US20060254014A1 - Water-decomposable cleaning product - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-decomposable cleaning product dispersible in water that includes a compressed-fiber structure in which a water-dispersible fiber is compressed.

Description

• This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-141361, filed May 13, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a water-decomposable cleaning product which is used to remove dirt in a place where water is used, such as in a flush toilet and which can be discarded into water after the use thereof.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Showa 62(1987)-186833 (JP62-186833) discloses a disposable toilet cleaning brush used for cleaning the flush toilet.
• The toilet cleaning brush is produced using a paper comprising: i) staple fibers of a ligneous pulp and ii) a binder such as carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC), by a method in which plural cuts are formed in the paper and the paper is wound to form a brush. The toilet cleaning brush is fixed to a head of a paper-made handhold of the brush. After the bowl is wiped with the toilet cleaning brush, the cleaning brush and the handhold are discarded into a flush toilet and are decomposed in water. It is also described that for controlling the time needed for the dissolution of the paper in water, the surface of the brush is subjected to a wax treatment.
• The JP62-186833 describes that since the time needed for cleaning a toilet bowl is such a short time as between 10 seconds and 20 seconds, before the paper constituting the toilet cleaning brush is dissolved in water, the cleaning can be accomplished.
• However, the toilet cleaning brush produced with the paper itself which is produced by fixing a ligneous pulp through a water-soluble carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) is swollen at the contact thereof with water during the cleaning of a toilet bowl and the strength thereof is extremely lowered, so that it becomes difficult to wipe off the dirt adhered to the bowl by such a brush. With respect to the brush which has been subjected to a wax treatment, since a wax component may suppress the decomposition of the paper, it takes a long time until the brush has been decomposed, for example, in a purification tank.
• Further, since the toilet cleaning brush produced by winding the paper in which plural cuts are formed has a low stiffness, it is difficult to scrub a toilet bowl or the like by such a brush, and therefore the dirt adhered to the bowl or the like cannot be effectively removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention solves the above-noted problem accompanying the conventional art.
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a water-decomposable cleaning product which can effectively wipe off the dirt adhered to the bowl of a flush toilet.
• It is another object of the present invention to provide a water-decomposable cleaning product which not only has high strength when the cleaning product scrubs a toilet bowl or the like, and can exhibit the effect of removing the dirt, but also can be dispersed in water within a relatively short time after the use thereof.
• According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water-decomposable cleaning product dispersible in water, comprising: a compressed-fiber structure in which a water-dispersible fiber is compressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the water-decomposable cleaning product which is held by the holder, under the present invention.
• FIG. 2A andFIG. 2B are perspective views showing a production method of a compressed-fiber structure constituting the water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the compressed-fiber structure constituting the water-decomposable cleaning product, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the water-decomposable cleaning product produced by cutting the compressed-fiber structure, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a compressed-fiber structure constituting a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the water-decomposable cleaning product produced by cutting the compressed-fiber structure, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the water-decomposable cleaning product in a developed form.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product, according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the water-decomposable cleaning product, according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15A,FIG. 15B andFIG. 15C are explanatory drawings explaining three different forming methods of a string by twining only a water-decomposable sheet or the water-decomposable sheet and water-decomposable paper together.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product1 which is held by aholder120, under the present invention.FIG. 2 toFIG. 4 are perspective views showing sequentially production steps of the water-decomposable cleaning product1 which is held by theholder120 as shown inFIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5 toFIG. 14 are perspective views showing the water-decomposable cleaning products, according to other embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 15A,FIG. 15B andFIG. 15C are explanatory drawings explaining, respectively, a twinedstring4X, a twinedstring4Y and a twinedstring4Z.
First Embodiment
• FIG. 4 shows the water-decomposable cleaning product1, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The water-decomposable cleaning product1 comprises aholding side terminal2 and acleaning side terminal3.
• InFIG. 1, theholder120 has a structure where a terminal of ahandhold part121 made of a synthetic resin is integrated with a supportingpart122, and apressing part123 made of a synthetic resin is provided at the opposite side to the supportingpart122. The supportingpart122 has substantially a flat supporting inside face and thepressing part123 also has substantially a flat inside face, so that the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 face parallel to each other. Thepressing part123 is integrated with alever124, and thelever124 is rotatably supported by abracket121 a formed on thehandhold part121 through apivot125. Anoperating wire126 is rotatably connected to the top of thelever124.
• A torsion spring (not illustrated) is attached to thepivot125, and by the torsion spring, thelever124 is biased in the clockwise direction around thepivot125 as the fulcrum, so that thepressing part123 is biased in the direction approaching the supportingpart122. A handle part (not illustrated) is provided in the upper part of thehandhold part121, and an operating lever (not illustrated) is provided in the handle part (not illustrated). The upper terminal of theoperating wire126 which is a thick wire is connected to the operating lever (not illustrated). When the operating lever (not illustrated) is pulled up, thelever124 is rotated, and consequently, thepressing part123 is spaced part from the supportingpart122. At this time, when the holdingside terminal2 of the cleaningproduct1 is inserted between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 and the operating lever (not illustrated) is released from the hand, by the bias force of the torsion spring (not illustrated), the holdingside terminal2 of the cleaningproduct1 is supported between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123.
• By scrubbing the part to be cleaned (such as a toilet bowl or the like) with thecleaning side terminal3 of the cleaningproduct1 while holding the cleaningproduct1 with theholder120, the dirt adhered to the surface of the bowl or the like can be removed. At this time, it is also possible that the cleaningproduct1 is wetted by the water standing in the bowl, and the bowl is wiped by the wettedcleaning product1. After the completion of the cleaning, by releasing the pressing force of thepressing part123 through pulling up the operating lever (not illustrated), the cleaningproduct1 can be discarded into the bowl without touching the cleaningproduct1 by the hand.
• <Production Method>
• The cleaningproduct1 shown inFIG. 4 comprises a compressed-fiber structure11 produced by compressing a bundle ofplural strings4 comprising water- dispersible fibers. Hereinbelow, with respect to the production method of the cleaningproduct1, explanations are given referring toFIG. 2 toFIG. 4.
• As shown inFIG. 2A, a cylinder-shapedstructure10 is produced by winding onestring4 or a plurality of thestrings4. At this time, as shown inFIG. 2B, when a hypothetical circle HC having a radius R and a center line O of the cylinder-shapedstructure10 cross each other at a right angle is assumed, the string is wound multiple times along the winding direction cc which is formed by inclining the clockwise radius direction of the hypothetical circle HC at an angle θ1 in the anti-clockwise direction from the radius R. Thereafter continuously, the string is wound multiple times along the winding direction β which is formed by inclining the clockwise radius direction of the hypothetical circle HC at anangle02 in the clockwise direction from the radius R. By repeating alternately multiple windings in the direction cc and multiple windings in the direction β, the cylinder-shapedstructure10 shown inFIG. 2A can be obtained. The strings constituting the cylinder-shapedstructure10 are wound in such a manner that they cross each other.
• By compressing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 shown inFIG. 2A through giving a collapsing force F to the cylinder-shapedstructure10 in the diameter direction using a pressing machine (not illustrated), the compressed-fiber structure11 can be obtained. The pressure of the collapsing force F is in the range of from 2,000 kPa to 6,000 kPa, for example, 3,920 kPa (40 kgf/cm²). The compressing time is in the range of from 1 sec to 5 sec. The compressing is performed in a normal temperature or may be performed during the heating. The compressed-fiber structure11 after the compression can maintain the compressed state by means of the mechanical aggregation force and hydrogen bond force of the fibers constituting thestring4. For bonding the fibers to each other through the hydrogen bond force, it is preferred that natural fibers or regenerated cellulose fibers which have a hydroxyl group on the fiber surface thereof are used as the fibers constituting thestring4. Further, for enhancing the hydrogen bond force, the cylinder-shapedstructure10 may be subjected to the heating and the compressing after the cylinder-shapedstructure10 is wetted by spraying water thereto. It is also possible that the dry strength of the compressed-fiber structure11 is enhanced by producing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 by adhering the strings to each other using a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) and the like.
• Since the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3 is produced by collapsing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 in the diameter direction, at the both terminals of the compressed-fiber structure11, aloop part4aof thestring4 is exposed in a collapsed state. Although the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3 can be used, as it is, as the water-decomposable cleaning product1, according to the first embodiment, by cutting the compressed-fiber structure11 along thecenter line0 thereof into halves, two pieces of the cleaningproduct1 shown inFIG. 4 are produced. In thecleaning product1 shown inFIG. 4, plural cut end faces4bof thestrings4 are exposed at the holdingside terminal2, andplural loop parts4aare exposed in a collapsed state at thecleaning side terminal3.
• By twisting and twining a water-decomposable sheet8 in one direction as shown inFIG. 15A, thestring4 is so formed as to have a high density. The water-decomposable sheet8 comprises fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less. When the water-decomposable sheet8 contacts a lot of water in a flush toilet or in a purification tank, fibers constituting the water-decomposable sheet8 can be separately dispersed in water within a short time. The water-decomposable sheet8 either is produced by papermaking only pulp fibers so that the fibers are connected to each other through the hydrogen bond force, or is a water-decomposable paper produced by papermaking pulp fibers and rayon fibers together so that the fibers are connected to each other through the hydrogen bond force. In addition, the water-decomposable paper produced by adhering fibers to each other by a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid (PAA), carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) and the like, can be also used as the water-decomposable sheet8.
• By twining the water-decomposable paper, thestring4 becomes able to maintain the form thereof by the hydrogen bond force. Otherwise, by adding the above-noted water-soluble binder to the twined water-decomposable paper after the twining thereof, thestring4 becomes able to maintain the form thereof.
• The water-decomposable sheet8, which is produced by a method in which pulp fibers are subjected to a water-resistant treatment to slightly lower the hydrophilicity of the pulp fibers and these treated pulp fibers are connected to each other by the water-soluble binder, can be also used. Thestring4 comprising this water-decomposable sheet8 can easily maintain the form of the string, even when the string is wetted by water during the cleaning.
• FIG. 15A,FIG. 15B andFIG. 15C show more preferred examples of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z for forming thestring4 individually, according to the difference in structure. Thestring4 used for producing the cleaningproduct1 comprises any one of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z. In addition, thestring4 used for producing the cleaningproduct1 may comprise also a combination of two or more of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z.
• The twinedstring4X shown inFIG. 15A is formed by twisting in one direction the water-decomposable sheet8 in a belt which has a predetermined width (e.g., width is 20 mm to 100 mm), followed by the twining.
• For maintaining the wet strength of the twinedstring4X, the water-decomposable sheet8 comprises a water-decomposable fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric. The water-decomposable fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric can be produced in such a manner that the fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less are laminated, in the form of a mesh, on a conveyor of a porous plate and then the thus laminated fibers are subjected to a water-jet treatment to interlace the fibers.
• The fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric comprises i) fibers having a fiber length of, for example, 20 mm or less which fibers can be interlaced by the water-jet treatment, and ii) pulp fibers. When the nonwoven fabric comprises pulp fibers and other fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less, by a water-jet treatment, not only are the other fibers interlaced, but the pulp fibers are also hydrogen-bonded to each other and to the other fibers. This fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric can maintain not only a high dry strength thereof but also the twined form thereof, by the hydrogen bond force of the pulp fibers. Further, when wetted, the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric can maintain a high surface strength thereof through the interlacing force between the other fibers. When the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric is discarded into water and contacts a lot of water, due to the separation of pulp fibers from each other, the twine of the string is loosened and the interlacing of the other fibers is easily loosened, thereby the fibers are separated from each other into individual fibers within a relatively short time.
• As the other fibers which have a fiber length of 20 mm or less and can be interlaced by the water-jet treatment, biodegradable fibers are preferably used. Preferred examples of the biodegradable fibers include regenerated cellulose fibers, such as viscose rayon fibers, solvent spinning rayon fibers, polynosic rayon fibers, copper-ammonia rayon fibers and alginate rayon fibers. Examples of the other fibers which have a fiber length of 20 mm or less and can be interlaced by a water-jet treatment include synthetic resin fibers, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, nylon fibers and polypropylene (PP) fibers.
• Examples of the fibers which may be used either in combination with the pulp fibers or instead of the pulp fibers include natural fibers, such as hemp, cotton, bagasse, banana, pineapple and bamboo.
• Further, i) fibers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) which is a water-soluble resin and ii) water-soluble or water-swellable carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) may be added as a binder into the composition of the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric, for enhancing the dry strength of the nonwoven fabric or for easier maintaining of the twined form of the string. In addition, a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric produced by the following method can be also used: i) preparing a fibrillated rayon fiber having a surface where a lot of microfibers having a fiber length of 1 mm or less are peel-formed by beating rayon fibers having a fiber length of from 3 mm to 7 mm, ii) papermaking in a wet system a) the fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less in combination with b) the thus fibrillated rayon fibers, and then iii) subject the resultant fibers to a water-jet treatment. i) since in this nonwoven fabric, not only the fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less are interlaced, but also the fibers are fixed through the hydrogen bond force of the fibrillated rayon fibers, the dry strength and the wet strength of this nonwoven fabric can be enhanced and ii) since particularly the dry strength thereof is high, a strongly twisted string form can be easily maintained.
• The fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric constituting the twinedstring4X comprises i) preferably 10% by mass or more of natural fibers such as pulp fibers and ii) 10% by mass or more of the other fibers such as rayon fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less and interlaceable by a water-jet treatment. By comprising 10% by mass or more of natural fibers, the hydrogen bond force in the string formed by strongly twisting and twining can be enhanced, and by comprising 10% by mass or more of the fibers which can be interlaced, the wet strength of the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric can be enhanced.
