U.S. patent application number 10/349984 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for combined dustpan and residual dust collection device.
Invention is credited to Arbon, Rod E..
Application Number | 20030164176 10/349984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27807807 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030164176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arbon, Rod E. |
September 4, 2003 |
Combined dustpan and residual dust collection device
Abstract
The present invention features a combination dustpan and
residual dust collection device and method for removing residual
dust from a surface after sweeping initial debris into the dustpan
collection bin. The combination dustpan and residual dust
collection device comprises a unique dusting head strategically
positioned preferably on the underside portion of a dustpan. The
dusting head is equipped with a dust cloth or dust cover capable of
collecting and retaining residual dust typically left on the floor.
When dirty, the dusting head material/covering may be replaced and
or cleaned.
Inventors: |
Arbon, Rod E.; (Blackfoot,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIRTON AND MCCONKIE
1800 EAGLE GATE TOWER
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
P O BOX 45120
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84145-0120
US
|
Family ID: |
27807807 |
Appl. No.: |
10/349984 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60351264 |
Jan 23, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
134/6 ; 15/257.1;
15/257.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/6 ; 15/257.1;
15/257.9 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/52 |
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device
comprising: a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle; means
for removing residual dust from a surface during sweeping, wherein
said means for removing residual dust is associated with said
dustpan.
2. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1,
wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dusting
head and removable dust cover assembly, said dusting head designed
to receive said dust cover thereon, and said dust cover designed to
facilitate the removal of said residual dust from said surface.
3. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2,
wherein said dusting head and dust cover assembly comprises a hook
and loop fastening system, wherein said dusting head is comprised
of one configuration of said hook and loop fastening system and has
an adhesive backing that allows it to be attached to said dustpan,
said dust cover comprising the opposite configuration of said hook
and loop fastening system, thus being removably attachable to said
dusting head.
4. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2,
wherein said dusting head comprises a rigid member that attaches to
said dustpan at an identified location and is designed to receive a
removable dust cover thereon.
5. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2,
wherein said dusting head is integrally formed with said dustpan
during its manufacture, and is designed to receive a removable dust
cover thereon.
6. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1,
wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dust
cover that removably attaches directly to said dustpan.
7. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1,
wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a plurality
of dusting heads and associated dust covers.
8. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device
comprising: a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle; one or
more dusting heads strategically positioned on said dustpan; a dust
cover removably attached to said dusting head, said dust cover
capable of collecting and retaining residual dust and material
debris from a surface as said dusting head and said dusting cover
is brought into contact with said residual dust and material
debris.
9. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dusting head is strategically positioned on
the dustpan, said dusting head comprising an integral component of
said dustpan.
10. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dusting head is strategically positioned on
the dustpan, said dusting head comprising a removably coupled
component of said dustpan.
11. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dusting head extends substantially the width
of said underside of said dustpan.
12. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dusting head is covered with a removable dust
cover designed to facilitate the removal of said residual dust.
13. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim
12, wherein said dust cover comprises an application thereon to
further facilitate removal of said residual dust.
14. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim
13, wherein said application is selected from the group consisting
of water, dusting compounds and solutions, charged materials, and
others that allow said residual dust to be more easily removed from
said surface.
15. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dustpan and said dusting head may be modified
to include a liquid injection system for injecting liquid onto the
dusting head and the floor to facilitate the cleaning and
collection of residual dust.
16. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dust cover comprises a plurality of removable
layers, wherein said layers may be selected from reusable and
disposable.
17. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, wherein said dustpan comprises an upright dustpan
design.
18. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 8, further comprising a protection cover that covers said
dusting head and said dust cover until just prior to use.
19. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device
comprising: a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle; and one
or more dusting heads strategically positioned on said dustpan,
said dusting head capable of collecting and retaining residual dust
and material debris from a surface as said dusting head is brought
into contact with said residual dust and material debris.
20. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of
claim 19, further comprising a dust cover removably attached to
said dusting head, said dust cover capable of collecting and
retaining residual dust and material debris from said surface.
