Patent Publication Number: US-9833117-B2

Title: Floor finish application pad and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/864,547, filed Oct. 26, 2010, which is a national phase application filing of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/031858, filed Jan. 23, 2009, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/023,626, filed on Jan. 25, 2008, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mop-like assemblies of the type used for applying floor finishes (e.g., floor wax, polyurethane, or other floor finishing or floor sealing materials, etc.) to a surface such as the surface of a floor are well known, and are hereinafter generally referred to interchangeably as floor finish application tools or assemblies. Some conventional floor finish application tools generally include a floor finish application head and a handle pivotally attached to the head. In many cases, a valve assembly is mounted on the handle adjacent the head and in fluid communication with the floor finish to control the flow of floor finish from a reservoir to the floor. The valve is normally closed to stop the flow of floor finish through the valve, but can be manually opened to allow the floor finish to flow through the valve to be deposited on the floor at a position close to the head. The floor finish is spread over the surface by the head, or more specifically, by an applicator pad coupled to the head. These conventional assemblies typically do not accurately control the amount of floor finish applied to a floor at a reasonable cost to be considered disposable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a floor finish application pad and/or method of applying floor finishes to a floor. 
     Some embodiments also feature a unique floor finish applicator pad that is useful for applying floor finishing compositions onto a substrate surface, such as a floor. 
     In some embodiments, the floor finish application pad comprises a material having a tri-dimensionally extending network of intercommunicated voids. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of applying a protective floor finish to a floor, wherein the method comprises providing a floor finish application tool, actuating a valve assembly from a closed position to an open position, dispensing floor finish onto the floor in response to actuating the valve assembly to the open position, and spreading the dispensed floor finish across the floor with the pad. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a floor finish applicator pad is provided, and comprises a body comprising a sheet of air filter material having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and more fluid absorbent than the first side; a leading edge; and a trailing edge having a thickness different from that of the leading edge. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention provide a floor finish applicator pad, comprising: a leading edge; a trailing edge; and an air filter sheet having a first side; a second side opposite the first side and more fluid absorbent than the first side; and a fold at least partially defining one of the leading and trailing edges of the applicator pad and having at least a double layer of the air filter sheet, the fold further defining a first portion of the applicator pad in which the second side of the air filter sheet is oriented to engage a floor surface; wherein a second portion of the applicator pad is at least partially defined by the air filter sheet, the first side of the air filter sheet at the second portion oriented to engage the floor surface. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, a floor finish applicator pad is provided, and comprises: a body having: leading and trailing edges joined by lateral sides; and a ground-engaging surface; the body comprising filter material having a density greater than about 0.01 g/cm 3  and less than about 0.08 g/cm 3 , and a thickness greater than about 0.3 cm and less than about 2.5 cm. 
     Further aspects of the present invention, together with the organization and operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floor finish application tool having a pad embodying aspects of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pad and a finish application tool head according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the pad and head illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a pad according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the pad illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of a pad according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limited. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “mounted,” “connected,” and “coupled” are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mounting, connecting and coupling. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Finally, as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, other alternative mechanical configurations are possible, and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, there is illustrated a exemplary floor finish application tool  10  that can be utilized with pads according to embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated tool is designed and configured to apply a floor finish to a floor. In some applications, the floor finish can be a composition capable of providing a temporary or permanent protective coating, typically a clear coating, onto the surface of the floor. For example, the floor finish can be a floor coating or sealer. Further, various embodiments of the pad according to the present invention are configured to apply a substantially consistent and uniform layer of floor finish to a floor regardless of force applied to the tool by an operator, or at least through a broad range of such pressures. Although a specific tool is illustrated and described herein, the illustrated tool is not limiting upon the present invention. Rather, substantially any other application tool can be used with the pads according to the present invention. 
     The illustrated floor finish application tool  10  comprises a floor finish application head  12 , an elongated handle  14  having a first (or distal) end  15  pivotally attached to the head  12 , and a portion adjacent an opposite second (or proximal) end  16  that is adapted to be manually engaged by an operator to move the head  12  along a floor or other surface. 
     The illustrated floor finish application tool  10  also has a valve assembly  18  with a valve (not shown) for controlling dispense of fluid from the tool  10 . In some embodiments, the valve assembly  18  is positioned adjacent the first end  15  of the handle  14 , and is operable to regulate the flow of floor finish from a reservoir  26  to the floor. The valve assembly  18  has an open position in which the valve assembly  18  permits floor finish to flow to the floor, and a closed position in which the valve assembly  18  does not permit floor finish to flow to the floor (or more specifically, through a conduit positioned in the valve assembly  18 ). In some embodiments, the valve assembly  18  can have multiple predefined open positions corresponding to multiple flow rates. Although the valve assembly  18  can be configured in a number of different manners, in the illustrated embodiment the valve assembly  18  has a pinch valve configuration. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an actuator  20  is coupled to the handle  14  to actuate the valve assembly  18 . The actuator  20  allows an operator to control or selectively dispense floor finish from the reservoir  26 . The actuator  20  can be coupled to the handle  14  in any suitable location (e.g., anywhere along the handle  14 ) and can take a number of different forms (e.g., lever, button, dial, and the like). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the actuator  20  is a push button, and is located on the second end  16  of the handle  14 . However, in other embodiments, the actuator  20  can be located in a number of other positions adjacent the second end  16 , or in many other positions along the handle  14 . Further, the configuration of the actuator  20  can be modified as well. For example, the actuator  20  can have a trigger configuration or other configurations known in the art. The actuator  20  can be coupled to the valve assembly  18  via one or more linkages, rods, cables, other force transmission assemblies, and the like. In some embodiments, the actuator  20  can be or include an electronic actuator (e.g., electrical switch, button, and the like). Also, in some embodiments, an actuator is not necessary. 
     Some floor finish application tools, such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 1 , include a floor finish delivery system  25 . The floor finish delivery system  25  can include a permanent or replaceable floor finish reservoir  26  having a conduit  24  extending from the reservoir  26  (e.g., from an opening of the reservoir  26 ) to direct floor finish toward a location on the floor, such as adjacent the head  12 . The floor finish delivery system  25  can include one or more nozzles, spray heads, or other devices used to deliver, and in some cases distribute, fluid upon the floor. Such devices can be coupled to the floor finish reservoir  25  by the conduit  24 , or can be directly connected to the floor finish reservoir  26 . In some embodiments, the floor finish delivery system  25  is intended only for a single use. As such, once the reservoir  26  is depleted, the floor finish delivery system  25  is replaced with a new floor finish delivery system  25 . This configuration substantially eliminates the possibility of clogging and the time-consuming maintenance related to such clogs. 
     The reservoir  26  can take a number of different forms. For example, the reservoir  26  can comprise a bag, a substantially rigid vessel or container, and the like. The reservoir  26  can also have an opening closed by a screw cap, plug, or other suitable closure mechanism through which opening the container can be dispensed, and in some embodiments refilled. In some embodiments, the reservoir  26  can be provided with a non-removable closure mechanism to prevent the floor finish delivery system from being reused, which may prevent related clogging issues of reuse. 
     As mentioned above with regard to the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a conduit  24  can extend from the opening of the reservoir  26  toward a floor surface to deliver floor finish from the reservoir  26  to the floor. The conduit  24  can take a number of different suitable forms. 
     As discussed above, the second end  15  of the handle  14  is coupled to the head  12 . Specifically, the second end  15  of the illustrated handle  14  is pivotally coupled to the head  12  via a joint, such as a ball joint, universal joint, hinge, and the like. The head  12  can include fastening structure for fastening a floor finish application pad  44  to the head  12 . This fastening structure can include substantially any fastening structure known in the art, such as mechanical fasteners like hook and loop fasteners or fastening material, elastic grabbing members, pinching members, pockets received by the head, and the like. 
     The floor finish application pad  44  can have a number of different shapes based at least in part upon the shape of the head  12 , the manner of connection of the pad  44  and head  12 , and the type of floor finish to be spread by the pad  44 . In some embodiments, the pad  44  is substantially flat as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , and can be constructed of a body of material having one or more layers of the same or different thicknesses. However, in other embodiments, the pad  44  has other shapes adapted for particular movement and floor finishing operations performed by the tool  10 . An example of such a shape is illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The applicator pad  144  illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5  includes a substantially planar first surface  148 , a stepped second surface  152 , first and second pad portions  154 ,  156 , and a step  158  therebetween. Although either or both first and second portions  154 ,  156  can be constructed of a single layer of the same or different materials described in greater detail below, either or both portions  154 ,  156  can be constructed of any number of additional layers as desired. For example, the second portion  156  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can comprise two layers of material, whereas the first portion  154  can comprise three layers of material. The first portion  154  has a greater height than the second portion  156  to promote better spreading of fluid, and to inhibit fluid flowing over the top of the pad  144 . 
