U.S. patent application number 11/116786 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for lint roller/brush assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Hartz Mountain Corp.. Invention is credited to McKay, William D..
Application Number | 20050184099 11/116786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34865086 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050184099 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKay, William D. |
August 25, 2005 |
Lint roller/brush assembly
Abstract
A lint/pet hair roller assembly includes a body supporting a
tubular adhesive lint remover roller and/or a stationary
directional lint brush fabric. The assembly includes a handle
section and a roller support section. The support section has an
outer diameter less than the diameter of the adhesive lint roll or
a directional fabric wrapped about the support section. The
elongated handle section receives a separate rubber cushion and an
optional decorative top including a hanger. Alternately, an arm
projects from the body and receives an additional cleaning element.
Alternately, a dispenser is carried on the handle for dispensing
fluid from a storage chamber carried in the handle. Alternately, a
squeegee is alternately carried in the support.
Inventors: |
McKay, William D.; (Grand
Blanc, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
270 MADISON AVENUE
8TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
100160601
|
Assignee: |
The Hartz Mountain Corp.
|
Family ID: |
34865086 |
Appl. No.: |
11/116786 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11116786 |
Apr 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
10329717 |
Dec 26, 2002 |
|
|
|
10329717 |
Dec 26, 2002 |
|
|
|
10302038 |
Nov 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
6763977 |
|
|
|
|
10302038 |
Nov 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
10143396 |
May 10, 2002 |
|
|
|
6698626 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/192 ;
15/104.002; 222/321.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 13/002 20130101;
A47L 25/005 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101; B05B 11/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/192 ;
222/321.1; 015/104.002 |
International
Class: |
A46B 001/00; G01F
011/30 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A lint/roller brush apparatus comprising: a body having a
handle and a support, the support adapted for receiving a particle
removing material; an arm extending from and spaced from the body;
and a cleaning element carried on the arm.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: the arm is spaced from and
extends along substantially the entire length of the support
portion of the body.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the arm further comprises:
opposed inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface having an
arcuate shape.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the cleaning element
comprises: a plurality of bristles carried on the arm.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the cleaning element
comprises: a directional fabric carried on the arm.
17. the apparatus of claim 12 wherein the cleaning element
comprises: a sponge material.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the arm further comprises: a
recess formed in the arm, the recess receiving the cleaning
element.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the cleaning element
comprises: a substrate; and a debris removal surface carried on the
substrate.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a liquid storage
chamber carried on in the body; and fluid dispenser means disposed
in fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber for
dispensing fluid.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein: the liquid storage chamber
is disposed within the handle of the body.
28. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein: the body includes an open
ended bore extending from one end; and the liquid storage chamber
is carried in a member mountable in the bore in the body, the
member carrying the dispenser means.
29. (canceled)
30. A lint roller/brush apparatus comprising: a body having a
handle portion and a support portion, the support portion adapted
for receiving a particle removing material; a hood coupled to the
body and adapted for surrounding at least a portion of the particle
removing material carried on the support portion; and a cleaning
element mounted on the hood.
31-54. (canceled)
55. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the fluid dispensing means
includes a depressable head and a nozzle.
56. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said dispensing means is
disposed externally of said body.
57. A lint/roller brush apparatus comprising: a body having a
handle and a support, the support adapted for receiving a particle
removing material; a liquid storage chamber carried in the body;
and fluid dispensing means disposed in fluid communication with the
liquid storage chamber.
58. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a transition portion
connects the arm to the handle of the body.
59. The apparatus of claim 57, the liquid storage chamber is
disposed within the handle of the body.
60. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein: the body includes an open
ended bore extending from one end; and the liquid storage chamber
is carried in a member mountable in the bore in the body, the
member carrying the dispenser means.
61. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the fluid dispensing means
includes a depressable head and a nozzle.
62. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said dispensing means is
disposed externally of said body.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the priority filing
date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/426,589, filed
Nov. 15, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein in its
entirety, and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/302,038, filed Nov. 22, 2002, which is a
continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/143,396, filed May 10, 2002, the contents of both of which are
incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a lint roller assembly.
[0003] There are many previously known lint roller assemblies.
These previously known lint roller assemblies typically comprise a
handle secured to a cylindrical lint roller support. A tubular
cylindrical adhesive lint roller is then removably mounted to the
support such that the adhesive roller is rotatively relative to the
handle. In use, the adhesive lint roller is rolled along a surface
to remove unsightly particles, lint, pet hair, etc.
[0004] The previously known lint roller assemblies have used a
number of different options to rotatively secure the lint roller
support to the handle. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,923, the
lint roller support and handle are separately constructed and then
rotatively secured together. One disadvantage of this type of
previously known lint roller assembly, however, is that the
rotatively connection between the handle and lint roller support is
subject to mechanical failure. Another drawback is that a
directional lint fabric cannot be attached to the rotatable support
section and still be operable. It rotates with the support and is
not stationary to provide for brushing motion.
