WO2004089180A1 - Mop head - Google Patents
Mop head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004089180A1 WO2004089180A1 PCT/GB2004/001447 GB2004001447W WO2004089180A1 WO 2004089180 A1 WO2004089180 A1 WO 2004089180A1 GB 2004001447 W GB2004001447 W GB 2004001447W WO 2004089180 A1 WO2004089180 A1 WO 2004089180A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- mop head
- silver
- backing
- head according
- loops
- Prior art date
Links
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000000845 anti-microbial effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- -1 Silver ions Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 8
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 abstract description 4
- 241000233866 Fungi Species 0.000 abstract description 2
- 240000004808 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Species 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000033077 cellular process Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 102000004190 Enzymes Human genes 0.000 description 2
- 108090000790 Enzymes Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000013007 heat curing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010348 incorporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009056 active transport Effects 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 210000000170 cell membrane Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000002421 cell wall Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 150000001805 chlorine compounds Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005923 long-lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000007747 plating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035943 smell Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004753 textile Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003573 thiols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/20—Mops
Definitions
- This invention relates to heads for cleaning mops.
- a common form of cleaning mop has a mop head stretched over a metal frame secured to a handle.
- the mop head generally has tufts or loops of a liquid-absorbent yarn carried on a cloth backing, with pockets formed at each end to receive the mop frame.
- Mops of this kind are often used to clean floors and other surfaces and to remove spillages of various liquids.
- the mop head quickly becomes contaminated with bacteria and other micro-organisms, which can quickly multiply in the warm damp environment of the mop head. This can often cause unpleasant smells and, more seriously, may spread potentially harmful bacteria during use of the mop.
- the present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of mop head which has long-lasting and effective antimicrobial properties yet does not complicate the manufacturing process.
- the present invention provides a mop head which incorporates silver in a form and an amount which is sufficient to exhibit antimicrobial properties.
- Silver ions exhibit known antimicrobial properties and are very effective against most bacteria, yeasts, fungi and similar microbes.
- the ions appear to bind non-specifically to cell membranes and disrupt normal membrane function. They also pass through the cell wall by a variety of mechanisms including active transport systems which normally move essential ions into the cell. Once inside the cell, they readily combine with electron donor groups containing sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen as well as negatively charged groups such as phosphates and chlorides.
- Silver ions also combine with thiol (-SH) groups commonly found in enzymes, causing them to become denatured due to critical conformational changes in the enzyme molecule. As a result, normal cellular processes are disrupted and the cell quickly becomes poisoned and dies. Silver is easy to incorporate during manufacture of the mop head without involving additional manufacturing steps and is effective over a prolonged period of use.
- the mop head incorporates silver-coated fibres.
- the mop head may be of a known kind including a cloth backing which carries tufts or loops of a liquid-absorbent yarn.
- the silver coated fibres may be incorporated into the backing and/or the tufts or loops.
- Figure 1 is a general view of a mop head in accordance with the invention.
- the mop head 1 which is shown as an example of a preferred form of mop head to which the invention may be applied, has an elongate rectangular cloth backing 2 with a liquid-absorbent textile yarn, e.g. cotton, stitched through the backing in rows to form an array of closely-spaced loops 3, typically about 20mm long, which cover the underside of the backing. Rather than being provided as loops, the yarn may be cut in short lengths which are inserted through the backing to form separate tufts.
- a liquid-absorbent textile yarn e.g. cotton
- a cloth cover 4 may be superimposed on the upper surface of the backing 2 and secured thereto, e.g. by a line of stitching 5 extending around the periphery of the backing.
- the cover 4 is shown partly cut-away in the drawing to reveal the backing 2, but when present, serves to hide the rear stitched area from view.
- pieces of relatively stiff material 6 are attached to the backing, e.g. by being sown between the cover 4 and the backing 2.
- the pieces of stiff material are then turned inwards and secured to opposite longitudinal edges of the backing by means of additional lines of stitching 7.
- the stiff material thus forms pockets having opposing inward-facing mouths 8 which serve, in known manner, to permit mounting of the mop head on a rectangular metal frame to which a handle is secured.
- the cloth backing 2 incorporates threads of polyamide which are silver-coated during manufacture by means of an electrodeless plating process.
- the coated threads may be blended with uncoated threads of polyamide, other thermoplastics or natural fibres such as cotton in any proportion to vary the amount of silver present.
- the ratio of coated to uncoated fibres may typically be between 5% and 25% by volume.
- a suitable silver-coated fibre is available from Noble Fiber Technologies, Inc. under the trade name X-STATIC.
- similar threads may also be incorporated into the yarn 3 in similar proportions. Where a cover 4 is provided, this too may incorporate a similar ratio of silver-coated fibres.
- the incorporation of the silver-coated threads into the mop head slowly releases silver ions which greatly inhibit microbial growth and multiplication within the mop head, as described above.
- the threads are incorporated as part of the normal manufacturing process so that no additional impregnation or heat-curing steps are required. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties can be maintained substantially undiminished throughout the normal lifetime of the head.