     In some embodiments, the applicator pad  144  is positioned such that the first surface  148  engages a floor or other surface (hereinafter referred to simply as a “floor surface” or “floor” for ease of description). In other embodiments, the applicator pad  144  is positioned such that the stepped second surface  152  engages the floor. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to engage the floor with a flat surface, based upon a number of factors, including the viscosity of floor finish to be moved by the applicator pad  144 , the absorbency of the applicator pad  144 , and the like. However, when a non-flat surface (e.g., stepped second surface  152 ) engages the floor, various unique properties, such as reduced drag or friction, can result. For example, while not subscribing to any specific theory or suggesting that the applicator pad  144  must be in any particular orientation with respect to a floor, the inventors have found that engaging a floor with a smaller surface area, such as with a non-flat surface (e.g., with the front surface  162  shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  contacting the finish first), results in lower drag and can result in a more even coating of floor finish or other fluid. 
     The illustrated applicator pad  144  further includes a substantially planar front surface  162  extending between first and second side surfaces  164 ,  166 , respectively. First and second corners  168 ,  170  are positioned between the front surface  162  and the respective first and second side surfaces  164 ,  166 . The first and second corners  168 ,  170  can form a right angle between the front surface  162  and the first and second side surfaces  164 ,  166 , thereby permitting an operator to move fluid into corners or other restricted spaces. 
     The illustrated applicator pad  144  additionally includes a rear surface  172 . Third and fourth corners  174 ,  176  can be positioned between the rear surface  172  and the respective first and second side surfaces  164 ,  166  of the applicator pad  144 . The third and fourth corners  174 ,  176  can be curved (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ), and can move fluid back to a middle of the applicator pad  144  to inhibit fluid leakage or streaking during fluid application. 
     In some embodiments, the applicator pad  144  can have a width of between about 40 cm and about 60 cm between first and second side surfaces,  164 ,  166 . In some embodiments, the length of the applicator pad  144  is between about 11 cm and about 12 cm between the front surface  162  and the rear surface  172 . Also, in some embodiments, the first portion  154  of the applicator pad  144  extends less than half (e.g., about one third) of the length between the front surface  162  and the rear surface  172 . In other embodiments, the first portion  154  extends greater than half (e.g., about two thirds) of the length between the front surface  162  and the rear surface  172 . 
     In some embodiments, the applicator pad  144  includes one or more layers of air filter material, the properties of which are described in greater detail below. The material can be found in sheet form having thicknesses that are also described below, and can be stacked, folded, and/or interfolded in different manners to achieve different unique properties of the applicator pad  144 . Some features of sheet materials that can have a significant impact upon the characteristics of the applicator pad  144  include the smoothness and absorbency of the sheet material used to construct the applicator pad  144 . These features can be different on opposite sides of the sheet materials. For example, some sheet materials according to the present invention are relatively smooth on one side and relatively rough on an opposite side (i.e., generating different frictional resistances when dragged across another surface). As another example, these and other sheet materials can have one side that is more fluid permeable and/or fluid absorbent than another, and in some cases can have one side that is fluid impermeable or substantially fluid impermeable, and an opposite side that is fluid permeable. As will now be described, the construction of applicator pads according to some embodiments of the present invention is based at least in part upon the use of sheet materials (e.g., air filter sheet materials) having different properties on opposite sides of the sheet materials. 
     Additional non-flat applicator pad embodiments according to the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 6-11 . The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 6-11  are numbered in respective hundreds series ( 244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644 ,  744 ). In these embodiments, the applicator pads  244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644 ,  744  have differing heights or different configurations between the front and back of the applicator pads  244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644 ,  744 . In some embodiments, sheet material having different properties (e.g., smoothness and/or absorbency, as described above) on opposite sides of the sheet material is used. 
     With reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 6  the applicator pad  244  illustrated therein includes a first length of material  278  and a second length of material  280 . In some embodiments, the first and second lengths of material can be constructed of the same or similar type of sheet material (i.e., having the same or similar properties). The first length of material  278  is folded in half to form a folded end  282  and an open end  284 , while the second length of material  280  is folded over the open end  284 . The applicator pad  244  can engage the floor with a non-flat surface, similar to the applicator pad  144  described above. The first length of material  278  can be the same as or different than the second length of material  280 . In some embodiments, the first length of material  278  is the same as the second length of material  280 . However, both lengths of material  278 ,  280  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6  include a first side  286  and second side  288  that have different properties. For example, the first side  286  can have a surface that is substantially fluid impermeable, whereas the second side  288  can have a more fluid absorbent surface that can also have better spreading capability. In general, the more fluid absorbent surface of the second side  288  can be rougher (and in some cases, softer) than the surface of the first side  286 . In other words, the substantially fluid impermeable or less fluid permeable surface of the first side  286  can be smoother (and in some cases, less soft) than the surface of the second side  288 . Engaging the floor with both the first side  286  and the second side  288  at different portions of pad  244  can allow for more even spreading of fluid with reduced drag. In this regard, fluid can be at least partially absorbed within and pushed by the second length of material  280  while being prevented from loading the first length of material  278  by virtue of the less fluid absorbent (and in some cases, fluid impermeable) exposed side of the second length of material. 
     Although the opposite edges of the first and second lengths of material  278 ,  280  shown in  FIG. 6  are substantially vertically aligned with one another in  FIG. 6 , such alignment is not required. For example, in other embodiments, the top and bottom edges of the second length of material  280  can cover any portion of the top and bottom of the first length of material  278 , respectively, while still resulting in an applicator pad  244  in which the second length of material  280  is folded over an open end  284  of the first length of material  278 . As another example, the opposite edges of the first length of material  278  can be offset from one another while still resulting in an applicator pad  244  as just described. Furthermore, although only one fold is shown in the first length of material  278  described above, any number of additional folds can be provided in the first length of material  278  while still providing an applicator pad  244  having a relatively smooth and/or fluid impermeable exterior surface as described above. 
     The applicator pad  244  illustrated in  FIG. 7  differs from the applicator pad  244  of  FIG. 6  in that a first length of material  378  is cut into two separate pieces  378   a ,  378   b , rather than being folded. In some embodiments, the piece  378   a  is the same material (i.e., has the same properties) as piece  378   b , whereas in other embodiments, piece  378   a  is a different material than piece  378   b . Further, piece  378   a  is oriented such that a relatively less fluid absorbent (and in some cases, smooth) first side  386  contacts the floor and a rougher (and in some cases softer), more absorbent second side  388  faces generally away from the floor. Piece  378   b  can be oriented in the same manner as piece  378   a , or can be oriented in an opposite manner. The orientation of piece  378   b  is not noted in  FIG. 7  to further illustrate that the orientation of the piece  378   b  can be less important than the orientation of piece  378   a  in some embodiments of the present invention. The second length of material  380  is folded over the pieces  378   a ,  378   b  in an orientation such that the first side  386  contacts the pieces  378   a ,  378   b  and the second side  388  contacts the floor. Reference is hereby made to the embodiment of  FIG. 6  for further description regarding the features of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  and the alternatives thereto. 
     The applicator pad  444  illustrated in  FIG. 8  includes a first length of material  478  having a first end  490  and a second end  492 , and that is folded in half to form a folded portion  494  having a folded end  482  and an open end  484 . The first end  490  and second end  492  are folded back upon the length of material at the open end  484  to each form a double-folded portion  496 . Like the lengths of material described above in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the length of material  478  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 8  includes a first side  486  and second side  488  that have different properties. For example, the first side  486  can have a substantially less absorbent surface that is substantially fluid impermeable, whereas the second side  488  can have a rougher (and in some cases softer), more fluid absorbent surface. Therefore, the folded portion  494  of the applicator pad  444  illustrated in  FIG. 8  includes a smooth first side  486  that contacts the floor and a rough second side  488  spaced from the floor, whereas the double-folded portion  496  positions the second side  488  adjacent the floor with the first side  486  spaced from the floor. Engaging the floor with both the first side  486  and the second side  488  at different portions of pad  444  can allow for more even spreading of fluid with reduced drag. In this regard, fluid can be at least partially absorbed within and pushed by the double-folded portion  496  of the length of material  478  while being prevented from loading the folded portion  494  of the length of material  478  by virtue of the less fluid absorbent (and in some cases, fluid impermeable) exposed side of the length of material  478  at the folded portion  494 . 