[0005] A further disadvantage to this type of assembly is that both
the lint
[0006] Still other types of lint roller assemblies, such as that
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,695, the lint roller handle
includes a pair of elongated housing parts, which are substantially
identical to each other. A disadvantage to this type of assembly is
that each housing part must be snapped exactly into the other
perfectly registering using pins and sockets. A further
disadvantage is that the handle section being integral to the
support section is manufactured with rigid plastic material and
uncomfortable to grip and does not provide for a customized plastic
decorative top or hanger.
[0007] Still other types of previously known lint roller
assemblies, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,5577,0111,
utilize a unitary lint roller handle and lint roller support. These
previously known lint roller assemblies, however, require a complex
and, therefore, expensive mold design in order to mold the lint
roller handle and support. Furthermore, a relatively large
frictional engagement between the lint roller and the lint roller
support often times interferes with the desired free rotation of
the lint roller about the lint roller support. Further, it does not
provide for mounting a directional lint brush fabric under the
rotatable tape roll.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention is a lint roller assembly which
overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages of the previously known
art.
[0009] In brief, the lint roller assembly of the present invention
is a unitary formed lint remover including an adhesive tape roll
sleeve engaging a hollow support cylinder having an integral handle
support portion extending axially outwardly from one end.
[0010] A section of directional lint cloth can optionally be placed
within at least two raised sections of radially running plastic
bearing ridges to which an adhesive tape roll sleeve is provided
for selective rotation, thereon upon movable contact across a
surface being cleaned. The adhesive tape roll sleeve can be
selectively removed from the support cylinder to access the lint
brush fabric, then replaced for further use. the hollow support
cylinder in spaced apart axially aligned registry with an annular
stop flange so as to selectively retain the adhesive tape roll
sleeve assembly there between while permitting rotative movement
thereof in the support cylinder.
[0011] The outer surface of the hollow support cylinder is
selectively provided with at least two spaced apart annular bearing
ridges which are adapted to slidingly engage the inner surface of
the adhesive tape roll sleeve assembly mounted on the hollow
support cylinder so as to facilitate relative selective rotative
movement of the sleeve assembly with respect thereto.
[0012] The integral handle support section extending axially
outwardly from one end thereof is connected to a cap, optionally a
decorative top, using a frictional fit or adhesive. In one aspect
of the present invention, the handle support section has a smaller
diameter than the hollow cylindrical base of the cap and fits
inside of the hollow base of the cap. Prior to snapping the cap in
place in the handle, a rubber insert tube or strips of rubber are
placed around the handle section for cushioning the user's
hand.
[0013] In still another aspect, the directional lint cloth fabric
is omitted along with the spaced apart annular bearing ridges. In
order to minimize the frictional contact between the lint roller
support and the adhesive lint roller sleeve, a plurality of
circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending ribs are
formed along the outer periphery of the lint roller support. Since
only the outer periphery of the ribs contact the inner periphery of
the lint roller sleeve, only a minimal frictional contact between
the interior of the lint roller and the outer periphery of the lint
roller support occurs thus facilitating rotation of the lint roller
sleeve about the support section.
[0014] In still another aspect of the present invention, the hollow
support section is oval in shape to accept to strips of directional
lint brush fabric; one on the front and the other on the
backside.
[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the support
portion of the body is in the form of an arm extending from the
handle. First and second lint roll support members extend from the
arm and are adapted for receiving a lint roll.
[0016] In another aspect of the invention which is usable with most
previously described aspects, an arm extends from the body and is
spaced from the support portion of the body. An additional cleaning
element is carried on the arm for added cleaning functionality of
the present apparatus.
[0017] In still another aspect which is usable with many of the
previously described aspects of the invention, a liquid storage
chamber is formed in the body. A dispenser means is disposed in
fluid communication with the liquid storage chamber for dispensing
liquid from the body to assist in cleaning operations.
[0018] The apparatus of the present invention provides added
functionality in lint and other debris removal operations by
providing multiple cleaning surfaces or elements in a single tool.
Each cleaning element is usable separately so as to enable most
types of dirt, lint, debris, etc., to be effectively removed from
various surfaces, fabric, clothes, furniture, animals, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0019] The various features, advantages and other uses of the
present invention will become more apparent by referring to the
following detailed description and drawing in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one aspect of a lint
roller/brush assembly of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of an alternate
assembly according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectioned, side elevational view
of lint roller/brush assembly of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along
line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of an alternate
tape support section;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view of yet another
fabric support section;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified version of
the lint roller/brush assembly shown in FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present lint
roller/brush assembly;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the lint roller/brush
assembly shown in FIG. 8;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a left end view of the lint roller/brush assembly
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another aspect of a lint
roller/brush assembly according to the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the lint
roller/brush assembly shown in FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the lint roller/brush
assembly shown in FIG. 12, but with the cleaning element
removed;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modification to the lint
roller/brush assembly shown in FIGS. 11-13;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a combination lint
roller/brush assembly and spray dispenser apparatus according to
one aspect of the present invention with the tape roll in
place;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG.
15 without the tape roll and without a pump dispensing sprayer;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the
combination lint roller/brush assembly and spray dispenser
apparatus of the present invention with directional lint removal
fabric attached to one or more sides;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 17
with the directional lint removal fabric attached 360 degrees
around the support section;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a top view of the apparatus of FIGS. 15-18, but
with an oblong handle and oblong support section with directional
lint removal fabric attached partially around the support
section;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view showing an alternate
aspect of the apparatus according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of yet another aspect of
the apparatus of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 21;
[0042] FIG. 23 is a side elevational view showing another aspect of
the present apparatus;
[0043] FIG. 24 is an exploded, perspective view of yet another
aspect of the present apparatus;
[0044] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another aspect of the
present apparatus;
[0045] FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the
present apparatus; and
[0046] FIG. 27 is a front elevational view of the aspect of the
present apparatus shown in FIG. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is depicted a lint
roller/brush assembly 10 constructed in accordance with the
teachings of one aspect of the present invention.
[0048] The assembly 10 includes a unitary, one piece molded plastic
body 12 which includes a base 14 from which extends a handle
support 16 and tape or fabric support 18. By way of example only,
the base 14 is hollow as is the tape support 18. The handle support
16 may be hollow or solid.
[0049] The base 14 has a profiled shape, such as one with smoothly
tapering or curved sides 20 for aesthetic purposes as well as to
smoothly merge the enlarged end 15 of the base 14 with the
generally smaller diameter handle 22 mounted on the handle support
16.
[0050] The tape or fabric support 18 preferably defines a generally
cylindrical tubular member which is illustrated as being hollow
with a side wall 24, by example only. In FIGS. 3 and 4, plurality
of axially extending fingers 26 are formed in an end of the support
18 opposite from the end which merges with the base 14. The ends 28
of the fingers 26 extend radially outward from a longitudinal axis
extending through the tape support 18. The fingers define a
resilient means for capturing a tape roll 30 on the tape support
18.
[0051] In use, the tape roll 30, which may be any commercially
available tape roll, one at a time, along perforated edges of each
sheet, is forced over the enlarged diameter of the ends 28 of the
fingers 26 causing the fingers 26 to bend radially inward to allow
passage of the inner surface of the roll 30 or the inner surface of
a core in the roll 30, if a core is employed, over the ends 28 of
the fingers 26. As shown in FIG. 4, when the roll 30 is completely
mounted on the support 18, it may freely rotate under applied force
to remove lint, pet hair, and other debris from surfaces, such as
clothes, furniture, or other fabrics. Easier rotation of the roll
30 maybe achieved by use of longitudinally extending spaced ribs 31
which minimizes frictional contact with the inner surface of the
roll 30.
[0052] At the same time, as shown in FIG. 4, the outermost
dimension of the diametrically opposed ends 28 of the fingers 26 is
greater than the inner diameter of the roll 30 thereby enabling the
fingers 26 to retain the roll 30 on the tape support section
18.
[0053] At any time, the roll 30 may be removed by forcing it over
the ends 28 of the fingers 26 thereby exposing the directional
fabric 36 for use. The tape roll 30 may then be reapplied as
necessary to the tape support 18 as described above.
[0054] The handle support section 16 is designed for receiving a
suitably formed handle 22. The support section 16 and the handle 22
may be integrally formed as a one piece extension with the base 14
and have a smoothly curved, ergonomic shape for easy gripping by a
human hand. In one aspect of the present invention, the handle 22
is formed of one or more sections of a resilient material, such as
a resilient elastomer or rubber, which is frictionally or
adhesively fixed to the handle support 16. As shown in FIG. 3, in
one example, the handle 26 is formed as a one piece body having a
through bore 40 extending from a first end 42 to an opposed second
end 44. The bore 40 includes a first smaller diameter bore portion
46 for registry with the exterior surface of the handle support 16
and a larger diameter bore portion 48 which extends from one end of
the handle support 16 as shown in FIG. 1. The second bore portion
48 opens to the second end 44 of the handle 22. Likewise, the
smaller diameter bore portion 46 opens to the first end 42 of the
handle 22
[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, an end cap
denoted by reference number 50 is applied over the second end 44 of
the handle 22. Although a decorative end cap 50 is shown in FIGS.
