Abstract:
A cleaning cloth for use with a steam mop having a housing mounting the cleaning cloth for cleaning the surface to be cleaned and a steam delivery system for delivering steam to the cleaning cloth. The cleaning cloth has at least one fabric layer that is configured to be attached to a steam mop and an encapsulated cleaning composition associated with the fabric layer and configured to be released by exposure to steam delivered to the cleaning cloth. A steam mop for use of the cleaning cloth and a method of cleaning with the cleaning pad is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/422,765, filed Dec. 14, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Steam mops are well known devices for cleaning bare floor surfaces, such as tile, linoleum, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood floors. Typical steam mops have a reservoir for storing water that is fluidly connected to a selectively engageable pump or valve. The pump or valve outlet is fluidly connected to a steam boiler with a heating element to heat the water. The steam boiler generates steam, which is directed towards the cleaning surface through a nozzle or manifold mounted in the foot. Steam is typically applied to the backside of a mop pad or cloth attached to the foot. Steam vapor eventually saturates the entire pad as the moisture wicks outwardly from the point of steam application. The damp pad is wiped across the surface to be cleaned to remove dirt, dust, and debris present on the cleaning surface. 
     A bare floor cleaner has heretofore been sold in the United States by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. under the mark Steam Mop™. The Steam Mop™ bare floor cleaner comprises a base assembly and an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a base housing with a fluid distributor for distributing fluid to the surface to be cleaned and a mop pad that is affixed beneath the base housing and positioned for contacting the surface to be cleaned. The upright handle includes a handle housing, a water tank mounted to the handle housing and adapted to hold a quantity of water, a fluid distribution system between the water tank and the base housing fluid distributor for distributing fluid from the water tank to the mop pad for applying the steam to the surface to be cleaned, and a heating element within the fluid distribution system for heating the water from the water tank to steam. 
     During use, the mop pad eventually becomes saturated with liquid and soiled with embedded dirt, dust, and debris. The soiled mop pad can be laundered and re-used. A mop pad can generally be used for one or two steam mopping sessions prior to being laundered. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, a cleaning cloth for use with a steam mop has at least one fabric layer that is configured to be attached to a steam mop and an encapsulated cleaning composition associated with the fabric layer and configured to be released from the encapsulation by exposure to steam delivered to the cleaning cloth. The steam mop may have a housing mounting the cleaning cloth for cleaning the surface to be cleaned and a steam delivery system for delivering steam to the cleaning cloth. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one fabric layer comprises two fabric layers that form a pocket and the encapsulated cleaning composition is positioned in the pocket. The at least one fabric layer can further comprises a cover for closing an opening to the pocket. The at least one fabric layer can comprises a lower fabric layer and an upper fabric layer, and the encapsulated cleaning composition can be positioned between the upper and lower fabric layers. Further, the lower fabric layer can be textured to increase friction with the surface to be cleaned. Further, the upper fabric layer can be joined with the lower fabric layer at one edge to form a flap that is separable from the lower layer. The flap and lower fabric can include a hook and loop fastener combination between two. 
     In another embodiment, the encapsulated cleaning composition is embedded within or attached to the at least one fabric layer. In addition, the encapsulated cleaning composition can include a cleaning composition embedded within a water-soluble polymer film, which is mounted to the at least one fabric layer. The film can be mounted by one of thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding, hot melt adhesive, dissolvable adhesive, or laminating. 
     The encapsulated cleaning composition can comprise a disinfecting or sanitizing agent having anti-bacterial, anti-viral, miticidal, germicidal, anti-fungal or anti-microbial properties. In addition, the disinfecting or sanitizing agent can comprise an EPA-exempted natural disinfectant. In addition, the disinfecting or sanitizing agent can comprise one of: quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), such as Dialkyl quats, Dialkyl blend quats, single-chain quats and dual chain quats, hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide derivatives, or colloidal particles with disinfecting or sanitizing properties, including silver and/or copper. In addition, the encapsulated cleaning composition can comprise at least one of a fragrance, an odor-eliminating agent, or an odor control agent. In addition, the encapsulated cleaning composition can comprise at least one floor care component, including floor polish, polymer protectant, anti-streaking components, or vinegar. 
     In another embodiment, the encapsulated cleaning composition is bonded, affixed or in register with the at least one fabric layer. In addition, the encapsulated cleaning composition can be embodied in at least one of a film, a wafer, a pouch, a sachet, or a granulated composition. In addition, the wafer can be a fragrance-infused thermoplastic sheet and the fragrance can be volatilized into the cleaning cloth and surrounding atmosphere when the at least one fabric layer is exposed to steam. In addition, the wafer can comprise multiple perforations to pass steam through the cleaning composition. In addition, the wafer can be a porous plastic sheet and the cleaning composition can be released from the perforations into the cleaning cloth and surrounding atmosphere when the wafer is exposed to steam. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the encapsulated composition comprises a gel contained within a heat- and/or moisture-soluble barrier. 