     Although the opposite ends  490 ,  492  of the length of material  478  shown in  FIG. 8  are substantially vertically aligned with one another in  FIG. 8 , such alignment is not required. For example, in other embodiments, the opposite ends  490 ,  492  of the length of material  478  can cover any portion of the folded portion  494 , while still resulting in an applicator pad  444  having a double-folded portion  496  with exposed rougher and/or more fluid permeable and absorbent side  488  and a folded portion  494  with exposed smoother and/or less fluid permeable (and in some embodiments, fluid impermeable) side  486 . Furthermore, although the folded portion  494  is shown in  FIG. 8  as having only one fold, the folded portion  494  can have any number of additional folds of the same or different lengths while still providing an applicator pad  444  having a relatively smooth and/or fluid impermeable exterior surface as described above. Also, although the folded portion  496  is shown in  FIG. 8  as having only a single fold at a top and bottom of the applicator pad  444 , any number of additional folds of the same or different lengths can be located at the top and/or bottom of the applicator pad  444  in such locations while still providing an applicator pad  444  having a relatively rough and/or fluid permeable external surface as described above. 
     The applicator pad  544  illustrated in  FIG. 9  differs from the applicator pad  444  of  FIG. 8  in that only one end  590  (e.g., bottom end  590 ) of the first length of material  578  is folded upon itself. Like the applicator pad  444  of  FIG. 8 , the first length of material  578  is folded in half to form a folded portion  594  having a folded end  582  and an open end  584 . The first end  590  is folded back at the open end  584 , and is folded against the first sheet of material  578  to form a double-folded portion  596 . Accordingly, the folded portion  594  includes a smooth and/or less fluid permeable first side  586  that contacts the floor and a rougher (and in some cases, softer) and/or more fluid permeable and absorbent second side  588  that is spaced from the floor, whereas the double-folded portion  596  includes a smooth and/or less fluid permeable first side  586  spaced from the floor and the rougher and/or more fluid permeable second side  588  in engagement with the floor. Reference is hereby made to the embodiment of  FIG. 8  for further description regarding the features of the embodiment of  FIG. 9  and the alternatives thereto. 
     The applicator pad  644  illustrated in  FIG. 10  differs from the applicator pad  444  of  FIG. 8  in that the applicator pad  644  only includes a single fold. The applicator pad  644  illustrated in  FIG. 10  includes a first length of material  678  having a first end  690  and a second end  692 . The first end  690  is folded against the length of material  678  to form a folded portion  694  having a folded end  682  and an open end  684 . Like the lengths of material described above in connection with  FIGS. 6-9 , the length of material  678  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10  includes a first side  686  and second side  688  that have different properties. For example, the first side  686  can have a substantially smooth surface that is substantially fluid impermeable, whereas the second side  688  can have a rougher (and in some cases, softer) more fluid absorbent surface. The folded end  682  of the applicator pad  644  illustrated in  FIG. 10  includes a rough second side  688  that contacts the floor, and the open end  684  includes a smoother, less fluid permeable first side  686  that contacts the floor. Engaging the floor with both the first side  686  and the second side  688  at different portions of the pad  644  can allow for more even spreading of fluid with reduced drag. In this regard, fluid can be at least partially absorbed within and pushed by the folded end  682  of the length of material  678  while being prevented from loading the second end  692  of the length of material  678  by virtue of the less fluid absorbent (and in some cases, fluid impermeable) side of the length of material  678  facing a floor surface at the second end  692 . Although the length of material  678  folded upon itself in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 10  results in a double thickness extending along less than half of the width of the applicator pad  644 , the length of material  678  can instead be folded so that at least half, and in some cases more than half of the width of the applicator pad  644  has a double thickness. 
     The applicator pad  744  illustrated in  FIG. 11  differs from the applicator pad  544  of  FIG. 9  in that the length of material  778  in  FIG. 11  is folded so that it has a double thickness across the width of the applicator pad  744 , whereas the length of material  578  in  FIG. 9  is folded so that it has a triple thickness at an end  584  of the applicator pad  544  (by virtue of the first end  590  being folded upon itself as described above). The first length of material  778  in the applicator pad  744  shown in  FIG. 11  has a first end  790  and a second end  792 . The first end  790  is folded back against the first length of material  778  to create a first folded portion  784   a  having a first folded end  782   a  and the second end  792  is folded back against the first length of material  778  to create a second folded portion  784   b  having a second folded end  782   b . Like the lengths of material described above in connection with  FIGS. 6-10 , the length of material  778  in the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 11  includes a first side  786  and second side  788  that have different properties. For example, the first side  786  can have a surface that is substantially fluid impermeable (and in some cases, substantially smooth), whereas the second side  788  can have a rougher (and in some cases, softer), more fluid absorbent surface. Engaging a floor surface with both the first side  786  and the second side  788  at different portions of pad  744  can allow for more even spreading of fluid with reduced drag, as discussed above. 
     Although the opposite ends  790 ,  792  of the length of material  778  shown in  FIG. 11  are substantially vertically aligned with one another in  FIG. 11 , such alignment is not required. For example, in other embodiments, the opposite ends  790 ,  792  of the length of material  778  can cover any respective portion of the length of material  778  (i.e., can extend across any portion of the width of the applicator pad  744 ) while still resulting in an applicator pad  744  having a first folded portion  784   a  with an exposed rougher (and in some cases, softer) and/or more fluid permeable and absorbent side  788 , and a second folded portion  784   b  with an exposed smoother and/or less fluid permeable (and in some embodiments, fluid impermeable) side  786 . Furthermore, although the folded portions  784   a ,  784   b  are shown in  FIG. 11  as having only one fold, either or both of the folded portions  784   a ,  784   b  can have any number of additional folds of the same or different lengths. An advantage of an applicator pad  744  with folded portions  784   a,    784   b  each defining a rougher (and in some cases, softer) and/or more fluid permeable and absorbent side  788  exposed on one side of the applicator pad  744 , and a smoother and/or less fluid permeable (and in some embodiments, fluid impermeable) side  786  exposed on an opposite side of the applicator pad  744  is that the applicator pad  744  can be flipped over to present the same or similar applicator pad structure to a floor surface. Accordingly, the applicator pad  744  in such embodiments can be flipped over (once one side of the applicator pad  744  has been soiled or otherwise used to the degree desired) to be used again. The same can be said for pads according to other embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein (e.g., pads  244 ,  344 ,  444 ) provided that any fasteners needed to connect the flipped pad have not been damaged. 
     Applicator pads  44 ,  144 ,  244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644  and  744  according to various embodiments of the present invention can be constructed of a number of different materials having the performance and material characteristics described below. By way of example, such applicator pads  44 ,  144 ,  244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644  and  744  can be constructed of fibrous material, webs, foams, and other sponge-like materials, plastic elements, and the like. Exemplary floor finish finishing materials include, but are not limited to, polyester fibers, rayon, cotton, wool, polyolefins, polyamides such as nylons, and combinations thereof. 
     Applicator pads  44 ,  144 ,  244 ,  344 ,  444 ,  544 ,  644  and  744  according to various embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated using a number of well-known technique suitable for producing materials with the material characteristics described below. 
     In the development of applicator pads according to various embodiments of the present invention, multiple cleaning pads, cloths, and filters were tested for even floor finish distribution and for leveling out uneven surfaces. Three materials showed unexpected results when used to distribute floor finish over a surface. The first two materials are air filter materials available under the product designation HF 40 HS1S (hereinafter, “HF40”) and HF 32D available by Ahlstrom Corporation, Helsinki, Finland, while the third material is the air filter material available from Nox-Bellcow, Zhongshan, China (hereinafter “Nox”). It was unexpected and surprising that air filter material would perform as good as or better than conventional scrub pads and applicator pads. In order to determine material properties that could improve floor finishing performance, various tests were run to determine material properties for these three air filter materials, and many scrub pads and applicator pads that are readily available in the marketplace. For example, these materials were compared to various conventional pads relative to density, friction, compression resistance, porosity, spreading, absorbency, and the like. 
     Friction/Drag 
     During tests, it was observed that the air filter materials (i.e., HF40, HF32D and Nox) had surprisingly dramatic reduction in drag without compromising the quality of coatings achieved. As such, various tests were conducted to test these observations. Specifically, the coefficient of friction was calculated on the same surface for a variety of conventional materials and compared to the air filter material. Three different tests were conducted. One test determined the dry coefficient of friction (static and dynamic) relative to the common surface. The second determined the wet coefficient of friction (static and dynamic) relative to the common surface. The third was a measure of the coefficient of static friction utilizing the James Machine. 
     For both the first and second friction test noted above, six inch diameter samples of material were separately dragged over a coated tile surface (black VCT from Armstrong with 4 coats of Carefree® floor finish, available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc.) under a set vertical force (Z-force) using a Precision Force Instrument. One cycle of testing included moving the pad from one side of a tile to an opposite side of the tile, and then moving the pad in an opposite direction across the tile. Each pad was dragged over the tile for two cycles (total of 4 passes) with a pause included between cycles. Pad position, running time and both horizontal (X) and vertical force (Z) were recorded at the rate of 100 data points per second during the run. The first peak forces (or static forces) in the horizontal (X) were detected in the beginning of each pass when the pad started to move across the tile, while a lower force (or dynamic force) in the horizontal (X) direction was detected while the pad was moving across the tile. The average (through out whole pass) and first peak (static) coefficients of friction were calculated respectively by dividing the average X-force (whole pass) by average Z-force (whole pass) and by dividing the first peak X-force (static) by the Z-force at that point. The average coefficient should be very slightly higher and could be viewed as a dynamic coefficient. For the dry test, the materials were not moistened. For the wet test, the materials were moistened with 25 mL of water to partially simulate use conditions. This data is included Table I—wet and Table I—dry below. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 wet 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Low to high 
                   