1-3, it will be understood that the end cap 50 may take any other
shape, including a simple flat or arcuate shape to form an
aesthetic shape on the end of the handle 22.
[0056] In the decorative shape for the end cap 50 shown in FIG. 3,
the end cap 50 has a hollow shank portion 52 in which a bore 54
extends from a first end 56. The shank 52 has an outer diameter so
as to register with the inner diameter of the bore portion 48 in
the handle 22 to enable the end cap 50 to be mounted to the handle
22 by means of a tight friction fit and/or through the use of
adhesive. The opposite end 58 of the end cap 50 is formed with a
decorative shape.
[0057] In one aspect of the invention, the end portion 58 of the
end cap 50 is formed with a hanger 60 to enable the entire lint
roller/brush assembly 10 to be hung from a peg or projection in a
marketing stand or rack and even by the end user during periods of
non-use. The hanger portion 60 may comprise a closed aperture as
shown in FIGS. 1-3 as well as an open ended aperture.
[0058] A first bearing ridge 32 is formed on the tape support 18
closely spaced from the fingers 26. The first bearing ridge 32
defines an annular member having an outer diameter larger than the
diameter of the tape support 18, but slightly smaller than the
outer diameter of two diametrically opposed ends 28 of the fingers
26. A second bearing ridge 34 is formed on one end of the base 14.
A tape roll 30 having a core or being of the coreless type on the
tape support 18, with an inner surface of the tape roll 30
rotatably engaging the bearing surfaces 32 and 34, but spaced from
an outer surface of the tape support 18. This enables a section of
directional cloth or fabric 36 to be fixedly mounted on the support
18 for use separately from the tape roll 30 when the tape roll 30
is removed from the support 18. The fabric 36 is, by example, a
dimensional woven nylon pile velvet created by cutting intertwined
yard threads. The pile surface is heat set in a specific direction
to provide directional uniformity. This enable the fabric 36 to be
drawn in one direction across a surface to fabric 36 in an opposite
direction across another surface removes any collected lint and
debris from the fabric 36.
[0059] The section of directional fabric may be wound and
frictionally or adhesively joined to the tape support 18.
Alternately, the directional fabric 36 may comprise multiple
sections each adhesively adhered to the exterior of the tape
support 18.
[0060] The hollow support section 18 may have an oblate or oval
shape as shown in FIG. 6 to accept strips of directional fabric,
one on one side and one on an opposed side. Even though the tape
support 18 may have an oblate shape, the first and second bearing
surfaces 32 and 34 should be substantially circular to allow easy
rotation of a tape roll 30 thereover with minimal frictional
engagement.
[0061] In FIG. 2, the directional fabric 36 may be omitted or used
by itself. The first and second bearing surfaces 32 and 34 are
eliminated. The inner surface of the tape roll 30 may then be
placed directly over a suitably dimensioned tape support 18 which
allows low frictional rotation of the tape roll 30 about the tape
support 18 while the tape roll 30 is longitudinally held in place
on the assembly 10 by the fingers 26 and one end 15 of the base
14.
[0062] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is depicted a modified
version of the assembly 10 shown in FIG. 3. In this aspect of the
invention, the lint roller/brush assembly 70 also includes a
one-piece body 72 which can be formed of a blow molded plastic. The
body 72 includes a handle portion 74 which may contain resilient
inserts 76 as described above.
[0063] The handle portion 74 integrally transitions into a tape
roll support section 78 which has an inner elongated generally
cylindrical portion 80 for supporting the directional fabric cloth
layer 36. Enlarged diameter bearing surfaces 82 and 84 are disposed
on opposite ends of the inner portion 80 and have a larger diameter
for rotatably supporting the tape roll 30 thereover, with an inner
diameter of the tape roll 30 spaced from the directional fabric 36.
The bearing surface 82 is disposed adjacent to an enlarged shoulder
86 which acts as a stop edge for one end of projections 90. The
fingers 90 are bendable or expand the roll 30 upon insertion of a
tape roll 30 thereover to enable the tape roll 30 to be slid over
the support section 78 into engagement with the bearing surfaces 82
and 84. The fingers 90 trap the tape roll 30 on the support section
78.
[0064] Referring now to FIGS. 8-14, there are depicted two
additional aspects of the present invention which provide an
additional cleaning capability to the assembly 10 by providing a
support for an additional debris removal surface or cleaning
element, such as a sponge, bristles, directional fabric cloth,
etc.
[0065] As shown in the aspect depicted in FIGS. 8-10, an assembly
100 preferably is formed as an integral, one piece body of blow
molded or injection molded plastic. The body 102 includes a handle
portion 104 of any suitable grippable cross section. The use of
resilient elements on the handle portion 104, such as the resilient
elements 76 shown in FIG. 7, are not depicted in FIG. 8 for reasons
of clarity. It will be understood that the handle portion 104 may
include such resilient gripping elements 74 as well as the hanger
50 shown in FIG. 3.
