CARE ITEM AND CLEANING DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH A CARE ITEM

Abstract

A care item for cleaning a determined surface is provided. The item has a three-dimensional textile component of unitary knitted construction, including a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, in that the first layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, and in that the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of care items for cleaning floor surfaces, and cleaning devices for executing such care items and the manufacturing processes of such care items.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When the aim is to clean a surface on the floor, it is known to use care items comprising according to their lower surface referred to as cleaning a textile constituted by loops and/or pile of microfibres and loops and/or pile of fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, also designated by the term scratching fibres. Microfibres are known to form an extremely dense capillary network which gives them excellent absorption of liquids and good recovery of smaller particles such as dust. Microfibres in the present text mean all fibres whereof the count is less than or equal to 1 dtex.

[0003] The loops or pile formed by fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex impart an abrasive or scratching power to said care item to detach any stains arranged on the surface to be cleaned.

[0004] The microfibres have an absorbent power such that if they fully constitute the cleaning surface, the care item handled remotely by means of a head-plate and a broom adheres so strongly to the floor to be cleaned, in particular when the care item is humid, that the user is no longer able to shift said item ("suction effect" generated by the capillary network). If the care item is too difficult to handle, it can cause musculo-skeletal disorders (known as MSD) for its user, in particular when the latter is performs these repetitive tasks daily.

[0005] To eliminate this disadvantage and improve the ergonomics of the care items, scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex are arranged to alternate with said microfibres. The scratching fibres having a higher count than that of the microfibres, are more rigid and form support points according to the surface referred to as cleaning on which the care item can slide on the surface of the floor to be cleaned.

[0006] In general, according to their lower surfaces--intended to form the surface referred to as cleaning making contact with the floor--such care items comprise around 50% by weight of microfibres relative to the proportion by weight of fibres on said lower faces, the rest being formed by fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex.

[0007] These care items can be laminated with a foam or comprise other absorbent textile panels arranged on their upper faces.

[0008] Such care items are limited in the quantity of microfibres their cleaning surfaces can have, as well as by their fineness (or dtex count). In fact, the finer the microfibres (i.e. the lower their count (dtex)), the better they absorb liquids and recover dust present on the floor, but the more they tend to adhere to the cleaning surface on the floor, making them difficult to use.

[0009] Also, because microfibres have a greater absorption and recovery capacity than scratching fibres, there is therefore an interest in trying to optimize their quantity and/or their fineness according to the cleaning surface of the care items.

[0010] Corresponding to each surface and cleaning zone is a care item, in particular when cleaning is conducted by professionals in professional premises. For cleaning surfaces on the floor of rooms where the aim is to control and prevent production of particles (dust, hair, skin, . . . ), it is important not to introduce in these rooms, care items likely to release these particles. Such rooms can be, for example, clean rooms, surgery theatres, rooms for manufacturing electronic or pharmaceutical products. The care items used for cleaning these rooms can even be washed then sterilised prior to their use. Care items used currently for cleaning these rooms are in the form of a multilayer complex. This complex comprises two external layers between which is arranged a plurality of felt or other absorbent layers such as non-wovens. The external layer can comprise microfibres. The complex also comprises stitching, for example a overlock stitch, placed over its entire circumference to keep the layers together and limit particle loss. Transversal stitching over the entire thickness of the complex is also required to prevent the multiple intermediate layers from twisting in the pocket delimited between the external layers joined according to their borders and make for easier handling of the complex. This type of complex has a water absorption rate of between 200% and 400% relative to its dry mass.

[0011] The presence of multiple stitchings and many layers makes it tedious and costly to produce such a multilayer complex. Also, the presence of stitchings and many layers favour particle discharge. Finally, the structure of superposed multilayers makes it difficult to restore absorbed water and limits the surface area of the surface to be cleaned to around 15 m.sup.2.

[0012] There is therefore a need for a care item having considerable water absorption capacity, limiting the discharge of particles and the proliferation of bacteria.

[0013] There is a need for a simplified care item, which can be reusable and therefore washable, having a good washing resistance, and is ergonomic.

[0014] Finally, there is a need for a care item which is easy to recycle and has a controlled manufacturing cost so it can be disposable (single use).

SUMMARY

[0015] The aim of the present disclosure, according to a first aspect, is a care item for cleaning a determined surface, eliminating all or some of the problems mentioned hereinabove, comprising advantageously a three-dimensional textile component, of unitary knitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer.

[0016] The first textile layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. Also, the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer.