     Alternatively, the barrier comprises one of vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol polymer, or octenylsuccinates-starch polymer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the encapsulated cleaning composition is released only upon reaching a temperature of at least about 80° C. 
     Further according to the invention, a steam mop comprises a housing for movement along a surface to be cleaned, a cleaning cloth as described above is coupled with the housing for cleaning the surface to be cleaned, and a steam delivery system for delivering steam to the cleaning cloth. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a foot assembly for movement along a surface to be cleaned and a handle assembly mounted to the foot assembly. The cleaning cloth can be mounted to the foot assembly. 
     Further according to the invention, a method for cleaning a surface comprises applying to the surface a cleaning cloth with a cleaning composition encapsulated within a heat-activated barrier and delivering steam to the cleaning cloth to release the cleaning composition from within the heat-activated barrier for application onto the surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an upright steam mop according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view through line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic of a fluid distribution system of the upright steam mop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cleaning cloth for use with the upright steam mop of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a universal cleaning component according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning cloth of  FIG. 5  taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of a cleaning component and cleaning cloth according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning component according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The invention relates to a cleaning cloth that can be removably mounted to an otherwise conventional steam mop as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A steam mop  10  described herein can share many features of a traditional steam mop, which will not be described in detail except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention. Examples of suitable steam mops which may be used with the embodiments of the invention described herein include the Steam Mop™, sold in the United States by BISSELL Homecare, Inc. and International Application No. PCT/US10/45167, filed Aug. 11, 2010, titled “Upright Steam Mop with Auxiliary Hand Tool” and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/778,615, filed May 12, 2010, titled “Upright Steam Mop Sweeper”, both of which are assigned to BISSELL Homecare Inc. and which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     The steam mop  10  can comprise an upright handle assembly  12  and a base or foot  14  pivotally mounted to the handle assembly  12 . The handle assembly  12  can pivot from an upright or vertical position, where the handle assembly  12  is substantially vertical relative to a surface to be cleaned, to a lowered position, whereby the handle assembly  12  is rotated in a rearward direction relative to the foot  14  to an acute angled relative to the surface to be cleaned. The steam mop  10  is adapted to glide across the floor or other hard surface on the foot  14 . 
     The handle assembly  12  comprises an upper handle assembly  16  and a lower handle assembly  18 . The upper handle assembly  16  comprises a hollow handle tube  20  having a grip assembly  22  fixedly attached to a first end of the handle tube  20  and the lower handle assembly  18  fixedly attached to a second end of the handle tube  20  via screws or other suitable commonly known fasteners. The grip assembly  22  has an arcuate grip portion; however, it is within the scope of the invention to utilize other grips commonly found on other machines, such as closed-loop grips having circular or triangular shapes. 
     The lower handle assembly  18  and/or the foot  14  can further include a fluid distribution system  30 . The fluid distribution system  30  can be primarily located within the lower handle assembly  18 , although it is also within the scope of the invention for all or a portion of the fluid distribution system  30  to be located within the foot  14 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view through line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , showing additional details of the foot  14 . The foot  14  can include a cleaning head  24  having a pivot joint  26  which couples the cleaning head  24  according to the invention to the lower handle assembly  18 . The pivot joint  26  can be a universal joint with permits the foot  14  to swivel about multiple axes relative to the lower handle assembly  18 . A cleaning cloth  28  through which steam and/or a cleaning fluid is dispensed onto a surface to be cleaned is coupled to a bottom of the cleaning head  24 . It is also contemplated that the foot  14  can further comprise an agitator, such as a rotatably mounted brush, or an oscillating or otherwise movable cleaning cloth  28  for agitating and loosening foreign matter, such as dirt, dust and the like. Alternatively, the foot  14  can also include a sweeper assembly provided by a rotatably mounted brush and dirt collection bin for collecting dirt and dust. 