21. A method for removing residual dust from a surface to achieve
more thorough cleaning of said surface, said method comprising the
steps of: obtaining a dustpan having a dust collection bin and one
or more means for removing residual dust; sweeping material and
other debris from a surface into said dust collection bin; bringing
said means for removing residual dust into contact with any
residual dust remaining after said step of sweeping, and
manipulating said means for removing residual dust across said
surface and said residual dust in order to lift and retain, thus
sufficiently removing, said residual dust from said surface.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said means for removing
residual dust comprises a dusting head and dust cover assembly.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein said means for removing
residual dust comprises a dust cover that is removably attachable
directly to said dustpan.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of
providing a reusable means for removing residual dust.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of
providing a disposable means for removing residual dust.
Description
1. RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 60/351,264, filed Jan. 23, 2002, and
entitled, "Combined Dustpan and Residual Dust Collection
Device."
BACKGROUND
[0002] 2. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and
particularly to dustpans used to gather and remove swept material
from a floor surface. Particularly, the present invention relates
to an improved dustpan having a residual dust collection system or
assembly attached to, coupled to, or integrally formed with the
underside of a dustpan, for the purpose of cleaning or picking up
any residual dust, dirt, or other debris remaining on the floor
surface after the bulk of the material is swept into the collection
bin of the dustpan.
[0004] 3. Background of the Invention
[0005] Cleanup of debris, dirt, dust, and other material to be
discarded often involves using a broom and a dustpan to finish off
the job. As is well known however, current and prior art designs of
dustpans perform a great job at receiving such materials into their
collection bin via a broom where such material may be discarded,
but these dustpans leave a small line of residual dust/material on
the floor after sweeping the bulk of the dust into the dustpan. In
efforts to sweep this last remaining residual dust/material into
the dustpan, the user often resorts to multiple tries at moving the
dustpan further back upon each stroke of the broom. This process is
often repeated-two or three times with residual dust/material still
remaining on the floor or other surface being cleaned. The
inability of current designs of dustpans to retrieve this residual
dust/material primarily results from the fact that the diameter of
the dust/material particles being swept are smaller that the width
of the proximate dustpan face. An additional factor contributing to
the difficulty of the residual dust being retrieved or swept into
the dustpan is the surface tension of the particles, which surface
tension causes the particles to adhere to the surface. As a result,
this residual dust/material is difficult to remove with a
traditional dustpan and broom.
[0006] Although numerous patents describe a dustpan.(U.S. Pat. No.
452,358, 468,433, 637,908) and improvements (U.S. Pat. No.
2,894,9742 and 5,799,360-combined broom and dustpan) none of these
patents disclose a dustpan and residual dust collection device that
functions as the present invention to remove residual dust from the
floor (or other surface being cleaned) subsequent to sweeping and
making one or more attempts to clear the floor of the residual dust
simply by sweeping it into the dustpan.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is designed to overcome the
deficiencies in prior art dustpan and dust collection devices,
namely, the removal of dust/material that is not readily swept into
a traditional dustpan and that remains after sweeping the majority
of the material into the collection bin of the dustpan. The present
invention is a unique dustpan that employs a novel device that
removes all residual dust/material from the floor after initial
sweeping and clean-up.
[0008] As such, it is an object of some embodiments of the present
invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection device
capable of eliminating residual dust/material that often remains on
the floor after sweeping.
[0009] It is another object of some embodiments of the present
invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection device
that has a unique dusting head, which, when pushed or pulled
across, or otherwise allowed to come in contact with the residual
dust/material, traps the dust/material, thus eliminating the
frustration of attempting to remove fine dust by making numerous
attempts to sweep it into the dustpan.
[0010] It is still another object of some embodiments of the
present invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection
device that employs a disposable, washable, or reusable, material
that is designed to cover the dusting head and facilitate the
clean-up of all residual dust or material. Various cleaning
solutions, water, .+-.charged elements, or other similar
functioning applications may also be added to this material to help
break the surface tension of the residual dust, provide an
attraction source whereby to pull the dust from the floor/surface,
clean the floor/surface, and/or further facilitate removal of the
residual dust/material from the floor/surface.
