US4338366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surface wiping implement
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1981-03-17
•
Granted: 1982-07-06
•
Expires: 2001-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A surface wiping implement is disclosed which is capable of effectively drying a surface. The surface wiping implement has an absorbent core encased in a non-collapsible cloth-like outer layer. The porosity, thickness, and liquid retention characteristics of the outer layer permit rapid penetration of primary drops of liquid into the absorbent core, while secondary drops of liquid are strongly attracted to and held at the interstices of the outer layer. The combined effects of the core and the outer layer remove liquid from the surface and prevent a redepositing of the removed liquid, thus permitting the surface wiping implement to remove all but the very small droplets of liquid which will evaporate in 15 seconds or less without spotting, streaking, or filming the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen F. Evans
- 👤 Raymond J. Ludwa
- 👤 Orn Adalsteinsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:14
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L1/00; A47L1/06; A47L1/15; B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/22; B32B5/24; A47L13/00; A47L13/10; A47L13/16; B32B5/26; B32B2262/00; B32B2262/02; B32B2262/0253; B32B2307/00; B32B2307/70; B32B2307/726; B32B2432/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24496; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/26; Y10T428/31; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/647
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A semi-disposable flexible wiping implement for removing liquid from surfaces comprising an absorbent core (14) having at least one outer surface and an outer layer (12) on at least one of said outer surfaces, said implement being capable of repetitive use cycles comprising a wiping step to absorb liquid followed by a compressive wringing step to expel liquid, characterized in that the absorbent core (14) has a minimum wicking rate of at least 12.7 cms/min and said outer layer (12) is substantially non-collapsible and has a Liquid Removal Index of from 8 to 100 mm/g, said Liquid Removal Index being defined by the term PT/39.37 R where P is the porosity index, T is the thickness of the outer layer in mm and R is the weight in grams of the liquid retained by the outer layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A semi-disposable flexible wiping implement for removing liquid from surfaces comprising an absorbent core (14) having at least one outer surface and an outer layer (12) on at least one of said outer surfaces, said implement being capable of repetitive use cycles comprising a wiping step to absorb liquid followed by a compressive wringing step to expel liquid, characterized in that the absorbent core (14) has a minimum wicking rate of at least 12.7 cms/min and said outer layer (12) is substantially non-collapsible and has a Liquid Removal Index of from 8 to 100 mm/g, said Liquid Removal Index being defined by the term PT/39.37 R where P is the porosity index, T is the thickness of the outer layer in mm and R is the weight in grams of the liquid retained by the outer layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer has a Liquid Removal Index of from about 25 to about 100 mm/gm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer has a Liquid Removal Index of from about 30 to about 50 mm/gm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer encases said absorbent core means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is affixed to said absorbent core means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein an intermediate layer means for improving lateral wicking is interposed between said outer layer and said absorbent core means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer means is bonded to said outer layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer has a plurality of compartments containing said absorbent core means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1, wherein said absorbent core means has a wicking rate of at least 25.4 cms/min.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 or claim 9 wherein said absorbent core means has an absorbent capacity of at least 100 grams of water per 25 grams of absorbent material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is a non-abrasive non-woven fabric made of 1-2 denier polypropylene fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
Th surface wiping implement of claim 1 wherein said outer layer is nonwoven polypropylene fabric made of non-abrasive 1-2 denier fibers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US467624A
Cited
BE525759A
Cited
DE736904C
Cited
US2942285A
Cited
US3144671A
Cited
US3252176A
Cited
US3083392A
Cited
GB945636A
Cited
GB1092902A
Cited
US3377643A
Cited
DE1503736A1
Cited
FR1489354A
Cited
US3597299A
Cited
US3533126A
Cited
US3556918A
Cited
US3687797A
Cited
US3732652A
Cited
GB1431775A
Cited
FR2194569B1
Cited
GB1417293A
Cited
US3929135A
Cited
US4069366A
Cited
US4082878A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-05 | 1986-01-04 | 1986-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-05 | 1990-01-04 | 1990-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-05 | 1994-01-04 | 1994-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |