KR102767496B1 - Scrubber for rinsing - Google Patents

Abstract

A rinsing sponge according to the present invention is made of a knitted fabric having one or more layers, wherein the knitted fabric is knitted with inelastic fibers and elastic fibers, the inelastic fibers being 80 wt% to 99 wt% and the elastic fibers being 1 wt% to 20 wt%.

Description

SCRUBBER FOR RINSING

The present invention relates to a rinsing sponge. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rinsing sponge capable of effectively wiping away organic impurities and cleaning ingredients remaining after washing dishes or fruits with detergent.

The main ingredient of various detergents is surfactant, and it is included in 10-20% of the total detergent ingredients, and because it improves the cleaning power, it is widely used in various cleaning products such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap, and kitchen detergent. If you check the residual cleaning ingredient after washing the dishes with detergent containing surfactant, the detergent ingredient remains even if you wash it in running water 2-3 times, and the user may reabsorb the remaining detergent ingredient when using the dishes. Recently, the use of fruit detergents as well as dishwashing detergents is increasing, but since fruit detergents also often contain surfactants, it is necessary to wash more thoroughly after washing.

Meanwhile, it is common to use a dishwashing sponge and wash with detergent when washing dishes, but since dishwashing sponges are frequently exposed to water and food residue, bacteria can easily multiply after use, and in particular, a large amount of Staphylococcus aureus has been found in dishwashing sponges after use, so it is not appropriate to use general dishwashing sponges in the rinsing step after washing. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a rinsing sponge that can more effectively wash away organic residues and cleaning ingredients during rinsing, separate from washing.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0084736 relates to a multifunctional double-sided dishwashing sponge, which includes a washing section in which first and second mesh yarns of different materials are woven on one side to form a plurality of first mesh chains and first mesh spaces, a rinsing section in which third mesh yarns are woven on the other side to form a plurality of second mesh chains and second mesh spaces, and a gap-maintaining section having a plurality of connecting threads to connect the washing section and the rinsing section to form a predetermined gap, and the washing section can be used to first wash dishes and the rinsing section can be used to secondarily rinse the surfaces of the washed dishes. However, the washing section is inconvenient to use due to lack of elasticity, and a rinsing sponge that can more cleanly and conveniently wash away residual detergent is not disclosed.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a rinsing sponge which can more effectively and cleanly wash away residual organic impurities or cleaning agents on the surface of the object to be washed during an additional rinsing process after washing dishes, vegetables, or fruits with various detergents. The present invention provides a rinsing sponge which is not only convenient to use because it exhibits elasticity, but is also provided with a knitted fiber structure having multiple layers so that residues cannot penetrate into the sponge, food waste or detergent does not remain, and has antibacterial properties so that it can control the propagation of viruses and bacteria, and also allows the user to directly check the time of replacement.

The above and other objects of the present invention can all be achieved by the present invention described below.

1. One aspect of the present invention relates to a rinsing sponge.

The above rinsing sponge is made of a knitted fabric having one or more layers,

The above knitted fabric is made by knitting inelastic fibers and elastic fibers.

The inelastic fibers are 80 wt% to 99 wt% and the elastic fibers are 1 wt% to 20 wt%.

2. In the above 1 specific example, the one or more layers are composed of a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, and the elastic fiber blending ratios of the first layer, the third layer, and the second layer may be different from each other.

3. In the above two specific examples, the elastic fiber blending ratio of the first layer, the third layer, and the second layer can be determined according to the following Equation 1.

[Formula 1]

Ow > Iw

In the above equation 1, Ow is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the first and third layers, and Iw is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the second layer.

4. In any one of the specific examples 1 to 3 above, the inelastic fiber may be at least one of polyester, nylon, and acrylic.

5. In the above four specific examples, the non-elastic fiber may be a mixture of one or more natural fibers of eucalyptus, bamboo, mulberry, and hemp, or a mixture of silver thread or copper thread.

6. In the above 5 specific examples, the non-elastic fiber may be a natural fiber, silver thread or copper thread mixed in an amount of 1 wt% to 28 wt%.

7. In any one of the specific examples 1 to 6 above, the elastic fiber may be at least one of spandex, Lycra, and elastane.

8. In the above two specific examples, a color change indicator may be provided in the first layer, the third layer, or the second layer.

The rinsing sponge according to the present invention is made of a knitted fabric composed of a plurality of layers, and after washing dishes and the like with detergent, the remaining organic impurities and cleaning ingredients can be removed more effectively than the rinsing sponge by utilizing the difference in elasticity between the surface layer and the inner layer of the sponge during the rinsing process, and since impurities such as food residues do not enter the fiber tissue of the sponge, it is easy to manage and store, and cleanliness and safety can be maintained.

In addition, by mixing natural fibers with synthetic fibers during the weaving process, the surface friction is increased, which improves the cleaning power, so that fine particles such as abrasives remaining on the surface of dishes can be effectively removed, and by mixing in silver or copper threads, it has antibacterial properties for a certain period of time, so that the growth of bacteria or viruses can be prevented. Since the arrangement of antibacterial substances can be adjusted during the weaving process to control the period of antibacterial maintenance, the time when the antibacterial, antibacterial, and antiviral performance decreases can be visually confirmed, so that the time to replace the dishwashing sponge can be directly determined, so that the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge can be effectively maintained.