     The cleaning cloth  28  can be removably coupled with the cleaning head  24  according to any known method. As illustrated, the cleaning cloth  28  is secured to the cleaning head  24  with a drawstring assembly  38  that tightens the cleaning cloth  28  around the cleaning head  24 . In another example, the cleaning cloth  28  can be removably coupled with the cleaning head  24  using hook and loop fasteners, an example of which includes VELCRO®. In another example, one or more elastic straps can be used to secure the cleaning cloth  28  to the cleaning head  24 . In yet another example, resilient cloth engagement and retention members having a plurality of outwardly radiating slits as is commonly known in the art can be used. 
     A steam conduit  54  extends through the cleaning head  24  and couples at one end with a nozzle  52 . The steam conduit  54  can include a first conduit portion  32  that extend through the pivot joint  26  and a second conduit portion  34 , which may be in the form of a hose or flexible tubing that couples the first conduit portion to the nozzle  52 . The nozzle  52  is positioned to direct steam or other cleaning fluid toward a steam manifold  36  that distributes the steam or other cleaning fluid over the cleaning cloth  28 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic of the fluid distribution system  30  which can be used with the steam mop  10  of  FIG. 1  for selectively generating and dispensing steam to a surface to be cleaned. The fluid distribution system  30  includes a fluid supply tank  40  for receiving and storing a cleaning fluid. The fluid supply tank  40  can be coupled with a pump  42  by a first fluid conduit  44 . The pump  42  can be fluidly coupled with a heating element  48  for heating the fluid from the fluid supply tank  40  to generate steam through a second fluid conduit  50 . The heating element  48  can comprise an elongated boiler having an inlet at one end that is fluidly coupled with the pump  42  and an outlet at an opposite end which is fluidly coupled with the nozzle  52  through the steam conduit  54 . 
     The fluid distribution system  30  is controlled by a microswitch  56 , which is electrically connected to the pump  42 . The steam mop  10  can also include a trigger  58  ( FIG. 1 ) projecting outwardly from the grip assembly  22  for selective actuation by a user. Actuation of the trigger  58  actuates the microswitch  56  of the fluid distribution system  30  for selectively generating and dispensing steam. The microswitch  56  can also be electrically connected to the heating element  48  such that power is also supplied to the heating element  48 . Alternatively, a separate actuator  60 , shown in phantom line in  FIG. 3 , can be provided for activating the heating element  48 . In yet another configuration, power can be supplied to the heating element continuously when the steam mop  10  is connected to a power source. Depressing the trigger  58  actuates the microswitch  56  and energizes the pump  42  to dispense fluid from the fluid tank  40  to the heating element  48  through the first and second fluid conduits  44  and  50  for selectively generating steam. The steam is delivered from the heating element  48  to the nozzle  52  through the steam conduit  54 . The nozzle  52  can be mounted within the cleaning head  24  and configured to dispense steam onto the cleaning cloth  28 . 
     The fluid supply tank  40  can be configured to hold a predetermined amount of liquid. In one embodiment, the liquid is water or electrolyzed water. Optionally, a variety of cleaning chemicals, fragrances, botanical oils, and the like can be mixed with the water. An optional filter module (not shown) can be detachably connected to the fluid supply tank  40  for removing impurities within the cleaning fluid. The fluid supply tank  40  can be provided with a selectively closable opening through which a user can fill the fluid supply tank  40  with the desired liquid. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the cleaning cloth  28  according to the invention. The cleaning cloth  28  includes the drawstring assembly  38 , a bottom cloth  62 , an edge cloth  64  attached to the bottom cloth  62 . The drawstring assembly  38  includes a drawstring cord  66  and a cord lock  68  that attaches to the drawstring cord  66  to tighten the drawstring cord  66 . The edge cloth  64  includes a channel  70  through which the drawstring cord  66  extends. The cleaning cloth  28  can be configured to be disposable after one or more uses, or can be washable for reuse. 
     The bottom cloth  62  can be multi-layered, with at least one lower layer  72  and at least one upper layer  74 . The layers  72 ,  74  can be made from a woven material, such as cotton, or a non-woven material, such as microfiber. At least the lower layer  72  can be textured to provide increased friction between the cleaning cloth  28  and the surface to be cleaned and loosen foreign matter, such as dirt, dust and the like. While the lower and upper layers  72 ,  74  may each be described herein as a single layer, each may instead include multiple layers of material attached together. 
     The cleaning cloth  28  can also be provided with a cleaning component  76 . The cleaning component  76  can include a disinfecting or sanitizing agent. As used herein, the term “disinfecting or sanitizing agent” is used to refer to any organic or synthetic chemical or chemical composition having anti-bacterial, anti-viral, miticidal, germicidal, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. The cleaning component  76  can further or alternatively include a fragrance, an odor-eliminating agent, odor control agents (i.e. Febreze®), and EPA-exempted natural disinfectants, including botanical disinfectants comprising one or more essential oils such as thyme, peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, lemongrass, thyme or other natural oils. The cleaning cloth  28  can also include one or more floor care components, which may or may not be part of the cleaning component  76  to impart additional treatments to enhance the appearance and protection of the flooring surface, such as floor polish (i.e. Mop &amp; Glo®), polymer protectant, anti-streaking components and vinegar, for example. 