[0066] A support section 106 extends axially from the handle
portion 104 and includes a central cylindrical portion 108 of a
first diameter and spaced end bearing surfaces 110 and 112 of
larger diameter. A plurality of radially extending resilient
fingers or projections 114 are formed adjacent the end of the
bearing surface 112. The support section 106 functions in the same
manner as the support section 78 described above and shown in FIG.
7 in that a directional fabric cloth or layers may be provided on
the central portion 108 separate from a lint roll 30 mounted on the
bearing surfaces 110 and 112.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the handle portion 104 may be
radially offset from a longitudinal axis through the support
section 106 or disposed coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the
support section 106. A transition zone 116 integrally connects the
handle portion 104 with the support section 106.
[0068] According to a unique feature of this aspect of the
invention, a support or arm 120 is integrally connected to the
transition section 116, for example, or
[0069] The support 120 is in the form of a hood or shield which
extends generally in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the
support section 108 and substantially over the entire length of the
support section 106. However, as shown in FIGS. 8-10, the support
120 is spaced from the cylindrical portion 108 of the support
section 106 to allow a full size lint roll 30 to be disposed
therebetween without interference.
[0070] By example only, the support 120 is in the form of a
generally arm-like member cantilevered from one end 122 which joins
the support 120 to the transition portion 116 of the body 102. By
example only, a radially inner surface 124 is formed on the support
120 with a generally planar or flat configuration. Again by
example, the opposed outer surface of the support 120 has a
generally curved or arcuate cross section 126 to provide a more
effective or useful cleaning surface.
[0071] Referring briefly to FIGS. 12-14, a brush or cleaning
element denoted generally by reference number 130 is mounted in the
support 120. The brush or cleaning member 130 may take the form of
sponge, sponge rubber, foam or other resilient elastomeric material
which has a slightly sticky outer surface, as well as bristles, and
directional fabric mounted on a substrate which is attachable to
the radially outer surface 126 of the support 120. It will be
understood that the bristles, directional fabric or blastomeric
material could be applied directly to a solid outer surface 124 of
the support 130 by means of adhesive or by other fastening
techniques. Also two or more different types of cleaning elements
130, such as bristles surrounding on one or two opposed sides with
a squeegee blade or blades. The bristles can also be combined with
the blastomeric material or the directional fabric.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 13, the support 120 may be provided with a
recess 132 from the outer surface 126 to an inset inner surface
134. The recess 132 forms a receptacle for receiving the cleaning
element 130. One or more apertures 136 may optionally be formed in
the inner surface 134 for receiving mounting studs or fasteners to
fixedly attach the cleaning element 130 to the support 120. surface
126 to the inner surface 124. A discontinuous lip 140 may be formed
within the aperture 138. The lip 140 and the aperture 138 cooperate
to define a mount for receiving a suitably formed substrate for the
cleaning element 130 which can snap into the discontinuities in the
lip 140 and be supported on the remaining portions of the lip 140
within the aperture 138.
[0073] The brush/roller 100 provides multiple cleaning functions.
First, the tape roll 30 can be removed thereby exposing the
directional fabric 36 for separate use. With the tape roll 30
installed over the bearing surfaces 110 and 112, the tape roll 30
can be used in a conventional manner. In addition, the cleaning
element 130 on the support 120 may be employed at any time to
remove lint, hair or other debris from surfaces, animals, clothing,
etc.
[0074] It will also be understood that the handle 104 may be formed
with an internal fluid containing chamber coupled to a dispenser or
nozzle mounted at one end of the handle 104, as described
hereafter, to provide for selective dispensing of cleaning
fluid.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, the assembly 140 shown in
FIGS. 11-14 shares common elements with the assembly 100 described
above and shown in FIGS. 8-10. Thus, the same reference numbers
depict the handle portion 104, the support 120, the opposed
surfaces 124 and 126 of the support 120, and the cleaning element
130 mounted on the outer surface 126 of the support 120.
[0076] In this aspect, the support section differs from the support
section 106 described above in that it is formed of opposed support
members 142 and 144. The support members 142 and 144 are spaced
apart. The support member 102 can be integrally formed or joined as
a separate member to the transition portion 116 between the handle
104 and the support member 142. The opposite support member 144 is
carried on a wall 145 which extends from one end of the support
120.
[0077] The supports 142 and 144 are in the form of generally
circular bearing elements 146 and 148, respectively, which are
adapted to rotatably or fixedly receive a lint roll 30
therebetween. The bearing elements 146 and 148 have a diameter
or
[0078] The construction of the support 120 and the cleaning element
130 is identical to that described above and will not be repeated
for the assembly 140.