• The water-decomposable sheet8 comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric has preferably a weight per square-meter of from 30 g/m²to 120 g/m²and a thickness of from 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.
• InFIG. 15A, the twinedstring4X is formed using one water-decomposable sheet8 comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric, however, the twinedstring4X may be formed using the plural water-decomposable sheets8 which are superimposed. For enhancing the strength of the cleaningproduct1 during the cleaning by thickening theindividual strings4 used for producing the cleaningproduct1 shown inFIG. 4, it is satisfactory to increase the weight per square-meter and the thickness of one water-decomposable sheet8. On the other hand, when the weight per square-meter and the thickness of one water-decomposable sheet8 are increased excessively, the water-decomposable sheet8 becomes difficult to be twined during the twisting step and the time needed for water-decomposing the water-decomposable sheet8 becomes longer. Therefore, in this case, by forming the twinedstring4X using the plural water-decomposable sheets8, the twined string which is thick and has a high stiffness can be formed, and moreover, at the contact of the string with a lot of water, which causes the loosening of the twine of the string, the string is separated into individual water-decomposable sheets8 and becomes easier to be water-decomposed.
• The twinedstring4Y shown inFIG. 15B is formed by a method in which the water-decomposable sheet8 (comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric) and water-decomposable paper9 are superimposed and twisted together. The water- decomposable paper9 is produced by papermaking natural fibers such as pulp fibers or by papermaking natural fibers such as pulp fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon fibers, so that the water-decomposable paper9 exhibits the strength thereof through the hydrogen bond force between fibers.
• By twining together the water-decomposable sheet8 and the water-decomposable paper9 which are superimposed, the superimposed sheets can be strongly and tightly twisted and twined because of a high strength of the water-decomposable sheet8 comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric. After the twining, the twined string can maintain the form thereof obtained through the twining in a dry state, where the above maintaining is achieved by the hydrogen bond force of the fibers constituting the water-decomposable paper9 and by the mechanical bond force between the fibers. Accordingly, the twinedstring4Y having a high density can be easily processed and can maintain the form thereof. By forming thestring4 of the cleaningproduct1 shown inFIG. 4 using the twinedstring4Y having a high density, even when thestring4 contains a little water, the dirt adhered to the surface of a toilet bowl or the like can be scrubbed off by thestring4 having a high stiffness. When the cleaningproduct1 is discarded into a flush toilet and contacts a lot of water, the fibers constituting the water-decomposable paper9 are loosened and the twine of thestring4 begins to be loosened, consequently the water-decomposable sheet8 is loosened.
• By twining the water-decomposable sheet8 and the water-decomposable paper9 together, many uneven parts can be formed on the surface of the twinedstring4Y, so that the effect of removing the dirt can be enhanced. The twinedstring4Y may comprise plural pieces of at least one of the water-decomposable sheet8 and the water- decomposable paper9.
• In the twinedstring4Y shown inFIG. 15B, the water-decomposable paper9 is colored in a color other than white, such as blue and red. The water-decomposable sheet8 comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric is formed with white fibers. By twining the water-decomposable sheet8 and the water-decomposable paper9 which are superimposed, a colored part and a white part are located alternately in the twinedstring4Y, so that the appearance of the twinedstring4Y becomes preferable.
• In the forming of the twinedstring4Y shown inFIG. 15B, instead of the water-decomposable paper9, an air-laid nonwoven fabric may be used. The air-laid nonwoven fabric is produced by a method in which a fiber web is produced by laminating pulp fibers according to an air-laid method and the fibers in the fiber webs are adhered to each other through a water-soluble binder, such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The air-laid nonwoven fabric has such a low density, as a fiber density of from 0.04 g/cm³to 0.07 g/cm³and is so bulky as having a thickness of from 0.3 mm to 5 mm. In addition, the air-laid nonwoven fabric can be decomposed in water within a short time. Since the air-laid nonwoven fabric has cushion properties, by twining together i) the air-laid nonwoven fabric and ii) the water-decomposable sheet8 which comprises a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric, the twinedstring4Y which has elasticity can be obtained.
• The twinedstring4Z shown inFIG. 15C is formed by the following method: i) twining: 1) one water-decomposable paper9, 2) the plural water-decomposable papers9, 3) the air-laid nonwoven fabric, or 4) the water-decomposable paper9 and the air-laid nonwoven fabric which are superimposed, to thereby form the core of thestring4Z, ii) winding around the core the water-decomposable sheet8 comprising a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric, and iii) further twining the water-decomposable sheet8. Since the core of the twinedstring4Z exhibits a strong hydrogen bond force and the twisted state can be maintained, the twinedstring4Z has a high density. Since the water-decomposable sheet8 having a high wet strength is wound around the core, the surface strength of thestring4 can be enhanced and the form of thestring4 can be easily maintained when wiping dirt while the cleaningproduct1 is in a wet state. In addition, when the cleaning product I contacts a lot of water, the water-decomposable paper9 or the air-laid nonwoven fabric each of which constitutes the core is decomposed and consequently, the twine of the water-decomposable sheet8 is loosened, so that the cleaningproduct1 becomes able to be water-decomposed within a short time.
• The number of twining times for forming each of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z is preferably from 4 to 30 per 250 mm of the water-decomposable sheet8 constituting the twined string. When the number of twining times is less than 4, the density of the string becomes too low, so that the string cannot bear a frictional force during the wiping of the dirt and is easily broken. On the other hand, when the number of twining times is more than30, a load is charged to the water-decomposable sheet8 during the twining thereof, so that it is feared that the water-decomposable sheet8 is cut. The thickness of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z is preferably in the range of from 1 mm to 10 mm. When the thickness is in this range; i) the wiping touch of thestring4 is preferable and ii) when the cleaningproduct1 is discarded into a flush toilet, the piping is not clogged by the cleaningproduct1, so that the cleaningproduct1 can be easily discarded.
• When the cleaningproduct1 is used, the holdingside terminal2 is held between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 of theholder120 shown inFIG. 1. The cleaningproduct1 comprises the compressed-fiber structure1, so that when the cleaningproduct1 is dry, theplural strings4 are not separated from each other. When the cleaning product I is wetted by water after the cleaning product I has been held by theholder120, at this time, the cleaningproduct1 is supported between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123, so that theplural strings4 are not separated from each other in the holdingside terminal2 during the cleaning. Since in thecleaning product1 shown inFIG. 4, theplural strings4 run obliquely against the cut cross section along thecenter line0 and are compressed in the state in whichplural strings4 cross each other, the cleaningproduct1 has, as a whole, a high stiffness and the part to be cleaned of a toilet bowl or the like can be strongly scrubbed with thecleaning side terminal3, so that the dirt adhered to the part to be cleaned can be removed by the cleaningside terminal3.
• In thecleaning side terminal3 of the cleaningproduct1,many loop parts4aof thestring4 are present and nocut end face4bis exposed, so that even when thecleaning side terminal3 is wetted by water, thestring4 will not become excessively loosened. When the cleaningproduct1 contacts a relatively large quantity of water during the scrubbing of the part to be cleaned such as a toilet bowl or the like, the compressed state of thestring4 is relaxed and theplural loop parts4aindependently slide on the part to be cleaned, so that a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be cleaned by theindividual loop parts4a.