In addition, since there is no need for multiple washing, sterilization, and disinfection processes just for the purpose of managing the dishcloth while the antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal functions are maintained, energy and resources can be saved, and the wastewater generated during the rinsing process of the detergents and sterilizers used for this purpose can be reduced, and the use of natural fibers that utilize the antibacterial, antibacterial, and antiviral functions of natural ingredients rather than implementing functionality with 100% artificial chemicals can reduce the use of chemicals in the production process, and the use of recycled yarns can even reduce the carbon footprint.

In addition, since the elastic fibers are mixed in, the elasticity of the handmade product increases, and the shape can be easily changed according to the user's intention. Therefore, when rinsing various types of washable objects, it can adhere to the surface, greatly increasing the cleaning power and convenience of use.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rinsing sponge according to Fig. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another specific example of the rinsing sponge according to FIG. 1.
Figure 4 shows the discoloration state of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a modified edge portion of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a comparison of a photograph of a dishwashing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention, in which dishes are foam-washed with a detergent using a fluorescent dye, and then the surface of the dishes is washed, with a photograph of a mesh dishwashing sponge of Comparative Example 2, in which the dishes are foam-washed, and then the surface of the dishes is wiped with a white cloth after rinsing using the mesh dishwashing sponge.
FIG. 7 is a comparison of a photograph of the back of a dish exposed to a light-emitting diode after washing the surface of the dish using a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention and a photograph of the back of a dish exposed to a light-emitting diode after rinsing using a mesh scouring sponge.
Figure 8 shows photographs of a washcloth tissue before and after washing according to a comparative example.
FIG. 9 is a photograph of a container being cleaned using a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.
Figure 10 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for Staphylococcus aureus on a rinsing dishcloth fabric according to one specific example of the present invention.
Figure 11 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for Klebsiella pneumoniae on a rinsing dishcloth fabric according to one specific example of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for E. coli on a rinsing dishcloth fabric according to one specific example of the present invention.
Figure 13 shows surface discoloration in the discoloration indicator area after 149 days of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the drawings are provided only to help understand the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the drawings. In addition, the shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, numbers, etc. disclosed in the drawings are exemplary, and the present invention is not limited to the matters illustrated.

Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

In the case where 'includes', 'has', 'consists of', etc. are used in this specification, other parts may be added unless 'only' is used. In the case where a component is expressed in the singular, it includes cases where the plural is included unless there is a special explicit description.

When interpreting a component, it is interpreted as including the error range even if there is no separate explicit description.

When the positional relationship between two parts is described as 'on top of', 'upper part of', 'lower part of', 'next to', etc., one or more other parts can be located between the two parts unless 'right away' or 'directly' is used.

Positional relationships such as 'upper', 'top surface', 'lower surface', and 'lower surface' are only described based on the drawing, and do not represent absolute positional relationships. In other words, depending on the observation position, the positions of 'upper' and 'lower' or 'upper surface' and 'lower surface' may change.

In this specification, “a to b” indicating a numerical range is defined as “≥a and ≤b”.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall shape of a rinsing sponge (1000) according to one specific example of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rinsing sponge (1000) according to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another specific example of a rinsing sponge (1000) according to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a discoloration state of a rinsing sponge (1000) according to one specific example of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the rinsing sponge (1000) may be provided in a rectangular shape, and may be provided with a reinforcing edge portion (110) along the edge, and may be provided with a fixing ring on one side.

The above-mentioned rinsing sponge (1000) is made of a knitted fabric having one or more layers, and since each layer exhibits different elasticity, the frictional characteristics can be increased depending on the fiber structure of the knitted fabric. Using the rinsing sponge (1000), when washing objects such as dishes or fruits washed with detergent are finally wiped with water, not only organic impurities remaining on the surface but also pesticides and detergent components can be effectively removed. In addition, due to the characteristics of the knitted fabric having elasticity, even abrasives remaining on the surface during the manufacture of metal containers can be effectively removed.

The above-mentioned rinsing dishcloth (1000) is a knitted fabric made of a mixture of inelastic fibers and elastic fibers.

In the present invention, an inelastic fiber is defined as having lower elasticity than an elastic fiber, and means, for example, polyester, a synthetic fiber having lower elasticity than spandex.

In one specific example, the inelastic fibers are knitted in an amount of 80 wt% to 99 wt%, preferably 80 wt% to 93 wt%, and more preferably 92 wt%.

The above-mentioned inelastic fiber can be at least one of polyester, nylon, and acrylic, and the above-mentioned type of synthetic fiber is inexpensive to manufacture and thus can be mass-produced, and is easy to knit by mixing it with natural fibers, copper yarn, or silver yarn, and it is easy to impart antibacterial properties by applying antibacterial particles such as silver or copper to the yarn during weaving.