     The cleaning component  76  can be embedded within the bottom cloth  62 , such as between the lower and upper layers  72 ,  74 . Alternatively, the cleaning component can be affixed to the top surface of the bottom cloth  62  with dissolvable adhesive such as PVA tape, for example. The cleaning component  76  can be provided in different physical forms, such as in a singular form like a strip or wafer, a granulated form, a dissolvable or rupturable film sachet, or a gel contained within a heat- and/or moisture-soluble capsule. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cleaning component  76  is provided in strip form. The strip can be provided with one or more perforations or holes  82 , which may increase the penetration of steam through the cleaning cloth  28  and/or increase the amount of surface area of the cleaning component  76  that is exposed to the steam. 
     At least a portion of the upper layer  74  can form a cover  78  for a pocket that receives the cleaning component  76 . As illustrated, the cover  78  can be provided with means that allow a user to easily open the cover  78 , such hook and loop fasteners  80 , an example of which includes VELCRO®. This would permit the user to replenish the cleaning component  76  as necessary. While shown as a flap being separable from the lower layer  72  on at least three sides, it is also possible for the cover  78  to only be separable from the lower layer  72  on one side, thereby permitting a user to slide the cleaning component  76  into the pocket between the lower and upper layers  72 ,  74 . Alternatively, the cover  78  can be sealed around the cleaning component  76  to one of the layers  72 ,  74  after manufacture, for example when the cleaning cloth  28  is disposable cleaning. The cover  78  can be sealed using any suitable method, non-limited examples of which include stitching or adhesion. 
     The cleaning component  76  can be embedded within or affixed to the bottom cloth  62  using any suitable method, a non-limiting example of which includes embedding the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation in water-soluble polymer film, which is then applied one or more layers  72 ,  74  of the bottom cloth  62 . The film can be applied by various methods known in the art, such as, but not limited to, thermal bonding, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding (including hot melt adhesive), and laminating. Alternatively, the encapsulated disinfecting or sanitizing formulation can be loosely placed between layers of the cleaning cloth  28 . In this case, the layer(s) between the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation and the surface to be cleaned can be made from a moisture penetrative material. In the case of a strip or wafer-form cleaning component  76 , the cleaning component  76  can be inserted into the pocket between the lower and upper layers  72 ,  74 , and the cover  78  thereafter closed over the cleaning component  76 . In the case of a granulated cleaning component  76 , the cleaning component  76  can be sprinkled onto the lower layer  72  or injected between the layers  72 ,  74 . 
     The cleaning component  76  can include an encapsulated formulation. The formulation can be encapsulated within an encapsulation barrier or capsule. The encapsulation barrier can be selected to rupture dissolve in the presence of moisture and/or heat. Some examples of suitable encapsulation barriers include, but are not limited to, vinyl alcohol-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol polymer, and octenylsuccinates-starch polymer. In one embodiment, the encapsulation barrier can comprise a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer film that is adapted to dissolve when exposed to moisture at or above a certain elevated threshold temperature, for example, 80° C. or higher, such as the temperature required to generate steam. If the threshold temperature is not reached, the film barrier remains intact. 
     The encapsulated formulation can comprise one or more disinfecting or sanitizing agents. Encapsulation of the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation can prevent degradation of the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation and/or preserve the efficacy of the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation until the time of use. Encapsulation of the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation can also prevent premature reactions with other components embedded within the cleaning cloth  28 . Exposure to moisture and/or heat will rupture or dissolve the encapsulation barrier, thereby releasing the disinfecting or sanitizing agents. 
     Non-limiting examples of suitable disinfecting or sanitizing agents include quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as quats, such as Dialkyl quats, Dialkyl blend quats, single-chain quats and dual chain quats, hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide derivatives, or colloidal particles with disinfecting or sanitizing properties, like silver and/or copper. 
     The disinfecting or sanitizing formulation can be encapsulated according to any known method. One method of encapsulation includes adding lower molecular weight, waxy maize octenylsuccinates to starch polymer by esterifaction of starch hydroxyl groups with octenylsuccinic anhydride. Another method includes using polyvinyl alcohol to encapsulate the disinfecting or sanitizing formulation. This may be useful in the case of a strip- or wafer-form cleaning component  76 . 
     The encapsulated disinfecting or sanitizing formulation embedded in the cleaning cloth  28  can be one that has already been registered and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Examples of suitable EPA registered formulations are listed in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Chemical Composition 
                   