[0079] The apparatus 140 provides multiple, independent, cleaning
functions via a rotatably or fixed mounted lint roll 30, the
cleaning element 130 on the support 120 or even by the addition of
a fluid container within the handle 104 and an integrally attached
spray dispenser, as described hereafter.
[0080] With reference first to FIG. 15, one aspect of the combined
lint remover and spray dispenser apparatus 201 is shown as
including a liquid dispensing means, such as a spray pump cap 202,
which threadingly engages one end of an elongated handle section
203 of a liquid storage container 204. A liquid transferring tube
205 running substantially through the interior of a hollow chamber
206 within the container 204 which receives and stores a liquid
solution. The container 1 is formed of a base portion 207 and an
integral, elongated neck portion forming the handle section 203,
which together define the hollow chamber 206. A support section 208
has a top bead or rim portion 209 and outwardly extending
protrusions 210, which lock a tape roll 211 in place. The tape roll
211 may be formed by conventional methods of an elongated single
piece of outwardly facing adhesive or, more typically, a plurality
of end to end arranged, separatable strips wound in a roll about a
hollow center. Each sheet is separable from the tape roll 211 when
soiled or dirty to expose an underlying clean adhesive strip. An
example of a lint remover tape roll can be found in U.S. Pat. No.
4,361,923.
[0081] The handle portion 203 may have a generally constant
diameter, cylindrical shape or, more preferably, a smoothly curved
concave shape for easy grasping by the user for use of the lint
remover roll 211 or the dispenser 202.
[0082] The support section 208 about which the tape roll 211 is
mounted, may have a reduced diameter from the major diameter of the
handle 203. Alternately, the support section 208 may have the same
diameter as the handle 203. The rim portion 209 flares radially
outward from the support section 208 to form a shoulder for
supporting one end of the tape roll 211 as shown in FIG. 15. The
tape roll 211, which the tape roll 211 seats against the shoulder
209. At this time, the trailing end of the tape roll 211 is located
inside of the projections 210 so that the tape roll 211 is
rotatably mounted on the support section 208.
[0083] The hollow container 201 is formed preferably of one piece
utilizing a blow molding process and materials such as
polyethylene, PET, polyvinyl chloride, or similar thermoplastic
material. The lint tape roll support section 208, framed by upper
and lower outwardly protrusions 209 and 210, has a diameter less
than the inside diameter of the adhesive tape lint roll 211.
Alternately, the container 201 can be formed of two halves joined
together to form a sealed member.
[0084] In order to mount the pump spray type liquid dispenser 202
to the container 201, the pump sprayer 202 has a cap 215 for
threaded engagement with the top of the elongated handle section to
securably seal to the container 201. Alternately, the cap 215 may
be configured for a snap-on engagement with a projection on an end
portion of the handle 203. The pump sprayer type dispenser 202
includes a hose extending from the pump sprayer 202 into the
container 201 for carrying the liquid contents to the spray or
trigger nozzle 217.
[0085] Alternately, the pump spray type liquid dispenser cap 215
and nozzle 217 can be replaced by a known trigger handle operated
pump dispenser.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 16, the optional support 120 may be
connected to the handle 203 by means of the transition portion 116.
As described above, the support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning
element 130, such a bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric,
etc.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 16, exterior threads 214 are formed on one
end of the container 201 for receiving the threaded cap 215
carrying a push type spray head 216 with a dispenser nozzle 217
carried therein. The tube 205 is connected at one end to the
dispenser nozzle 217 and extends through the container 201
preferably into close proximity with the base 207. A spring, not
shown, may be mounted within the head 216 for returning the head
216 to the outward disposed position shown in FIG. 15 after each
spray dispensing depression. spaced, radially outwardly facing
protrusions 210, such as flexible fingers, beads, solid or broken
bands, are formed at the end or bottom of the support section 208
opposite or perpendicular to the handle 203. These flexible
fingers, beads, or bands 210 have an outside diameter greater than
the inside diameter of the lint roller 211 such that with the lint
roller 211 inserted over the lint roller support 208, the flexible
fingers, beads, solid or broken bands 210, extend outwardly along
the bottom end of the support section 208 entrapping the lint tape
roll 211 within the top and bottom ends of the support section 208.
The protrusions, fingers, beads, partial or solid bands 210 can be
substantially flexible so as to flex to permit the installation and
removal of the tape roll 211 onto the roller support 208.
[0088] In order to minimize the frictional contact between the
support section 208 and the adhesive lint tape roll 211, a
plurality of outwardly facing ribs or nibs 212 are optionally
formed along the outer periphery of the support section 208. By
minimizing the contact area between the inner wall of the tape roll
211 and the support section 208 utilizing the ribs or nibs 212,
only minimal frictional contact occurs between the interior of the
lint tape roll 211 and outer periphery of the lint roller support
section 208, thereby encouraging free rotation of the lint roller
211 about the support 208. These raised ribs or nibs 212 may also
strengthen the lint roller support section 208.