[0011] The present invention features a dustpan and residual dust
collection device capable of removing and/or picking up residual
dust/material that is typically left on a floor after sweeping the
floor and attempting to clean up the gathered material by sweeping
it further into a dustpan. The device comprises means-for
collecting and picking up or retrieving dust from a floor, wherein
the means for collecting and retrieving is positioned on a dustpan
in an integrally formed or coupled or adhered relationship. Means
for collecting and retrieving may comprise many different devices
and systems, such as one or more dusting heads having a dust cloth
fixed or removable attached thereto, a liquid injector system, and
any other device or system recognized by one ordinarily skilled in
the art capable of performing the intended functions described
herein.
[0012] Preferably, the unique dustpan and residual dustpan
collection device of the present invention comprises a dusting
head, having a dust cover capable of collecting and retrieving
dust. The dusting head is designed to be strategically positioned
on the dustpan so as to be able to collect and retrieve dust and
other debris from the floor. Preferably the dusting head is
positioned underneath the dustpan, but one ordinarily skilled in
the art will recognize other potential locations for the dusting
head, such as on the sides to remove residual dust from walls,
baseboards, or other surfaces. In addition, the dusting head may
comprise any size and shape. Still further, the dustpan and
residual dust collection device may comprise a plurality of dusting
heads, each strategically positioned on the dustpan so as to
perform the intended cleanup. These several dusting heads may be
positioned along the bottom, sides, or a combination of these, of
the dustpan.
[0013] After the bulk of the gathered material is swept into the
dustpan the dustpan, and particularly the dust collection device,
is then brought into contact with the residual dust, such as by
pushing or pulling the dusting head across the residual dust,
wherein the dust head cleans/removes from the floor all of the
residual material by trapping or adhering the residual
dust/material on or to the dusting head cover.
[0014] The present invention may be embodied in any number of
different styles and makes of dustpans, including conventional and
upright dustpans. In addition, the dusting head may be made from
various materials, such as metal, plastic, hook and loop fastening
material (e.g. Velcro.RTM.), etc, with the hook and loop fastening
material-type dusting head comprising the preferred embodiment. The
dust cover may be comprised of any material typically used in the
facilitation of dust removal (lambs wool, muslin, dust rag, cloth,
etc.) or any other material that is attachable to the dusting head
and that is capable of picking up residual dust or otherwise
facilitating removal of the residual dust from the floor or other
surface. The dust cover material may or may not be disposable, or
it may be reusable by washing, shaking out existing dust, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing and other objects and features of the present
invention will become more fully apparent from the following
description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the present invention and are,
therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIGS. 1-A and 1-B are an exploded side view of the dustpan
and residual dust collection device equipped with a dusting
head;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the dustpan
and residual dust collection device showing it equipped with a
dusting head on its bottom surface;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dusting head with the
dust cover material installed thereon;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates the dustpan and residual dust collection
device ready to receive gathered material and dust;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates the residual dust that is left on the
floor subsequent to sweeping the gathered material into the
dustpan;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates the removal of the residual dust and how
it collects on the dust cover of the dusting head to thoroughly
clean the floor and remove all residual dust; therefrom;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of
the present invention employing a hook and loop fastener-type
dusting head; and
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the embodiment described
in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the
figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description of the embodiments of the system and method of the
present invention, and represented in FIGS. 1 through 8, is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is
merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention.
[0025] The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be
best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are
designated by like numerals throughout.
[0026] The present invention describes a method and system for
collecting and removing residual dust from a floor subsequent to
sweeping, thus more thoroughly cleaning the floor.
[0027] Specifically, the present invention features a dustpan and
residual dust collection device comprising a dustpan, a dusting
head attached, coupled to, or integrally formed with the dustpan
and projecting a sufficient distance from the bottom (or side)
surface of the dustpan, and a dust cover capable of fitting over
the dusting head for the purpose of collecting residual dust left
on a floor following initial sweeping of larger material and
amounts of dust into the collection bin of the dustpan.
[0028] With reference to FIG. 1-A, shown is an exploded view of
dustpan and residual dust collection device 10 comprising a dustpan
14 having attached thereto, or protruding therefrom in an
integrally formed and/or unitary manner, a dusting head 20 having
dust cover 24 attached thereto.
