Fabric (woven – knitted – or nonwoven textile or cloth – etc.) – Coated or impregnated woven – knit – or nonwoven fabric which... – Coating or impregnation provides wear or abrasion resistance
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-22
2001-06-26
Bell, James J. (Department: 1771)
Fabric (woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.)
Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which...
Coating or impregnation provides wear or abrasion resistance
C015S209100, C442S059000, C442S153000, C510S268000, C510S271000, C510S295000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251808
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to cleaning compositions, and, more particularly, to metal and fiberglass cleaners and polish.
Metal cleaning and polish formulations typically contain a solvent to remove surface organic contaminants, surfactants to emulsify the solvent into a water vehicle, other surfactants to help rinse residues from a cleaned surface, acids to dioxide contaminants, and abrasives to help the acids deoxidize contaminants and to help polish the cleaned metal surface. However, these products generally contain sharp, jagged, abrasive particles of about 15 microns in size. Although these abrasives will polish metal surfaces, scratching generally occurs with the softer metals such as brass. In addition, current systems utilize sizable quantities of ammonia as a penetrating agent, and this can cause discomfort to the user. Other metal cleaners may solely comprise acids which are used to clean oxidation contaminants. These may be too aggressive in that permanent metal damage can occur, and the residues of such cleaners could result in environmental disposal concerns.
After cleaning contaminated surfaces such as brass, a blackish colored residue must be physically removed with a cloth, or may sometimes be rinsed with clean water and a cloth. This process often results in re-application of these residues from rags back onto the metal surface, with undesirable cleaning results. Similar problems result from cleaning other metal surfaces, including copper, gold, silver, stainless steel, chrome, aluminum, anodized aluminum, magnesium, pewter, nickel, bronze and factory gun bluing.
Some typical metal cleaners and polishes have gelatinous or paste-like high viscosity, requiring a separate rag or applicator to apply. Application is difficult due to this high viscosity, which is necessary so that finely divided polish powders can be held in even suspension throughout the body of the cleaner. If the cleaner is allowed to dry on the metal surface, removal of oxidation contaminants becomes very difficult using conventional dry polishing cloths. In most cases, the metal has to be re-wetted and cleaned once again with the paste-like cleaner so contaminants may be thoroughly removed. Another disadvantage with using this type of cleaner on surfaces having an excess of oxidation contaminants is that the powder polish portion of the formulation needs the assistance of additional abrasion such as metal brushes to completely clean the metal. An additional disadvantage is that if a plentiful supply of clean polishing cloths are not readily available, then the user has a tendency to reapply contaminants back onto the metal surface. Still other products are currently available that exhibit a non-gelatinous consistency. They are generally used by pouring the cleaner into a bowl and then dipping a cloth into the polish to distribute it on the surface to be cleaned. This process is very messy and time consuming, and produces a large amount of waste.
Similarly, prior attempts to clean fiberglass have included compositions incorporating solvent, harsh acids, detergent, and mechanical abrasion. Problems associated with such prior conventional cleaning processes include softening, scratching, and discoloration of these types of fiberglass surfaces.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaning and polish article having non-scratching abrasive characteristics that will provide a low viscosity, easily applied cleaner which does not require numerous applicator and polishing towels. There is also a need to provide such a cleaning and polishing article which does not require the cleaner or oxidation contaminants to be rinsed or removed using additional towels.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article that is comprised of a low viscosity liquid that is saturated onto an abrasive, non-woven towel, so that a uniform, controlled amount of cleaner can be utilized for ease of application, and to prevent an excessive amount of liquid from damaging part of the metal surface.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article which utilizes a non-scratching abrasive surface (or surfaces) on the towel to aid the polish powders in the formulation to achieve better cleaning of oxidation contaminants, and to prevent scratching of softer metals such as brass. This non-scratching abrasive surface also eliminates the necessity of using brushes or other mechanical devices.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article which utilizes a non-woven towel that has excellent absorption properties so that oxidation contaminants may be absorbed into the towel during the cleaning process, thereby greatly reducing the effort required in using dry polish cloths.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article which incorporates a liquid cleaner and polish formulation absorbed into a towel so that no additional cloths or other devices are needed to completely accomplish the task of cleaning or polishing the metal and fiberglass surfaces.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article which removes oxidation and other contaminants from a surface, and also provides polishing action on that surface, without the need to use an additional towel or other tool for polishing.
To accomplish these and other related objects of the invention, a metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article is provided comprising a substrate, such as a cloth-like towel similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,003 to Kimberly-Clark, presenting at least one abrasive surface, the substrate presenting a matrix capable of absorbing and retaining a metal and fiberglass cleaning fluid, wherein the cleaning fluid in an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a solvent, a surfactant, an emulsifier, oxidation removing agents, and a carrier. The article is packaged into a re-sealable vinyl, flexible pouch. The towels are removed, generally one at a time, and used as necessary to accomplish the complete cleaning task.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
A metal and fiberglass cleaner and polish article is provided comprising an abrasive substrate having a metal and fiberglass cleanser incorporated therein. The abrasive substrate of the preferred embodiment comprises a cloth-like towel having at least one abrasive surface. The abrasive surface can be formed in several different manners from a number of different materials. According to one embodiment of this invention, the towel can be similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,003 to Kimberly-Clark entitled “Uniformly Moist Abrasive Wipes,” issued May 23, 1989, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The towel encompassed within the scope of this invention has two opposed surfaces, with an abrasive component being permanently attached to or an integral part of at least one surface thereof, although it is possible for the abrasive component to be present on both surfaces of the towel.
The term “abrasive” as used herein refers to an abrasive ingredient or component which, as discussed above, comprises a surface texture that enables the towel to produce a mild scrubbing, scouring or abrading action to effectively remove oxidation and other similar contaminants from a surface, while not harming that surface by scratching or the like. The degree of abrasiveness can vary widely, depending primarily upon the abrasive component on the substrate and the degree of texture which is formed by such abrasive component. Typically, the abrasive surface is somewhat coarse and roughened as compared to a smooth surface of the towel. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the preferred abrasive towel is adequately mildly abrasive so as to avoid scratching or otherwise harming the metal or fibergl
Rose Edward S.
Wile Raymond G.
Bell James J.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
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