The above non-elastic fibers may also be recycled fibers of polyester, nylon, and acrylic fibers, and if they are recycled fibers, they can reduce manufacturing costs, be environmentally friendly, and reduce carbon emissions.

Specifically, it is preferable that the inelastic fiber is polyester. When the inelastic fiber is polyester, it is easy to mix with natural fibers, silver threads, or copper threads, and the color fastness is improved so that the rinse sponge (1000) does not easily discolor or undergo color transfer, it is easy to impart elasticity when weaving with elastic fibers and knitted fabrics, and the breathability is improved so that the drying speed can be 10 times or more that of nylon, and the strength is also increased compared to nylon so that the durability can be improved. In addition, the polyester has less color transfer than nylon, has a moisture absorption rate of 0.4%, which is lower than that of nylon 2.8 to 5%, has good breathability, and is resistant to heat, so it is very suitable as a fabric for the rinse sponge (1000).

The above-mentioned types of inelastic fibers can be woven into a knitted fabric having one or more layers by being mixed with a circular knitting machine within the above-mentioned range, and the elastic fibers are mixed to impart elasticity to the rinse sponge (1000), and the difference in the mixing ratio of each layer can be used to improve the cleaning power, and also the organic impurities such as food waste can be effectively prevented from penetrating into the knitted fabric tissue and contaminating the rinse sponge.

If the mixing ratio of the above non-elastic fibers is exceeded, the strength of the rinsing sponge (1000) is lowered, which reduces durability for rinsing, and breathability is also reduced.

In one specific example, the elastic fiber may be at least one of spandex, Lycra and elastane, and is preferably spandex.

When the above-mentioned elastic fiber is spandex, it is easy to weave into a knitted fabric by mixing it with the above-mentioned synthetic fiber, and since it is lightweight and has excellent elasticity-retaining properties, it can effectively provide elasticity and resilience to a knitted fabric, such as a rinsing sponge (1000).

In one specific example, the elastic fibers may be blended in an amount of 1 wt% to 20 wt%.

For example, it can be blended at 3 wt% to 18 wt%, preferably 5 wt% to 12 wt%, and more preferably 8 wt%. When the elastic fiber is blended with the non-elastic fiber within the above range and woven into a knitted fabric, the elasticity of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be effectively improved, and breathability and water permeability can be secured. When the elastic fiber is blended within the above range, the rinsing sponge (1000) can be provided with elasticity and resilience so that it can adhere closely to the surface to be washed or rinsed, and is easy to change shape, so that it is very effective in cleaning corners or crevices of the object to be washed. When it is below the above range, it is difficult to add the targeted elasticity, so that the corners and crevices of the object to be washed cannot be effectively cleaned.

The mixing ratio of the above elastic fibers can maintain the strength of the rinsing sponge (1000) within the above range, maintain durability against ultraviolet rays, prevent discoloration due to organic residues, and increase resistance to contamination, thereby solving the problem of the rinsing sponge (1000) easily discolored or discolored.

Specifically, it is preferable that the elastic fiber is spandex. When the elastic fiber is spandex, it is easier to control the elasticity of the rinsing dishcloth (1000), and it is easy to weave a structure in which the yarns overlap each other when weaving a knitted fabric, form a knot, or form a projection from which the yarns protrude to increase the frictional force on the surface of the rinsing dishcloth (1000).

The above-described rinsing sponge (1000) is formed into a knitted fabric by mixing the above-described non-elastic fibers and elastic fibers, and exhibits elasticity and resilience, so that the rinsing sponge (1000) effectively adheres to the object to be washed during rinsing, and effectively removes not only organic impurities remaining on the surface of the object to be washed, but also residual detergent, and prevents food residues or impurities from entering the fiber tissue of the sponge, so that the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge can be maintained at a constant level.

The above-mentioned rinsing sponge (1000) is formed into a knitted fabric by mixing the above-mentioned non-elastic fibers and elastic fibers, so that the frictional force on the surface of the sponge can be increased and the surface of the object to be washed can be better cleaned.

In one specific example, the rinse cloth (1000) may be a knitted fabric in which the non-elastic fibers and the elastic fibers are mixed to form one or more layers, and specifically, may have a surface layer (100) and a second layer (200).

In one specific example, the rinse sponge (1000) may be formed by knitting one or more layers using a circular knitting machine. Specifically, it may be manufactured as a knitted fabric to form one or more layers, and the layers may be knitted together by interweaving them. It is also possible to form the rinse sponge (1000) with only one layer of the knitted fabric, but if more than one layer is formed, the antibacterial properties and elasticity are adjusted differently for each layer, so that it can be utilized according to various cleaning situations, and thus the effects of the present invention can be implemented.

When the above-mentioned inelastic fibers and elastic fibers are mixed and produced into a knitted fabric, compared to a fiber structure woven with a single-layer or double-layer weave, it is easy to change the fiber mixing ratio by including one or more yarns, and a knitted fabric with a multilayer structure can be woven by forming one or more layers, and the elasticity of each layer can be controlled differently by controlling the mixing ratio of the inelastic fibers and elastic fibers.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rinsing sponge (1000) may have a first layer (100) and a second layer (200). For example, when the rinsing sponge (1000) is knitted in two layers, one side may be the first layer (100) and the other side may be the second layer (200).