                 COF- 
                 COF- 
                 XF-1 st   
                 ZF at 1 st   
                 XF-avg 
                 ZF-avg 
               
               
                 COF-static 
                 Sample ID 
                 static 
                 avg. 
                 peak, lb 
                 XF peak, lb 
                 lb 
                 lb 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 #1 
                 HF40, fuzzy side 
                 0.39 
                 0.24 
                 5.792 
                 14.855 
                 3.612 
                 14.790 
               
               
                 #2 
                 Jonmaster white pad 
                 0.44 
                 0.27 
                 6.137 
                 14.089 
                 3.762 
                 13.854 
               
               
                 #3 
                 HF 32D 
                 0.45 
                 0.26 
                 6.767 
                 15.007 
                 3.854 
                 14.989 
               
               
                 #4 
                 HD yellow stripe pad 
                 0.50 
                 0.32 
                 6.807 
                 13.745 
                 4.292 
                 13.598 
               
               
                 #4 
                 Rubbermaid Q800 pad 
                 0.50 
                 0.33 
                 6.869 
                 13.788 
                 4.536 
                 13.592 
               
               
                 #6 
                 Tuway green pad 
                 0.75 
                 0.47 
                 10.170 
                 13.554 
                 6.198 
                 13.320 
               
               
                 #7 
                 Padco, short fiber/ 
                 1.09 
                 0.39 
                 15.677 
                 14.384 
                 5.495 
                 14.100 
               
               
                   
                 thin sponge 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 dry 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Low to high 
                   
                 COF- 
                 COF- 
                 XF-1 st   
                 ZF at 1 st   
                 XF-avg 
                 ZF-avg 
               
               
                 COF-static 
                 Sample ID 
                 static 
                 avg. 
                 peak, lb 
                 XF peak, lb 
                 lb 
                 lb 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 #1 
                 Jonmaster white pad 
                 0.38 
                 0.26 
                 5.367 
                 14.114 
                 3.667 
                 13.988 
               
               
                 #1 
                 HF40, fuzzy side 
                 0.38 
                 0.28 
                 5.713 
                 15.205 
                 4.161 
                 15.079 
               
               
                 #3 
                 Rubbermaid Q800 pad 
                 0.44 
                 0.31 
                 6.080 
                 14.298 
                 4.353 
                 14.014 
               
               
                 #4 
                 HF 32D 
                 0.49 
                 0.32 
                 7.604 
                 15.534 
                 4.905 
                 15.474 
               
               
                 #5 
                 HD yellow stripe pad 
                 0.55 
                 0.34 
                 7.737 
                 14.185 
                 4.755 
                 14.047 
               
               
                 #6 
                 Tuway green pad 
                 0.65 
                 0.38 
                 10.121 
                 15.456 
                 5.881 
                 15.372 
               
               
                 #6 
                 Padco, short fiber/ 
                 0.65 
                 0.40 
                 9.303 
                 14.405 
                 5.651 
                 14.129 
               
               
                   
                 thin sponge 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The sample with the lowest static coefficient of friction values was the filter material (HF40). From the results in Table I-wet, the HF40 filter material demonstrated a static coefficient of friction of about 0.39 and a dynamic coefficient of friction of about 0.24 when wet, which are substantially less than the other materials tested. HF32D filter material demonstrated a static coefficient of friction of about 0.45 and a dynamic coefficient of friction of about 0.26 when wet, which are substantially less than the other materials tested. From the results in Table I-dry, the HF40 filter material demonstrated a static coefficient of friction of about 0.38 and a dynamic coefficient of friction about 0.28 when dry, which are substantially less than the other materials tested. 
     The inventors have discovered that in some pad embodiments according to the present invention, the static coefficient of friction tested according to the above-described test method is less than about 0.75. In some embodiments, the static coefficient of friction is less than about 0.55. In still other embodiments, this static coefficient of friction is less than about 0.45. 
     As indicated above, the materials were also tested using the James Machine Test (ASTM D-2047). This test is generally used to measure the coefficient of static friction of a polish-coated flooring surface relative to a standard “shoe” as a safety measure. Specifically, this test normally uses a piece of leather attached to a metal plate as a “shoe,” and places the “shoe” on top of the floor surface under a set vertical force. The floor material is then moved laterally until the shoe slips under the force. The point at which the shoe slips relative to the floor is the measure of the coefficient of static friction. 
     The James Machine Test was also adapted to determine the coefficient of static friction for each of these materials relative to an unmodified (i.e., no additional coatings applied) 12 inch by 12 inch Armstrong new black vinyl composite tile. In this modified test, a three inch by three inch sample of material was attached to the “shoe”. The new tile was lightly wiped with non-link tissue between tests to remove any particles from the tile. The average static coefficients of friction for the pad materials are included below in Table II. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Mop drags 
               
               
                   
                 Coefficient of Friction 
                 experienced 
               
               
                 Sample ID 
                 Average of 4 readings 
                 (1-lowest) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Justinus-1, groove “p” front edge 
                 0.24 
                 low 
               
               
                 Glit 98, white pad 
                 0.24 
                 low 
               
               
                 Ahlstrom HF40 HS1S, skin side 
                 0.24 
                 low 
               
               
                 Justinus-1, groove “//” front edge 
                 0.24 
                 Not tested 
               
               
                 Ahlstrom HF40 HS1S, fuzzy side 
                 0.24 
                 low 
               
               
                 Nox-Bellcow, fuzzy side 
                 0.25 
                 Low 
               
               
                 Jonmaster ProPolish white pad 
                 0.25 
                 low 
               
               
                 Ahlstrom, HF32D 
                 0.25 
                 low 
               
               
                 Daego disposable, white fuzzy side 
                 026 
                 low-medium 
               
