CN1946325B - Device for treating surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a device for treating surfaces, and/or cleaning and/or polishing surfaces. The device comprises a hollow member (28) having an open end adapted for the insertion of two or more fingers. The hollow member is defined between a first sheet layer (22) which includes an elastic layer and a second sheet layer (24) including a fibrous nonwoven web layer having an outer surface. The fibrous nonwoven web layer is impregnated on at least a portion of the outer surface with a treating composition (86) such as a buffing, cleaning polishing or other treating composition.

Description

Devices for treating surfaces

This application is a continuation-in-part of US Patent Application Serial No. 10/835,882, entitled "Apparatus for Treating Surfaces," filed April 30, 2004, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. the

Background technique

Combinations of various items have been used for cleaning, sanding, and polishing of hard surface materials. Cleaning and polishing "tools" typically consist of three separate parts. For example, such implements may include a container, such as a bottle or jar, for holding a cleaning or polishing composition, an applicator for delivering the composition to a hard surface and spreading the composition over the surface, and for removing the cleaning composition and/or Or polished articles that grind the polishing composition into the surface while removing excess polishing composition. As a specific example, a shoe polish "tool" may consist of a jar or other container of shoe wax or polish, a small brush to act as a polish applicator, a sponge or first cloth, and a shoe surface to be waxed. Composed of a second brush or second cloth for polishing or sanding to a glossy finish. the

However, such cleaning/polishing tools as described above are bulky and consume useful space, especially when the user travels and actually only needs a small touch-up application of cleaner and/or polish in order to treat the when the surface is stained. Also, one or more of the various components of such cleaning or polishing tools may become separated from the others and become lost, rendering the tool essentially useless. Furthermore, such cleaning/polishing tools are designed for multiple uses, and when the tool is used only infrequently, the cleaning and/or polishing ingredients tend to deteriorate or dry out such that only the remaining part of the tool must be discarded as scrap. rarely use. Also, due to infrequent use, the applicator may become crusted with dry residual treatment ingredients and thereby become hard and unusable. the

Thus, there is a need to be able to preserve an impregnated treatment composition (such as a cleaning and/or polishing composition or other treatment composition) and then deliver the treatment composition to the surface to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated, And then there is a need for an all in one treatment device that can further grind or polish the surface. Furthermore, it would be highly advantageous to provide such a disposal device in the form of a single-use item constructed in a cost-consistent manner dictated by the disposable application of a limited-use item or a single-use disposable product. the

Contents of the invention

Disclosed herein is a method capable of retaining or containing an impregnated treatment composition (such as a cleaning and/or polishing composition) and subsequently delivering the treatment composition to a surface to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated, A convenient and self-contained all-in-one treatment device that can then be further used for grinding or polishing the surface. The treatment device may also be used to deliver a treatment composition intended to be delivered or spread onto a surface and then allowed to remain on the surface as a temporary or permanent treatment. The device for treating a surface includes a hollow member having an open end adapted for insertion of two or more fingers, the hollow member being defined between a first ply and a second ply, the first ply comprising a resilient layer , and the second sheet layer includes a fibrous nonwoven web layer having an outer surface, wherein the fibrous nonwoven web layer includes a treatment component on at least a portion of its outer surface. the

In embodiments, the fibrous nonwoven web layer may further comprise a portion substantially free of treatment components. For example, the elastic layer may be an elastic film as well as an elastic fibrous layer. The first ply may be a multilayer laminate comprising one or more fibrous mesh layers bonded to an elastic layer. The second sheet layer may desirably be a laminate comprising at least one barrier layer, such as a film layer adjacent to and/or bonded to a fibrous nonwoven web layer, and a nonwoven web layer. The second sheet layer may further comprise at least one additional fibrous web layer adjacent to the barrier layer on a side of the barrier layer opposite the fibrous nonwoven web layer. the

The means for treating surfaces may be provided in a folded configuration, wherein the portion of the fibrous nonwoven web that contains the treatment component is folded upon itself in face-to-face relationship, or alternatively in a face-to-face relationship with the fibrous nonwoven web substantially without treatment. The parts of the ingredients are folded. The first ply and the second ply may desirably be bonded to each other along at least one bond line along at least a portion of a line substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device so as to at least partially space the hollow members into separate cavities . The fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply and/or the second ply may be bonded with a dotted non-bonded bonding pattern as desired.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a fibrous nonwoven web layer bonded to a dotted non-bonded bonding pattern;

Figure 2 shows an exemplary engraved thermally bonded calendar suitable for providing a point-like non-bonded bond pattern to a web material;

Fig. 3 schematically shows a device for treating surfaces according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 exemplarily shows a device for treating surfaces according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 exemplarily shows a device for treating surfaces according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 6A and 6B exemplarily show a device for treating surfaces according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the device is provided in a folded configuration. the

definition

As used in this application and in the claims, the term "comprising" is inclusive or open and does not exclude additional unmentioned elements, constituent parts or method steps. Thus the term "comprising" includes the more restrictive terms "consisting essentially of" as well as "consisting of". the

As used herein, the term "polymer" generally includes (but is not limited to) homopolymers, copolymers (e.g., block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc.) and Mixtures and Modifications. Furthermore, unless expressly defined otherwise, the term "polymer" shall include all possible geometries of the material. These structures include, but are not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic, and random symmetries. As used herein, the term "thermoplastic" or "thermoplastic polymer" refers to a polymer that softens and flows or melts when heated and/or pressed, which change is reversible. the

As used herein, the term "elastic" or "elastomeric" is generally used to refer to a material that can be stretched to at least about 133 percent, or one and one third, of its relaxed, unstretched length upon application of force. A material that stretches to a biased length and recovers at least about 50% of its elongation after release of the stretched, biasing force. By way of example only, an elastic material having a relaxed, unstretched length of 10 centimeters can be stretched to at least about 13.3 centimeters by applying a stretching or biasing force. After release of the stretching or biasing force, the elastic material returns to a length of not more than 11.65 cm. the

Unless otherwise indicated, the term "fiber" as used herein refers to long fibers as well as substantially continuous filaments. As used in this application, the term "substantially continuous" with respect to a filament or fiber means that the length of the filament or fiber is much greater than its diameter, such as a ratio of length to diameter greater than about 15,000 to 1, and desirably More than 50,000 to 1. the

As used herein, the term "monocomponent" filament refers to a filament formed from one or more extruders using only one type of polymer. This is not meant to exclude filaments formed from one polymer with minor additions of additives for color, antistatic properties, lubricity, hydrophilicity, etc. the

As used herein, the term "multicomponent filament" refers to at least two component polymers extruded from separate extruders but convoluted together to form one filament or the same polymer with different properties or additives. Filaments formed from polymers. Multicomponent filaments are also sometimes referred to as conjugate filaments or bicomponent filaments, although more than two components can be used. The polymers are disposed in substantially constantly positioned distinct regions across the cross-section of the multicomponent filament and extend along the length of the multicomponent filament. For example, the configuration of such multicomponent filaments can be a concentric or eccentric sheath/core configuration in which one polymer is surrounded by another polymer or a side-by-side configuration, a "star-like" configuration, or a "pie wedge" configuration. " (pie-wedge) shape or strip of filaments of circular, oval, or rectangular cross-section, or other configuration. Multicomponent filaments are taught in US Patent No. 5,108,820 to Kaneko et al. and US Patent No. 5,336,552 to Strack et al. Conjugate fibers are also taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,382,400 to Pike et al. and can be used to create crimp in the fiber by using different expansion and contraction rates of two (or more) polymers. For bicomponent filaments, the polymers may appear in ratios of 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 or any other desired ratio. In addition, any given component of the multicomponent filament may desirably include two or more polymers as components of the multicomponent mixture. the