Landscapes
- Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A mop head (1) incorporates silver in a form and an amount which is sufficient to exhibit antimicrobial properties. Silver ions (Ag+) are very effective against most bacteria, yeasts, fungi and similar microbes. Normal cellular processes are disrupted and the cell quickly becomes poisoned and dies. Silver is easy to incorporate during manufacture of the mop head without involving additional manufacturing steps and is effective over a prolonged period of use. In a preferred form the mop head incorporates silver-coated fibres. The mop head may be of a known kind including a cloth backing (2) which carries tufts or loops (3) of a liquid-absorbent yarn. The silver coated fibres may be incorporated into the backing and/or the tufts or loops.
Description
ΪOP HEAD
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to heads for cleaning mops.
BACKGROUND
By way of example, a common form of cleaning mop has a mop head stretched over a metal frame secured to a handle. The mop head generally has tufts or loops of a liquid-absorbent yarn carried on a cloth backing, with pockets formed at each end to receive the mop frame.
Mops of this kind are often used to clean floors and other surfaces and to remove spillages of various liquids. In the course of such use, the mop head quickly becomes contaminated with bacteria and other micro-organisms, which can quickly multiply in the warm damp environment of the mop head. This can often cause unpleasant smells and, more seriously, may spread potentially harmful bacteria during use of the mop.
It is already known to impregnate mop heads with antimicrobial compounds, and this generally involves immersing the mop head in a solution of the
material, draining off excess solution, and then heat-curing the compound so that it becomes firmly bound to the fabric of the mop. However, this process adds significantly to the manufacturing cost and, furthermore, is not highly effective since the compounds tend to become less effective with use.
The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of mop head which has long-lasting and effective antimicrobial properties yet does not complicate the manufacturing process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a mop head which incorporates silver in a form and an amount which is sufficient to exhibit antimicrobial properties.
Silver ions (Ag+) exhibit known antimicrobial properties and are very effective against most bacteria, yeasts, fungi and similar microbes. The ions appear to bind non-specifically to cell membranes and disrupt normal membrane function. They also pass through the cell wall by a variety of mechanisms including active transport systems which normally move essential ions into the cell. Once inside the cell, they readily combine with electron donor groups containing sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen as well as negatively charged groups such as phosphates and chlorides. Silver ions also combine with thiol (-SH) groups commonly found in enzymes, causing them to become denatured due to critical conformational changes in the enzyme molecule. As a result, normal cellular processes are disrupted and the cell quickly becomes poisoned and dies.
Silver is easy to incorporate during manufacture of the mop head without involving additional manufacturing steps and is effective over a prolonged period of use.
In a preferred form the mop head incorporates silver-coated fibres.
The mop head may be of a known kind including a cloth backing which carries tufts or loops of a liquid-absorbent yarn. The silver coated fibres may be incorporated into the backing and/or the tufts or loops.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a general view of a mop head in accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The mop head 1 , which is shown as an example of a preferred form of mop head to which the invention may be applied, has an elongate rectangular cloth backing 2 with a liquid-absorbent textile yarn, e.g. cotton, stitched through the backing in rows to form an array of closely-spaced loops 3, typically about 20mm long, which cover the underside of the backing.
Rather than being provided as loops, the yarn may be cut in short lengths which are inserted through the backing to form separate tufts.
Though not essential, a cloth cover 4 may be superimposed on the upper surface of the backing 2 and secured thereto, e.g. by a line of stitching 5 extending around the periphery of the backing. The cover 4 is shown partly cut-away in the drawing to reveal the backing 2, but when present, serves to hide the rear stitched area from view. At opposite ends of the mop head, pieces of relatively stiff material 6 are attached to the backing, e.g. by being sown between the cover 4 and the backing 2. The pieces of stiff material are then turned inwards and secured to opposite longitudinal edges of the backing by means of additional lines of stitching 7. The stiff material thus forms pockets having opposing inward-facing mouths 8 which serve, in known manner, to permit mounting of the mop head on a rectangular metal frame to which a handle is secured.
In accordance with the present invention, the cloth backing 2 incorporates threads of polyamide which are silver-coated during manufacture by means of an electrodeless plating process. The coated threads may be blended with uncoated threads of polyamide, other thermoplastics or natural fibres such as cotton in any proportion to vary the amount of silver present. The ratio of coated to uncoated fibres may typically be between 5% and 25% by volume. A suitable silver-coated fibre is available from Noble Fiber Technologies, Inc. under the trade name X-STATIC.
Instead of, or in addition to the incorporation of silver-coated threads into the backing 2, similar threads may also be incorporated into the yarn 3 in similar proportions. Where a cover 4 is provided, this too may incorporate a similar
ratio of silver-coated fibres.
The incorporation of the silver-coated threads into the mop head slowly releases silver ions which greatly inhibit microbial growth and multiplication within the mop head, as described above. The threads are incorporated as part of the normal manufacturing process so that no additional impregnation or heat-curing steps are required. Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties can be maintained substantially undiminished throughout the normal lifetime of the head.