                   
                 EPA 
               
               
                 (Ingredient and Wt %) 
                 Trade Name 
                 Company 
                 Number 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 25% 
                 BTC ® 2125M 
                 Stepan Company, 
                 1839-46 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-18 ) 
                   
                   
                 Northfield, Illinois 
               
               
                 Alkyl Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 25% 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-14 ) 
               
               
                 Inert ingredients 
                 50% 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 40% 
                 BTC ® 2125M-80% 
                 Stepan Company, 
                 1839-54 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-18 ) 
                   
                   
                 Northfield, Illinois 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 40% 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-14 ) 
               
               
                 Inert ingredients 
                 20% 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 20% 
                 BTC ® 2125M P40 
                 Stepan Company, 
                 1839-55 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-18   
                   
                   
                 Northfield, Illinois 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 20% 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-14 ) 
               
               
                 Inert ingredients 
                 60% 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 25% 
                 Maquat MQ2525M- 
                 Mason Chemical Co., 
                 10324-28  
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-18 ) 
                   
                 50% 
                 Arlington Heights, 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl 
                 25% 
                   
                 Illinois 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-14 ) 
               
               
                 Ethanol 
                  2% 
               
               
                 Water 
                 48% 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 40% 
                 Maquat MQ2525M- 
                 Mason Chemical Co., 
                 10324-27  
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-18 ) 
                   
                 80% 
                 Arlington Heights, 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl 
                 40% 
                   
                 Illinois 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-14 ) 
               
               
                 Ethanol 
                 10% 
               
               
                 Water 
                 10% 
               
               
                 Alkyl dimethyl benzyl 
                 20% 
                 Maquat MQ615M 
                 Mason Chemical Co., 
                 10324-51  
               
               
                 ammonium chloride (C 12-16 ) 
                   