[0089] The lint remover 201 is operated with one hand while the
tape roll 211 resolves to pick up lint, fuzz, pet hair, etc. from
surfaces and to provide for dispensing liquid solutions as needed
to completely treat the surface.
[0090] A panel or logo area 220 can optionally be formed on the
exterior of the handle section 203 for receiving a decoration, logo
or product advertisement.
[0091] FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 depict alternate aspects of the present
apparatus. In FIG. 17, the container 201 is formed essentially the
same as the container 201 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and described
above. However, in this aspect of the invention, a lint remover
means is in the form of a sheet of directional lint removing fabric
222. The fabric sheet 222 may be permanently or releasably mounted
about the support noted that in this aspect of the present
invention, the shoulder 209 and projections 210 may not be
required.
[0092] The fabric 222 is a dimensional woven nylon pile velvet
created by cutting intertwined yard threads. The pile surface is
heat set in a specific direction to guarantee directional
uniformity. This enables the sheet 222 to be drawn in one direction
across a surface to be cleaned to pick up lint and other debris
from the surface. Dragging the sheet 222 in an opposite direction
about another surface removes any collected lint and debris from
the sheet 222.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 15, the optional support 120 may be
connected to the handle 203 by means of the transition portion 116.
As described above, the support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning
element 130, such a bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric,
etc.
[0094] FIG. 18 depicts a bottom view of another aspect of a
container 201'. In this aspect, the container 201' has a generally
oval shape with the directional lint remover fabric 222 disposed
substantially completely 360.degree. about the exterior of the
container 222.
[0095] In FIG. 19, a container 201' has a more elongated, oblong
shape.
[0096] Referring now to FIG. 20, there is depicted another aspect
of a combined lint remover and spray liquid dispenser 230 which
includes essentially the same elements as the container 201, but
has the elements disposed in a different external configuration or
shape. Thus, the container 230 includes a handle 232 and a lint
roll support 234. In this aspect, however, the handle 232 includes
one or more bends, to the axial extent of the support 34, with one
bend at substantially 90.degree. being shown in FIG. 20 by
example.
[0097] The optional support 120 may be connected to the handle 203
by means of the transition portion 116. As described above and
shown in FIG. 16, the support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning
element 130, such a bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric,
etc.
[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, there is depicted another
aspect of and a dispenser nozzle 270. In this aspect, a support 272
is mounted by integral molding or by means of separate fasteners,
threads, etc., to one end of the container 262. The support 272 is
in the form of a hood having a generally semi-circular shape with a
hollow interior or internal recess. A pair of hinge pins 274 are
mounted in opposed sides 276 of the support 272 and rotatably
receive end caps 278 mounted in an elongated tape roll 280. In this
manner, the tape roll 280 is rotatably mounted within the support
or hood 272.
[0099] The hood 272 forms a convenient surface for receiving the
cleaning element 130. The hood 272 can have the cleaning element
130 affixed thereto by adhesive or by any of the attachment methods
shown in FIGS. 12-14.
[0100] In FIG. 23, a lint remover and spray dispenser apparatus 290
is depicted. The apparatus 290 combines the features of the
removable and rotatable lint remover roll 211 and hollow container
201 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 with the directional fabric 222
support shown in FIGS. 17-19. Thus, elements of the apparatus 290
are common with the previous apparatus 201. Specifically, the
apparatus 90 includes a hollow container 292 having a handle 294
and a lint remover material support 296. A shoulder 298 is formed
intermediate the handle 294 and the support 296. A plurality of
outwardly extending projections or nibs 300 are formed on an
opposite end of the support 296.
[0101] The support 296 is formed with opposed ends 302 and 304 of a
first diameter and an intermediate portion 306 of a slightly
smaller or reduced diameter. A radially enlarged or flared end 308
is formed at one end of the support section 306 and carries the
projections 300. The inner diameter 310 of the lint remover roll
211 is rotatably supported on the larger diameter end portions 302
and 304 of the support section 296 to enable the lint remover roll
211 to rotate about the support section 296. At the same time, the
directional fabric 222 is adhesively or otherwise fixedly mounted
on the reduced diameter intermediate portion 306 of the support
section 296 so as to be located out of contact with the inner
diameter 310 of the lint remover roll 211.
[0102] The cap 215 with the depressable head 216 and dispenser
nozzle 217, as shown in FIG. 1 may be fixedly attached to one end
of the handle 294 via the threads 214, by example only.