• Since the cylinder-shapedstructure10 shown inFIG. 2 is formed by winding thelong string4, it is unlikely that the twine of thestring4 is loosened during the production process of the cylinder-shapedstructure10. Further, since the compressed-fiber structure11 is produced by compressing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 which has been formed, the twine of thestring4 will not become loosened during the distribution and storage of the cleaningproduct1 as a commercial product. Since theindividual cleaning products1 are produced by cutting into halves the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3, thestring4 is cut into plural units in thecleaning product1. The length of an individual unit of thestring4 is about two times the length between the holdingside terminal2 and thecleaning side terminal3 in thecleaning product1. Therefore, when the cleaningproduct1 is discarded into a flush toilet after the use thereof, the compressed state of thestring4 is loosened by a lot of water, so that individual units of thestring4 can be further easily dispersed. And then, after the dispersion, the individual units of thestring4 are water-decomposed.
• The length between the holdingside terminal2 and thecleaning side terminal3 in thecleaning product1 is about in the range of from 20 mm to 100 mm, but is not limited by this range.
• The time needed for the water-decomposition of the dispersed individual unit of thestring4 is preferably 700 sec or less, more preferably 600 sec or less, still more preferably 300 sec or less, in terms of the value measured according to JIS P4501 (relaxability test for the toilet paper), based on 100 mm of the length of one piece of thestring4. This is a measurement from i) a time when thestring4 is charged into 300 mL of an ion-exchanged water having a temperature of 20±5° C. which is placed in a 300 mL beaker, and then thestring4 and the ion-exchanged water together are stirred by rotating a rotator at a speed of 600 rpm in the ion-exchanged water, to ii) a time when the form of the string has disappeared and the form of the sheet has not remained, so that individual fibers have been dispersed.
Second Embodiment
• FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B are perspective views showing a production method of a water-decomposable cleaning product22, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
• The compressed-fiber structure21 shown inFIG. 5A is produced by compressing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 shown inFIG. 2A with the force Fv in the direction along the center line O. The conditions for the compressing are the same as those in the production of the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3.
• InFIG. 5A, the product produced by holding the compressed-fiber structure21, as it is, with theholder120 can be used as the cleaningproduct22. However, the cleaningproduct22 shown inFIG. 5B is produced by cutting the compressed-fiber structure21. At this time, the compressed-fiber structure21 shown inFIG. 5A may be bisected or trisected. In the case of the trisection, the trisected compressed-fiber structure21 which is in the range of 120° around the center line O becomes theindividual cleaning product22. Further, in the case of the tetrasection, the tetrasected compressed-fiber structure which is in the range of 90° around the center line O may be theindividual cleaning product22.
• In the cleaningproduct22, the part exposing thecut end face4bof thestring4 is used as the holdingside terminal23 and the part exposing theloop part4cof thestring4 along the perimeter of the cleaningproduct22 is used as thecleaning side terminal24.
• Since the cleaningproduct22 is produced also through a step of producing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 by winding thestring4 as shown inFIG. 2A and a step of compressing the cylinder-shapedstructure10 as shown inFIG. 5A, the twine of thestring4 is unlikely to be loosened during the production of the cleaningproduct22 and also during the distribution and custody of the cleaningproduct22 as a commercial product. Since thestring4 of the cleaningproduct22 is cut into plural short units shown inFIG. 5B, when the cleaningproduct22 contacts a lot of water, for example, by discarding the cleaningproduct22 into a flush toilet, the cleaningproduct22 is separated into individual units of thestring4, and further the twine of individual units of thestring4 is loosened, so that the fibers are dispersed in water.
Third Embodiment
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product31, according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
• The cleaningproduct31 is produced by a method comprising: folding thestring4 having a predetermined length at the center of thestring4 into halves; bundling up theplural strings4 by turning foldedparts4dinto one direction; and compressing the bundle of thestrings4. At this time, the conditions for the compressing are the same as those in the production of the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3 according to the first embodiment and the compressed-fiber structure21 shown inFIG. 5A according to the second embodiment.
• In the cleaningproduct31 shown inFIG. 6, the side in which cut end faces4gof thestrings4 are lined up is a holdingside terminal32 and the side in which the foldedparts4dof thestrings4 are lined up is acleaning side terminal33. In a range (including the holding side terminal32) having a predetermined length, acompressed part34 is formed by compressing the bundle of thestrings4. In a range (including the cleaning side terminal33) having a predetermined length, there is provided a non-compressed part35 in which thestrings4 are not compressed. Thecompressed part34 is utilized as a holding part and is supported between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 of theholder120 shown inFIG. 1.
• Since theindividual strings4 are compressed and fixed in thecompressed part34, the cleaningproduct31 in a dry state is not decomposed into pieces and can constantly maintain the form thereof during the distribution and storage thereof. Since thecompressed part34 is held between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123, even when the cleaningproduct31 contacts water during the use thereof and the compression of thecompressed part34 is loosened, the cleaningproduct31 can maintain the form thereof In thecleaning side terminal33, the foldedparts4dofindividual strings4 are in a free state and consequently, the foldedparts4dcan independently move freely, so that a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be effectively cleaned.
• When the cleaningproduct31 is discarded into a flush toilet and contacts a lot of water after the use thereof, the cleaningproduct31 is decomposed intoindividual strings4 and further, the twine of thestring4 is loosened, so that the cleaningproduct31 is further decomposed into individual fibers.
• The whole part of the cleaningproduct31 inFIG. 6 may be compressed to be thecompressed part34.
First Embodiment
• Moreover, in thecleaning product1 shown inFIG. 4 according to the first embodiment, a range (including the holding side terminal2) having a predetermined length may be made to a compressed part, while the cleaningterminal3 may be made to a non-compressed part.
Second Embodiment
• Moreover likewise, in the cleaningproduct22 shown inFIG. 5B according to the second embodiment, a range (including the holding side terminal23) having a predetermined length may be made to a compressed part, while the cleaningterminal24 may be made to a non-compressed part.
First Embodiment, Second Embodiment and Third Embodiment
• In each of the first embodiment, the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the holding part may be formed by winding a part of the cleaningproduct1, the cleaningproduct22 and the cleaningproduct31, respectively (which part has a predetermined range including the holdingside terminal2, the holdingside terminal23 and the holdingside terminal32, respectively) with a water-decomposable paper or a water-soluble film.
Fourth Embodiment, Fifth Embodiment and Six Embodiment
• FIG. 7,FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 show, respectively a water-decomposable cleaning product41, a water-decomposable cleaning product51 and a water-decomposable cleaning product61, respectively, according to a fourth embodiment, a fifth embodiment and a sixth embodiment. The cleaningproduct41, the cleaningproduct51 and the cleaningproduct61 each comprise a compressed-fiber structure40 in a block form which has a predetermined volume. The compressed-fiber structure40 is produced by compressing an aggregate of water-dispersible fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less, so that the density of the compressed-fiber structure40 is enhanced. Examples of the fibers constituting the compressed-fiber structure40 include natural fibers such as pulp fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers such as rayon fibers. By compressing the above fibers, the block form of the compressed-fiber structure40 can be maintained in a dry state through the mechanical bond force and hydrogen bond force between compressed fibers. Otherwise, fibers may be fixed to each other by a water-soluble adhesive. In this case, the compressed-fiber structure40 can comprise synthetic fibers, such as PET fibers, PP fibers, PE fibers and nylon fibers. Preferably, the compressed-fiber structure40 comprises only biodegradable fibers.