When the above-mentioned rinsing sponge (1000) is composed of a first layer (100) and a second layer (200), it is preferable to use it so that the first layer (100) comes into contact with the surface of the object to be washed.

Referring to FIG. 3, when knitted in two or more layers, a first layer (100) and a third layer (300) are provided on both outer surfaces, and a second layer (200) may be provided between them. The number of layers of the second layer (200) may be increased to control the overall thickness of the rinsing sponge (1000).

Specifically, the blending ratios of the elastic fibers of the first layer (100), the third layer (300), and the second layer (200) are different from each other, and the blending ratios of the elastic fibers of the first layer (100), the third layer (300), and the second layer (200) can be determined according to the following Equation 1.

[Formula 1]

Ow > Iw

In the above equation 1, Ow is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300), and Iw is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the second layer (200).

According to the above formula 1, when the mixing ratio of the elastic fibers of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) is higher than that of the second layer (200), the elasticity and resilience of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) are increased, so that the shape of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be easily changed to correspond to areas that are difficult to wash, such as corners and folded areas of the object to be washed, and since the area in which the fiber tissue of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) comes into contact with the surface of the object to be washed is increased, the remaining cleaning ingredients can be thoroughly wiped off.

As the elasticity and resilience of the fiber tissue of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) increase as the mixing ratio of the elastic fiber increases, even when the tissue is expanded by being stretched during rinsing, the tissue of the second layer (200) which has relatively less elasticity and resilience can fill the expanded fiber tissue space between the fiber tissues of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) and can support the first layer (100) and the third layer (300). Therefore, even under various usage conditions in which the rinse sponge (1000) is stretched, the fiber tissue of the rinse sponge (1000) can be maintained in a very dense state so that organic matter or detergent, etc. cannot penetrate inside.

When the mixing ratios of the elastic fibers of the first layer (100), third layer (300) and second layer (200) are different from each other, the frictional force of the surface tissue increases, so that the rinsing sponge (1000) can not only very effectively wash away organic impurities or residual cleaning ingredients of the object to be washed, but also effectively prevent organic impurities from penetrating into the fiber tissue of the rinsing sponge (1000).

In one specific example, the mixing ratio of synthetic fibers in the second layer (200) is increased according to the above formula 1, thereby forming a fiber structure with reduced elasticity and increased strength, thereby increasing the overall durability of the rinsing sponge (1000). In addition, since a denser fiber structure is formed, impurities such as food waste cannot pass through the second layer (200), not only can the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge be maintained, but also discoloration due to adhesion of organic matter, decay due to residual organic matter, and resulting discoloration can be effectively prevented.

In one specific example, the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) may have a washboard structure with repeated bends by changing the fiber tissue structure during the knitting process, or may have a portion of the warp knit protrude, or may form a knot to protrude and form unevenness on the surface. When a certain amount of unevenness is formed on the first layer (100) and the third layer (300), the frictional force of the surface tissue increases, so that organic matter having a certain size or larger, such as food residue remaining on the surface of the washable material during the rinsing process, can be more effectively wiped away.

In one specific example, the rinse sponge (1000) can easily control the thickness by increasing the number of knitted layers. Specifically, the number of layers of the second layer (200) can be controlled. For example, if the rinse sponge (1000) is a warp knitted fabric and the thickness of the second layer (200) increases, the elasticity decreases compared to a circular knitted fabric, but by increasing the mixing ratio of elastic fibers in the first layer (100) and the third layer (300), the entire rinse sponge (1000) can be provided with elasticity.

In one specific example, the rinse sponge (1000) is provided in a rectangular shape to increase the contact area with the surface of the object to be cleaned, thereby enabling effective cleaning, and may be provided with a rim (110), and a part of the rim (110) forms a hook, so that the rinse sponge (1000) can be hung vertically after use to effectively dry and store, thereby increasing convenience of use.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a modified edge portion of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the edge portion (110) can also be finished by forming a band portion along the edge of the rinse sponge (1000) with an interlock (FIG. 5A) or an overlock (FIG. 5B). In this case, not only can the aesthetics be improved, but the durability of the rinse sponge (1000) can be improved, the work process can be shortened, the materials used can be reduced, and the work difficulty and work time can be reduced, thereby reducing carbon emissions.

In one specific example, the non-elastic fiber may be a mixture of one or more natural fibers from among eucalyptus, bamboo, mulberry, and hemp, or a mixture of silver thread or copper thread. Specifically, natural fibers may be mixed in the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) during the knitting process, or a mixture of silver thread or copper thread may be mixed in.

The above natural fibers may be at least one of eucalyptus, bamboo, paper mulberry, and hemp-derived fabrics. For example, it may be tencel fabric made from eucalyptus tree extract, bamboo fabric made from cellulose extracted from bamboo pulp, fabric made from paper mulberry extract, or fabric made from hemp extract, and there is no particular limitation as long as it is a natural fiber that exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral performance.