As used in this application, the term "bicomponent filament" or "multicomponent filament" refers to at least two polymers extruded as a mixture from the same extruder or the same polymer with different properties or additives. Filaments formed from polymers. Multicomponent filaments do not have polymer components arranged in substantially constantly positioned distinct regions across the cross-section of the multicomponent filament; the polymer components may form fibrils or protofilaments that begin and end randomly fiber. the

As used herein, the term "nonwoven web" or "nonwoven fabric" refers to a web having an interwoven single filament or multi-filament structure but not in the same identifiable manner as a woven or woven fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs can be formed by a number of processes, such as meltblown, spunbond, airlaid, and carded. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in grams per cubic meter (gsm) or ounces of material per cubic yard (osy) and the effective filament diameter is usually expressed in microns (note that the conversion from osy to gsm is osy times 33.91). the

The term "spunbond" or "spunbond nonwoven web" refers to a nonwoven fiber or filamentary material of small diameter filaments formed by extruding molten thermoplastic polymer into filaments from a plurality of capillaries in a spinneret . The extruded filaments are cooled as they are drawn by eductive or other known drawing mechanisms. Depositing or laying down drawn filaments in a substantially random pattern on a forming surface to form a loosely wound filament web, and then subjecting the laid-up filament web to a bonding process to provide physical integrity and dimensional stability. The production of spunbond fabrics is disclosed, for example, in US Patent Nos. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., and 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al. Typically, spunbond fibers or filaments have a weight per unit length in excess of about 1 denier and can be as high as about 6 denier or higher, although both finer and heavier spunbond filaments can be produced. With regard to filament diameter, spunbond filaments typically have an average diameter greater than 7 microns, and more specifically between about 10 and about 25 microns, and up to about 30 microns or higher. the

As used herein, the term "meltblown fibers" refers to the process of extruding molten thermoplastic material in the form of molten threads, filaments, or fibers through a plurality of small, generally circular, die capillaries into an attenuated melt. A fiber or microfiber of a thermoplastic material formed in a converging stream of high velocity gas (eg air) so as to reduce its diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and deposited on a collecting surface to form a randomly dispersed web of meltblown fibers. This process is disclosed, for example, in Buntin, US Patent No. 3,849,241. Meltblown fibers can be continuous or discontinuous, are typically less than 10 microns in average diameter and often less than 7 or even 5 microns in average diameter, and are generally tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface. the

"Carded web" as used herein refers to a nonwoven web formed by a carding process well known to those skilled in the art and further described in, for example, commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,488,928 to Alikhan and Schmidt, herein This application incorporates the entire contents of this patent by reference. Briefly, the carding process involves carding or otherwise treating short fibers in a bulky batt to provide a web of approximately uniform basis weight. the

As used herein, "hot spot bonding" involves passing a web or web or other ply material to be bonded between a heated calender roll and a backup roll. Calender rolls are usually, though not always, patterned on their surface in some way so that the entire fabric does not bond across its entire surface. As a result, various calender roll patterns have been developed for functional as well as aesthetic reasons. One example pattern has dots and is the Hansen Pennings or "H&P" pattern with about 30% bond area of about 200 bond areas per square inch as taught in US Patent No. 3,855,046 to Hansen and Pennings. The H&P pattern has square point or pin bond areas with each pin having a lateral dimension of 0.038 inches (0.965 mm), a spacing between pins of 0.070 inches (1.778 mm) and a bond depth of 0.023 inches (0.584 mm). The patterned bond area was about 29.5%. Another typical point bond pattern is the Extended Hansen and Pennings or "EHP" bond pattern, which produces (0.991mm) 15% bond area for square pins. Other common patterns include a high-density diamond or "HDD pattern," which includes point bond areas with about 460 pins per square inch (about 71 pins per square centimeter) at about 15% to about 23% of the bond area, And include silk spun patterns that look like name suggests, for example like window screens. Typically, the percent bonded area varies from about 10% to about 30% or more of the area of the fabric or laminate web. Another well-known thermal calender bonding method is the "pattern non-bond" or "point non-bond" or "PUB" bonding taught in U.S. Patent 5,858,515 to Stokes et al. A plurality of discrete non-bonded areas are defined. Thermal bonding (point bonding or point non-bonding) provides integrity to individual layers and/or stacks of layers by bonding fibers within the layers, this thermal bonding holds the layers together to form a cohesion laminated materials. the

The invention is described in detail

The present invention provides a device that is effective for delivering or applying cleaning, waxing, polishing and/or other treatment ingredients to a surface and then also for buffing the surface in order to clean and/or polish the surface. Devices for treating surfaces. As an alternative, the treatment device can also be used to deliver a treatment composition intended to be delivered or spread on the surface to be treated and then allowed to remain on the surface as a temporary or long-term treatment or even as a permanent surface. The device for treating a surface comprises a hollow member having an open end adapted for insertion of two or more fingers of a user. The hollow member is defined between the first ply and the second ply, and the first and second plies are bonded together at least along a substantial portion of the periphery of the handling device, except for a finger insertion open end to form the hollow member. The first ply comprises an elastic layer, and the second ply comprises a fibrous nonwoven web layer, and the fibrous nonwoven web layer contains, on at least part of its outer surface, Treatment components for surfaces treated by other means. That is, the fibrous nonwoven web layer is pre-impregnated on at least a portion of its surface with an impregnating agent, such as a treatment composition. the

The invention will now be described with reference to the ensuing description and the accompanying drawings showing specific embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention as broadly applicable to variations and equivalents that may be covered by the appended claims. Furthermore, features described or shown as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is intended to extend the scope of the claims to all such modifications and equivalents. the

As stated, the device for treating surfaces comprises a first ply with at least one elastic layer. It is foreseeable that in use the treatment device will be subjected to vigorous abrasive action as the user delivers the treatment composition to the surface and then, if desired, as the user continues to abrade the surface to clean and/or polish it. When bonded together, the first and second plies of the handling device define a hollow member in such a way that insertion of a finger into the handling device should stretch or elongate the elastic layer of the first ply at least to a small extent. Because the elastic material has dual properties of stretching and recovery, the restoring force of the elastic layer will maintain a certain amount of tension on the user's finger. Thus, the function of the elastic layer is to provide a better fit for the treatment device and to help keep the treatment device in place on the user's finger during vigorous rubbing. the

The elastic layer may be a single layer, such as an elastic cast, blown film layer, elastic foam layer, elastic strand layer, or a fibrous elastic layer, such as an elastic meltblown layer or an elastic spunbond layer. Generally, the basis weight of the elastic layer is from about 7 gsm or less to about 68 gsm or more. More desirably, the elastic layer has a basis weight of from about 7 gsm or less to about 34 gsm. Because elastic materials are generally expensive to produce, the basis weight of the elastic layer is desirably as low as possible while still providing the desired stretch and recovery properties to the first ply. the

的德克萨斯州的休斯顿的Kraton聚合物公司以若干种公式购得。  Many elastomeric polymers are known to be suitable for forming fibers, strands, foams and films. Useful elastic polymers can be any suitable elastomeric fiber or film that forms a resin, including, for example, elastic polyesters, elastic polyurethanes, elastic polyamides, elastic copolymers of ethylene and at least one ethylene monomer, block Copolymers and elastic polyolefins. Examples of elastomeric block copolymers include those block copolymers having the general chemical formula ABA' or AB, where A and A', respectively, are thermoplastic polymer endblocks containing a styrenic moiety, such as poly( vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon group) where B is an elastomeric polymer midblock such as a conjugated diene or lower olefin polymer. For example polystyrene-poly(vinyl-butylene)-polystyrene block copolymer. Also included are polymers consisting of ABAB tetrablock copolymers discussed in US Patent No. 5,332,613 to Taylor et al. An example of such a tetrablock copolymer includes a styrene-poly(vinyl-propylene)-styrene-poly(vinyl-propylene) or SEPSEP block copolymer. These ABA' and ABAB copolymers are available under the trade name KRATON

Kraton Polymers of Houston, Texas is commercially available in several formulas.