[0017] Advantageously, the intermediate layer comprising the connecting threads is capable of restoring water absorbed progressively for cleaning of the determined surface under the effect of pressure exerted on the latter when the care item is applied with some pressure (manual pressure of the user for example) to the surface to be cleaned.

[0018] Advantageously, since the textile component is of unitary knitted construction, its construction is simplified. The ergonomics of the care item is also improved compared to the multilayer complexes of the prior art.

[0019] The fact that the care item is made of a single component makes it easier to cut, avoiding multiple cuts of several layers in light of their assembly.

[0020] The expression "a textile component of unitary knitted construction" means that the textile component comprising the first and second knitted textile layers and the intermediate layer comprising the connecting threads is formed integrally by knitting on a knitting machine.

[0021] Average count (or count) (dtex) of fibres present on the surface referred to as cleaning, and in general fibres in the textile component according to the disclosure, the weighted average of counts (dtex) of the different fibres.

[0022] A fibre or a filament is designated in the present text by the term fibre (whether fibre scratching or a microfibre).

[0023] Preferably, the first layer is different to the second layer, in particular via their composition of fibres and/or their mesh pattern. More preferably, the second textile layer (considered without the connecting threads) has no microfibres.

[0024] Preferably, the first layer is the functional layer of the knitted textile component supporting the scratching fibres and/or the microfibres while the second layer ensures the three-dimensional configuration of the textile component by its link to the first layer by means of the connecting threads.

[0025] The scratching fibres according to the disclosure are preferably multi-filament and/or mono-filament threads, having a count greater than 1 dtex, in particular each filament of a multifilament thread and/or a mono-filament thread has a count greater than 1 dtex.

[0026] The term microfibre designates a fibre or a filament. A microfibre is preferably in the form of a (micro)filament of a multi-filament thread (said filaments can be irregular due to their production process, well-known to the person skilled in the art).

[0027] Microfibres and scratching fibres, and optionally connecting threads, are preferably selected from the following polymers: polyamide 6, polyamide 6-6, polyamide 4-6, polyamide 12, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polyethylene, or their mixtures, preferably polyethylene terephthalate.

[0028] Scratching fibres, and optionally connecting threads (with the exception of microfibres), can comprise fibres and/or threads absorbing bad odours, especially based on coffee, such as fibres sold under the brand s.Cafe.RTM..

[0029] Advantageously, the knitted textile component is made of a single polymer, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), enabling easy recycling.

[0030] In an embodiment, the knitted textile component is made of one or more thermoplastic polymer materials.

[0031] Microfibres, in particular each microfilament of a multi-filament thread, preferably have/has a count less than or equal to 1 dtex, preferably less than or equal to 0.87 dtex.

[0032] Preferably, microfibres, in particular each microfilament of a multi-filament thread, have/has a count of the order of 0.58 dtex or 0.26 dtex, close to +/-0.15 dtex.

[0033] Preferably, the microfibres are in the form of multifilament threads. Such a multi-filament thread can be, for example, a multi-filament thread of 167 dtex for 192 filaments or 288 filaments, or even 78 dtex for 300 filaments.

[0034] Preferably, the scratching fibres, in particular each filament of a multifilament scratching thread and/or a mono-filament scratching thread, have/has a count greater than 1 dtex, more preferably greater than or equal to 3 dtex, in particular less than or equal to 65 dtex, more particularly less than or equal to 46 dtex.

[0035] Calculating the count (dtex) of a fibre (and therefore of a thread) is well known to the person skilled in the art, and there are many standards which calculate them, including especially the following standards cited non-exhaustively:

[0036] NF G01-001: Expression of lineic mass--System TEX;

[0037] NF EN ISO 1973: Determination of lineic mass: gravimetric method and vibroscope method;

[0038] ISO 7211-5: 1984: Fabrics. Construction. Analysis method. Part 5: determination of the lineic mass of a thread sampled in a fabric.

[0039] The values given in the present text are indicated at more or less 10%.

[0040] In a variant, the first textile layer and the second textile layer are each a warp knit.

[0041] This arrangement arranges the scratching fibres and the microfibres according to many patterns and/or arranges spaces in the first layer of varied size and shape.

[0042] The three-dimensional textile component according to the disclosure is preferably knitted on a knitting machine comprising two bars (or beds) of needles, for example a Rachel knitting machine, such as those sold by the company Karl Mayer.

