U.S. patent application number 10/868532 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-15 for sponge and cloth cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Dillon, John J..
Application Number | 20050273958 10/868532 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35458965 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050273958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dillon, John J. |
December 15, 2005 |
Sponge and cloth cleaning device
Abstract
A relatively thick sponge has a washable microfiber cloth that
removably covers at least a portion of the sponge, and is
particularly well adapted for automotive use by virtue of a
microfiber pile on the cloth. Preferred cloth coverings have
microfibers with a length (pile height) of between 0.5 and 0.11 cm,
and more preferably between 0.7 and 0.9 cm. The sponge can be any
suitable size and shape, but is preferably dog bone shaped, having
a length of at least 10 cm, a width of at least 6 cm, and a
thickness of at least 2 cm. The cloth is preferably sized and
dimensioned to completely enclose the sponge.
Inventors: |
Dillon, John J.; (Carlsbad,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT D. FISH
RUTAN & TUCKER LLP
611 ANTON BLVD 14TH FLOOR
COSTA MESA
CA
92626-1931
US
|
Family ID: |
35458965 |
Appl. No.: |
10/868532 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/104.93 ;
15/244.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/104.93 ;
015/244.3 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/17 |
Claims
1. A product of manufacture comprising a hand held water immersible
absorbent sponge having a length of at least 10 cm, a width of at
least 6 cm and a thickness of at least 2 cm, and a washable
microfiber cloth that removably covers at least a portion of the
sponge, and wherein the sponge and the cover both have an overall
dog bone shape.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The product of claim 1 wherein the cloth substantially encloses
the sponge.
6. The product of claim 1 wherein the microfibers have a pile
height of between 0.5 and 0.1 cm.
7. The product of claim 1 wherein the microfibers have a pile
height of between 0.7 and 0.9 cm.
8. The product of claim 1 wherein the microfibers comprise a
polyester.
9. The product of claim 1 wherein the cloth is manufactured using a
circular knitting machine.
10. The product of claim 1 wherein the cloth is manufactured with
no backcoating.
11. The product of claim 1 wherein the cloth has a denier value of
at between 0.2 and 0.6.
12. The product of claim 1 wherein the microfibers comprise a
combination of fibers between 0.25 and 0.35 denier, and fibers
between 0.45 and 0.55 denier.
13. The product of claim 1 wherein the microfibers comprise a
combination of 0.3 and 0.5 denier fibers.
14. The product of claim 1 wherein the cloth contains a surface
agent selected from the group consisting of a shining agent, a
cleaner, and a surfactant.
15. A method of marketing a sponge, comprising marketing a
combination of the sponge with the cloth cover of claim 1 as being
useful for automotive use.
16. The method of claim 17, further comprising marketing the
microfibers in the cloth as being advantageous for automotive
finishes.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Sponges and cloths are each well-known tools for cleaning,
drying, waxing, polishing and so forth, and each has its own
advantages and disadvantages. Sponges can quickly absorb a
significant quantity of liquid, and can dispense that liquid over a
wide surface. Thus, in washing a car it is commonplace to use a
sponge to bring soap and water from a bucket to the top or sides of
a automobile. A problem, however, is that sponges tend to readily
damaged when used on a surface having edges and corners, such as
that often found on decorative wheels. In those instances a cloth
is a better choice, because the cloth is physically stronger.
Unfortunately, cloths do not generally hold liquids as readily as a
sponge, and can be too abrasive when used on a glossy surface such
as that of a highly finished car.
[0002] There are combinations of sponges and cloths in the prior
art. For example, a combination of absorbent sponge and machine
washable cloth cover is known for use in a heating pad for medical
use. That combination, however, would not be useful for automotive
care because the sponge portion is intended to be quite thin for
comfort reasons, and is too thin to hold sufficient liquid. In
addition, the contemplated terry cloth or other towel-like cover
can well be destructive to automotive finishes.
[0003] Similarly, it is known to provide a loofah or other bath
sponge with a terry cloth cover. Here the sponge can be
considerably thicker, but the cover is still inappropriate for
automotive and many other uses. Indeed, the cloth portion is
intended to be somewhat abrasive to assist in cleaning the skin. A
trail sponge, sometimes carries by horseback riders typically uses
a terry cloth cover enclosing a natural sea sponge
http://my.voyager.net/.about.desotosaddle/s01.htm. The same is true
for sponge mops with cloth covers. The cloth is relatively rough,
since it is intended to be used on hard wood, ceramic, or other
floor coverings that are quite resistant to scratching.
[0004] Still other cloth-covered sponges are known that are not
intended to receive moisture at all, let alone be immersed in water
or other liquid. For example, books and albums sometimes have cover
comprising a cloth that encloses a sponge liner. Similarly,
headphones sometimes have a sponge core with a cloth cover. None of
those products would be at all useful for cleaning and polishing
high glass surfaces such as automotive finishes.
[0005] Thus, there is still a need for a sponge with a cloth cover
that is particularly well adapted for automotive use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides apparatus, systems and
methods in which a relatively thick sponge has a washable
microfiber cloth that removably covers at least a portion of the
sponge.
[0007] The sponge/cloth combination is preferably manufactured and
sold as a combination product, with instructions for use, and
marketing materials directing the user to automotive use.
[0008] The sponge can have any suitable size or shape, and is
especially contemplated to have a dog bone or other shape that has
bulbous ends and a narrowed mid section. Preferred sponges have a
length of at least 10 cm, a width of at least 6 cm, and a thickness
of at least 2 cm.