                   
                 Arlington Heights, 
               
               
                 Octyl decyl dimethyl 
                 15% 
                   
                 Illinois 
               
               
                 ammonium chloride 
               
               
                 Dioctyl dimethyl ammonium 
                 7.5%  
               
               
                 chloride 
               
               
                 Didecyl dimethyl 
                 7.5%  
               
               
                 ammonium chloride 
               
               
                 Ethanol 
                  5-10% 
               
               
                 Water 
                 40-45% 
               
               
                 Didecyl dimethyl 
                 50% 
                 Maquat 4450-E 
                 Mason Chemical Co., 
                 10324-34  
               
               
                 ammonium chloride 
                   
                   
                 Arlington Heights, 
               
               
                 Ethanol 
                 10% 
                   
                 Illinois 
               
               
                 Water 
                 40% 
               
               
                 Alkyl (C 14  50%, C 16  10%, 
                 50% 
                 Barquat ® MB-50 
                 Lonza, Basel, 
                 6836-2  
               
               
                 C 12  40%) 
                   
                   
                 Switzerland 
               
               
                 Dimethyl Benzyl 
               
               
                 Ammonium Chloride 
               
               
                 Ethyl alcohol 
                 10% 
               
               
                 Water 
                 40% 
               
               
                 Alkyl (C 14  50%, C 16  10%, 
                 80% 
                 Barquat ® MB-80 
                 Lonza, Basel, 
                 6836-14 
               
               
                 C 12  40%) 
                   