[0043] Preferably, the surface mass (g/m.sup.2) of the three-dimensional textile component is greater than or equal to 100 g/m.sup.2, more preferably greater than or equal to 150 g/m.sup.2, even more preferably greater than or equal to 200 g/m.sup.2, in particular greater than or equal to 250 g/m.sup.2.

[0044] Preferably, the surface mass (g/m.sup.2) of the three-dimensional textile component is less than or equal to 850 g/m.sup.2, more preferably less than or equal to 750 g/m.sup.2, even more preferably less than or equal to 650 g/m.sup.2, in particular less than or equal to 550 g/m.sup.2, more particularly less than or equal to 500 g/m.sup.2.

[0045] In a variant, the connecting threads comprise microfibres.

[0046] Advantageously, the textile component according to the disclosure reaches water absorption thresholds of the order of 600%, which is very clearly greater than the absorption capacity of the multilayer complexes of the prior art between 200% and 400%.

[0047] In a variant, the connecting threads comprise mono-filament threads.

[0048] This arrangement improves resistance to compression between the first and second layers of the textile component when the care item is applied to the surface to be cleaned, as well as the ergonomics of the care item since its behaviour is improved.

[0049] Preferably, a mono-filament thread has a count greater than or equal to 20 dtex and less than or equal to 60 dtex, in particular less than or equal to 50 dtex.

[0050] In a variant, a mono-filament thread has a diameter greater than or equal to 10 .mu.m (microns), preferably greater than or equal to 15 .mu.m (microns), in particular less than or equal to 90 .mu.m (microns), more particularly less than or equal to 70 .mu.m (microns).

[0051] In a variant, the connecting threads comprise microfibres and mono-filament threads.

[0052] This combination of microfibres and monofilament threads for the intermediate layer improves the ergonomics of the care item, its resistance to compression, but also favours properties of the intermediate layer: specifically the absorption of water and its restitution when compressed.

[0053] In a variant, the three-dimensional textile component comprises according to all or part of its perimeter (that is, its external border) a connecting zone in which the first and second textile layers, and the connecting threads, are thermo-welded.

[0054] Preferably, the welding zone is produced by ultrasound welding.

[0055] In the welding zone, the first and second layers and the connecting threads are melted, at least partially; there is no space generated between holes and stitching threads as is the case in the prior art, which prevents or at least limits the emission of particles via the intermediate layer to the outside of the care item.

[0056] The connecting zone could also be created alternatively by stitching, but this technique represents fewer advantages in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Also, the care item with a thermo-welded connecting zone has an appearance radically different to the items of the prior art, and improved aesthetics.

[0058] In an embodiment, the welding zone is preferably obtained during cutting of the textile component in the knitted textile panel.

[0059] Advantageously, cutting out the textile component and finishing its border are completed in one and the same operation.

[0060] In a variant, the intermediate layer has a thickness greater than or equal to 1 mm, preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, in particular less than or equal to 6 mm.

[0061] In a variant, the first textile layer comprises holes, having especially at least one dimension greater than or equal to 1 mm. By definition, a hole is a zone without fibres.

[0062] These holes terminate on the intermediate layer, which makes for easy absorption of fluid, water in particular, via the intermediate layer, in particular via the connecting threads.

[0063] These holes in the first layer can have any form from the moment they terminate on the intermediate layer.

[0064] In a variant, the first textile layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibres according to a first pattern.

[0065] In a variant, the external face of the first layer comprises a front part and a rear part in extension of each other having respective external faces, the front part comprises, according to its external face, microfibres and scratching fibres, the rear part comprises, according to its external face, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. The average count T1 (dtex) of the microfibres and scratching fibres on said external face of the front part is greater than or equal to 0.5 dtex, the average count T2 (dtex) of microfibres, and optionally of scratching fibres, on the external face of the rear part is less than or equal to 2 dtex, and the average count T1 (dtex) is different to the average count T2 (dtex).

[0066] Advantageously, the capillary network between the front and rear parts is differentiated, the care item has adhesiveness on the cleaning surface on the floor different between the external face of the front part and the external face of the rear part and therefore a recovery and absorption capacity for different stains between these parts.

[0067] The count intervals specified for each of the parts confer on the external face of the front part the function of sliding on the surface on the floor to be cleaned. The external face of the front part forms the "attack" face, that is, the face from which the user has the care item slide on the surface on the floor.