               
                 3M 98, white pad 
                 0.27 
                 low-medium 
               
               
                 Rubbermaid Q800 pad 
                 0.27 
                 low-medium 
               
               
                 3M Easy Shine applicator pad 
                 0.28 
                 low-medium 
               
               
                 Daego disposable, green skin side 
                 0.28 
                 Not tested 
               
               
                 Tuway green pad 
                 0.29 
                 high 
               
               
                 Nox-Bellcow, skin side 
                 0.32 
                 low 
               
               
                 Padco, short fiber/thin sponge, 
                 0.35 
                 high 
               
               
                 fiber side 
               
               
                 Americo white drive, groove “//” 
                 0.47 
                 Not tested 
               
               
                 front edge 
               
               
                 Americo white drive, groove “p” 
                 0.48 
                 Not tested 
               
               
                 front edge 
               
               
                 Leather, as reference 
                 0.53 
                 Not tested 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The inventors have discovered that mop drags experienced in applying floor finishes have the same trend as the results from the modified James machine test described above. However, it was noticed that with the Nox-Bellcow material, the side of the material with the smoother surface presents an amount of friction that is most likely due to the biting of that surface into the tile under extreme high pressure (˜8.9 lb per square inch)—a result that is many times higher than the head pressure on the pad (˜0.02 to 0.2 lb per square inch) during the application. The inventors have discovered that in some pad embodiments according to the present invention, the static coefficient of friction tested according to the modified James Machine Test method should be less than about 0.32. In more preferred embodiments, the static coefficient of friction is less than about 0.28. In yet more preferred embodiments, this static coefficient of friction is less than about 0.26. 
     Density 
     As indicated above, density was also measure for a variety of materials to determine whether density helped provide the performance characteristics noted with the air filter materials. Many of the possible floor finish pads were tested under various circumstances to determine some material properties of the pads yielding desired floor finish application results. The height of sample stacks were measured according to ASTM D6571 with sample stacks sandwiched between two plates. The weight of the sample stacks were also measured, and these parameters were used to calculate the volume and the density of the samples. This data was collected, and is listed below in Table III. One will note that all samples were tested with multiple layers of the same material stacked to reduce the effects of sample variation. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE III 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Sample stacks 
                 Thickness 
                 Weight 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Height 
                 Volume 
                 Weight 
                 Density 
                 Sample stack 
                 per layer 
                 Per layer 
               
               
                   
                 cm 
                 cm 3   
                 g 
                 g/cm 3   
                 # layer 
                 cm 
                 g/m 2   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Ahlstrom HF 32D 
                 13.5447 
                 3047.55 
                 56.266 
                 0.019 
                 24 
                 0.564 
                 104 
               
               
                 ETC thin Gorilla 
                 17.1563 
                 3860.16 
                 96.586 
                 0.025 
                 9 
                 1.906 
                 477 
               
               
                 lite pad 
               
               
                 Glit light duty 
                 13.1478 
                 2958.26 
                 96.301 
                 0.033 
                 11 
                 1.195 
                 389 
               
               
                 tan pad 
               
               
                 Glit light duty 
                 15.7275 
                 3538.69 
                 122.168 
                 0.035 
                 16 
                 0.983 
                 339 
               
               
                 blue pad 
               
               
                 Nox-Bellcow 
                 11.7984 
                 2654.65 
                 95.193 
                 0.036 
                 36 
                 0.328 
                 118 
               
               
                 Glit yellow pad 
                 11.5206 
                 2592.14 
                 94.415 
                 0.036 
                 12 
                 0.960 
                 350 
               
               
                 Glit 98 light duty 
                 11.2428 
                 2529.63 
                 97.127 
                 0.038 
                 11 
                 1.022 
                 392 
               
               
                 white pad 
               
               
                 3M 98 pad 
                 11.9175 
                 2681.44 
                 109.901 
                 0.041 
                 12 
                 0.993 
                 407 
               
               
                 HF40 HS1S 
                 12.1556 
                 2735.02 
                 121.63 
                 0.046 
                 33 
                 0.368 
                 164 
               
               
                 Justinus-1 
                 11.7984 
                 2654.65 
                 127.817 
                 0.048 
                 34 
                 0.347 
                 167 
               
               
                 3M 90 pad 
                 12.1159 
                 2726.09 
                 157.764 
                 0.058 
                 12 
                 1.010 
                 584 
               
               
                 Rubbermaid 
                 12.7113 
                 2860.03 
                 237.507 
                 0.083 
                 9 
                 1.412 
                 1173 
               
               
                 Q800 
               
               
                 HD stripe pad 
                 12.9097 
                 2904.68 
                 281.598 
                 0.097 
                 10 
                 1.291 
                 1252 
               
               
                 Tuway green pad 
                 11.6794 
                 2627.86 
                 280.528 
                 0.107 
                 12 
                 0.973 
                 1039 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As noted in the test data, the preferred filter materials had a material density of about 0.036 to about 0.046. It is believed that the material density has some effect on drag, porosity, and absorbency. As such, through experimentation, the inventors discovered that a range of acceptable density values for the applicator pad according to various embodiments of the present invention of between about 0.01 g/cm 3  and about 0.08 g/cm 3  is desirable. A second narrower range of acceptable density values is between about 0.025 g/cm 3  and about 0.06 g/cm 3 . A more preferable range of density values is between about 0.035 g/cm 3  and about 0.05 g/cm 3 . 
     Thickness 
     Overall pad height can be another important material property for the applicator pads according to the present invention. As discussed below, a preferred range of heights or thicknesses can (1) provide better results over an uneven floor and (2) inhibit the finish from flowing over the top of the tool head  12  during use. The inventors have discovered that an applicator pad height according to some embodiments of the present invention of between about 0.3 cm and about 2.5 cm is desirable. In more preferred embodiments, the height is between about 0.6 cm and about 2.0 cm. The most preferred embodiments have a height of between about 0.9 cm and about 1.5 cm. All three filter materials HF 40, HF32D, and Nox materials described herein and tested were relatively thin. Multiple layers of these materials were used in testing to achieve the desired effect. 
     Compression Resistance 
     The inventors have also discovered that compression resistance is another material property that can be indicative of performance of the applicator pads. For example, it has been noted that the higher the compression resistance of a material, the floor finish applied tends to be more consistent and uniform in coat weight. One possible test to determine the compression resistance of a material is the ASTM D6571 test. This test includes multiple stages of adding and removing a mass from the pad to determine the compression of the subject material, and the relaxation of the material after the mass is removed. The following Table IV shows a summary of pad material sizes and mass values used during testing of the HF40 and other materials described above: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE IV 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Top/base plate 
                 Top plate 
                 Sample 
                 Mass 
                 Mass per sample 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Cm*cm 
                 cm 2   
                 Gram 
                 per sample · g/cm2 
                 Cm*cm 
                 cm 2   
                 Gram area cm 2   
                 g/cm 2   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 ASTM D6571 
                 23 × 23 
                 529.0 
                 187.0 
                 0.47 
                 20 × 20 
                 400.0 
                 7260 
                 18.150 
               
               
                 Set-up #1 
                 18 × 18 
                 324.0 
                 88.16 
                 0.39 
                 15 × 15 
                 225.0 
                 4073 
                 18.102 
               
               
                 Set-up #2 
                 18 × 18 
                 324.0 
                 89.11 
                 0.40 
                 15 × 15 
                 225.0 
                 4073 
                 18.102 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     During the ASTM D6571 test described above, the initial pad height was measured, the pad height was measured again immediately after a mass was positioned on the pad, and then a third time after ten minutes elapsed with the mass on the pad. The mass was then removed, and the height was immediately measured, and was measured again after ten minutes without the mass on the pad. These steps (A to F indicated below) were measured followed the ASTM D6571 procedure, while the later steps (G′ to J′) were repeated for different time periods, which are modified from a true ASTM D6571 test (and noted on Table V with a prime symbol (′)). For example, G′ was measured after the mass was placed a third time over the pad for two hours, instead of twenty-four hours as specified in the test, and J′ was taken after thirty minutes elapsed instead of one hour elapsed. The data collected from the test are included below in Table V: 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE V 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Summary of Data 
               