• For example, the compressed-fiber structure40 is produced in a block form using only pulp fibers. The production method thereof comprises: i) a step of dispersing pulp fibers in water to prepare a dispersion of pulp fibers; ii) a step of molding by feeding the dispersion of pulp fibers into a concave-shaped mold for molding a product in a cylindrical form, where the concave-shaped mold has at the bottom thereof a porous part for draining; iii) a step of dehydrating the molded article; and iv) a step of drying the molded article by heating. Alternatively, the following production method is allowed comprising: i) a step of molding by feeding the dispersion of pulp fibers into the above-noted mold or into a different-shaped mold for pressurization, ii) a step of compressing the molded article by the pressurization using a pressing machine after or while dehydrating the molded article, and iii) drying.
• Still another production method of the compressed-fiber structure40 comprises: i) a step of molding by extruding, with a screw extruder, a raw material in a sludge form which is prepared by mixing pulp fibers, a thickener and a water-soluble adhesive; ii) a step of dehydrating the molded article; and iii) a step of drying the molded article by heating. By this extrusion-molding, the compressed-fiber structure in a columnar form is produced. By an injection-molding in which a raw material in a sludge form is extruded, with a screw extruder, into a mold having a cavity in a predetermined form, the compressed-fiber structure in any three-dimensional form can be obtained.
• In the case of the production of the compressed-fiber structure40 by the compressing using a pressing machine, the conditions for the compressing are the same as those in the production of the compressed-fiber structure11 inFIG. 3.
• Since the compressed-fiber structure40 comprises fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less, preferably pulp fibers, when the cleaningproduct41, the cleaningproduct51 and the cleaningproduct61 each are discarded into a flush toilet or the like, the compressed-fiber structure40 can be decomposed into individual fibers within a relatively short time. Therefore, the size of the compressed-fiber structure40 can be set optionally according to the form of the cleaning product. However, for decomposing the compressed-fiber structure40 in water within a short time, it is preferred that when the compressed-fiber structure40 contains three times its own weight in water, the compressed-fiber structure40 is swollen to at least twice its normal volume. The time needed for the water-decomposition of one compressed-fiber structure40 (a measuring method thereof is noted above) is preferably 700 sec or less, more preferably 600 sec or less, still more preferably 300 sec or less. The mass of the compressed-fiber structure40 is preferably 20 g or less. 20 g corresponds to the mass of a toilet paper having a length of 9 m and is in the range where the clogging of the piping is unlikely to be caused in a normal flush toilet.
• Further, by producing the compressed-fiber structure40 in a cylindrical form, i.e., a form in which a hollow part is formed in the block by forming a penetration hole along the center line, the decomposition of the compressed-fiber structure40 can be accelerated when the cleaningproduct41, the cleaningproduct51 and the cleaningproduct61 each are discarded into a flush toilet.
• By adding a cleaning agent, an abrasive, an antimicrobial agent or a perfume into the inside of the compressed-fiber structure40 in a block form, the cleaning effect of the cleaningproduct41, the cleaningproduct51 and the cleaningproduct61 each comprising the above compressed-fiber structure40 can be enhanced.
• The cleaningproduct41, the cleaningproduct51 and The cleaningproduct61 shown, respectively, inFIG. 7 toFIG. 9 comprise the compressed-fiber structure40 and thestring4. Thestring4 comprises either any one of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z shown inFIG. 15A,FIG. 15B andFIG. 15C respectively or a combination of two or more thereof. As thestring4, each of the twinedstring4X, the twinedstring4Y and the twinedstring4Z is not compressed. However, according to the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment shown, respectively, inFIG. 7 toFIG. 9, as thestring4, a compressed-fiber structure produced by compressing the twined string may be used.
Fourth Embodiment
• In the water-decomposable cleaning product41 according to the fourth embodiment shown inFIG. 7, theplural strings4 which are cut into a predetermined size are arranged around the compressed-fiber structure40 in a columnar block form and the base parts of thesestrings4 are adhered onto the peripheral surface of the compressed-fiber structure40 through a water-soluble adhesive. Further, a holdingmaterial44 comprising a water-decomposable sheet is wound around the base parts of thestrings4 and is adhered thereto through a water-soluble adhesive.
• In the cleaningproduct41, the part wound by the holdingmaterial44 is the holdingpart42 and the other part (head) is the cleaningpart43. While in theholder120 for thecleaning product1 shown inFIG. 1, the inside surfaces of the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 are both flat; in theholder120 for the cleaningproduct41 shown inFIG. 7, the inside surface of the supportingpart122 is in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface and the inside surface of thepressing part123 is in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface, so that these inside surfaces form together a concave-curved cylindrical surface. Therefore, the holdingpart42 of the cleaningproduct41 shown inFIG. 7 is supported between the inside surface in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface of the supportingpart122 and the inside surface in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface of thepressing part123. It is satisfactory that the holdingpart42 of the cleaningproduct41 can exhibit such a level of the strength that the holdingpart42 can maintain a cylindrical form thereof until it is held by theholder120. Even when the holding force of the holdingmaterial44 is weakened by water after the cleaningproduct41 has been held by theholder120, since the cleaningproduct41 is held between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123, the cleaningproduct41 doesn't loose its shape during the cleaning.
• When the cleaningproduct41 is discarded into water after the use thereof, first, the holdingpart42 comprising the holdingmaterial44 looses its shape and the compressed-fiber structure40 and thestring4 are separated from each other in water. Thereafter, the isolated compressed-fiber structure40 and theisolated string4 are water-decomposed separately. Within an extremely short time after the discard of the cleaningproduct41 into water, the compressed-fiber structure40 and thestring4 are separated from each other and are flushed away with a flush water of a flush toilet, so that the clogging in the piping is unlikely to be caused.
• In the core part of the cleaningpart43, the compressed-fiber structure40 is located and around the compressed-fiber structure40, thestrings4 are arranged, wherein the cut end faces4eof thestrings4 are turned to the head of the cleaningpart43. When the part to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl or the like is scrubbed by the compressed-fiber structure40, even if the compressed-fiber structure40 is swollen by water, the compressed-fiber structure40 maintains the block form thereof, and further the compressed-fiber structure40 which has absorbed water becomes softened and can exhibit the cushion properties. Therefore, the dirt adhered to the part to be cleaned can be effectively removed and the compressed-fiber structure40 softly contacts the part to be cleaned. In addition, thestrings4 arranged around the compressed-fiber structure40 spread to a wider range around the compressed-fiber structure40, so that a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be cleaned to every corner.
Fifth Embodiment
• In the water-decomposable cleaning product51 according to the fifth embodiment shown inFIG. 8, thestrings4 are arranged around the compressed-fiber structure40 in acleaning part53 and foldedparts4fof thestrings4 are turned to the head of the cleaningpart53. In a holdingpart52, the base parts of thestrings4 are adhered onto the peripheral surface of the compressed-fiber structure40 through a water-soluble adhesive and the holdingmaterial44 is wound around the peripheral surface of the compressed-fiber structure40 and is adhered thereto. Since the foldedparts4fof thestrings4 are turned to the head of the cleaningpart53 and the cut end faces4eare not turned to the head of the cleaningpart53, unlike the cleaningpart43 shown inFIG. 7 having the cut end faces4eturned to the head of the cleaningpart43, the twines of thestrings4 inFIG. 8 are unlikely to be loosened, even when the foldedparts4fabsorb water. In theholder120 holding the cleaningproduct51, the inside surfaces of the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 shown inFIG. 1 are both unflat but in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface, so that the holdingpart52 is supported between these inside surfaces in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface of the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123.