The above silver or copper thread can exhibit antibacterial properties, and can be mixed with the synthetic fiber at a certain level to enable the rinsing sponge (1000) to exhibit antibacterial and antiviral properties.

When the above types of natural fibers, silver threads or copper threads are mixed, the friction with the washable material can be increased, thereby increasing the cleaning effect during rinsing, and at the same time, the antibacterial properties of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be provided, while the use period of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be set.

In one specific example, the non-elastic fiber may be mixed with natural fibers, silver threads or copper threads in an amount of 1 wt% to 28 wt%, for example, the natural fibers, silver threads or copper threads may be mixed with an amount of 1 wt% to 25 wt%, preferably 10 wt% to 15 wt%. Specifically, when silver threads or copper threads are mixed with natural fibers, they are preferably mixed with a smaller amount than the natural fibers, and when copper threads are mixed with natural fibers, they are preferably mixed with a smaller amount than the silver thread content.

The above natural fibers, silver threads or copper threads can be mixed only in one of the first layer (100) or the third layer (300), and in this case, the period of use can be reduced and controlled. In order to increase antibacterial and antiviral properties, up to 28 wt% can be mixed in each fabric layer.

In the above range, natural fibers, silver threads or copper threads can be mixed to maintain the strength of the rinsing sponge (1000) constant while allowing the sponge to exhibit antibacterial properties for a certain period of time.

In one specific example, only one of the first layer (100) or the second layer (200) may be mixed with natural fibers, silver threads, or copper threads, or only one area of the first layer (100) or the third layer (300) of the rinse sponge (1000) may be mixed with natural fibers. In this case, as the period of use of the rinse sponge (1000) increases, the natural fibers may gradually be discolored or discolored due to the propagation of residual bacteria may occur more quickly than when the natural fibers are mixed with the entire sponge fabric, and it is also possible to determine the timing of replacing the rinse sponge by visually confirming the discoloration. Even when the discoloration occurs, the antibacterial and antiviral properties may be maintained at a certain level or higher, but the possibility of foreign substances attaching due to fraying and fluffing caused by friction due to use increases, which is not desirable.

In one specific example, the natural fibers may be mixed within the above range to increase breathability and increase the roughness of the fiber tissue, thereby increasing the surface friction of the rinsing sponge. Since the frictional force increases when the rinsing sponge comes into contact with the object to be washed depending on the mixing ratio of the natural fibers, even if large-sized residues adhere to the surface of the object to be washed, cleaning is possible very easily, so that the cleaning efficiency during rinsing can be greatly increased. If the above range is exceeded, the roughness of the fiber tissue may increase excessively, so that the object to be washed may not adhere to the surface during the rinsing process, which may reduce the cleaning ability of the rinsing sponge.

If the blending ratio of the above natural fibers increases within the above range, biodegradability is increased, so that it decomposes quickly when discarded, making it more environmentally friendly. If the blending ratio of the above natural fibers exceeds the above range, there may be a problem of reduced durability of the above rinsing dishcloth (1000).

In one specific example, the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) may be subjected to an antibacterial treatment to add antibacterial properties to the rinsing sponge (1000). Specifically, the non-elastic fiber fabric of the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) may be sprayed with one or more aromatic oils selected from the group consisting of horseradish oil, lavender oil, citrus oil, orange oil, lemon, grapefruit, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine, and peppermint oil, or may be made into micro balls and attached with a binder to perform an antibacterial treatment to enhance the antibacterial and antiviral properties of the rinsing sponge (1000). When the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) are subjected to an antibacterial treatment, the rinsing sponge (1000) may be prevented from being contaminated, thereby extending its usability period.

In one specific example, it is also possible to mix carbon fibers in the first layer (100) and the third layer (300), and specifically, it can be manufactured by mixing graphene with non-elastic fibers. When graphene is included in the synthetic fibers, antibacterial properties can be imparted to the first layer (100) and the third layer (300).

In one specific example, the first layer (100) or the third layer (300) may be a mixture of silver or copper, for example, or may be manufactured by directly coating a copper component on the first layer (100) or the third layer (300), or by mixing pre-manufactured silver or copper together.

The above silver or copper thread can be mixed in the synthetic fiber at 1 wt% to 28 wt%, more preferably 1 to 20 wt%, and more preferably 1 wt% to 5 wt%. Specifically, the copper thread is preferable because it has higher antibacterial and antiviral properties than the silver thread, so that the mixing amount can be reduced compared to the amount of silver thread used. The silver thread or copper thread can be mixed within the above range to provide antibacterial properties to the rinsing sponge (1000), and if it exceeds the above range, the manufacturing cost increases, which is not preferable, and the effect of the present invention, which limits the use period of the rinsing sponge (1000) to a certain period, cannot be effectively exhibited.

In one specific example, it is also possible to coat the synthetic fiber by spraying a silver or copper-containing solution, and the same effect as when silver or copper thread is mixed can be achieved.