               
                 Height, inch 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Initial 
                 0 min 
                 10 min 
                 0 min 
                 10 min 
                 0 min 
                 2 hr 
                 0 min 
                 30 min 
               
               
                   
                 No mass 
                 Mass 
                 Mass 
                 No mass 
                 No mass 
                 Mass 
                 Mass 
                 No mass 
                 No mass 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
                 E 
                 F 
                 G′ 
                 H′ 
                 J′ 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Tuway green pad 
                 4.6094 
                 3.6875 
                 3.4687 
                 4.2969 
                 4.4531 
                 3.4531 
                 3.3437 
                 4.1406 
                 4.2656 
               
               
                 Glit white pad 
                 4.4375 
                 3.7031 
                 3.6875 
                 4.1719 
                 4.2500 
                 3.6406 
                 3.5156 
                 3.8906 
                 4.1250 
               
               
                 Rubbermaid 
                 5.0156 
                 4.2344 
                 3.9687 
                 4.7500 
                 4.8125 
                 4.0781 
                 3.7500 
                 4.4062 
                 4.6719 
               
               
                 Q800 
               
               
                 3M90 
                 4.7812 
                 4.0937 
                 4.0312 
                 4.7031 
                 4.7500 
                 4.0781 
                 4.0781 
                 4.5156 
                 4.6406 
               
               
                 Ahistrom HF 32D 
                 5.3437 
                 3.5781 
                 3.4844 
                 4.1875 
                 5.0781 
                 3.5156 
                 3.3437 
                 4.5469 
                 4.7969 
               
               
                 Glit yellow pad 
                 4.5469 
                 3.8750 
                 3.7500 
                 4.1719 
                 4.2656 
                 3.8125 
                 3.6250 
                 3.9687 
                 4.1562 
               
               
                 Glit tan pad 
                 5.1875 
                 4.2344 
                 4.1406 
                 4.8437 
                 4.9687 
                 4.2656 
                 4.0469 
                 4.5781 
                 4.7969 
               
               
                 3M98 
                 4.7031 
                 3.5469 
                 3.4844 
                 4.4062 
                 4.5625 
                 3.5312 
                 3.4375 
                 4.2031 
                 4.4062 
               
               
                 ETC thin Gorilla lite pad 
                 6.7656 
                 5.5156 
                 5.5469 
                 6.5625 
                 6.6406 
                 5.5469 
                 5.4062 
                 6.4687 
                 6.5625 
               
               
                 Glit blue pad 
                 6.2031 
                 5.4844 
                 5.2656 
                 6.0312 
                 5.9531 
                 5.3594 
                 5.1562 
                 5.5000 
                 5.7656 
               
               
                 HF40 HS1S 
                 4.7969 
                 3.6719 
                 3.6094 
                 4.6250 
                 4.6562 
                 3.6094 
                 3.5781 
                 4.5781 
                 4.5781 
               
               
                 HD stripe pad 
                 5.0937 
                 3.9687 
                 3.7656 
                 4.6250 
                 4.7344 
                 3.8125 
                 3.6875 
                 4.5156 
                 4.5781 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Three variables were calculated from these results: L, M and L−2 hr. L is compression resistance, and is equal to one-hundred multiplied by the height of the sample stack (a stack of multiple layers) after the mass has been positioned on the sample stack for ten minutes, divided by the initial no-mass height. M is the elastic loss, and is equal to one hundred multiplied by the difference between the initial no-mass height and the relaxed height after ten minutes, all divided by the initial no-mass height. L−2 hr is compression resistance of the sample stack for the second time the mass is applied and after two hours have elapsed. Specifically, L−2 hr is equal to one hundred multiplied by the height after the mass has been applied for two hours divided by the recovered height after the mass has been removed for ten minutes. To summarize, the formulae are L=100*C/A, M=100*(A−E)/A, and L−2 hr=100*G′/E, as taken from Table V. A summary of the data, including calculated values L, M and L−2 hr, is included in Table VI below: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE VI 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 10 min 
                   
                 2 hr 
               
               
                   
                 Sample ID 
                 L 
                 M 
                 L-2 hr 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Tuway green pad 
                 75 
                 75 
                 3.4 
               
               
                   
                 Glit white pad 
                 83 
                 83 
                 4.2 
               
               
                   
                 Rubbermaid Q800 
                 79 
                 78 
                 4.1 
               
               
                   
                 3M90 
                 84 
                 86 
                 0.7 
               
               
                   
                 Ahlstrom HF 32D 
                 65 
                 66 
                 5.0 
               
               
                   
                 Glit yellow pad 
                 83 
                 85 
                 6.2 
               
               
                   
                 Glit tan pad 
                 80 
                 81 
                 4.2 
               
               
                   
                 3M98 
                 74 
                 75 
                 3.0 
               
               
                   
                 ETC thin Gorilla lite pad 
                 82 
                 81 
                 1.9 
               
               
                   
                 Glit blue pad 
                 85 
                 87 
                 4.0 
               
               
                   
                 HF40 HS1S 
                 75 
                 77 
                 2.9 
               
               
                   
                 HD stripe pad 
                 74 
                 78 
                 7.1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The data in Table VI indicate that the HF40 pad has a Compression Resistance of between about 75 and about 77, depending upon the length of time exposed to compression. Although these filter materials do not have the highest compression resistance test, the measured values are acceptable. 
     Liquid Absorptive Capacity 
     When an operator is finished polishing or finishing a floor, the operator typically lifts the tool  10  off the floor. It is desirable to have minimal fluid drip from the pad after being lifted off the floor. A property that illustrates the propensity of a material to drip or retain fluid (e.g., in the pad) is Liquid Absorptive Capacity (LAC). A test of LAC (Standard Test Method: WSP10.1(05) issued jointly by INDA and EDANA) includes submerging the material in fluid for one minute, and then removing the material and allowing the material to drip for two minutes. The mass of the dry sample (Mk) is measured before the test, and the mass of the wet sample is measured (Mn) after the test. The LAC parameter compares the mass of the dry sample (Mk) to the mass of the wet sample (Mn). The equation for the LAC in a percentage is LAC%=(Mn−Mk)*100%/Mk. With regard to the present invention, the test was repeated five times per sample material, and the LAC% was calculated. LACs for the various samples are included below in Table VII. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE VII 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Lac, % - 
               
               
                   
                 Sample 
                 Average of 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 HF32D 
                 929 
               
               
                   
                 Daego disposable cloth 
                 1065 
               
               
                   
                 HF40HS1S 
                 1362 
               
               
                   
                 Justinus-1 
                 1028 
               
               
                   
                 Nox-Bellcow 
                 1185 
               
               
                   
                 Glite-98, white 
                 231 
               
               
                   
                 3M-98, white 
                 274 
               
               
                   