[0068] The surface masses (g/m.sup.2) and count (dtex) indicated relative to the first (or second) layer are calculated on the first (or second) layer devoid of connecting threads. In fact, the connecting threads extending between the first and second layers are linked to the structure of the first (and of the second) layer but are not counted as forming part of the first (or of the second) layer when calculations are made on the average count of the first layer (relative to the microfibres and/or the scratching fibres) and the weight (g) or surface mass (g/m.sup.2) of the first layer.

[0069] The inventors have observed surprisingly that the external face of the front part removes stains and retrieves them by way of the microfibres it comprises and that the external face of the rear part retrieves even more dust and stains other than that of the front part. This observation is made visually.

[0070] Also, the user has no difficulty in having the care item slide on the surface on the floor from the moment it starts to move said item according to its surface referred to as cleaning by the external face of the front part.

[0071] The front and rear parts are in extension of each other and are constituted by the first textile layer.

[0072] The specified values concerning the average counts or again the proportions by weight of fibres are calculated relative to the fibres present on the external surfaces of the front and rear parts of the first layer, devoid of connecting threads.

[0073] In a variant, the average count T1 (dtex) is greater than the average count T2 (dtex).

[0074] In a variant, the rear part of the first layer comprises, according to its external face, a proportion by weight of microfibres greater than the proportion by weight of microfibres of the front part, relative to the total weight of the first layer.

[0075] In a variant, the microfibres and the scratching fibres on the external face of the front part of the first layer alternate repeatedly according to a first given pattern, and the microfibres and the scratching fibres on the external face of the rear part of the first layer alternate repeatedly according to a second given pattern, optionally the first pattern is different to the second pattern.

[0076] In a variant, the first pattern and/or the second pattern is/are selected from: continuous or discontinuous alternating lines of microfibres and/or scratching fibres, zig-zags of microfibres and/or scratching fibres, islets or localized areas of scratching fibres or microfibres.

[0077] In a variant, the second layer comprises according to its external face attachment means able to cooperate with complementary attachment means arranged on the tray of a brush.

[0078] Said attachment means can be formed by the structure of the second textile layer, in particular knitted, so as to cooperate with the complementary attachment means, such as hooks.

[0079] In a variant, the textile component comprises two side pockets formed by folding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of said component, in particular according to at least said connecting zone, each pocket being arranged so as to be able to receive a lateral end of a tray of a cleaning device.

[0080] Advantageously, the two lateral ends of the component knitted are folded back on themselves and joined so as to form pockets.

[0081] Preferably, the pockets are formed by joining their edges on the connecting (thermo-welded) zone, by welding and/or preferably by stitching.

[0082] Advantageously, the perforations made by the stitching are in the welded connecting zone, which avoids discharge of particles of the intermediate layer in the ambiance.

[0083] Preferably, in this variant, the textile component has a rectangular form, also designated in the prior art by band.

[0084] Another aim of the present disclosure, according to a second aspect, is a cleaning device comprising a care item according to any one of the variants defined hereinabove in reference to a first aspect, comprising a broom equipped with a broom handle fitted at its distal end with a head-plate whereof the dimensions are of the order of those of the care item.

[0085] The aim of the present disclosure, according to a third aspect, is a process for manufacturing a care item for cleaning a determined surface according to any one of the variant embodiments defined hereinabove in reference to a first aspect of the disclosure.

[0086] Said process comprises the following steps:

[0087] (i)--a step for knitting a three-dimensional textile panel, of unitary knitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, the first layer comprising, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, and the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer,

[0088] (ii)--a step for forming a three-dimensional textile component by cutting out the knitted textile panel at step (i), especially by means of an ultrasound cutting device.

[0089] Advantageously, the first and second layers and the intermediate layer are knitted continuously.

[0090] In a variant embodiment, said process comprises a step for forming a connecting zone arranged according to all or part of the circumference (in particular external border) of the three-dimensional textile component, in which connecting zone the first and second textile layers, and the connecting threads, are thermo-welded.