In one specific example, a waterproof finish may be added to the surface of the rinse sponge (1000). For example, a water-repellent finish is preferable. The rinse sponge (1000) is a mixture of synthetic fibers, and in the case of polyester, water does not easily penetrate because the absorbency is very low. However, if the water-repellent finish is added, residual organic impurities or detergents that come into contact with the surface of the washable material during rinsing can be prevented from being absorbed together with water on the surface of the rinse sponge, and the drying speed can be significantly increased compared to when the waterproof finish is not applied.

Referring to FIG. 4, in one specific example, a discoloration display portion (210) may be provided in the first layer (100), the third layer (300), or the second layer (200). For example, the discoloration display portion (210) may be a part knitted so that no part is included of a non-elastic fiber in which the natural fiber or carbon fiber is mixed, or a silver thread or copper thread is mixed.

Since the antibacterial effect may decrease and discoloration may appear after a certain period of use even when the above natural fibers, carbon fibers, silver threads and copper threads are mixed, the recommended use period of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be effectively designed by controlling the discoloration to appear faster or more by providing the discoloration indicator (210).

At this time, as the period of use of the rinsing sponge (1000) increases, the antibacterial properties of natural fibers or synthetic fibers containing silver or copper may gradually decrease, and surface discoloration due to repeated contact with organic substances, bacterial and viral propagation, and other causes is concentrated and easily recognized visually. For example, a discoloration indicator (210) may be formed on the first layer (100) and knitted so as to be visually recognized, and the replacement period of the rinsing sponge (1000) may be set based on the presence or absence of discoloration of the discoloration indicator (210), thereby maintaining the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge (1000).

In one specific example, the rinsing sponge (1000) may be selected to have a colorless color such as white for the first layer (100) and the third layer (300). In this case, the color is not limited as long as the discoloration can be confirmed with the naked eye. If white or a colorless color is selected, the discoloration of the fiber tissue due to the propagation of bacteria and viruses due to a decrease in antibacterial and antiviral properties can be confirmed with the naked eye, and the replacement time of the rinsing sponge (1000) can be effectively determined.

The above-described rinsing sponge (1000) has elasticity so that it can effectively clean objects having various shapes without residue, and by controlling the elasticity of each layer, it can increase the contact area with the surface of the object to be cleaned, thereby increasing the cleaning effect. In addition, the second layer (200) having lower elasticity than the first layer (100) and the third layer (300) supports the rinsing sponge (1000) to improve strength, and the low elasticity prevents organic residues from penetrating or remaining in the rinsing sponge (1000), thereby maintaining cleanliness. The rinsing sponge (1000) can be provided with antibacterial properties by mixing natural fibers, silver threads, or copper threads, and by controlling the time for maintaining the antibacterial properties depending on the mixing ratio, it is possible to determine the time for replacing the rinsing sponge (1000) due to the occurrence of color transfer or discoloration.

The above-mentioned rinsing sponge (100) can maintain antibacterial properties for a certain period of time and effectively control the growth of bacteria and viruses, so it can be used not only for washing dishes or rinsing, and for removing residual pesticides from foods such as vegetables and fruits, but also the fabric of the rinsing sponge can be used as a cleaning product, a body towel, etc., and the knitted fabric having the surface layer (100) and the second layer (200) can exhibit antibacterial properties for a certain period of time and can indicate the time of replacement, so it can be used as a material for bedding, clothing, and infant toys where cleanliness is important.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically through examples; however, these examples are for the purpose of explanation only and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Example 1

It was knitted using a circular knitting machine. The first layer was manufactured by knitting with a blending ratio of 80 wt% polyester yarn as an inelastic fiber and 20 wt% spandex yarn as an elastic fiber, and the second layer was manufactured with a blending ratio of 92 wt% polyester yarn and 8 wt% spandex yarn, but the first and second layers were woven so as to be interwoven into a knitted fabric. At this time, the blending ratios of elastic fibers in the first and second layers were different and the blending ratio of elastic fibers in the first layer was made higher, so that a knitted fabric in which the first layer was more elastic was manufactured. The weight of the fabric was adjusted from 440 gsm to 550 gsm to control the thickness, and after cutting the fabric to 100 mm × 150 mm, the entire edge of the knitted fabric was wrapped with a band to manufacture a rinse cloth.

Additional rinse sponges with sizes of 12.5 mm × 17 mm and 15 mm × 20 mm were manufactured.

Example 2

Knitting was performed using a circular knitting machine in the same manner as in Example 1, and a 3-bar gauge circular knitting machine was used to knit the fabric so that the first, second, and third layers were interwoven. At this time, the first layer was woven with a spandex yarn blend ratio of 20 wt%, and the second layer was woven with a spandex yarn blend ratio of 8 wt%.

Example 3

Knitting was performed in the same manner as Example 1, but the inelastic fibers of the first layer were mixed to include 10 wt% of Tencel fibers.

Example 4

A knitted fabric was woven using a 3-bar gauge circular knitting machine so that the first, second, and third layers were interwoven with each other. The first and third layers were woven using 2 wt% of elastic fibers, and the second layer was woven using 1 wt% of elastic fibers.