EG8200和德克萨斯州的休斯顿的Exxon的EXACT

4049、4011和4041以及其混合物。还希望弹性层是可呼吸的，能够通过蒸气和/或气体，并且还可以按希望使用例如McCormack和Haffner的美国专利No.6,015,764及No.6,111,163、Morman和Milicevic的美国专利No.5,932,497以及Taylor和Martin的美国专利No.6,461,457中所描述的包含填充物的可呼吸微孔弹性薄膜，本申请通过参照结合了其全部内容。  Examples of elastic polyolefins include ultra-low density elastic polypropylene and polyethylene, such as those produced by "single site" or "metallocene" catalyzed processes. These polymers are available under the trade name ENGAGE is commercially available from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan and described in US Patent Nos. 5,278,272 and 5,272,236 to Lai et al., entitled "Elastomeric Substantially Linear Olefin Polymers." Also useful are specific elastomeric polypropylenes and polyethylenes such as those described in, for example, Yang et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,539,056 and Resconi et al. , such as AFFINITY from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Michigan

EG8200 and EXACT by Exxon in Houston, Texas

4049, 4011 and 4041 and mixtures thereof. It is also desirable that the elastic layer be breathable, vapor and/or gas permeable, and such as U.S. Patent Nos. 6,015,764 and 6,111,163 to McCormack and Haffner, U.S. Patent No. 5,932,497 to Morman and Milicevic, and Taylor and Breathable microporous elastic films containing fillers are described in US Patent No. 6,461,457 to Martin, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Elastic layers (whether selected from films, foams, strands or fibrous layers) may have unpleasant tactile, aesthetic properties, such as feeling rubbery or tacky to the touch, making them unpleasant and uncomfortable on the user's skin . On the other hand, webs made from non-elastomeric polymers generally have better tactile, comfort, and aesthetic attributes, feeling smoother and non-sticky when used in contact with the skin. Thus, the tactile aesthetic properties of the elastic layer of the first ply are improved by "lining" the elastic layer, that is, by forming the surface of the elastic layer in contact with the user's skin with one or more layers of non-elastic stretchable material (e.g. elastic layer laminate of nonwoven fibrous web). Furthermore, because the elastic layer itself has low resistance to breaking or tearing, especially if forces are applied in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the elastic layer, it is highly desirable to use one or more non-elastic fibrous layers to line the first The resilient layer of the ply is provided to provide additional structural integrity to the first ply and to help reduce possible in-use tearing of the first ply. Such a fibrous backing layer may be a fibrous layer capable of stretching in at least one direction, such as a nonwoven web material, a woven material or a knitted material. However, for ease and speed of production and because of its relatively low cost, nonwoven web materials are well suited for use in the first ply as the backing layer for the elastic layer when one or more backing layers are required. The backing layer may be joined or bonded to the elastic layer as desired by methods known in the art, such as by thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, and the like, or by wherein the elastic laminate is immediately after extrusion The extruded laminate that joins the fibrous backing layer to the elastic layer while the elastic polymer of the elastic layer is still in a molten or semi-molten state. the

Polymers suitable for making fibrous backing layers include those known to be generally suitable for making nonwoven webs such as spunbond, meltblown, carded webs, or the like, and include, for example, polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, Polycarbonates and copolymers and mixtures thereof. It should be noted that the polymer may contain other additives as desired, such as processing aids or treatment ingredients to provide the desired properties to the filaments, residual amounts of solvents, pigments or colorants, and the like. the

Suitable polyolefins include polyethylenes such as high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene; polypropylenes such as isotactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, Mixtures of isotactic and atactic polypropylene; polybutenes, such as poly(1-butene) and poly(2-butene); polypentenes, such as poly(1-pentene) and poly(1-pentene) (2-pentene); poly(3-methyl-1-pentene); poly(4-methyl-1-pentene); and copolymers and mixtures thereof. Suitable copolymers include random and block copolymers prepared from two or more different unsaturated olefinic monomers, such as vinyl/propylene and vinyl/butene copolymers. Suitable polyamides include nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 4/6, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, nylon 12/12, caprolactam and alkylene diamine oxides and the like. Copolymers and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Suitable polyesters include poly(lactide) and poly(lactic acid) polymers as well as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polytetramethyl terephthalate, polycyclohexylene - 1,4-dimethylene terephthalate and its isophthalate copolymers, and mixtures thereof. the

Nonwoven fibrous webs formed from non-elastic polymers such as polyolefins are generally considered non-elastic. This lack of elasticity can limit these nonwoven web materials to applications where elasticity is not required or desired. When a non-elastic nonwoven web is laminated to an elastic layer, the resulting laminate may be too restricted in its elastic properties. Thus, when it is desired to back the elastic layer with one or more layers of non-elastic material, consideration should be given to using a non-elastic material that is at least slightly stretchable in the direction of desired stretch and recovery of the first ply. For example, staple fiber carded webs known in the art are generally known to have a much greater fiber orientation in the machine direction or "MD" than in the cross-machine direction or "CD". Carded webs tend to have greater stretch in the CD than in the MD due to more fibers being aligned in the MD. Furthermore, the use of the low basis weight of the nonwoven web selected as the backing material, whether such nonwoven web layer is a spunbond, meltblown, carded or the like, allows for greater extensibility. the

Generally speaking, nonwoven web backing layer basis weights can range from about 7 gsm or less to as high as 68 gsm or more; however, in order to reduce the cost of the overall apparatus used to treat the surface, it is desirable to use Or the lightest weight lining material for structural effect. More particularly, the basis weight of the backing layer used in the first ply may be from about 7 gsm or less to about 34 gsm, and still more specifically, from about 7 gsm to about 21 gsm. Other embodiments are possible. For example, when the primary reason for lining an elastic layer with a non-elastomeric layer is to avoid the sticky feel of the elastomer, the elastic layer can be lined with a light "dusting" of meltblown fibers made from a non-elastomeric polymer and this melt Blown Fiber Dust has a fairly low basis weight eg 5gsm, 3gsm, 2gsm or less. the

Other laminate materials including the resilient layer of the first ply are desirable. The elasticity of elastic and non-elastic materials has also been made, for example, by bonding a non-elastic material or web to an elastic material in a manner that allows the entire laminate or constituent materials to stretch or elongate so that it can be used in disposable products. laminated materials. In one such laminate, such as that disclosed by Vander Wielen et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,720,415 (this application is incorporated by reference in its entirety), a non-elastic mesh material is bonded to an elastic material while maintaining the elastic material Stretching such that as the elastic material relaxes, the inelastic web material gathers between the two bond locations, and the resulting elastic laminate is stretchable to the point where the inelastic web material gathered between the bond locations allows Elastic material elongates the range. the

In another such elastic laminate such as that disclosed in Morman, U.S. Pat. The material shrinks (that is, elongates in one direction, usually the machine direction, so that wrinkles are formed on the web) and bonds to the elastic material while the non-elastic material is in a contracted or elongated state. Thus, the non-elastic material is capable of stretching in a direction perpendicular to the direction of contraction, allowing for stretchability of the laminate. Such laminates may be referred to as "shrink bonded laminates" or "NBLs". the

When using any of the elastic laminate materials described above as the elastic layer of the first ply, it is desirable that the elastic layer lined with the fibrous mesh material faces the hollow member of the treatment device in order to achieve the desired aesthetic and skin comfort attributes Orientation of the inner surface. However, such elastic laminates are also known to be produced in three-ply or multi-ply laminates, that is to say in which the elastic layer is lined on each side with one or more layers of fibrous web material. This other laminate is also very suitable for use on or as the first ply and it is desirable that the outer lined side of the first ply is also lined with a non-elastic fibrous layer to avoid the possibility of the elastic layer sticking to other surfaces Possibility, for example, of other treatment units or avoiding packaging that provides individual treatment units. In addition, the user of the processing device selectively uses the outer lined side of the first ply as an additional or optional cleaning if desired, when the outer lined side of the first ply is lined with a non-elastic fibrous layer or sand the surface. the