Sixth Embodiment
• In the water-decomposable cleaning product61 according to the sixth embodiment shown inFIG. 9, aloop part4his formed withplural strings4 and plural cut end faces4gof thestrings4 are lined up. In the holdingpart62, thestrings4 are adhered to each other by a water-soluble adhesive and further, the holdingmaterial44 is wound around thestrings4 and is adhered thereto by a water-soluble adhesive. The water-decomposable compressed-fiber structure40 in a columnar form or cylindrical form is inserted into a bundle of thestrings4, and the compressed-fiber structure40 and the bundle of thestrings4 are adhered and fixed to each other by a water-soluble adhesive.
• With respect to the cleaningproduct61, when the cleaning is performed, the compressed-fiber structure40 supports the bundle of thestrings4 as the core. Thereby, the dirt can be removed by strongly pressing theloop part4hof the bundle of thestrings4 to the part to be cleaned. Further, since when the compressed-fiber structure40 absorbs water, the compressed-fiber structure40 is swollen and becomes an elastic body, theloop part4hbecomes able to slide on the part to be cleaned with an appropriate pressure.
Seventh Embodiment
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product71, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
• A compressed-fiber structure70 constituting the cleaningproduct71 is produced by the above-noted injection-molding method or the like, and a triangular-prism part having theslope70aand theslope70awhich face each other and the holdingpart70bhaving a predetermined size which is located on the triangular-prism part are integrally produced. To theslope70aand theslope70arespectively, theplural strings4 are adhered through a water-soluble adhesive. Theplural strings4 are lined up with the cut end faces4gturned upwards and with the foldedparts4fturned downwards. The plural foldedparts4fextend to a position lower than the bottom surface of the compressed-fiber structure70 and are in a free state independently from each other.
• The cleaningproduct71 is held in such a manner that the holdingpart70bof the cleaningproduct71 is supported between the holdingpart122 and thepressing part123 of theholder120 shown inFIG. 1. By pressing abottom surface70cof the compressed-fiber structure70 on the part to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl or the like and scrubbing the part to be cleaned, the dirt adhered to the part to be cleaned can be removed, and further since the foldedparts4fof thestrings4 spread along the part to be cleaned, a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be cleaned to every corner.
Eighth Embodiment
• FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing a water-decomposable cleaning product81 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 11B is a developed perspective view explaining the fundamental structure of the cleaningproduct81.
• The water-decomposable cleaning product81 comprises a holdingpart82 and acleaning part83. The cleaningproduct81 comprises at least onecleaning unit88. According to the eighth embodiment shown inFIG. 11A andFIG. 11B, two overlappedcleaning units88 are adhered to each other at the upper terminals of the twocleaning units88 by a water-soluble adhesive, and a holdingmaterial84, such as a water-decomposable paper, covers a part of the twocleaning units88 over the above-adhered terminals and is adhered to the two cleaning units by a water-soluble adhesive. In thecleaning part83, the twocleaning units88 can independently move freely.
• FIG. 11B shows a developed structure of thecleaning unit88. Thecleaning unit88 comprises a water-decomposableouter sheet85 and a compressed-fiber structure86 held in theouter sheet85. Theouter sheet85 comprises the same fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric as that which the water-decomposable sheet8 comprises, wherein the water-decomposable sheet8 constitutes the twinedstring4X shown inFIG. 15A. The formulation of the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric constituting theouter sheet85 and the preferable range of the composition of the fiber used in the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric are the same as those in the case of the water-decomposable sheet8.
• The compressed-fiber structure86 is in the form of a sheet (a plate) and plural sheets thereof which are piled up are held in theouter sheet85. The compressed-fiber structure86 is produced by laminating water-dispersible fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less and by compressing the thus laminated fibers. Examples of the fibers include natural fibers, such as pulp fibers, and regenerated cellulose fibers, such as rayon fibers. The compressed-fiber structure86 in a compressed state can maintain the sheet form thereof through the hydrogen bond force of the cellulose fibers and through the mechanical bond force between the fibers which force is generated by compression. It is also possible that the fibers are connected to each other by a water-soluble adhesive. In this case, the compressed-fiber structure86 may comprise synthetic resin fibers, such as PET fibers, PP fibers, PE fibers and nylon fibers. However, the compressed-fiber structure86 comprises preferably only biodegradable fibers.
• For example, the compressed-fiber structure86 comprises only pulp fibers. The pressure used for the compression by which the compressed-fiber structure86 is produced is the same as that which is used for the production of the compressed-fiber structure11 shown inFIG. 3 and for the production of the compressed-fiber structure21 shown inFIG. 5A, and the time for the compression is from 1 sec to 5 sec. The compression is performed at normal temperature and may be performed during heating. By compressing the string with water sprayed thereto and with heating it, the hydrogen bond force between the fibers can be further enhanced.
• Since the compressed-fiber structure86 comprises fibers, preferably pulp fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less, when the cleaningproduct81 is discarded into a flush toilet or the like, the compressed-fiber structure86 can be decomposed into individual fibers within a relatively short time. Therefore, the size of the compressed-fiber structure86 can be set optionally according to the form of the cleaningproduct81. However, for decomposing the compressed-fiber structure86 in water within a short time, it is preferred that when the compressed-fiber structure86 contains three times its own weight in water, the compressed-fiber structure86 is swollen to at least twice its normal volume. The time needed for the water-decomposition of one compressed-fiber structure86 (a measuring method thereof is noted above) is preferably 700 sec or less, more preferably 600 sec or less, still more preferably 300 sec or less. The mass of the compressed-fiber structure86 used for onecleaning product81 is preferably 20 g or less in total. 20 g corresponds to the mass of a toilet paper having a length of 9 m and is in the range where the clogging of the piping is unlikely to be caused in a normal flush toilet.
• The compressed-fiber structure86 may comprise a cleaning agent, an abrasive, an antimicrobial agent or a perfume.
• As shown inFIG. 11B, the plural compressed-fiber structures86 are piled up on the developedouter sheet85 having a rectangle form and theouter sheet85 is folded along a hypothetical line L. Thereafter, anedge part85ain a longer side of theouter sheet85 and anotheredge part85ain a longer side of theouter sheet85 as well as anedge part85ain another longer side of theouter sheet85 and anotheredge part85ain another longer side of theouter sheet85, are adhered to each other through a water-soluble adhesive, without adhering theedge parts85ato the compressed-fiber structure86. Further, anedge part85bin a shorter side of theouter sheet85 and anedge part85bin another shorter side of theouter sheet85 are adhered to each other by a water-soluble adhesive. Instead of the adhesion using a water-soluble adhesive or as in combination with the adhesion using a water-soluble adhesive, anedge part85ain a longer side, anedge part85ain another longer side and anedge part85bin a shorter side are superimposed on respectively anotheredge part85ain a longer side, anotheredge part85ain another longer side and anotheredge part85bin a shorter side, and the foldedouter sheet85 is pressed, or heated and pressed, so that the above-notededge parts85ain a longer side,edge parts85ain another longer side and edgeparts85bin a shorter side respectively can be adhered to each other through the hydrogen bond force and the mechanical bond force of theouter sheet85.
• The cleaningproduct81 shown inFIG. 11A is produced comprising two cleaningunits88 which are adhered to each other through a water-soluble adhesive in the range of thecleaning unit88 from theedge part85bto a line which is downwards distant along the outer surface of thecleaning unit88 in parallel from theedge part85bwith a predetermined length, with a foldedpart85c(which is caused by folding theouter sheet85 along the hypothetical line L) turned downwards, and comprising the holdingmaterial84 adhered and fixed to the adheredcleaning units88 covering the above-noted adhered range of the adheredcleaning units88.
