) on a cleaning implement.