As stated, the device for treating surfaces further comprises a second sheet layer having at least one fibrous nonwoven web layer. The fibrous nonwoven web layer is the outer layer of the treatment device and has an outer surface and should be capable of receiving treatment components and subsequently delivering at least some of the treatment components to be cleaned and/or polished and/or treated by the user of the treatment device. Surfaces treated by other means. "External surface" means that the device has an exposed, outwardly facing surface when set up for use, and this is not meant to exclude the description of this application where the device is enclosed in a removable Embodiments in which the outer surface is temporarily covered, such as in the folded embodiments described in this application. the

In addition to holding and delivering treatment ingredients, if further sanding is required, fibrous nonwoven web layers tend to be suitable for sanding the desired surface to be treated or cleaned or polished. Suitable fibrous nonwoven web layers for use in the second ply include the fibrous webs discussed above, such as spunbond nonwoven webs of substantially continuous filaments or fibers and bonded carded webs of staple fibers. Generally, the second ply and/or the fibrous nonwoven web layer that the second ply includes has a basis weight of from about 7 gsm or less to about 340 gsm, or even more. The basis weight selected for the fibrous nonwoven web layer depends on many factors, including the type and amount of treatment composition to be delivered, the surface to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated with an embodiment of the treatment device type etc. More desirably, the fibrous nonwoven web layer has a basis weight of from about 17 gsm to about 170 gsm, and more desirably from about 17 gsm to about 100 gsm. The fibers of the fibrous nonwoven web layer can be monocomponent or multicomponent, multicomponent, crimped or uncrimped, substantially circular in cross-section, or shaped fibers, or mixtures of any of the foregoing. the

The characteristics or physical properties of a fibrous nonwoven web are controlled at least in part by the density or openness of the fabric. In general, fibrous nonwoven webs made from crimped filaments or fibers have lower density, higher loft, and improved resiliency than similar nonwoven webs of uncrimped filaments . Depending on the ultimate purpose of the device for treating the surface and/or the type of treatment component to be used with the treatment device, such a lofty low density fibrous nonwoven web layer is particularly desirable for use in the second sheet layer. the

As an example, where the selected treatment ingredient is a low viscosity liquid, such as a water- or alcohol-based cleaning ingredient, a denser or flatter, lower loft, fibrous nonwoven web layer will suffice. However, for other uses, a less dense or more bulky structure of the fibrous nonwoven web layer (with a more open volume structure) may be more desirable. For example, where the treatment ingredient that is desired to be delivered to the surface needs to be a heavier ingredient (e.g. high viscosity liquids, pastes, various waxes or polishing compounds), or within the network structure of a nonwoven web with low bulk A more bulky structure is particularly desirable as higher amounts of cleaning or polishing compounds can be included. the

Various methods of crimping melt-spinning multicomponent filaments are known in the art. As disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,595,731 and 3,423,266 to Davies et al., which are incorporated by reference in their entirety, bicomponent fibers or filaments can be crimped mechanically and by The heat treatment activates the synthetic fibers formed in the nonwoven web, or if an appropriate polymer is used, the latent helical crimp developed in the bicomponent fibers or filaments. Alternatively, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,382,400 to Pike et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, heat treatment may be used to activate the fibers or filaments before they are formed into a nonwoven web. Potential helical coils in . In addition, it is desirable to use a lofty fibrous nonwoven web layer for the second ply when it is desired to emboss or otherwise provide surface features to the exterior lining surface of the second ply. the

Bonding of the fibrous nonwoven web layer to be used in the second ply can be accomplished by any known method suitable for bonding such nonwoven webs, for example by thermal point bonding or spot bonding as described above. spinning net. As an alternative, when the fibers are multicomponent fibers of constituent polymers having different melting points, it may be advantageous to use, for example, through-air bonders known to those skilled in the art. Generally, through-air bonders direct a stream of heated air through a continuous multicomponent web, thereby passing the desired temperature at or above the melting temperature of the polymers of the fusible polymer components and below Heated air at the melting temperature of the refractory polymer components forms bonds between the fibers. As yet other alternatives, the fibrous nonwoven web layers are bonded by using other means known in the art, such as viscose bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or winding bonding such as liquid winding or needle winding. Although the type of bond used is not critical because the treatment device is intended to rub the outer surface of the second ply against other surfaces to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated, the fiber Adequate bonding or reinforcement of the fibrous nonwoven web layer to avoid excessive abrasion or "fluffing" of the fibrous nonwoven web layer during such rubbing or abrading is important. the

Although not required, particularly suitable bonding methods for the fibrous nonwoven web layers include bonding methods known as "point unbonded" or "pattern unbonded" or "PUB" as described, for example, in Stokes et al. The teachings of US Patent No. 5,858,515, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,858,515, one or both calender rolls in a thermal bonding apparatus are engraved so that their surfaces include a continuous bond land that defines a plurality of discrete openings, apertures, or holes area pattern. Each opening in the surface of the roll forms a discrete unbonded region in the surface of the nonwoven web material in which the fibers of the web are substantially or completely unbonded. The fibers in the discrete unbonded regions are dimensionally secured by a continuous bonded region surrounding or surrounding each unbonded region, and the unbonded regions provide spaces between the fibers in the unbonded regions. the

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, a fibrous nonwoven material bonded by this point non-bonding process is shown generally as designation 4 in Figure 1 . The nonwoven material 4 includes a continuous bonded region 6 defining a plurality of discrete, dimensionally fixed non-bonded regions 8 . An exemplary calender roll 10 having a point-like non-bonded surface engraving with continuous land areas 16 defining a plurality of discrete openings or apertures 18 is shown in FIG. 2 . The continuous bond region 6 corresponds to the continuous land region 16 of the exemplary calender roll 10 shown in FIG. 2 . Unbonded regions 8 of nonwoven web 4 correspond to discrete openings or apertures 18 in exemplary calender roll 10 . the

In the continuous bonded region 6, the fibers of the nonwoven material are bonded or fused together and desirably substantially non-fibrous, and may, for example, comprise film-like regions. In the non-bonded regions 8, the fibers of the nonwoven material are substantially or not bonded or fused at all, so that they maintain an open fibrous structure. In selecting a point non-bonding bonding method, it should be noted that the size, shape, number and configuration of the openings 18 can be varied to meet the specific end use requirements of the fibrous nonwoven web layer and/or treatment device. The degree of bonding provided by the continuous land area 16 to the layers of the fibrous nonwoven web can be expressed as a percent bonded area, i.e., the fibrous nonwoven web occupied by the continuous bonded area designated by reference numeral 6 in FIG. That portion of at least one surface of a layer. Alternatively, this can be represented by a percentage non-bonded area, that is, a fibrous nonwoven web comprising non-bonded fibers available to receive treatment ingredients (and subsequent delivery to a surface) and to abrade the desired surface The percentage portion of the layer. As a general statement, the lower limit for percent bonded area (or, alternatively, the upper limit for percent unbonded area) suitable for a fibrous nonwoven web layer is the surface integrity of the fiber shedding or excessive fuzz reduction pattern-non-bonded material and durability points. For applications where low to moderate amounts of wear or fuzzing are acceptable, the percent non-bonded area may suitably be as high as about 85 percent, or higher. For other applications where the possibility of fraying or fuzzing of the fibrous nonwoven web layer is undesirable, a percent unbonded area ranging from about 80 percent to about 50 percent, or even less, of the fibrous nonwoven web layer may be appropriate. the