[0029] Dustpan 14 is shown as a conventional dustpan having a
collection bin and a handle attached thereto. However, one
ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that the present
invention may be embodied in various sized, shaped, and styled
dustpans. For example, the present invention may be embodied in an
upright dustpan, which is essentially a dustpan attached to a
handle via a pin mechanism or configuration that extends through
the dustpan. The dustpan pivots on the pin allowing the user to
sweep up material, then pick-up the dustpan, which then pivots
allowing the material to fall into the collection bin of the
dustpan. The user does not have to bend over to pick up the
material. As another example, the present invention may be embodied
in a combination dustpan/broom or snap-on brush/dustpan.
[0030] Dusting head 20 is designed to substantially run the width
of dustpan 14 and is preferably placed on a frontward or forward
location on the underneath surface 16 of dustpan 14, and directly
juxtaposed to or adjacent to or proximate the back surface of ramp
18. However, dusting head 20 may be any size or shape and may be
placed at any location on dustpan 14 allowing dusting head 20 to
function as intended. Thus, various locations or positions about
surface 16, or even the sides of dustpan 14, or a combination of
these, is intended and contemplated herein for the positioning of
dusting head 20.
[0031] As stated, dusting head 20 may be coupled to the underneath
of dustpan 14 using any known means in the art, such as adhesives,
attachment means (screws, rivets, etc.), tongue and groove system,
snaps, etc. As such, dusting head 20 may either be rigidly fixed to
dustpan 14 or may even be removably coupled to dustpan 14 in order
to allow the user to remove dusting head if desired or necessary.
Moreover, dusting head 20 may be integrally formed with the body of
dustpan 14 during manufacture, such that dusting head 20 is an
integrally formed and unitary part of dustpan 14. Still further,
dusting head 20 may be manufactured in various sizes, shapes, and
dimensions to accommodate existing dustpans, wherein dusting head
20 may be retrofit onto any existing dustpan using any known means
for attachment. In addition, dusting device 10 may include a
plurality of dusting heads strategically positioned along dustpan
14. Dusting head 20 preferably extends the entire width of dustpan
14, and is wide enough, approximately 2.0 inches, to ensure
collection of all of the majority of residual dust after sweeping
debris into dustpan 14, while also allowing dusting head 20 to be
in contact with and out of contact with the surface of floor 2, as
desired.
[0032] It is advantageous that dusting head be allowed to clear the
floor while the dustpan is being used to receive dust and debris
into its collection bin. For example, dustpan 14 is typically
positioned at an angle such that face or ramp 18 is at the optimal
position for accepting dust and debris. During this time, dusting
head 20 is elevated and out of contact with floor 2. Dusting head
20 is intended to be positioned on dustpan 14 so that it comes in
contact with the floor only when the user intends it to do so.
[0033] FIGS. 1-A and 1-B demonstrate the position of dustpan 14 as
it sits on floor 2 during sweeping, as well as the relative
position of dusting head 20. It should be noted that dusting head
20 preferably does not contact floor 2 during initial or regular
pick up of material, debris, and/or dust. Dusting head 20 is
preferably designed to contact the floor only when intended instead
of inadvertently, thus allowing the user to determine the time and
point of contact by rotating dustpan 14 downward, or pushing
downward on the handle portion of dustpan 14, thus bringing dusting
head 14 into a ready position as indicated by the arc of motion and
associated arrows shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B. Rotating the handle
down and bringing dusting head 20 in contact with the floor
subsequently causes ramp 18 to rotate upward and out of the way so
that its contact with floor 2 is terminated. Once in a ready
position so that dusting head 20 is in contact with floor 2,
dustpan 14 may be pushed forward or pulled backward to contact
residual dust and material 30 remaining on floor 2 as shown by the
horizontal bi-directional arrows. As dusting head 20 comes in
contact or is brought into contact with residual material and dust
30, dust cloth or dust cover 24 serves to attract and collect or
lift residual dust/material 30 from the floor. Further forward
movement of dusting head 14 over residual dust/material 30 causes
dusting head 20, and particularly dust cover 24 to collect all of
the remaining dust and material, thus leaving the floor more
thoroughly cleaned.