                   
                 Switzerland 
               
               
                 Dimethyl Benzyl 
               
               
                 Ammonium Chloride 
               
               
                 Ethyl alcohol 
                 10% 
               
               
                 Water 
                 10% 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The encapsulated formulation can comprise a fragrance, in addition to or alternatively to one or more disinfecting or sanitizing agents. The fragrance can be encapsulated within an encapsulation barrier or capsule selected to rupture or dissolve in the presence of moisture and heat. Encapsulation of the fragrance can prevent degradation of the fragrance and/or preserve the strength of the fragrance until the time of use. Exposure to moisture and/or heat will rupture or dissolve the encapsulation barrier, thereby releasing the fragrance. The fragrance can be encapsulated using any of the methods discussed herein. 
     In use, the moisture and heat from the steam distributed through the cleaning cloth  28  by the fluid dispensing system  30  interacts with the encapsulation barrier of the encapsulated formulation embedded within the cleaning cloth  28  to release the formulation onto the surface being cleaned. The moisture and steam can dissolve, melt or otherwise degrade the encapsulation barrier, thus releasing the formulation. Depending on the encapsulation barrier, only moisture or heat may be required to release the formulation. Alternatively, heat and moisture from the steam may be required to release the formulation. Although the cleaning cloth  28  shown in  FIG. 4  includes an upper layer  74  forming a cover  78  in the form a flap, pouch or pocket for holding the cleaning component  76 , the cover  78  can be omitted altogether and the cleaning component can be affixed directly to the top surface of the bottom cloth  62  as will be described hereinafter. Elements that are common or substantially similar to previously described elements of the invention are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a prime (′) symbol. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5-6 , the cleaning component  90  can comprise a universal moisture and heat-soluble sachet  100  that is adapted for use with any cleaning cloth for a steam cleaner. The sachet  100  can comprise a top layer  102  and bottom layer  104  formed of moisture-soluble PVA film that is configured to dissolve over time upon exposure to at least one of moisture and heat. Alternatively, the top and bottom layers can be formed out of high temperature moisture-soluble PVA film configured to dissolve upon exposure to steam. The top and bottom layers  102 ,  104  are sealed around the perimeter of the sachet  100  forming a cavity  106  therebetween for receiving a variety of consumable materials, such as fragrance or a wide array of cleaning ingredients as previously described. The consumable materials can be provided in the form of a wafer insert  108  comprising anhydrous material such as powder, soap film or paper soap sheet encapsulated between the top and bottom layers  102 ,  104 . The wafer insert  108  can be infused with one or more of a fragrance and a variety of cleaning compositions such as surfactants, oxygenated components, anti-streaking components, shine components or polymer protectant for example. Alternatively, materials such as fragrance can be provided in the form of anhydrous oil drops inserted between the top and bottom layers  102 ,  104  of the sachet  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , a moisture-soluble adhesive  110 , such as PVA tape, can be secured to the bottom surface of the sachet  100 . The adhesive  110  can include a user-removable liner (not shown) that a user can remove to expose the adhesive tape prior to affixing the sachet to the top surface of the bottom cloth  62 . The sachet  100  can be positioned on the bottom cloth  62  so that it is exposed to the steam distributor nozzle  52  when the cleaning cloth  28  is mounted to the foot  14 . Accordingly, the cleaning component  90  can be easily affixed to any cleaning cloth for a steam cleaner. Alternatively, the sachet  100  can be inserted into a pouch, pocket, or separable flap formed on the top of the bottom cloth as previously described. 
     In operation, steam flows through the distributor nozzle  52  and contacts the cleaning component  90 . The steam dissolves the top and bottom layers  102 ,  104  of the sachet  100  as well as the adhesive  110  and eventually exposes the wafer insert  108  therein. The wafer insert  108  and material infused therein are dissolved into the cleaning cloth  28  and as the cloth becomes saturated with steam, the ingredients of the cleaning component  90  are distributed onto the surface to be cleaned or into the ambient atmosphere. Because the top and bottom layers  102 ,  104  and adhesive  110  are all configured to dissolve over time upon exposure to steam, a user does not have to contact the soiled cleaning cloth  28  to remove and dispose the cleaning component  90  prior to laundering the cleaning cloth  28 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 7 , the cleaning component  190  can comprise a wafer  200  that is formed of fragrance-infused thermoplastic concentrate such as polyethelyne (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Elements that are common or substantially similar to previously described elements of the invention are identified with the same reference numeral bearing a double prime (″) symbol. The wafer  200  can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment the wafer  200  can comprise a thin, flexible injection-molded rectangular card akin to a conventional credit card. The wafer  200  can be inserted into a pouch  202 , pocket, or separable flap formed on the top of the bottom cloth  62 ″ as previously described. Alternatively, the wafer  200  can be removably coupled to either of the cleaning cloth  28 ″ or cleaning head  24  by any suitable attachment means such as hook and loop fasteners, or a temporary or removable adhesive, for example. 
     In operation, steam flows through the distributor nozzle  52  and contacts the wafer  200 . Heat and moisture from the steam accelerates the release and volatilization of the infused fragrance from the wafer  200  into the cleaning cloth  28 ″ and surrounding atmosphere. The infused fragrance can be configured to last for one or more cleaning operations, but will eventually diminish to a negligible level. The user can replace the spent wafer with a fresh wafer to renew emission of the consumable during use. 
     In yet another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a wafer  300  can comprise a porous film  306  formed of thermoplastic sheet material of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), for example. A plurality of pores  302  are dispersed throughout the film  306 . Pore sizes can range from approximately 10 to 150 microns. The wafer  300  can further comprise a coating  304  such as a liquid or gel fragrance, which saturates the pores. The coating  304  can optionally further comprise a variety of additional cleaning ingredients as previously described. Optionally, the wafer  300  can comprise a useful life indicator. For example, the fragrance can comprise a color tint that contrasts with the wafer substrate material, which can be white or transparent. Fragrance dissipates during use and thus exposes an increasing area of the color contrasting wafer substrate, thereby indicating the remaining useful life of the wafer. 
     In operation, steam flows through the steam distributor nozzle  52  and contacts the wafer  300 . Heat or a combination of heat and moisture from the steam volatilizes the coating  304  and releases it from the pores  302  and surface of the film  300  into the cleaning cloth and surrounding atmosphere. The coating can be configured to have a useful life of one or more cleaning tasks, but will eventually diminish to a negligible level. For example, the coating can comprise a fragrance that gradually diminishes during use. The fragrance can be color-tinted so that it progressively fades and exposes an increasing area of the color contrasting wafer substrate, until the color dissipates completely and the entire wafer film  306  is exposed. Accordingly, the wafer  200 ,  300  and color-tinted fragrance coating are adapted to provide an end of useful life indicator that signals a user to replace the wafer with a fresh, unused wafer. 
     While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the foregoing specification and drawings without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is set forth in the accompanying claims.