The device for treatment may also desirably include a liquid barrier material capable of preventing the treatment composition from passing over the user's fingers. When a liquid barrier material is used, it should be positioned between the user's fingers and the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second sheet layer. Suitable liquid barrier materials include cast and blown polymeric films, which may also suitably be breathable films, and nonwoven web materials such as spunbond and meltblown layers known in the art and described above. Other suitable barrier materials include metal foils, polymer coated metal foils, and metallized polymer films. The basis weight of the barrier material can be from about 7 gsm or less up to 68 gsm or more; however, in order to reduce the cost of the overall treatment device, it is desirable to use the lightest weight barrier material necessary to prevent or substantially reduce the flow of treatment components. More specifically, the barrier material layer can have a basis weight of from about 7 gsm or less to about 34 gsm, and more specifically, from about 7 gsm to about 21 gsm. Other embodiments are also possible. For example, where the desired treatment composition is a heavy or viscous liquid, wax, or paste, that is, the treatment composition has less tendency to flow, the need for barrier material may be minimal and in this case, The barrier function is provided by only a light "dusting" of meltblown fibers of 17gsm or less. Depending on requirements, such melt blown fiber dusts may be relatively low in basis weight and range from about 2 gsm to about 15 gsm. the

On the other hand, where the desired treatment component is less viscous or is a low surface tension liquid or otherwise has a higher tendency to flow, the need for barrier materials may be greater and it may be desirable to use polymeric films, metalized films , metal foil or polymer-coated metal foil. Consideration should also be given to matching the barrier material requirements to the chemistry of the selected treatment composition. For example, polyolefin films tend to be lipophilic, that is, tend to have an affinity for oils, and thus may not be suitable for processing ingredients involving oils or petroleum extraction products. For such treatment components, metal films or foils or metallized polymer foils are more resistant to penetration by the treatment components. For example leather polishes or waxes can be used to polish shoes or other footwear, while wood polishes and waxes used to clean and polish wooden furniture or wooden floors often contain oils and/or petroleum extracts. Furthermore, the use of high barrier materials avoids the migration of the liquid portion of the treatment ingredient (either in liquid form or in vapor form by evaporation) to other parts of the device during storage on the shelf. the

Although it is possible to provide the liquid barrier material as a layer between the first ply and the second ply, it is more desirable to incorporate the liquid barrier material into the second ply or bonded to the second ply itself in order to avoid finger Possibility of accidental insertion on the wrong side of the barrier (i.e. between the second ply and the barrier). Thus, the liquid barrier material may be provided to the second ply as a laminate, wherein the laminate combines the fibrous nonwoven web layer and the liquid barrier material. Where the liquid barrier material is a fibrous web (eg, a meltblown layer), the laminate may desirably comprise only the fibrous nonwoven web layer and the meltblown liquid barrier material. the

This laminate of second plies may desirably further comprise a skin contacting or backing layer having a more cloth-like aesthetic than the meltblown web, foil or film selected as the barrier material, in which case Here, the laminate may be provided as a three (or more) laminate comprising a fibrous nonwoven web layer, a skin contacting layer and a meltblown, foil or film liquid barrier material interposed therebetween. The skin contacting layer may be any layer of material provided to reduce the tacky feel of the barrier material to the skin, and may be, for example, those materials described above for the skin contacting/lining layer used in the first panel layer. Such multi-layer laminates of a second sheet layer comprising a fibrous nonwoven web layer may be bonded together by methods known in the art and discussed above, such as thermal point bonding, point non-bonding, gluing bonding, ultrasonic bonding and similar methods. Specific examples of multilayer laminate structures for the second ply include spunbond-film-spunbond laminates known in the art and, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,041,203 and 4,766,029 to Brock et al., 5,464,688 to Timmons et al and the spunbond-meltblown-spunbond laminates described in No. 5,169,706 to Collier et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. the

As mentioned, it is desirable for the barrier layer to be breathable, that is, to act as a barrier to the passage of liquids, but to allow the passage of water vapor and/or gases. Breathable liquid barriers can also provide users with enhanced comfort in use by allowing water vapor to pass through. Nonwoven barrier materials such as meltblown barriers are generally capable of allowing the passage of water vapor and gases, but film materials can act as a barrier to these substances. However, for example breathable films known in the art such as microporous filled films and breathable monolithic films may be used. Exemplary breathable films and film-nonwoven laminates are described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,114,024 to Forte, U.S. Patent No. 6,309,736 to McCormack et al., and U.S. Patent No. 6,037,281 to Mathis et al. Their entire contents are incorporated by reference. the

In addition, it should also be noted that despite the above statement that the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply should be bonded to itself to provide structural integrity and In the case of laminates, the fibrous nonwoven web layers do not necessarily have to be bonded prior to the laminate bonding step. As a further alternative, the layers of the fibrous nonwoven web may be only lightly bonded or bonded using a low bonded area method prior to lamination bonding in order to avoid the final form of the fibrous nonwoven web in the laminate Layers bond to a greater extent than desired. the

It should be further noted that the fibrous nonwoven web layer may itself be a multilayer structure, whether provided in a laminate with the liquid barrier material to the second sheet layer or not. For example, layers of spunbond fibrous nonwoven webs can be produced on a multi-spin bank machine, where subsequent spin bank deposits fibers on top of the fibrous layer just deposited by the previous spin bank. In this case, the different layers of the fibrous nonwoven web layer may be the same, or they may differ in basis weight and/or differ in composition, type, size, degree of crimp, and/or resulting fiber shape. . As another example, the fibrous nonwoven web layer may be provided in the form of two or more separately produced layers of spunbond, carded web, etc. that have been bonded together to form the fibrous nonwoven web layer, and These individually produced layers may differ in production methods, basis weight, composition, and fibers as discussed above. the

Once the desired configuration and material of the first and second plies have been selected, the first and second plies are bonded together along at least a substantial portion of the perimeter of the handling device, except for a open end to form a hollow member. As stated, the hollow member should be large enough to allow two or more fingers to be inserted into the handling device. The first and second plies may be bonded together by any known method, such as by seam bonding, thermal bonding in points or lines, ultrasonic bonding or adhesive bonding. It is desirable for the treatment device to be configured such that the proximal end of the device (the end closest to the user's hand, i.e. the open end of the device where finger insertion begins) is slightly wider than the distal end of the device (the end closest to the user's fingertips when the device is worn) Some. the

Turning to Fig. 3, an apparatus for treating a surface according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in perspective view. In FIG. 3 , the handling device, generally designated 20 , includes a first ply 22 and a second ply 24 . The first ply and the second ply are bonded together around their respective peripheral edges by intermittent seam bond areas 26 as shown. As described above, the seam bonding is performed by thermal bonding, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic bonding, or the like, and does not necessarily have to be the intermittent bonded areas shown. The first and second plies may first be cut to the desired size and shape and then bonded together around the periphery of the cut shape. Alternatively, the first and second plies may first be bonded together to form the general shape of the hollow member and handling device, and the additional material of the first and second plies subsequently trimmed around the periphery of the bonded area In order to give the final desired shape of the processing device. Furthermore, although not depicted in Figure 3, it is desirable to allow a certain length of material to remain in one or both of the first or second plies along the terminal edge of the handling device. This residual material can advantageously be applied to fit within small spaces, crevices or crevices of the surface to be cleaned or polished, and can desirably extend from about 1 to about 10 millimeters from the end bond site, and more desirably From about 1 to about 5 mm. the