                 Americo white drive 
                 501 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     According to the results in Table VII, the HF40 sample had an average LAC% of 1362%, and the Nox sample had an average LAC% of 1185%. As illustrated, the air filter material had a LAC% higher than any of the other samples tested. The inventors have discovered that in some embodiments of the present invention, a high Liquid Absorptive Capacity may be desirable to promote better spreading of floor finishing material and/or inhibit dripping of floor polish. The inventors have discovered that applicator pad materials having a LAC of at least about 500% are desirable. However, the inventors have also discovered that such applicator pad materials having an LAC of at least about 900% are more desirable. Finally, the inventors have also discovered that such applicator pad materials having a LAC of at least about 1100% are most desirable (e.g., air filter materials such as the HF40 and Nox filter material). 
     Porosity 
     Another material property indicative of performance may be porosity. Theoretically, a less porous material should provide better application results. However, porosity must be sufficiently balanced with drag and LAC. 
     It is assumed the opacity can be relatively indicative of porosity. Opacity is the amount of light blocked by, or not allowed to pass through the material. Opacity can indicate the porosity of the material by measuring the void space in the material. The higher the opacity (i.e., amount of background blocked) of the material, the lower the porosity of the material. Thus, higher opacity values of an applicator pad material can correlate to lower material porosity. Lower levels of porosity of material usually gives better performance in consistent and uniform layer of floor finish to a floor. Accordingly, higher opacity values of an applicator pad material can be desired. 
     A modified WSP 60.4 “Standard Test method for Nonwoven Opacity” was used in testing applicator pad materials relevant to the present invention. To determine the opacity of several samples, the test measured the reflectance factor (lightness measurement, L) of a black area of a Leneta card (a chart with a combination of black and white areas large enough for wide aperture reflectance instrument measurement), and the reflectance factor (lightness measurement, Ls) of a single sheet of material to be tested placed on the same black area. Five samples of each material were tested, the L values for each sample were averaged, and then compared to the L value of the black sheet. The change in lightness measurement (Ls−L), the difference between the lightness measurement of the black sheet (L) and the lightness measurement of the samples (Ls), was measured and is included in Table VIII below. The thickness of each sample was also measured (see Table III), since opacity generally changes based upon the thickness (T) of the sample. Finally, the opacity was calculated using the equation (Ls−L)/T, and is included in Table VIII below. Note that for this test it is assumed the each material reflects light substantially equally. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE VIII 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Change in 
               
               
                 Sample 
                 L-Readings 
                 Change in L 
                 Thickness 
                 L/cm 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Black card 
                 32.472 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 HF 32D 
                 65.215 
                 32.74 
                 0.564 
                 58 
               
               
                 HF 40HS1S 
                 76.596 
                 44.12 
                 0.368 
                 120 
               
               
                 Justinus-1 
                 81.211 
                 48.74 
                 0.347 
                 140 
               
               
                 Nox-Bellcow 
                 75.538 
                 43.07 
                 0.328 
                 131 
               
               
                 AM-white 
                 72.629 
                 40.16 
                 Not measured 
               
               
                 drive 
               
               
                 Glit 98 white 
                 79.553 
                 47.08 
                 1.022 
                 46 
               
               
                 3M-98 white 
                 76.029 
                 43.56 
                 0.993 
                 44 
               
               
                 Daego 
                 83.492 
                 51.02 
                 Not measured 
               
               
                 disposable pad 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The HF40 material described above had a change in opacity of about 120 L/cm and the Nox sample had a change of about 131 L/cm. The inventors have discovered that in some embodiments, opacity values no less than about 55 L per cm are desirable. In other embodiments, the inventors have discovered that desirable opacity values in applicator pad materials are no less than about 100 L per cm (e.g., polyester air filter materials such as the HF40 and Nox materials described above). 
     One interesting aspect observed by the inventors is that the high porosity material gave much better performance in applying an extra thick coat than applying a thin or regular thickness coating. The higher the porosity of the material, the thicker the coat of floor finish applied onto the floor. Accordingly, lower opacity values of pad material, such as HF 32D, can be desired if an extra thick coat is desired in the application. 
     Spreading 
     Another material property that can affect floor finish is spreading character. If spreading character is high, the applicator pad can more evenly distribute fluid over the floor surface. Samples of applicator pad materials relevant to embodiments of the present invention were tested with a modified version of the ASTM D 6702 Standard Test Method for Determining the Dynamic Wiping Efficiency of Nonwoven Fabrics Not Used in Cleanrooms. These samples were cut to have an area of 96 mm by 74 mm, and were attached to a weight block weighing 994 g to form a sample block. The sample block was placed on top of a white Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT) having two coats of finish already applied thereto. The longer edge of the sample block was aligned with the tile edge. A small percentage of dye was added to the floor finish to illustrate the spreading characteristics of the pad on the sample block. A fixed amount of floor finish with dye was placed in front of the sample block with a pipette. The sample block was then moved steadily toward an opposite side of the tile for about 3 to 4 seconds, and traveled a distance of about 225 mm. Two different concentrations of dye in floor finish were used (i.e. 0.02% and 0.05% dye in the floor finish). In a first test, 0.5 mL of finish was used, whereas 1 mL of finish was used in a second test, and 1.5 mL of finish was used in a third test. 
     The horizontal spreading pattern of each tested applicator pad material was measured (i.e. the width of the floor finish along the tile) to indirectly measure the spreading capacity of the tested material. The width of the floor finish that was spread on the tile was measured at the start of spreading the finish, in the middle of spreading the finish, and at the end of spreading the finish. The width of floor finish on the pad was also measured at various points, and the largest width was recorded. The spreading was calculated by dividing the largest width on the pad by the starting width on the tile. The end width on the tile was divided by the starting width on the tile to show how effectively the finish spread on the tile by each material. The results of this test are shown below in Table IX. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE IX 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 HF 40HS1S 
                 HF 40HS1S 
                   
                 Glit 98 white 
                 Glit 98 white 
                   
               
               
                 finish 
                   
                 0.02% dye 
                 0.05% dye 
                 avg of 
                 0.02% dye 
                 0.05% dye 
                 avg of 
               
               
                 applied 
                 marking in mm 
                 finish 
                 finish 
                 2 
                 finish 
                 finish 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 0.500 ml 
                 On pad: largest width 
                 37 
                 34 
                 35.5 
                 18 
                 25 
                 21.5 
               
               
                   
                 On tile: Length 
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
                   
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
               
               
                   
                 width-starting 
                 25 
                 25 
                   
                 24 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 width-mid point 
                 39 
                 30 
                   
                 24 
                 29 
               
               
                   
                 width-end 
                 46 
                 38 
                   
                 20 
                 30 
               
               
                 spreading 
                 Pad marking/start on tile 
                 1.48 
                 1.36 
                 1.42 
                 0.75 
                 1.00 
                 0.88 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/start 
                 1.84 
                 1.52 
                 1.68 
                 0.83 
                 1.20 
                 1.02 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/mid-point 
                 1.18 
                 1.27 
                 1.22 
                 0.83 
                 1.03 
                 0.93 
               
               
                 1.000 ml 
                 On pad: largest width 
                 55 
                 46 
                 30 
                 35 
                 25 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 On tile: Length 
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
                   
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
               
               
                   
                 width-starting 
                 33 
                 27 
                   
                 34 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 width-mid point 
                 51 
                 43 
                   
                 40 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 width-end 
                 62 
                 53 
                   
                 40 
                 30 
               
               
                 spreading 
                 Pad marking/start on tile 
                 1.67 
                 1.70 
                 1.69 
                 1.03 
                 0.93 
                 0.98 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/start 
                 1.88 
                 1.96 
                 1.92 
                 1.18 
                 1.11 
                 1.14 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/mid-point 
                 1.22 
                 1.23 
                 1.22 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 1.500 ml 
                 On pad: largest width 
                 60 
                 56 
                 58 
                 40 
                 42 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 On tile: Length 
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
                   
                 ~225 
                 ~225 
               
               
                   
                 width-starting 
                 34 
                 33 
                   
                 37 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 width-mid point 
                 50 
                 50 
                   
                 47 
                 45 
               
               
                   
                 width-end 
                 62 
                 55 
                   
                 47 
                 45 
               
               
                 spreading 
                 Pad marking/start on tile 
                 1.76 
                 1.70 
                 1.73 
                 1.08 
                 1.24 
                 1.16 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/start 
                 1.82 
                 1.67 
                 1.75 
                 1.27 
                 1.32 
                 1.30 
               
               
                   
                 On tile; end/mid-point 
                 1.24 
                 1.10 
                 1.17 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The data illustrate that the HF40 air filter material spreads floor finish more effectively than the Glit 98 white pad. One way to illustrate this is to compare the spreading end/start on tile value for each test, which divides the end width by the start width on the tile. The average value for the HF40 pad was 1.78, whereas the average value of the Glit pad was 1.15, as calculated from the values in Table IX. The values for the HF40 pad are higher than the values for the Glit pad, such that the floor finish is spread farther and in an improved manner by the HF40 pad. 
     Another way to illustrate spreading capability is to calculate the angle of finish spread between the starting point and the end point. The average widths were used for each starting point, mid-point, and end point for a given concentration of dye. The widths were divided by the length traveled, and the inverse tangent for the ratio was calculated. The angles were first calculated between the starting points and the mid-points, and are included in Table X below in the row entitled “First Half” The angles were also calculated between the starting points and the end points, and are included in Table X below in the row entitled “Whole Run.” 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE X 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 HF40HS1S 
                 Glit 98 White 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 0.02% 
                 0.05% 
                 0.02% 
                 0.05% 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dye finish 
                 dye finish 
                 dye finish 
                 dye finish 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0.500 ml 
                 First Half 
                 14° 
                  5° 
                 0° 
                 4° 
               