[0034] Dusting head 20 may be made of any material, such as cloth,
plastic, metal, or wood, or others capable of being attached to,
adhered to, integrally formed with, or otherwise associated with
dustpan 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B,
dusting head 20 comprises a rigid plastic material that is coupled
to or attached to the underside of dustpan 14, and spans
substantially the width of dustpan 14. In this particular
embodiment, dusting head 20 is designed to accept or receive a dust
cover 24 thereon. FIGS. 7 and 8, described below, illustrate
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a
hook and loop fastener-type material (e.g., Velcro.RTM.) functions
as the dusting head and is adhered to the underside of dustpan 14
using an adhesive. In this embodiment, a dust cover may be attached
to the dusting head using the hook and loop fastening system.
[0035] Dust cover or cloth 24 comprises any dust collecting and
attracting material that is capable of collecting dust, dirt, and
other small debris particles on its surface and drawing it away
from its present location. In this sense, the normal adhesion to
floor 2 experienced by residual dust 30 and other material
particles is overcome by the strong attraction to dust cover 24,
thus allowing dustpan and residual dust collection device 10 of the
present invention to perform the function of more thoroughly
cleaning floor 2. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B,
dust cover 24 is attached or adhered to dusting head 20. However,
one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that dust cover 24
may attach or adhere directly to dustpan 14, thus foregoing the use
of a dusting head altogether. The primary function of the present
invention is to retrieve residual dust 30, using any embodiment
described herein, or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As such, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the
combination of a dusting head and accompanying dust cover.
[0036] Dust cover 24 may also be combined with various cleaning
solutions, water, .+-.charged elements, or other similar
functioning applications to further attract residual dust 30 and
trap it to dust cover 24 and dusting head 20. Dust cover 24 is
preferably made of lambs wool, muslin, dust rag, cloth, etc.,
basically any type of material capable of collecting and removing
dust and other debris from floor 2. In addition, dust cover 24 may
be comprised of a disposable material, such as disposable cloths,
towels, etc. that the user may discard once its ability to collect
and pick up residual dust no longer exists. Of course, cleaning or
washing of some materials is also possible, thus allowing them to
be utilized repeatedly. Dusting cover 24 is intended to cover the
entire or a substantial part of the surface of dusting head 20,
thus providing sufficient surface area to clean and collect
residual dust/material. In an alternative embodiment, the combined
dustpan and residual dust collecting device 10, and particularly
dust cover 24, may comprise a plurality of removable layers. These
layers may be removed either for cleaning, or they may be removed
and disposed of, thus exposing the next sheet or layer for
cleaning, depending upon their particular makeup.
[0037] Dust cover 24 and/or dusting head 20 may also be protected
by some type of a covering device or shroud to protect dusting head
20 and/or dust cover 24 from inadvertent or unwanted exposure when
not in use or just until use. In this embodiment, the covering
device may be actuated using mechanical or manual means to allow
dusting head 20 and/or dust cover 24 to be exposed and protected as
desired. In one exemplary embodiment, the covering device comprises
a snap or slide on plastic shroud.
[0038] The present invention also may feature a liquid injection or
dispensing system that may be implemented into the dustpan device
and system, which would allow liquid to be injected either onto the
dusting head/dust cover or dispensed onto the floor, thus
facilitating the cleaning and collection of residual dust. The
liquid injection or dispensing system may be mechanically operated,
such as via a pneumatic pump, or electrically operated, such as via
a battery operated switch that activates an electric pump or
dispenser.