The treatment device is open at one end to form a proximally open cavity or hollow member 28 proximate the device 20 to allow insertion of a user's finger. As shown, the treatment device 20 of FIG. 3 is wider at the proximal end of the device than at the distal end of the device, although this is not required. Although again not required, in addition, as shown in FIG. 1 , it may also be desirable for the second ply 24 to be longer than the first ply 22 so that the user can apply the additional benefits of the second ply 24 as the treatment device 20 is worn on the finger. length as grabbing or pulling tabs. The first ply 22 or the second ply 24 may be provided as longer sections where it is desired that such traction tab sections be available. However, from a practical standpoint, where a longer section is desired, it is more desirable that the longer section is a second ply, since delivery of the treatment components and subsequent grinding or polishing is done by the second ply. the

As described above, the first ply comprises an elastic layer such as fibers or a film layer of an elastomeric polymer and may additionally comprise one or more fibrous non-elastic layers such as a fibrous backing layer as a skin contacting layer To increase user comfort, there may also be an outer lined non-elastic layer as desired. The second sheet layer includes a fibrous nonwoven web layer and may additionally include a barrier material layer and/or an additional fibrous layer, such as another nonwoven web layer, as described above. the

Also shown in FIG. 3 is the additional selective bonding of the sub-cavity 28 in part by bonding the first ply 22 to the second ply 24 along or near the longitudinal axis of the processing device 20 disposed about the midline of the processing device. Knot 30. The lines of bond 30 function to separate the hollow member into individual cavities or pockets for individual fingers of the user. This separation is desirable in order to avoid the possibility of the treatment device 20 spinning around the user's fingers if the treatment device 20 is to be used in a vigorous side-by-side sanding or brushing action. The bond line 30 is provided in the form of a continuous bond line extending the full length of the longitudinal axis of the treatment device (the first ply when the first ply is shorter), or a substantial portion of the length of the treatment device, or may be A series of intermittent bonded areas, or could even simply be a single point where the first ply and the second ply are bonded together to separate the hollow member sections into individual finger compartments or cuffs. The bonding line 30 may be produced by any of the lamination bonding methods described above, for example by thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, stitch bonding, adhesive bonding or the like. It should be noted that where the second ply 24 of the treatment device 20 also includes a layer of barrier material, seam bonding is not desirable. the

As stated, the selective bond line 30 may extend the full length of the treatment device. However, for the user to work easily, it is desirable to be able to grasp and lift the proximal end of the first ply with the non-inserting hand so that the fingers to be inserted can more easily slide under the first ply and into the individual finger compartments or cuffs. Thus, it is desirable that the selective bond line 30 extend approximately from the end of the handling device to no more than approximately 75 percent of the length of the first ply. More desirably, the selective bond line 30 extends from about the end of the handling device to no more than about 50 percent of the length of the first ply. the

Fig. 4 exemplarily shows another embodiment of a device for treating a surface according to an embodiment of the present invention in a perspective view. In Figure 4, the processing means (generally designated 40) is configured to allow the insertion of three fingers of the user. The handling device 40 includes a second ply 44 (not visible in FIG. 4 ) bonded to the first ply by intermittent bond areas 46 shown around approximately three quarters of the periphery of the handling device 40 . The treatment device 40 shown in FIG. 4 also includes an additional selective bonding line 48 that partially divides the treatment device along a line approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and acts to provide a separate cavity or pocket for each of the three individual fingers. and 50. As stated above, this selective bond line may be provided in the form of a substantially continuous bond line as shown or may be a series of intermittent bond areas, or may be separate first and second plies A single point of bonding together to separate the hollow member and provide a single finger chamber or pocket. the

The handling device 40 shown in Figure 4 comprises a second ply 44 which has been bonded by point non-bonding thermal bonding as described above in Vonso. In FIG. 4 , the second ply 44 includes a plurality of unbonded regions 52 defined by substantially continuous bonded regions 54 . As discussed above, such bond patterns are not limited to the particular size, shape or number of bond regions shown. Although the point-like non-bonded bond pattern is not required for the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply, it offers certain advantages. As stated, the point-like non-bonded bond pattern can increase the abrasion resistance of the fibrous nonwoven web layer and reduce the amount of fiber pull-out or fuzzing caused during sanding operations by the user. The use of point-like non-bonded bonding patterns can also provide surface texture to the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply, especially when a lofty web material is selected as the fibrous nonwoven web layer, wherein the Knot regions 54, non-bonded regions 52 represent raised lumps or dots of web material extending upwardly from the plane of the fibrous nonwoven web layer. the

In addition, because the non-bonded regions 52 provide spaces between fibers in the non-bonded regions, such spaces or volumes provided between fibers can provide discrete "pockets" that are beneficial for receiving and retaining treatment ingredients in place. ". However, regardless of the type of bond selected for the second ply of the fibrous nonwoven web layer, the fibrous nonwoven web layer is to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated by the user who subsequently transports it to a processing device. Surface treatment ingredients are pre-impregnated. Although for certain applications, it is desirable to pre-impregnate the entire outer surface of the fibrous nonwoven web layer, and the entire outer surface of the fibrous nonwoven web layer can be used to deliver treatment components and subsequent sanding, it is more desirable to only a portion ( The "delivery zone") is impregnated, leaving at least the fibrous nonwoven web layer substantially free of treatment ingredients available for applying the treatment ingredients to the surface to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated by friction in the friction delivery zone. The way the treated surface is then sanded on another part. As a specific example, where it is desired to apply a shoe polish as a treatment component using the treatment device 40, the portion of the delivery zone of the fibrous nonwoven web layer impregnated with the shoe polish is used to apply the polish and is substantially free of the treatment component The part can be used to remove excess polish, sand and/or shine shoes. the

As shown in FIG. 4, such a delivery zone is designated by a bracket A on the second ply 44 of the processing device, and this part is shown as a shaded area. As stated, pre-impregnation or inclusion treatment of a fibrous nonwoven web layer with a second ply containing the desired treatment ingredients for delivery to the surface to be cleaned and/or polished and/or otherwise treated The delivery area is provided in the form of portions of the ingredients. The remainder of the outer surface of the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply (designated by bracket B in FIG. 4) may be free or substantially free of treatment components. Note that the portion of the fibrous nonwoven web layer indicated by brackets A and B (impregnated and non-impregnated portions ) can be quite different in relative size. the

The type and amount of treatment composition to be pre-impregnated on the fibrous nonwoven web layer depends on the desired end use of the treatment device. Examples include cleaning compositions such as soaps, cleansers or other cleansing compositions, and polishing or polishing compounds such as waxes, pastes and polishes. Such cleaning or polishing compositions may be designed to clean, polish or treat surfaces such as wood, plastic, metal and the like. By way of example only, the treatment composition may be such a cleaner or polish for furniture, silver or other metals (eg, for jewelry polishing or silverware polishing), and the like. Treatment ingredients are not limited to cleaning and polishing compounds, and may also include treatment substances that tend to remain on the treated surface temporarily or indefinitely. As an example, the treatment composition may include a vegetable or animal oil or fat composition used to treat cookware or other cooking surfaces or utensils. As another example, the treatment composition may include oils or greases for treating wood, floors, or other surfaces or for treating mechanical parts. Such treatment compositions may be water or alcohol based, oils or emulsions, and may further include or be loaded with mild abrasives, such as particulate matter as cleaning and/or polishing aids. As an example, the treatment composition may be a composition used to brighten shoes. "Composition for brightening shoes" means any treatment composition for cleaning, polishing and/or brightening shoes and may include, for example, without limitation soaps, desalinated liquids, colored or clear pastes, Waxes, oils, silicone oils and silicone waxes, etc. In addition, such treatment ingredients may desirably be delivered as encapsulated or microencapsulated ingredients that are released when squeezed on the treatment device or rubbed against the surface to be treated, cleaned and/or polished. That is, the treatment component may be coated with or entrapped within other materials or mixtures of materials. Methods for encapsulating liquids, gases or other materials such as by spray drying, spray refrigeration and cooling, extrusion, fluidized bed coating, liposome entrapment, rotational suspension separation separation are well known in the art. the