[0091] In an embodiment, the step for forming the textile component and the step for forming the connecting zone take place during the same step, in particular by means of a device comprising a set of rotating sonotrodes for executing cutting and welding by means of ultrasound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0092] The present disclosure will be better understood from the following exemplary embodiments, cited by way of non-limitation and illustrated by the following figures attached to the present, and in which:

[0093] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a first example of care item according to the disclosure;

[0094] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the first example of care item 1 according to the sectional plane II-II shown in FIG. 3;

[0095] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, seen from above, of the first example of care item shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0096] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a second example of care item according to the disclosure;

[0097] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a third example of care item according to the disclosure;

[0098] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a fourth example of care item according to the disclosure comprising two side pockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] The care item 1 for cleaning a determined surface shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a three-dimensional textile component 2, of unitary knitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer 3 and a second knitted textile layer 4, connected by connecting threads 5 extending between the first textile layer 3 and the second textile layer 4. The first textile layer 3 comprises, on its external face 3a referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. The connecting threads 5 form a water-absorbing intermediate layer 7 and comprise microfibres and mono-filament threads. The mono-filament connecting threads extending between the first knitted layer 3 and the second knitted layer 4 have a diameter greater than or equal to 10 .mu.m (microns), especially of the order of 64 .mu.m (microns). The mono-filament connecting threads are preferably made of polyethylene terephthalate.

[0100] The connecting threads 5 comprising microfibres are multifilament whereof the filaments each have a count less than or equal to 1 dtex, in particular less than or equal to 0.87 dtex.

[0101] The textile component 2 is a three-dimensional knit whereof the first textile layer 3 and the second textile layer 4 are each a warp stitch knitted fabric.

[0102] The textile component 2 is three-dimensional in the plane (x, y, z) and has a thickness e greater than or equal to 1 mm, in particular less than or equal to 6 mm. The knitted textile component 2 has a width l and a length L greater than its width l. The knitted textile component 2, seen from above (FIG. 3), has a rectangular form but could have any form according to the targeted application (lozenge, square, trapezoid, . . . ).

[0103] The textile component 2 comprises according to all or part of its perimeter a connecting zone 10 in which the first 3 and second 4 knitted textile layers, and the connecting threads 5, are thermo-welded.

[0104] Advantageously, the thermo-welded zone 10 is formed during cutting in a knitted textile panel 3D.

[0105] The first textile layer 3 comprises, on its external face 3a referred to as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibres without a particular pattern.

[0106] It has been observed that the microfibres of the intermediate layer 5 achieve absorption rates of the order of 600%-650% for the care item 1, whereas the mono-filament threads improve resistance to compression according to the direction z of the care item 1.

[0107] The second example of care item 15 shown in FIG. 4 will be described hereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1. The second example of care item 15 comprises a three-dimensional knitted textile component 16 in which the external face 17a referred to as cleaning of the first layer 17 comprises scratching fibres alternating with microfibres according to a first pattern 18. Said first pattern 18 comprises strips of microfibres alternating with strips of scratching fibres. The scratching fibres can for example have a colour different to the colour of the microfibres to reinforce the visual effect of the first pattern 18.

[0108] The third example of care item 20 shown in FIG. 5 will be described hereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1. The external face 21a of the first knitted layer 21 of the three-dimensional knitted textile component 22 comprises a front part 23 and a rear part 24 in extension of each other having respective external faces 23a, 24a, the front part 23 comprises, according to its external face 23a, microfibres and scratching fibres, the rear part 24 comprises, according to its external face 24a, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. The average count T1 (dtex) of microfibres and scratching fibres on said external face 23a of the front part 23 is greater than or equal to 0.5 dtex, the average count T2 (dtex) of microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres, on the external face 24a of the rear part 24 is less than or equal to 2 dtex, and the average count T1 (dtex) is different to the average count T2 (dtex), in particular the average count T1 (dtex) is greater than the average count T2 (dtex).

[0109] The front part 23 and the rear part 24 are in extension of each other and formed in a single textile panel, in this example specified by the first knitted layer 21. The dotted line 25 fictitiously delimits the border between the front part 23 and the rear part 24. The microfibres and the scratching fibres are arranged according to no particular pattern on the front 23 and rear 24 parts.

[0110] The rear part 24 comprises, according to its external face 24a, a proportion by weight (g) of microfibres greater than the proportion by weight (g) of microfibres of the front part 23, relative to the total weight (g) of the first layer 21 (considered without the connecting threads).

[0111] The fourth example of care item 30 shown in FIG. 6 will be described hereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1.

[0112] The textile component 31 comprises two side pockets 32, 33 formed by folding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of said component 31, in particular according to at least said thermo-welded connecting zone 34, each pocket 31, 32 being arranged so as to receive a lateral end of a head-plate of a cleaning device. The edges 32a, 32b, 32c, 33a, 33b, 33c of the pockets 32, 33 are joined, preferably by sewing, in the connecting zone 34, which avoids creating spaces through which the microfibres in the intermediate layer are sent into the atmosphere.