[0103] In this manner, the apparatus 290 is capable of
simultaneously carrying the directional lint removal fabric 222 and
a rotatable lint remover roll 211. The lint remover roll 211 is
removed from the support 226 to enable the directional fabric 222
to be used to remove lint and debris from various surfaces.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 15, the optional support 120 may be
connected to the handle 294 by means of the transition portion 116.
As described above, the support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning
element 130, such a bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric,
etc.
[0105] A further modification to any or all of the apparatus
described above is depicted in FIG. 24. It will be understood that
although FIG. 24 depicts the apparatus 320 as carrying a lint
remover roll 211, the apparatus 320 can also be designed for
independent or simultaneous mounting of the directional fabric 222
about a support section 322.
[0106] In this aspect of the invention, the handle portion 324 of
the apparatus 320 may have an enlarged diameter with an open ended
bore 326 extending from one end 328. The opposite end 330 of the
apparatus 320 may be opened or closed.
[0107] The diameter of the bore 326 is sized to removably receive a
liquid dispenser container or bottle 330. The bottle 330 includes,
by example only, a removable cap 215 which carries a depressable
head 216 and nozzle 217. The inner dispenser tube 315 extends
through the interior of the container 330.
[0108] The container 330 can be a conventional liquid cleaner
supplied with the apparatus 320 or purchased separately therefrom.
Regardless of how the container 330 is formed, the container 330 is
removably insertable into the handle 324 through the open ended
bore 326 to a distance which disposes the depressable spray
dispenser head and nozzle 217 externally of the first end 328 of
the handle 324.
[0109] A shoulder, not shown, may be provided within the interior
of the bore
[0110] The optional support 120 may be connected to the handle 324
by means of the transition portion 116. As described above, the
support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning element 130, such a
bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric, etc.
[0111] Another aspect of the present apparatus is shown in FIG. 25
and is a modification to the apparatus 201 shown in FIGS. 15 and
16. As shown in FIG. 13, a combined lint remover and spray
dispenser apparatus 350 includes a body 352 which is preferably
hollow. The body 352 has a handle portion 354, an intermediate
portion supporting a lint removal roll, such as tape roll 311
either in a fixed or rotatable manner, and an end 356, opposite
from the handle 354 which receives a liquid dispensing means, such
as a spray pump cap 358. The spray pump cap 358 is threadingly
engaged or snap connected to the end 356 of the body 352.
[0112] A liquid storage chamber is formed within the body 352
extending from the end 356 through at least the intermediate
portion supporting the tape roll 311 and, optionally, substantially
through all of the handle 354.
[0113] The optional support 120 may be connected to the body 352 by
means of the transition portion 116. As described above, the
support 120 supports an auxiliary cleaning element 130, such a
bristles, sponge rubber, directional fabric, etc.
[0114] Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, there is depicted yet
another aspect of the present lint roller/brush apparatus denoted
generally by reference number 400. The apparatus 400 includes a
body which may be integrally formed, such as from a blow molded
plastic, or assembled of individual components fixedly joined
together into unitary structure by heat or sonic welding,
fasteners, etc.
[0115] The apparatus 400 includes an elongated handle 402 which has
an ergonomic shape for easy hand gripping. Alternately, the handle
302 may be formed with a hollow interior chamber suitable for
receiving a cleaning liquid. A dispenser, similar to the dispensers
described above and shown in FIGS. 15-25 may be mounted on the end
of the handle 402.
[0116] A further optional adaptation is the provision of snap or
screw together, threaded connections on the end of the handle 402
for connection to an elongated
[0117] The handle 402 transitions into a cross member formed of two
cross arms 404 and 406 which extend laterally in opposite
directions from the end of the handle 402. The arms 404 and 406
terminate in angularly disposed legs 408 and 410, respectively. A
pair of generally circular supports 412 and 414 extend axially
inward from the legs 408 and 410, respectively, and rotatably fit
within the inner diameter of the lint roll 30 which can be snapped
over the supports 412 and 414 for insertion or removal from the
apparatus 400.
[0118] In this aspect, an additional cleaning element in the form
of a squeegee 420 is fixedly mounted in the arms 404 and 408 and
projects angularly therefrom as shown in FIG. 26. The squeegee 420
has a blade-like shape formed of a resilient, flexible material
terminating in one or more pointed edges 322 which, when dragged
across the surface, is and are capable of pulling embedded hairs
from fabric.
[0119] In summary, there has been disclosed numerous aspects of a
combination lint roll/brush apparatus which is useful in
efficiently removing dirt, debris, embedded hair, from fabrics and
other surfaces. The apparatus combines several cleaning elements
into a single apparatus thereby affording many different cleaning
uses with a single apparatus. This enables different types of
debris to be successfully removed from fabrics, furniture,
clothing, and other surfaces by choosing one or more of the
different cleaning elements in a single cleaning operation.
* * * * *