• The cleaningproduct81 is held in such a manner that the holdingpart82 of the cleaningproduct81 is supported between the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 of theholder120 shown inFIG. 1. By sliding the cleaningpart83 of the cleaningproduct81 on the part to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl or the like, the dirt can be removed by theouter sheet85. Since the cleaningpart83 has a flat side surface, by sliding the flat side surface of the cleaningpart83 on the part to be cleaned, a wider area of the part to be cleaned can be cleaned. Since theouter sheet85 comprises a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric, theouter sheet85 is unlikely to be broken during scrubbing of the part to be cleaned. When the cleaningproduct81 contacts water during cleaning, the compressed-fiber structure86 in theouter sheet85 is swollen and exhibits elasticity, so that the part to be cleaned can be scrubbed by theouter sheet85 with an appropriate pressure.
• Since the holdingmaterial84 comprises a water-decomposable paper produced i) by papermaking pulp fibers or ii) by papermaking pulp fibers and adhering fibers to each other through a water-soluble adhesive, when the cleaningproduct81 is discarded into water after the use thereof, the holding force of the holdingmaterial84 is immediately discharged and the adheredcleaning units88 are separated into two cleaningunits88. Further, in water, the adhesion between theedge parts85aof theouter sheet85 and between theedge parts85bof theouter sheet85 is discharged, and theouter sheet85 and the compressed-fiber structure86 are separated from each other, so that theouter sheet85 and the compressed-fiber structure86 are independently decomposed into individual fibers.
Ninth Embodiment, Tenth Embodiment and Eleventh Embodiment
• In a ninth embodiment, a tenth embodiment and an eleventh embodiment shown, respectively, inFIG. 12 toFIG. 14, the cleaning part comprises i) a compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form and ii) thestring4.
• Like the compressed-fiber structure86 shown inFIG. 11 according to the eighth embodiment, the compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form is produced by laminating fibers having a fiber length of 20 mm or less and by compressing the laminated fibers into a sheet form, and preferably comprises only pulp fibers. The compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form has such a fairly large fiber-weight per square-meter as from 500 g/m²to 1,000 g/m², in comparison with that of the water- decomposable paper9 shown inFIG. 15B (from 10 g/m²to 30 g/m²). Since the compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form has a large weight per square-meter, a high density and a high stiffness, when the compressed-fiber structure90 is arranged together with thestring4 in the cleaning part, the dirt adhered to the surface of the part to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl or the like can be easily removed by the compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form which has a high stiffness, and further thestring4 is transformed relatively freely, so that a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be wiped. In addition, by thestring4, the cleaning of a corner of the bowl becomes easier.
• When the cleaning product (91,101,111—to be described afterward) is discarded into a flush toilet after the use thereof, the compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form is decomposed into individual pulp fibers within a relatively short time.
Ninth Embodiment
• In a water-decomposable cleaning product91 according to the ninth embodiment shown inFIG. 12, plural sheets (e.g., five sheets to twenty sheets) of the compressed-fiber structure90 are piled up, and theplural strings4 are arranged around the sheets. The compressed-fiber structures90 and thestrings4 are adhered to each other by a water-soluble adhesive in a holdingpart92 and around the layer of thestrings4, and the holdingmaterial44 comprising a water-decomposable paper or the like is wound and adhered thereto. In acleaning part93, the individual compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form are independent from each other andindividual strings4 are independent. The cut end faces4eof thestrings4 are turned to the head of the cleaningpart93. In theholder120 holding the cleaningproduct91, the inside surfaces of the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123 shown inFIG. 1 are both unflat but in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface, so that the holdingpart92 is supported between these inside surfaces in the form of a half part of a concave-curved cylindrical surface of the supportingpart122 and thepressing part123.
• In the cleaningproduct91, by pressing and sliding the top of the cleaningpart93 on the part to be cleaned, the part to be cleaned is scrubbed by the edge surfaces of the compressed-fiber structures90, and further, theindividual strings4 spread, so that a wider range of the part to be cleaned can be cleaned and the corner part of a toilet bowl or the like can be cleaned by thestrings4. In the cleaningproduct91, the cut end faces4eof thestrings4 in the cleaningpart93 can be replaced by the foldedparts4fof thestrings4 shown inFIG. 8 according to the fifth embodiment.
Tenth Embodiment
• A water-decomposable cleaning product101 according to the tenth embodiment shown inFIG. 13 comprises one or plural water-decomposable compressed-fiber structure(s)90 (which are superimposed) having substantially the same size as that of the cleaningproduct101.Plural strings4 are formed in a loop form and theloop parts4hare arranged surroundinglower sides90aof the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form. The cut end faces4gof theplural strings4 are lined up in such a manner that the vertical level of the cut end faces4gbecomes the same as that ofupper sides90bof the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form, and the parts ofplural strings4 in the near of the cut end faces4gare adhered to the both surfaces of the compressed-fiber structure90. Further, around the parts ofplural strings4 which are adhered to the both surfaces of the compressed-fiber structure90 in a sheet form, the holdingmaterial44 is wound and adhered thereto, so that the holdingpart102 in a flat form is formed. In acleaning part103, theindividual strings4 can move independently and also the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form can move independently.
• With respect to thecleaning product101, by sliding thecleaning part103 on the part to be cleaned in the Y direction shown inFIG. 13, the part to be cleaned can be scrubbed by thelower sides90aof the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form. Further, by sliding thecleaning part103 on the part to be cleaned in the X direction which crosses the Y direction orthogonally, the part to be cleaned can be cleaned by theloop parts4hof thestrings4.
Eleventh Embodiment
• A water-decomposable cleaning product111 according to the eleventh embodiment shown inFIG. 14 is produced by a method comprising plural steps: i) a step of putting two pieces of the block which is formed by superimposing plural water-decomposable compressed-fiber structures90 having a rectangular sheet form in a vertically standing state, beside each other; ii) a step of arranging two pieces of the block of theplural strings4 respectively beside the both sides of the above-noted two pieces of the block of the plural compressed-fiber structures90; and iii) a step of winding the holdingmaterial44 around the top side parts of the two blocks of the plural compressed-fiber structures90 and the two blocks of theplural strings4 and adhering the holdingmaterial44 thereto, thereby forming the holdingpart112 in a flat form. In thecleaning part113, theplural strings4 in which the cut end faces4eare turned downwards, and plural compressed-fiber structures90 are positioned independently.
• With respect to thecleaning product111, the wiping can be performed by i) the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form and ii) thestrings4. Thestrings4 in the above-noted two blocks which are arranged respectively beside the both sides of the two blocks of the compressed-fiber structures90 in a sheet form, may be replaced by either thestrings4 having the foldedparts4fshown inFIG. 8 which are turned downwards or thestrings4 having theloop parts4hshown inFIG. 9 which are turned downwards.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• Since the water-decomposable cleaning product of the present invention comprises a compressed-fiber structure having a high strength, when a toilet bowl or the like is scrubbed by the cleaning product, the cleaning product will not be broken or deformed and can effectively scrub off the dirt. Moreover, when the cleaning product are discarded into water after the use thereof, fibers in the compressed-fiber structure is loosened, so that the cleaning product can be easily water-decomposed within a relatively short time.
• Although the present invention has been described above by reference to eleven embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the eleven embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.
• The scope of the present invention is defined with reference to the following claims.