[0009] Preferred cloth coverings have microfibers with a length
(pile height) of between 0.5 and 0.11 cm, and more preferably
between 0.7 and 0.9 cm. Especially preferred microfibers have a
denier value of between 0.3 and 0.5. All ranges described herein
are deemed to be inclusive of their endpoints. The cloth can be
advantageously made on a circular knitting machine with no
backcoating, and can optionally include a shining agent, cleaner,
surfactant, or other surface care agent. Although the cloth can
cover only a portion of the sponge, it is preferred that the cloth
be sized and dimensioned to completely enclose the sponge.
[0010] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals
represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sponge and a
removable cloth covering that encloses the sponge.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sponge and a
non-removable cloth covering that encloses the sponge.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of packaging for the sponge/cloth
combination of FIG. 1, showing suggested automotive use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In FIG. 1 an article of manufacture 10 includes a sponge 12
and a cloth 14.
[0015] The sponge 12 can comprise any suitable material, including
natural sponges, but more preferably comprises a closed cell
Ensolite.TM. urethane, rubber, latex, or other synthetic material
for improved durability and liquid absorption.
[0016] Sponge 12 can also have any suitable size and shape. For
automotive use larger sponges are preferred, especially those large
enough that they extend out both sides of a person's palm when the
sponge is grasped arounds its mid-section. Such sponges are
therefore at least 10 cm long, more preferably at least 15 cm long,
and most preferably at least 18 cm long. The thickness should be at
least 2 cm, but is advantageously much thicker, such as at least 4
cm, 6 cm, or even 8 cm. Preferred width is at least 6 cm, and more
preferably at least 8 cm or 10 cm.
[0017] In FIG. 1 the sponge 12 is dog bone shaped, with a narrowed
mid section and bulbous ends. Other shapes are contemplated that
have only a single bulbous end, or have rectangular, oblong,
circular, or other horizontal cross-sectional shapes, as long as
the size and shape are appropriate for a user to employ in
conveniently washing a surface of an automobile.
[0018] Preferred cloth coverings have microfibers that are "finish
friendly", at least with respect to automotive finishes. Currently
preferred cloths have microfibers with a length (pile height) of
between 0.5 and 0.11 cm, and more preferably between 0.7 and 0.9
cm. Denier value is defined as the mass in grams per 9000 meters of
yarn. Especially preferred microfibers have a denier value of
between 0.3 and 0.5. The most preferred coverings have a pile
height of 0.8 cm, and comprises a combination of (a) 50% 0.5 denier
polyester and (b) 50% 0.3 denier polyester microfibers. On the
other hand, suitable cloths could have microfibers manufactured
from other materials, such as wool, cotton, and so forth--as long
as the material is durable and sufficiently soft.
[0019] The cloth cover can be made in any suitable manner. The
presently preferred methods use a circular knitting machine, and
the cloth has no backcoating. In contrast, most pile microfibers
are manufactured on a tricot knitting machine, which is basically a
loom that knits horizontally and vertically. That method requires a
sewn-edge to keep the product "together". Meguiar's proprietary
KPW-210 material is manufactured on a circular knitting machine,
which uses a multi-dimensional knitting process. This process is
the most effective way to make sure the edges do not fray or
unravel during the production of the cover, and during use.
[0020] Although not strictly necessary, it is considered highly
desirable that the cloth cover substantially conforms to the
overall shape of the sponge. Thus, the bone-shaped sponge 12 of
FIG. 1 has a cover 14 with a bone-shaped cavity 16. A rhombohedral
sponge should have a cover with a correspondingly rhombohedron
shaped cavity. In cases of a closed-cavity cover, the cavity can be
closed in any suitable manner. Preferred embodiments use a
Velcro.TM. or other hook and loop fastener. It is also possible
that the shape of the cover will automatically tend to close around
the sponge, even without a fastener. Zippers are contemplated but
not preferred, because of the potential for scratching the surface
being cleaned.
[0021] The cloth cover can optionally include a shining agent,
cleaner, surfactant, or other surface care agent. Although the
cloth can cover only a portion of the sponge, it is preferred that
the cloth be sized and dimensioned to completely enclose the
sponge.
[0022] In use, a consumer would open the cavity 16, insert the
sponge 12, and then close the cavity 16. The sponge/cover
combination 10 would then be dipped into a bucket or other
container of water, to which has been added an automotive cleaning
agent. The sponge/cover combination 10 would then be rubbed on a
surface of an automobile until the washing or other step was
completed, or the cover 14 became too dirty. In either case the
cover 14 could be removed and washed out for future use.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an alternative combination 20 of sponge 22
(shown in outline) and cover 24, in which the sponge 22 is not
readily removable from the cover 24. There is, for example, no slot
or other opening for user removal of the sponge 22.
[0024] In FIG. 3 a sample packaging 30 for the sponge/cover
combination 10 of FIG. 1 has a drawing, picture or other image 32
that depicts the use of the sponge/cover combination 10 in washing
an automobile. This or other marketing material is designed to
achieve usual marketing goals of increased sales. Since a
significant feature of especially preferred cloths is the
particular microfibers used, it is also advantageous to
specifically market the microfibers in the cloth as being
advantageous for automotive finishes. See text, 34.
[0025] Thus, specific embodiments and applications of sponges with
cloth covers have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however,
to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides
those already described are possible without departing from the
inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore,
is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended
claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the
claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible
manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms
"comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to
elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner,
indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may
be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements,
components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
* * * * *
References