Placement of the treatment device of the present invention in various packaging materials such as film or foil packaging, film foil laminates, metallized films, multilayer plastic films, and the like is contemplated after manufacture and prior to shipping and sale. Such packaging may desirably assist in retaining the materials used in the manufacture of the treatment device and also aid in the retention of treatment components impregnated on the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply. It is further contemplated that the processing means may be provided in a single package. However, whether provided in a single treatment device or in multiples, it is desirable to avoid contact of non-immersed portions of the treatment device with treatment ingredients or to avoid inadvertent contact of ingredients with packaging material or surfaces not intended to be touched by fingers or users. Thus, it is desirable to provide the handling device in a folded configuration so that the delivery zone is folded thereon in face-to-face relationship. Turning momentarily to FIG. 4 for illustration purposes, it may be desirable to fold the fibrous nonwoven web layer onto it approximately along a line parallel to the longitudinal centerline. the

Alternatively, the fibrous nonwoven web layer is folded transversely onto itself about halfway down the length of the delivery region, ie about halfway down the portion shown enclosed by bracket A. As another alternative, and especially when the conveying zone is small compared to the non-immersed portion of the treatment device, the fibrous nonwoven web layer may be along a transverse line near the bottom of the conveying zone's length (i.e. approximately as shown in Fig. The bottom part of the part enclosed by brackets A in 4) folds over itself. In this case, although a certain amount of treatment ingredient may flow to the non-impregnated portion below the folded area, a substantial remainder of the non-impregnated portion remains free of treatment ingredient. the

As a further alternative, whether or not the treatment device is provided in a folded configuration, it may be desirable to provide the delivery area in the form of a covered portion of the treatment device, for example by covering with a release paper which is removed by the user prior to use. Such release papers are well known in the art and may be polymeric films, metal or metallized film foils, waxed paper, and the like. An exemplary processing apparatus embodiment having a covered delivery zone portion is illustrated in FIG. 5 . The device shown in FIG. 5 , generally designated 60 , is shown as a two-finger device with a bond line 74 that partially divides the treatment device along a line approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis and located approximately at the midline of the device. However, the device shown in Figure 5 may be similar to the two-finger or three-finger configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4, or may not necessarily have separate cavities or pockets for individual fingers. The device shown in FIG. 5 also includes intermittent bonding areas 76 around approximately three quarters of the periphery of the device 60 bonding the second ply 62 to the first ply (not visible in FIG. 5 ). The illustrated second ply 62 includes a plurality of unbonded regions 64 defined by substantially continuous bonded regions 66 . As described above, this bonding pattern is not limited to the particular size, shape or number of bonded areas shown, and also as stated above, the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply 62 need not use such bonding patterns. A point-like non-stick bonding pattern. the

As shown in FIG. 5 , the treatment composition of the second ply 62 has been covered with a release paper 68 . As mentioned above, for example, release paper 68 may be a polymer film, metal foil, metallized foil film or wax paper, and the like. Desirably, the release paper 68 can be bonded to the surface of the second ply 62 around the periphery 70 of the release paper 68. Such bonding of the release paper 68 to the second ply 62 may be performed by means known in the art, such as by thermal bonding, ultrasonics, glue, or the like. The release paper 68 may also desirably be provided with an easy removal tab 72 as shown, by which the user can more easily grasp the release paper 64 and lift it for removal prior to use of the device 60 paper, and thereby expose the processing components. the

A further embodiment of a device for treating a surface is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B . In the illustrated embodiment, the device 80 is provided in a folded configuration ( FIG. 6A ), wherein the device 80 is folded along its longitudinal axis and the treatment component-impregnated portion of the fibrous nonwoven web of the second ply 82 is folded against itself in face-to-face relationship. . Instead of being folded as shown, the portion of device 80 impregnated or containing the treatment component may be desirably bounded by a peripheral bond region 84 around the treatment component that is applied when device 80 is in the folded configuration. Such peripheral bonding may be performed by methods known in the art, such as by thermal bonding, such as by applying heat and bonding the second ply or the fibers of the second ply together while the device 80 is in this face-to-face configuration. pressure. Alternatively, other means known in the art, such as ultrasonic bonding or adhesive bonding, etc. may be used. Although the peripheral bonding area 84 is shown as a substantially continuous line, it should be noted that for some embodiments, the peripheral bonding area may be discontinuous and intermittently bonded along the desired periphery as desired in order to provide adequate peripheral bonding. junction area. Furthermore, the peripheral bonding area 84 does not have to be circular as shown, but may be oval, square, or other shapes. In addition, although it is stated above that the peripheral bonding area 84 is applied when the device 80 is in the folded configuration, those skilled in the art will appreciate that if an adhesive bond is desired, the adhesive should be applied to all parts before the device 80 is folded. Need to construct. the

The peripheral bonding zone 84 (whether continuous or discontinuous), by surrounding or enclosing the treatment composition, helps to further prevent migration of the treatment composition and/or components of the treatment composition away from the delivery zone. Furthermore, such a peripheral bonded area can avoid unwanted drying of treatment ingredients including water or other liquid solvents or emulsifiers. Desirably, this peripheral bonded area 84 around the components is a frangible bonded area; It can be deployed as shown in Figure 6B for use. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , the device 80 is provided and stored in the folded configuration shown in FIG. 6A , and when the device user is ready to use it, he or she can simply unfold the device to disconnect it. Bonding area 84 exposes treatment component 86 (shown as shaded in FIG. 6B). In other embodiments, depending on the viscosity of the treatment composition or other factors affecting ease of flow, a frangible bond line (intermittent or continuous) may be applied as a "moat" by simply applying a line of frangible adhesive just below the treatment composition in the treatment device. (moat)" or flow brakes provide this peripheral bonded zone functionality. This frangible bond line or flow stop line can be a straight horizontal line, an angled line, a curved line or a semicircular line or other arcuate portion of the peripheral bond area 84 below the processing component as desired. the

In addition, it is further desirable to provide easy-grab tabs on the device 80 , such as those designated 88 and 90 , to provide the user with an easy means of deploying the device and/or breaking the peripheral adhesive region 84 . Such an easy-grab tab may be provided as an extension of either or both of the first ply and the second ply. The easy-grab tab may be a separate piece of additional material attached to the device or may be an integral part of one or both of the first or second plies. That is, the peripheral shape or profile of the device may be cut in a manner that includes such integral easy-grasp tabs as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. the

Example

Example 1

A device for manipulating a surface designed to accept two fingers of a user is constructed according to the above description similar to that shown in FIG. 3 . The first ply comprises a shrink bonded laminate such as that described above (that is, a nonwoven-elastic film-nonwoven laminate). The two nonwoven layers were approximately 14 gsm polypropylene spunbond layers which were shrunk and then extrusion laminated to both sides of the elastic film. The elastic film was a 34 gsm vinyl-octene copolymer plastic film available under the trade designation AFFINITY EG 8200 from the Dow Chemical Company of Midland, MI. the

皮肤层的18gsm聚乙烯薄膜以便有助于将薄膜粘结到纤维性无纺网。Catalloy聚合物是可从)特拉华州的Wilmington的美国Montell公司购得的烯属多步反应产品，其中无定形乙烯丙稀无规共聚物以分子形式分布在超优势半晶状高百分比丙稀单体/低百分比乙烯单体连续母体内，在Ogale的美国专利No.5,300,365中描述了其一实例。内部装衬层也是与上文的纤维性无纺网层相同的双组元纺粘层，除了它是14gsm而不是126gsm。这三层以所描述的顺序相互铺放在顶部，并通过例如上文描述的点式非粘结一起粘结到第二板层的叠层材料内。  The second sheet layer comprises a multilayer laminate comprising a fibrous nonwoven web layer, a film layer as a liquid barrier material, and a nonwoven backing layer. The fibrous nonwoven web layer itself consisted of a bicomponent crimped fiber spunbond layer having a basis weight of approximately 126 gsm and being air bonded. Bicomponent fibers are constructed of side-by-side components having polyethylene as one component and polypropylene as the other component in a ratio of about 50-50 components. This fibrous nonwoven web is constructed substantially in accordance with the teachings of Pike et al., supra-referenced US Patent No. 5,382,400, and the web is consolidated by through-air bonding. The film layer is with Catalloy