Comparative Example 1

A knitted fabric was woven using a 3-bar gauge circular knitting machine so that the first, second, and third layers were interwoven, and the first and third layers were woven so that 30 wt% of elastic fibers were blended, and the second layer was woven so that 40 wt% of elastic fibers were blended.

Comparative Example 2

A commercial mesh scourer (3M) was prepared.

Comparative Example 3

A rinsing sponge was manufactured by weaving 100% polynylon yarn with a size of 300 mm × 300 mm.

Comparative Example 4

A mesh-structured rinsing sponge was manufactured by knitting a hemp material.

Comparative Example 5

A 300 mm × 300 mm sized rinsing sponge was manufactured using polynorbornene material.

Comparative Example 6

A rinsing sponge measuring 300 mm × 300 mm was manufactured using cotton material.

Comparative Example 7

Made of cotton A rinsing sponge measuring 300 mm × 300 mm was manufactured.

Experimental example

(1) Check the adhesion effect of the rinsing sponge

In the case of Examples 1 to 4, due to the elasticity of the rinsing sponge itself, it adhered very well to the surface of the object to be washed during rinsing, and it was easy to contact even areas where the sponge was difficult to contact, such as narrow corners, so that organic residues could be washed away very effectively. In contrast, in the case of Comparative Example 1, organic water residues flowed into the second layer, resulting in organic residues remaining in the fiber tissue, making it impossible to maintain cleanliness, and it was confirmed that overall, color transfer was easy, so that the effects of the present invention could not be exhibited.

(2) Check the surface cleaning effect of the washing object during rinsing

Using a rinsing sponge according to Example 1 and a rinsing sponge according to Comparative Example 2, a circular dishware with food residue remaining was rinsed in water and then checked for detergent residue remaining on the surface of the dishware and the fabric itself.

FIG. 6 is a comparison between photographs (A: washing photograph, B: photograph of dishwashing sponge after rinsing) taken after foam washing of dishes with a detergent using a fluorescent dye using a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention and then rinsing the surface of the dishes with the photographs (C: washing photograph, D: photograph of dishwashing sponge after rinsing) taken after foam washing using a mesh scouring sponge of Comparative Example 2 and then rinsing using the mesh scouring sponge and then wiping the surface of the dishes with a white cloth, and FIG. 7 is a comparison between photographs taken after washing the surface of dishes using a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention and then exposing the back of the dishes to a light-emitting diode with photographs taken after rinsing using a mesh scouring sponge and then exposing the back of the dishes to a light-emitting diode.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the case of the rinsing sponge according to Example 1, it was confirmed that no detergent remained on the surface of the dishes after the rinsing process using only water, but in the case of Comparative Example 2, pigments were left behind even after repeated rinsing (FIG. 6(D)). In particular, when confirmed with a light-emitting diode, it was confirmed that detergent remained on several parts of the surface of the dishes in the case of Comparative Example 2 (FIG. 7(A)), confirming that the residual cleaning ingredients cannot be effectively removed when rinsing with water using a general sponge.

In the case of the examples, it was confirmed that not only was it very easy to wipe dishes with the elastic fiber tissue, but also the mixing ratio of synthetic fiber and elastic fiber was adjusted so that the detergent could be completely absorbed into the fiber tissue during the rinsing process, and the detergent remaining on the surface of the washable material could be effectively removed.

(3) Check the fiber structure of the dishwashing sponge for rinsing

When synthetic fibers and elastic fibers are mixed, it was checked whether organic impurities such as food waste remain in the rinsing sponge. If organic impurities remain in the sponge, the possibility of bacterial growth increases, making it difficult to maintain cleanliness during the cleaning process.

Figure 8 shows photographs of a washcloth tissue before and after washing according to a comparative example.

Referring to FIG. 8, the rinsing sponges according to Examples 1 to 4 can maintain cleanliness by simply drying after rinsing since organic impurities do not remain on the surface of the sponge or flow into the interior regardless of the size of the impurities. However, in the case of Comparative Examples 3 to 7, organic impurities were attached to the surface after washing and were not removed well. In particular, in the case of Comparative Example 4, food residues were stuck between the meshes, requiring separate management. In addition, as the period of use elapsed (14 days), it was confirmed that discoloration and color transfer occurred due to organic matter flowing into the fiber tissue, making it difficult to maintain the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge. It was confirmed that a separate management process, not simple drying as in the Examples, was necessary.

(4) Check the friction force of the surface of the rinsing sponge

In order to verify the cleaning power according to the fiber structure of the rinsing sponge according to the example, the inner surface of an aluminum pot was wiped under constant pressure.

The pot was prepared by oiling it with cooking oil and washing it with baking soda.

FIG. 9 is a photograph of a container being cleaned using a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 9, a large amount of abrasive was detected inside the pot, and it was confirmed that the remaining abrasive could be wiped off and removed when washed again with the rinsing sponge of Example 1 even after the washing process.

