Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention generally relates to cleaning pads and similar for use in cleaning.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in the household and industrial cleaning industries and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] Current cleaning pads provide a cleaning surface which is non-renewable leading to the necessity of disposing the entire cleaning pad once the cleaning surface is soiled.

[4] Not only is this situation wasteful, it also has a detrimental effect on the environment and results in a shorter useful life of the cleaning pad as may otherwise be obtained.

[5] The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the unnecessary wastage inherent with current cleaning pads, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[6] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[7] According to a first aspect, there is provided a cleaning pad comprising

a plurality of cleaning structures, at least one or more of the cleaning structures including a cleaning surface for cleaning an item

wherein the plurality of cleaning structures are releasably attached to each other.

[8] Preferably, the plurality of cleaning structures are arranged in layers.

[9] Preferably, each of the plurality of cleaning structures further comprise a cleaning surface on one side and an attachment surface on the other side.

[10] Preferably, each of the plurality of cleaning structures are arranged with its cleaning surface releasably attached to the attachment surface of an adjacent cleaning arrangement.

[1 1] Preferably, the cleaning pad further comprises an adhesive between adjacent layers of the cleaning pad, the adhesive being adapted to facilitate releasable attachment of the cleaning structures. [12] Preferably, the adhesive is adapted to remain on the attachment surface in use when the cleaning surface is removed from the attachment surface.

[13] Preferably, the cleaning pad further comprises at least one or more plastic welds configured for holding the attachment surface adjacent the cleaning surface.

[14] Preferably, the cleaning surface is removably attached to the attachment surface by complementary interlocking formations.

[15] Preferably, the complementary interlocking formations comprises hook and loop formations.

[16] Preferably, the complementary interlocking formations comprises mechanically interlocking fibres adapted for releasable attachment.

[17] Preferably, the cleaning surfaces are abrasive.

[18] Preferably, the cleaning surfaces are non-abrasive.

[19] Preferably, each of the plurality of cleaning structures include a tab for facilitating the detachment of the cleaning structures.

[20] Preferably, each of the plurality of cleaning structures are planar.

[21 ] Preferably, a detergent is disposed within the plurality of cleaning structures.

[22] Preferably, the detergent is coloured to indicate to a user when the detergent has been used up.

[23] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of attachment of a cleaning surface to an attachment surface, the method comprising the steps of:

applying localised heat to melt a plurality of points on the attachment surface; and

applying the cleaning surface to the plurality of points on the attachment surface before the plurality of points solidify.

[24] Preferably, the step of applying localised heat includes the step of applied heat in an array of heated points.

[25] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method of mechanical attachment of a cleaning surface to an attachment surface the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of cleaning structures, each cleaning structure including a cleaning surface and an attachment surface, the cleaning surface comprising interlocking formations and the attachment surface comprising complementary interlocking formations that are releasably engageable with the locking formations;

applying the interlocking formations on a cleaning surface of a cleaning structure to the complementary interlocking formations on an attachment surface of an adjacent similar cleaning structure to attach the adjacent cleaning structures to each other in a releasable manner.

[26] Preferably, the method comprises the step of attaching several cleaning structures to each other in a releasable manner.

[27] This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[28] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[29] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[30] Fig. 1a is a top perspective view of a cleaning pad in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[31 ] Fig. 1 b is a side view of the cleaning pad in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[32] Fig. 2a is a top perspective view of the cleaning pad in use;

[33] Fig. 2b is a side perspective view of the cleaning pad in use; and

[34] Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the cleaning pad with the top layer detached.

Description of Embodiments

[35] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[36] Figures 1 -3 show a cleaning pad 100 comprising of a plurality of cleaning structures 102 (of which there are four in this embodiment) layered upon each other and releasably attached to each other. The number of cleaning structures 102 chosen would depend on a number of factors including the thickness of each of the cleaning structures 102 and the desired thickness of the overall cleaning pad 100. The methods of attachment of each of the cleaning structures 102 to adjacent cleaning structures 102 will be outlined in detail later.

[37] Each of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 include a cleaning surface 104 for cleaning an item. The cleaning surface 104 of each layer may be abrasive or made from a soft material such as sponge or chamois. The choice would depend largely on the intended use of the cleaning pad 100 when in use.

[38] For instance, if the cleaning pad 100 is intended to be used to clean a vehicle or other delicate surface, the cleaning structures 102 would need to be fabricated from a soft material such as inter alia, a chamois or sponge material. Soft materials as previously mentioned, would be required to prevent damage to the delicate surface to which the cleaning pad 100 is being applied.

[39] On the other hand if the cleaning pad 100 is to be used in the cleaning of surfaces in a bathroom, a more abrasive cleaning structure would be required, similarly when the pad is to be used for cleaning dishes and other kitchen utensils and the like, an abrasive cleaning structure 102, such as a woven nylon or steel wool will be desirable.

[40] As can be seen in Figures 2a and 2b, each of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 further comprise a cleaning surface 104 on one side and an attachment surface 106 on the other side. The attachment surface 106 is adapted to attach to adjacent cleaning structures 102 to each other, each of which make up the cleaning pad 100. The means of attachment will be discussed in further detail next and allow for the removable attachment of the attachment surface 106 to the cleaning surface 104 when in use.

[41 ] Each of the cleaning structures 102 are adapted such that the cleaning surface

104 is releasably attached to the attachment surface 106. One means of achieving the releasable attachment of the cleaning surface 104 to the attachment surface 106 is to use an adhesive between adjacent cleaning structures 102 of the cleaning pad 100, the adhesive being adapted to facilitate releasable attachment of the cleaning structures 102 from each other when required.

[42] Suitable adhesives may include water resistant adhesives as supplied by 3M™, PEELTEC 210™ or other peelable hot melt adhesives as a few examples. Suitable adhesives need to exhibit certain properties in order to be suitable for use in the cleaning pad 100, including being water proof and being adapted to remain on the attachment surface 106 when in use, when the cleaning surface 104 is removed from the attachment surface 106.

[43] Other methods for removably attaching the cleaning structures 102 to each other may include the use of at least one or more plastic welds configured for holding the attachment surface 106 adjacent the cleaning surface 104, and hence each of the cleaning structures 102 together. Plastic welds provide for the advantage that no adhesive is required reducing possible mess and costs during assembly. Furthermore, plastic welds are by their very nature water proof and the bond is not affected by moisture. The plastic welds may be created by applying localised heat to either of the cleaning surface 104 or the attachment surface 106 after which the two surfaces would be brought together when the plastic is in its melted state. Such a method of attachment is particularly suitable when the cleaning structures are fabricated from a thermoplastic or similar, which has the ability to melt upon the application of heat.

[44] Other methods of attaching each of the cleaning structures 102 together and hence the cleaning surface 104 to the attachment surface 106, include mechanical means in the form of complementary interlocking formations (not shown), which may be used to releasably attach the cleaning surface 104 from the attachment surface 106. The complementary interlocking formations may comprise hook and loop formations, resulting in an attachment structure which is waterproof and can provide a secure attachment means between the attachment surface 106 and the cleaning surface 104.

[45] The complementary interlocking formations may comprise mechanically interlocking fibres adapted for releasable attachment, similar to the structure of Velcro™.

[46] To facilitate removal of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 from each other, each of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 may include a tab (not shown) for facilitating the detachment of the cleaning structures 102 from each other. The tab may be applied to an edge of one of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 and attached using an adhesive, or alternatively it may be integral to each of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 themselves.

[47] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the plurality of cleaning structures 102 are planar, and form a laminated structure. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that a variety of different structures could be used including curved or possibly round cleaning structures 102. [48] In order to attach the cleaning structures 102 together, a method of attachment of a cleaning surface 104 to an attachment surface 106 is required. One such method may comprise the steps of: applying localised heat to melt a plurality of points on the attachment surface; and applying the cleaning surface to the plurality of points on the attachment surface before the plurality of points solidify.

[49] The step of applying localised heat may include the step of applied heat in an array of heated points upon the attachment surface 106 causing the location on the attachment surface 106 to which the heated points contact to melt. While the locations are in a melted state one may apply the cleaning surface 104 to the attachment surface 106 before the plastic solidifies to form a releasable bond.

[50] A further means of mechanical attachment of the cleaning surface 104 to the attachment surface 106 comprises the use of the cleaning surface 104 comprising interlocking formations and the attachment surface 106 comprising complementary interlocking formations that are releasably engageable with the locking formations removing the necessity for the use of adhesives and the like. By applying the interlocking formations (not shown) on the cleaning surface 104 of the cleaning structures 102 to the complementary interlocking formations (not shown) on an attachment surface 106 of an adjacent similar cleaning structure 102 to attach the adjacent cleaning structures 102 to each other in a releasable manner.

[51] In other embodiments, the plurality of cleaning structures 102 may be impregnated with a detergent to aid in their ability to clean. The detergent may be coloured to allow the user to determine when the detergent has been used up, in which case the user may peel away one of the plurality of cleaning structures 102 to reveal a new cleaning structure 102.

[52] Alternatively, the plurality of cleaning structures 102 may be provided with a cake of soap or similar inserted between the adjacent cleaning structures 102 to allow for cleaning when soap is not readily available.

[53] In other embodiments, it is envisaged that the cleaning structures 102 may comprise layers of chamois which are laminated together using a water proof adhesive which allows for separation of adjacent layers when sufficient force is applied to adjacent layers to separate the adjacent layers.

[54] In other embodiments the plurality of cleaning structures 102 may be a combination of chamois on one side and a fine nylon abrasive on the other side. [55] It is envisaged that in other embodiments, the cleaning pad 100 may be used in other applications such as a floor scrub where the pad is attached to the end of a handle and may be used for floor cleaning purposes. In such an embodiment, it is envisaged that the cleaning pad would be attached to the handle either by use of an adhesive or a Velcro™ attachment. Furthermore, the cleaning pad 100 may be attached to a handle by the use of attachment pins which may be fabricated from nylon or a metallic structure as a couple of examples.

[56] In other embodiments, the cleaning pad 100 may comprise of pockets which are adapted forthe insertion of soap or detergent. In such an embodiment, the cleaning pad 100 may have the soap, in the form of a bar or cake of soap as a couple of examples, inserted at assembly or each of the cleaning structures 102 may be adapted such that the soap can be inserted after purchase and renewed as necessary throughout the cleaning pads 100 useful life.

Interpretation

Markush Groups

[57] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Chronological sequence

[58] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Processes:

[59] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as“processing”,“computing”,“calculating”,“dete rmining”,“analysing” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. Additional Embodiments:

[60] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium.

Means For Carrying out a Method or Function

[61 ] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention.

Connected

[62] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. “Connected” may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Embodiments:

[63] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[64] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[65] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[66]

Different Instances of Objects

[67] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”,“second”,“third”, etc. , to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details

[68] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[69] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[70] For the purposes of this specification, the term“plastic” shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[71 ] As used herein the term“and/or” means“and” or“or”, or both.

[72] As used herein“(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[73] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word“comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or“comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[74] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention

[75] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[76] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[77] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the cleaning industries.