It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description lays emphasis on those areas which, in combination, are believed to be new, protection is claimed for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A mop head which incorporates silver in a form and an amount which is sufficient to exhibit antimicrobial properties.
2. A mop head according to Claim 1 in which the silver is in a form which releases silver ions (Ag+).
3. A mop head according to Claim 1 which incorporates silver- coated fibres.
4. A mop head according to Claim 3 in which the ratio of coated to uncoated fibres is between 5% and 25% by volume.
5. A mop head according to Claim 1 including a cloth backing (2) which carries tufts of a liquid-absorbent yarn.
6. A mop head according to Claim 5 having silver-coated fibres incorporated into the backing.
7. A mop head according to Claim 5 having silver-coated fibres incorporated into the tufts.
8. A mop head according to Claim 1 including a cloth backing (2) which carries loops (3) of a liquid-absorbent yarn.
9. A mop head according to Claim 8 having silver-coated fibres incorporated into the backing.
10 A mop head according to Claim 8 having silver-coated fibres incorporated into the loops.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE202004020313U DE202004020313U1 (en) | 2003-04-10 | 2004-04-01 | Mophead |
| DK200400329U DK200400329U3 (en) | 2003-04-10 | 2004-12-17 | Mop Head |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0308237A GB2400308B (en) | 2003-04-10 | 2003-04-10 | Mop head |
| GB0308237.7 | 2003-04-10 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2004089180A1 true WO2004089180A1 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
| WO2004089180B1 WO2004089180B1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
Family
ID=9956513
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2004/001447 WO2004089180A1 (en) | 2003-04-10 | 2004-04-01 | Mop head |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE202004020313U1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK200400329U3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2400308B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2004089180A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011103885A1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Ecolab Inc. | Mop head comprising silver containing fibers |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102011107648A1 (en) | 2011-07-12 | 2013-01-17 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Flat mop cover with antimicrobial or antibacterial finish |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4715081A (en) * | 1981-11-18 | 1987-12-29 | Deo Welch | Dust mop with improved backing for slip-through frame |
| JPH01303119A (en) * | 1988-06-01 | 1989-12-07 | Hokoku Kk | Manufacture of dish towel antibacterial and water absorbent and the like |
| JPH07178026A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-07-18 | Ryoichi Nishio | Cleaning tool |
| JPH11124729A (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-05-11 | Kuraray Co Ltd | Antimicrobial fiber and its production |
| WO2002071914A1 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-09-19 | William Hockey-Smith | Cleaning cloth |
| WO2003007773A2 (en) * | 2001-07-19 | 2003-01-30 | Milliken & Company | Synthetic wet mop head |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06189883A (en) * | 1992-12-22 | 1994-07-12 | Kanai Hiroyuki | Antimicrobial non-woven fabric cleaner |
| GB0105811D0 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2001-04-25 | Hilltout Alexander M | Cleaning cloth |
| US20030157147A1 (en) * | 2002-02-15 | 2003-08-21 | William Hoge | Anti-microbial utility and kitchen wipe utilizing metallic silver as an oligodynamic agent |
-
2003
- 2003-04-10 GB GB0308237A patent/GB2400308B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-04-01 DE DE202004020313U patent/DE202004020313U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2004-04-01 WO PCT/GB2004/001447 patent/WO2004089180A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-12-17 DK DK200400329U patent/DK200400329U3/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4715081A (en) * | 1981-11-18 | 1987-12-29 | Deo Welch | Dust mop with improved backing for slip-through frame |
| JPH01303119A (en) * | 1988-06-01 | 1989-12-07 | Hokoku Kk | Manufacture of dish towel antibacterial and water absorbent and the like |
| JPH07178026A (en) * | 1993-12-21 | 1995-07-18 | Ryoichi Nishio | Cleaning tool |
| JPH11124729A (en) * | 1997-10-23 | 1999-05-11 | Kuraray Co Ltd | Antimicrobial fiber and its production |
| WO2002071914A1 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2002-09-19 | William Hockey-Smith | Cleaning cloth |
| WO2003007773A2 (en) * | 2001-07-19 | 2003-01-30 | Milliken & Company | Synthetic wet mop head |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
| Title |
|---|
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 0140, no. 90 (C - 0691) 20 February 1990 (1990-02-20) * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1995, no. 10 30 November 1995 (1995-11-30) * |
| PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 10 31 August 1999 (1999-08-31) * |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2011103885A1 (en) | 2010-02-26 | 2011-09-01 | Ecolab Inc. | Mop head comprising silver containing fibers |
| EP2539492A1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2013-01-02 | Ecolab Inc. | Mop head comprising silver containing fibers |
| EP2539492B1 (en) * | 2010-02-26 | 2024-02-21 | Ecolab USA Inc. | Mop head comprising silver containing fibers |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0308237D0 (en) | 2003-05-14 |
| DE202004020313U1 (en) | 2005-03-10 |
| WO2004089180B1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
| GB2400308A (en) | 2004-10-13 |
| GB2400308B (en) | 2006-05-10 |
| DK200400329U3 (en) | 2005-02-11 |
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