[0039] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the overall placement of dusting head 20
on the bottom surface 16 of dustpan 14. FIG. 2 serves to illustrate
the preferred placement of dusting head 20 on a dustpan, namely
directly adjacent to, juxtaposed to, or proximate the back of ramp
18. FIG. 3 serves to illustrate dust cover 24 as placed upon
dusting head 20.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows dusting head 20 with dust cover 24 installed
thereon. In this particular figure, dust cover 24 is shown as a
disposable dust cover that may be removed and discarded once its
usefulness has expired. Of course, as mentioned, dust cover 24 may
comprise a reusable dust cover that can be washed, shaken out, or
otherwise freed of the residual dust collected thereon.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates dustpan 14 in a ready position to receive
initial dust and other debris or material gathered from sweeping
floor 2. In this position, the user attempts to sweep as much of
the debris and dirt into the collection bin of dustpan 14 as
possible, shown in FIG. 5. However, as explained above, this
procedure almost always results in residual dust and material 30
being deposited on the floor or left behind, as the particle
diameter of the residual dust or debris 30 being swept is smaller
that the width and height of ramp 18 of dustpan 14. This combined
with existing surface tensions in residual dust 30 binding it to
the floor results in the particles adhering to the floor. This
residual dust and material 30 that is left behind and subsequently
picked up by the present invention device and system is illustrated
in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively.
[0042] FIG. 6 illustrates floor 2 after dustpan device 10, and
particularly dusting head 20 and dust cover 24, has been utilized
to collect the residual dust and material 30 from floor 2. As can
be seen, residual dust 30 is removed from floor 2 and adheres to
dust cover 24, thus serving to more thoroughly clean floor 2 than
would be possible using conventional methods and devices.
[0043] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention combination dustpan and residual dust collection
device 10, wherein dustpan 14 comprises a dusting head and dust
cover assembly, and wherein dusting head 20 comprises one
configuration of a hook and loop fastening system on one side, and
an adhesive backing that allows dusting head 20 to be adhered to
dustpan 14, particularly along the underside of dustpan 14, on its
other opposite side. The configuration of the hook and loop
fastening system on dusting head 20 is shown in greater detail in
the blown-up section in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the hook and
loop fastening system-type dusting head 20 is preferably made of
flexible material so that it can conform to the shape and contour
of dustpan 14, and can be applied to existing or conventional
dustpans. Moreover, it is intended that dusting head 20 in this
particular embodiment can be cut to fit as desired on existing
dustpans. Dusting head 20 comprises an adhesive layer that allows
dusting head 20 to be attached to one or more areas of dustpan 14.
Once applied, dust cover 24 may be removably attached to dusting
head 20 using the hook or loop configuration of the hook and
loop-style fastening system opposite that utilized by dusting head
20. This embodiment provides many advantages, including allowing
for quick and easy interchanging of dust cover 24, customized
fitting to conventional or existing dustpans, low profile design,
and others that will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Also,
in this particular exemplary embodiment, dusting head 20 and
associated dusting cover 24 are positioned or located toward the
rear on the underside or dustpan 14 on a substantially horizontal
surface of dustpan 14, thus illustrating the concept that dusting
head 20 and dust cover 24 may be placed at various locations along
dustpan 14. To sweep larger debris into the collection bin of
dustpan 14, the handle is rotated upward, as illustrated by the
direction arrows, and dustpan 14 positioned, such that that ramp 18
is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. In this position,
dusting head 20 and dust cover 24 are out of contact with the
surface to be cleaned. Once the larger debris is gathered, dustpan
14 may be rotated downward so that dusting head 20 and dust cover
24 come in contact, and are parallel or substantially parallel,
with the surface to be cleaned. In this position, dustpan 14 may be
properly manipulated so that dust cover 24 is caused to lift or
remove any residual dust or debris remaining on the surface, thus
more thoroughly cleaning the surface.
[0044] The present invention further features a method for removing
residual dust from a surface, such as a floor, to achieve a more
thorough cleaning of the surface. The method comprises the steps of
obtaining a dustpan having a dust collection bin and one or more
means for removing residual dust; sweeping material and other
debris from a surface into the dust collection bin of the dustpan;
and bringing the means for removing residual dust into contact with
any residual dust remaining after sweeping occurs and manipulating
the means for removing residual dust across the surface and the
residual dust in order to lift and retain, thus sufficiently
remove, the residual dust from the surface. This step of bringing
the means for removing residual dust into contact with the residual
dust may be repeated as often as necessary. The method further
comprises providing either a reusable or a disposable means for
removing residual dust in the form of a removable dust cover.
[0045] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms, such as combination with a broom etc., without departing
from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly,
reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the
foregoing specifications as indicating the scope of the invention.
Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the
present invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and
equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the
present invention.
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