Claims (16)

1. A water-decomposable cleaning product dispersible in water, comprising:

a compressed-fiber structure in which a water-dispersible fiber is compressed.

2. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 1, wherein

the water-dispersible fibers of the compressed-fiber structure are connected to each other through at least one of the followings:

a hydrogen bond,

an adherence through a water-soluble adhesive and

a fiber-interlacing.

3. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a holder for holding the compressed-fiber structure in an attachable and- detachable manner.

4. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 3, wherein

1) the compressed-fiber structure comprises:

i) a first part as a compressed part and

ii) a second part as a non-compressed part, and

2) the compressed part is held by the holder.

5. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 1, wherein

a string is formed by twining a water-decomposable sheet, and

the compressed-fiber structure is formed by compressing the plural strings.

6. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the compressed-fiber structure is formed by the following sequential operations:

1) winding the plural strings, and

2) compressing the plural strings.

7. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 1, wherein

the compressed-fiber structure is formed by the following sequential operations:

1) laminating the water-dispersible fibers, and

2) compressing the laminated fibers into a form of one of a sheet and a block.

8. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 7, wherein

a string formed by twining a water-decomposable sheet is used for the compressed-fiber structure in the form of the one of the sheet and the block.

9. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 5, wherein

the string of the water-decomposable sheet is a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric in which fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less are interlaced.

10. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 8, wherein

the string of the water-decomposable sheet is a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric in which fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less are interlaced.

11. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 5, wherein

the string comprises:

1) a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric in which fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less are interlaced, and

2) a water-decomposable paper including cellulose fibers.

12. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the string comprises:

1) a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric in which fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less are interlaced, and

2) a water-decomposable paper including cellulose fibers.

13. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 8, wherein

the compressed-fiber structure in the form of the one of the sheet and the block is wrapped with a water-decomposable outer sheet.

14. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 13, wherein the water-decomposable outer sheet is a fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric in which fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less are interlaced.

15. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 9, wherein

the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric includes:

1) pulp fibers, and

2) other fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less.

16. The water-decomposable cleaning product as claimed inclaim 14, wherein

the fiber-interlacing nonwoven fabric includes:

1) pulp fibers, and

2) other fibers each having a length of 20 mm or less.

Images