It was confirmed that the fiber structure of the rinsing sponge according to the embodiment is very effective in removing abrasive components remaining in minute amounts on a metal surface.

(5) Antibacterial evaluation

The antibacterial activity of the rinsing sponge according to Example 1 was evaluated. The antibacterial activity was measured by request from FITI.

The size of the test specimen was 4.8 ± 0.1 cm, and the control specimen was prepared with 100% cotton.

The test specimens were sterilized in an autoclave at 121±2℃ for 15 minutes. The dilution solution used was 5% Nutrient Broth + Triton X-100, and the neutralization solution used was Dey Engley Broth.

The test bacteria used were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 (strain 1), Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 4352 (strain 2), and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (strain 3). Each strain was injected into the specimen, and the bacterial reduction rate was measured after 24 hours of culture.

FIG. 10 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for Staphylococcus aureus on a rinsing sponge fabric according to a specific example of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for Klebsiella pneumoniae on a rinsing sponge fabric according to a specific example of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a photograph of an antibacterial test for E. coli on a rinsing sponge fabric according to a specific example of the present invention.

　
　 Bacterial count immediately after inoculation (bacterial count/mL) Bacterial count after culture (bacterial count/mL) Bacterial reduction rate (%) Strain 1
Control group 2.4×10 ⁵ 1.5×10 ⁷ - Psalm 1 - 2.7×10 ⁵ 98.2 Strain 2
Control group 1.8×10 ⁵ 8.4 ×10 ⁷ - Psalm 2 - 7.8 ×10 ⁴ 99.9 Strain 3
Control group 1.5×10 ⁵ 8.2×10 ⁷ - Psalm 3 - 2.1×10 ⁴ 99.9

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12 and Table 1, it was confirmed that the rinsing sponge according to Example 1 exhibited high antibacterial properties with a bacterial reduction rate of 98.2% or higher compared to the control group.

Even if the dishwashing sponge does not contain natural fibers or silver or copper, it can exhibit antibacterial properties and effectively prevent bacterial growth due to organic impurities.

(6) Check the replacement time of the rinse sponge

In Example 3, when natural fibers were included, it was confirmed whether the discoloration indicator part discolored over the period of use.

Figure 13 shows surface discoloration in the discoloration indicator area after 149 days of a rinsing sponge according to one specific example of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the rinsing sponge according to Example 3 shows discoloration in the second layer as the period of use increases, and this can be visually confirmed even from the outside of the surface layer. Accordingly, the replacement period of the rinsing sponge can be determined, and the cleanliness of the rinsing sponge can be maintained.

In Example 3, it was confirmed that when the mixing ratio of silver thread or antibacterial natural fiber was increased, the antibacterial maintenance period could be increased to 150 days or more during the discoloration period, and it was confirmed that a rinsing sponge with a limited use period could be provided in response to various washing conditions.

Therefore, the rinsing sponge according to the present invention can effectively remove residual organic impurities and cleaning ingredients with only a rinsing process of washing with water, and since it has a fiber tissue having a durability above a certain level, organic impurities do not penetrate or remain in the fiber tissue, so no separate management is required other than washing with water and drying, and since it is elastic and resilient, it can be used in various cleaning processes such as removing abrasives from pots as well as rinsing dishes, and since it maintains antibacterial properties for a certain period of time, it can maintain cleanliness and safety during the rinsing process after washing the object to be cleaned.

The present invention has been described with reference to embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

1000 : Rinsing sponge
100 : 1st floor
110 : Border
200 : 2nd floor
210 : Discoloration display area
220 : Discoloration point
300 : 3rd floor

Claims (8)

It is made of a knitted fabric having one or more layers,
The above knitted fabric is made by knitting inelastic fibers and elastic fibers.
The non-elastic fibers are 80 wt% to 99 wt% and the elastic fibers are 1 wt% to 20 wt%.
A dishcloth for rinsing.
A rinsing dishcloth in the first paragraph, wherein the one or more layers are composed of a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, and the elastic fiber blending ratios of the first layer, the third layer, and the second layer are different from each other.
In the second paragraph, the mixing ratio of the elastic fibers of the first layer, the third layer, and the second layer is determined according to the following equation 1:
[Formula 1]
Ow > Iw
In the above equation 1, Ow is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the first and third layers, and Iw is the blending ratio of the elastic fibers of the second layer.
A rinsing dishcloth in claim 1, wherein the inelastic fiber is at least one of polyester, nylon, and acrylic.
A rinsing dishcloth in claim 1, wherein the non-elastic fiber is a mixture of one or more natural fibers selected from eucalyptus, bamboo, mulberry, and hemp, or a mixture of silver thread and copper thread.
A rinsing dishcloth in claim 1, wherein the non-elastic fiber is a natural fiber, silver thread or copper thread mixed in an amount of 1 wt% to 28 wt%.
A rinsing dishcloth in claim 1, wherein the elastic fiber is at least one of spandex, lycra, and elastane.
A rinsing dishwashing sponge, wherein a color change indicator is provided in the first layer, the third layer, or the second layer in the second paragraph.

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