18 gsm polyethylene film for the skin layer to help bond the film to the fibrous nonwoven web. Catalloy The polymer is an olefinic multi-step reaction product commercially available from Montell Corporation of America, Wilmington, Delaware, in which an amorphous ethylene propylene random copolymer is molecularly distributed in a super-dominant semi-crystalline high percentage of propylene Monomer/low percent ethylene monomer continuous matrix, an example of which is described in Ogale, US Patent No. 5,300,365. The interior backing layer was also the same bicomponent spunbond layer as the fibrous nonwoven web layer above, except it was 14 gsm instead of 126 gsm. These three plies are laid on top of each other in the sequence described and are bonded together into the laminate of the second ply by, for example, point non-bonding as described above.

The first ply and the second ply were then placed in face-to-face relationship (with the 14 gsm polypropylene spunbond layer of the second ply touching the first ply) and passed through a Branson 920 IW commercially available from Branson Ultrasonics of Danbury, Connecticut. Ultrasonic welders are seam bonded together to form a hollow member configured to accept two fingers of a user between the first and second plies. The treatment device has the tapered configuration described above, wherein the distal end of the device is narrower than the proximal or finger insertion end of the device. The overall dimensions of the treatment device were about 4 centimeters wide at the distal end, about 7 centimeters wide at the proximal end and about 9.7 centimeters in length. As shown in Figure 3, the first ply was provided in a slightly shorter layer than the second ply, measuring 7.8 cm in length from the distal end of the device towards the proximal end. Also as shown in FIG. 3, a selective bond line is provided so that the first and second plies are ultrasonically bonded along the longitudinal centerline of the device from the distal end to a distance of approximately 35 mm from the proximal end of the first ply. The way bonded together divides the hollow member part into two individual finger cuffs. the

The treatment composition is pre-impregnated on about half of the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply to form a delivery zone on the end of the fibrous nonwoven web layer. By tip is meant the delivery zone comprising that portion of the fibrous nonwoven web layer extending from the narrow seam-bonded end or "top" of the treatment device down to about 5 cm from the seam-bonded top of the treatment device. Processing ingredients are available under the trade name KIWI Black Touch Up Shoe Polishing Compound was purchased and commercially available from Sara Lee Household & Body Care of America, Exton, Pennsylvania.

The index and middle fingers of the hand are then inserted into the opening of the shoe polish dipping treatment and the treatment is pulled over and over the fingers by grasping and pulling with the longer provided portion of the second ply. The treatment device is used to successfully apply and spread shoe polish on the surface of a shoe. The shoe was then buffed using the non-impregnated portion of the fibrous nonwoven web layer of the second ply by rubbing the fibrous nonwoven web layer over the shoe in vigorous side-by-side motions until the shoe surface took on a very shiny appearance. The resilient layer of the first ply holds the treatment device snugly in place during delivery of the shoe polish and subsequent sanding operations. the

Example 2

According to the above description, a device for treating a surface designed to accept three fingers of a user similar to that shown in FIG. 4 is constructed. The first ply and the second ply are constructed of the same materials described for Example 1, and the first and second plies are bonded together so as to form between the first and second plies configured to accept the user The hollow member of the three fingers. The overall dimensions of the treatment device were about 4.5 centimeters wide at the distal end, about 8 centimeters at the proximal end, and about 9.7 centimeters long. As described for Example 1, the first ply was provided in a slightly shorter ply than the second ply and measured 7.8 cm in length. the

In addition, the treatment device of Example 2 was provided with longitudinally additional selective bonding lines that partially divide the treatment device along lines generally parallel to the longitudinal axis to provide three separate cavities or pockets for each of the three individual fingers. As in Example 1, these selective bond lines extended only a portion of the treatment device, from the ends only to a distance of about 35 mm from the proximal end of the first ply. the

The fibrous nonwoven web layer of the treatment device of Example 2 was also impregnated with the same shoe polish on its top half, and then the index finger, middle finger and ring finger of the hand were inserted into the open end of the hollow member of the shoe polish impregnation treatment device and pull the handling device over and over the fingers by grasping and pulling with the longer provided portion of the second ply. The treatment device is then used to successfully coat and spread the shoe polish on another shoe surface and. The shoe was then successfully sanded and brightened using the non-impregnated portion of the fibrous nonwoven web layer. the

Self-contained devices for treating surfaces are well suited for delivering or applying cleaning, waxing, polishing and/or other treating ingredients to a surface and subsequently abrading the surface to clean and/or polish the surface. Furthermore, it can be provided in the form of a single-use item constructed in a cost-consistent manner dictated by the disposable application of a limited-use item or a single-use disposable product. As a further benefit, the processing device of the present invention is small and lightweight, and thus easily portable. When packaged individually or in low-item packs, the device for treating surfaces can easily be carried in the user's pocket. Keep it in your purse or wallet until needed, which is particularly advantageous when, for example, the treatment device is impregnated with a treatment composition designed to brighten shoes. the

Although this application has incorporated various patents by reference, to the extent there is any inconsistency between the incorporated material and the described specification, the described specification will control. Furthermore, while the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alterations, modifications, and other changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the claims cover all such modifications, adaptations, and other changes as are encompassed by the appended claims. the

Claims (13)

1. A device for treating a surface, said device comprising a hollow member having an open end adapted for insertion of two or more fingers, said hollow member being defined between a first ply and a second ply, the first ply comprises an elastic layer and the second ply comprises a fibrous nonwoven web layer having an outer surface, wherein the fibrous nonwoven web layer comprises a treatment component on at least a portion of its outer surface, The device has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, wherein said first ply and said second ply are additionally bonded to each other along at least one bond line along a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. at least a portion of the wire extends from the end of the device to no more than 75% of the length of the first ply so as to at least partially space the hollow members into individual cavities; and the fibrous nonwoven web layer is The outer surface thereof further comprises a portion substantially free of treatment components; and the device is provided in a folded configuration, wherein the portion of the fibrous nonwoven web comprising the treatment component is folded in face-to-face relationship with itself or the fibrous nonwoven web The treatment component-containing portion is folded in face-to-face relationship with the substantially treatment component-free portion of the fibrous nonwoven web. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said elastic layer is selected from elastic film and elastic fibrous layer. 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said first ply is a multilayer laminate comprising at least one fibrous web bonded to said elastic layer. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said first sheet layer is a multilayer laminate comprising at least one fibrous web layer bonded to each side of said elastic layer. 5. Device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that said second sheet layer is a laminate comprising at least one barrier layer bonded to said fibrous nonwoven web layer. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of nonwoven web layers, polymer film layers, foils, and metallized polymer film layers. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the barrier layer is a thermoplastic film layer. 8. The device of claim 5, wherein said second ply further comprises a barrier layer adjacent to said barrier layer on a side of said barrier layer opposite said fibrous nonwoven web layer. At least one additional fibrous web layer. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said fibrous nonwoven web layer is bonded with a dotted non-bonded bonding pattern. 10. The device of claim 1 above, wherein the device is folded substantially along its longitudinal axis, and further wherein the portion of the fibrous nonwoven web containing the treatment component is bounded by peripheral bonds. 11. The device of claim 1, further comprising an easy-grip tab. 12. Device according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the part of the fibrous nonwoven web containing the treatment component is covered with a release paper. 13. Device according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that the treatment composition is a polishing composition.

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