[0113] Advantageously, the care items 1, 15, 20, 30 comprise a textile component in a single piece comprising three layers formed integrally during knitting of the textile component.

[0114] Also, in operation, the intermediate layer 7 of the three-dimensional knitted textile component 2 achieves water absorption rates of the order of 600% when the connecting threads 5 comprise microfibres.

[0115] The care items 1, 15, 20, 30 according to the disclosure offer excellent water absorption capacity, excellent ergonomics, improved aesthetics and low particular discharge due to their monobloc construction. The unitary knitted construction of 3D textile components of care items 1, 15, 20, 30 should also improve the potential cleaning surface covered by said items compared to complexes multilayers used in the prior art.

[0116] Throughout the description, including the claims, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in the description, including the claims should be understood as including its end value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for described elements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing or industry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of the terms "substantially" and/or "approximately" and/or "generally" should be understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

[0117] Where any standards of national, international, or other standards body are referenced (e.g., ISO, etc.), such references are intended to refer to the standard as defined by the national or international standards body as of the priority date of the present specification. Any subsequent substantive changes to such standards are not intended to modify the scope and/or definitions of the present disclosure and/or claims.

[0118] Notably, although some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred or advantageous arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A care item for cleaning a determined surface wherein it comprises a three-dimensional textile component, of unitary knitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, in that the first layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and wherein the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer.

17. The care item according to claim 16, wherein the connecting threads comprise microfibres.

18. The care item according to claim 16, wherein the connecting threads comprise mono-filament threads.

19. The care item according to claim 18, wherein the mono-filament threads have a diameter greater than or equal to 10 .mu.m (microns).

20. The care item according to claim 16, wherein the three-dimensional textile component comprises, according to all or part of its perimeter, a connecting zone in which the first and second textile layers, and the connecting threads are thermo-welded.

21. The care item according to claim 16, wherein the first layer comprises scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex.

22. The care item according to claim 21, wherein the first textile layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibres according to a first pattern.

23. The care item according to claim 16, the external face of the first knitted layer comprising a front part and a rear part in extension of each other, having respective external faces, the front part comprises, according to its external face, microfibres and scratching fibres, the rear part comprises, according to its external face, microfibers having a count greater than 1 dtex, in that the average count T1 (dtex) of microfibres and scratching fibres on said external face of the front part is greater than or equal to 0.5 dtex, the average count T2 (dtex) of microfibres on said external face of the rear part is less than or equal to 2 dtex, and in that the average count T1 (dtex) is different from the average count T2 (dtex).

24. The care item according to claim 23, wherein the average count T1 (dtex) is greater than the average count T2 (dtex).

25. The care item according to claim 23, wherein the rear part of the first layer comprises, according to its external face, a proportion by weight of microfibres greater than the proportion by weight of microfibres of the front part, relative to the total weight of the first layer.

26. The care item according to claim 23, wherein the external face of the rear part comprises scratching fibers, and wherein the microfibres and the scratching fibres on the external face of the front part of the first layer alternate repeatedly according to a first pattern, and wherein the microfibres and the scratching fibres on the external face of the rear part alternate repeatedly according to a second pattern.

27. The care item according to claim 26, wherein the first pattern is different from the second pattern.

28. The care item according to claim 26, wherein the first pattern and/or the second pattern is/are selected from: continuous or discontinuous alternating lines of microfibres and/or scratching fibres, zig-zags of microfibres and/or scratching fibres, islets or localized areas of scratching fibres or microfibres.

29. The care item according to claim 16, the textile component comprises two side pockets formed by folding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of said textile component, in particular according to at least said connecting zone, each pocket being arranged so as to receive a lateral end of a head-plate of a cleaning device.

30. A cleaning device comprising a care item according to claim 16, wherein it comprises a broom equipped with a broom handle fitted at its distal end with a head-plate, whereof the dimensions are of the order of those of the care item.

31. A manufacturing process of a care item for cleaning a determined surface according to claim 16, wherein it comprises the following steps: (i)--a step for knitting a three-dimensional textile panel, of unitary knitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, the first layer comprising, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, and the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer, (ii)--a step for forming a three-dimensional textile component by cutting said knitted textile panel at step (i).

32. The process according to claim 31, wherein the cutting of said knitted textile panel is accomplished by means of an ultrasonic cutting device.

33. The process according to claim 31, comprising a step for forming a connecting zone arranged according to all or part of the circumference of the three-dimensional textile component, in which connecting zone the first and second textile layers, and the connecting threads are thermo-welded.