               
                   
                 Whole run 
                 11° 
                  7° 
                 −2°  
                 3° 
               
               
                 1.000 ml 
                 First Half 
                 18° 
                 16° 
                 6° 
                 3° 
               
               
                   
                 Whole run 
                 15° 
                 13° 
                 3° 
                 2° 
               
               
                 1.500 ml 
                 First Half 
                 16° 
                 17° 
                 10°  
                 11°  
               
               
                   
                 Whole run 
                 14° 
                 11° 
                 5° 
                 6° 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 HF40HS1S 
                 Glit 98 White 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 0.02% 
                 0.05% 
                 0.02% 
                 0.05% 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dye 
                 dye 
                 dye 
                 dye 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 First Half 
                 4.07° 
                 3.21° 
                 1.38° 
                 1.53° 
               
               
                   
                 Whole Run 
                 3.3° 
                 2.6° 
                 0.51° 
                 0.8° 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As the data in Table X illustrates, the spreading capability or angle of spread of the HF40 is superior to the Glit pad. Therefore, under the testing conditions, the HF40 pad more quickly and evenly spread floor finish than the Glit pad, as shown in Tables IX and X. The inventors have discovered that a material having an average spread angle of greater than about 10° is advantageous and desirable in some embodiments of the inventive pad. In other embodiments, an average spread angle of greater than about 2° is advantageous and desirable in some embodiments of the inventive pad. 
     Leveling 
     Another material property that can affect floor finish is the leveling character of the applicator pad material. If the leveling character is high, the applicator pad can leave a relatively smooth coating on a floor. Theoretically, less abrasive and smoother material surfaces should provide better leveling performance. However, such surface characters should be sufficiently balanced with drag. 
     Unfortunately, the weight loss measurement from standard abrasive tests (such as the Schiefer value with 3M/ST test method as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,340, and weight loss measured with ASTM D1242 for Resistance of Plastic Materials to Abrasion) would be very small for suitable pad materials of low to non-abrasive characteristics. Therefore, the inventors utilized a modified method from ASTM D6279 for Rub Abrasion Mar Resistance of High Gloss Coatings. In particular, this method was adapted to measure the decrease of gloss reading caused by dragging pad materials over coated tiles. In testing each material, a 4.5 inch diameter sample of material was moved while spinning at 50 rpm over coated tiles (Black Armstrong tiles with 6 coats of Signature® floor finish available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc., aged at room temperature for 3 weeks) under a set vertical force of 5 pounds (Z-force) using a Precision Force Instrument. To avoid effects of uneven drag (higher drag) at the beginning of pad movement, each pad was placed outside of the testing tile, moved over the entire length of tile to outside the opposite side of the testing area, and then moved in an opposite direction across the tiled testing area back to the starting position. In these tests, each pad was spun at 50 rpm during this whole testing cycle. Two pieces of each pad material were tested, and the gloss readings before and after the test were measured, and summarized in Table XI below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE XI 
               
             
            
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 HF40 
                 Glit 98 white 
                 3M 5100 red pad 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Smooth/abrasiveness By hand 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Very smooth 
                 Slightly abrasive 
                 The most abrasive 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 #1 
                 #2 
                 #1 
                 #2 
                 #1 
                 #2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Initial gloss-20° 
                 72 
                 71 
                 70 
                 68 
                 69 
                 69 
               
               
                 Initial gloss -60° 
                 91 
                 90 
                 91 
                 90 
                 91 
                 90 
               
               
                 final gloss-20° 
                 70 
                 70 
                 63 
                 63 
                 57 
                 59 
               
               
                 final gloss -60° 
                 90 
                 88 
                 87 
                 86 
                 83 
                 82 
               
               
                 Change in gloss 
                 ~1, not 
                 1 to 2, not 
                 ~5 to 7 
                 ~4 to 5 
                 ~7 to 12 
                 ~8 to 10 
               
               
                 Readings 
                 significant 
                 significant 
                 points 
                 points 
                 points 
                 points 
               
               
                 Visual observation 
                 No visual 
                 No visual 
                 Very 
                 Very 
                 Deeper 
                 Deeper 
               
               
                 Scratches on tile 
                 damage 
                 damage 
                 lightly 
                 lightly 
                 scratches 
                 scratches 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 scratches 
                 scratches 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Among the three materials tested, the 3M 5100 red pad is the most abrasive, with a Schiefre Value of 0.1 gram (source: 3M product sheet). Based upon tests performed, the inventors have discovered that suitable pad materials should be less abrasive than the 3M red pad. As data in Table XI illustrates, the preferred pad material generates less than 10 points of gloss lost, or change in gloss readings. In more preferred embodiments, the gloss lost is less than about 5. In still more preferred embodiments, this gloss loss is less than about 2. 
     Applicator pads according to the various embodiments of the present invention have particular combinations of properties found by the inventors to provide superior performance results over conventional applicator pads for floor tools. Such properties include those described above for which testing was performed by the inventors. The inventors have discovered that certain combinations of properties (i.e., material and performance characteristics as described above) result in significant improvements compared to conventional floor finish tool applicator pads. One such combination is the wet coefficient of friction (whether dynamic-average, or static-first peak) and the LAC and/or opacity, particularly in the ranges referred to above. Another such combination is the pad material density and the LAC and/or thickness, particularly in the ranges referred to above. Yet another such combination is the pad material compression resistance and the pad material thickness and/or opacity, particularly in the ranges referred to above. Although polyester and other polymeric non-woven materials, such as air filter materials (e.g., HF40 or Nox air filter materials) have such desirable performance characteristic combinations, it will be appreciated that other materials having the above-described material and performance characteristics are possible, and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In some embodiments, the pad  44  can include fibers that can be monofilaments, yarns, tows, or bound filamentous materials. The materials that may be used as a floor finish distributing material are not limited to filament fibers, and can also includes webs, such as three dimensional fiberous webs, foams, flocked foam, and other sponge-like materials, needle punched material, open celled material, and the like. In some highly preferred embodiments, the floor finish distributing material is an open non-woven three-dimensional web formed of interlaced randomly extending flexible fibers, wherein the interstices between adjacent fibers are open, thereby creating a tri-dimensionally extending network of intercommunicated voids. 
     Examples of floor finish distributing materials for the applicator pad  44  include, but are not limited to, polypropylene and/or polyester fibers. Additional floor finish distributing materials include nonwoven materials such as, for example, the low density open non-woven fiberous materials described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,958,593, 4,355,067, and 4,893,439, and woven materials such as scrims and screens. Furthermore, other open structured materials including brushes having the above properties can be used. Substances suitable as floor finish distributing materials include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters, polyurethanes including modified polyurethanes, polyamides such as nylons, and mixtures and combinations thereof. 
     In operation, floor finish is delivered to the floor in bulk, and is distributed via the applicator pad. To spread floor finish on the floor, the applicator pad contacts the bulk floor finish deposited on the floor and spreads the bulk floor finish substantially evenly over the floor regardless of the pressure applied by the operator to the floor via the applicator pad. Substantially even spreading is accomplished by the material qualities of the applicator pad. 
     The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, many material properties were identified as providing ideal floor finish characteristics for the applicator pad  44 . The present invention does not require a single pad to incorporate all of these properties. Rather, a pad having one or more of the properties (as described above) may be desired for a particular purpose. 
     Various alternatives to the certain features and elements of the present invention are described with reference to specific embodiments of the present invention. With the exception of features, elements, and manners of operation that are mutually exclusive of or are inconsistent with each embodiment described above, it should be noted that the alternative features, elements, and manners of operation described with reference to one particular embodiment are applicable to the other embodiments. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.