U.S. patent application number 11/490951 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for hand cleaning tool with removeable cleaning head.
This patent application is currently assigned to Nice Life, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles E. Gengler, Robert E. Petner.
Application Number | 20080028555 11/490951 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027700 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080028555 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Petner; Robert E. ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
Hand cleaning tool with removeable cleaning head
Abstract
A handheld cleaning tool has a tool body with an ergonomically
designed handle and cleaning head, the cleaning head extending at
an obtuse angle to the handle. The cleaning head has a flexibly
rigid support member with outwardly extending locking tabs located
at each side of the member. The cleaning head is configured to be
inserted into a mitt-like cleaning pad which substantially
encompasses the cleaning head when it is fully inserted into the
pad. When the cleaning head is fully within the pad, the locking
tabs are immovably positioned within pockets on opposite sides of
the pad. This secures the pad on the cleaning head and to the
handle of the cleaning tool. The outer surfaces of the cleaning pad
can accommodate an abrasive surface, a sponge-like surface, or
other equivalent, commonly used cleaning surfaces. Removal and
replacement of the cleaning pad from the cleaning head is
accomplished by separating and opening a slit within the cleaning
pad, which permits removal of the cleaning head and allows
replacement with a clean pad.
Inventors: |
Petner; Robert E.;
(Burlington, NJ) ; Gengler; Charles E.; (South
Orange, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hollstein Keating Cattell;Johnson & Goldstein P.C.
Willow Ridge Executive Office Park, 750 Route 73 South, Suite 301
Marlton
NJ
08053
US
|
Assignee: |
Nice Life, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39027700 |
Appl. No.: |
11/490951 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/118 ;
15/143.1; 15/209.1; 15/229.13; 15/244.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/46 20130101;
A47L 17/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/118 ;
15/244.1; 15/229.13; 15/209.1; 15/143.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/10 20060101
A47L013/10 |
Claims
1. A hand cleaning tool comprising: cleaning pad means for cleaning
soiled surfaces, said cleaning pad means comprising an open
interior, an outer perimeter which is mitt-like in shape, a single
opening along one edge and rear corners; and a cleaning tool body
with a handle and a cleaning head, said cleaning head comprising a
single, substantially planar support member having the same
mitt-like shape as the cleaning pad means and being insertably
positioned within the open interior of the cleaning pad means,
whereby when the mitt-like shaped cleaning head is fully positioned
within the mitt-like shape cleaning pad means, the cleaning head
substantially fills the entire interior of the cleaning pad means,
said cleaning head further comprising dual outwardly protruding tab
means, "V" shaped in configuration, located at the backmost end, on
opposite sides of the cleaning head and extending rearwardly of the
cleaning head towards the handle for maintaining the cleaning head
within the cleaning pad means upon insertion of the cleaning head
into the opening, said cleaning pad means further comprising dual
pocket means located in the rear corners of the cleaning pad means
adjacent to the opening for receiving the dual tab means, the
positioning of the dual tab means within the pocket means locking
the cleaning head within the cleaning pad means.
2. (canceled)
3. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning head
is substantially encased within the pad means when the cleaning
head is fully inserted into and locked within the pad means.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 1 further comprising means to
allow removal of the pad means from the cleaning head.
7. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 6 wherein the means to allow
removal comprises a slit extending from the opening.
8. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 1 wherein the pad means
comprises a sponge surface on at least one side thereof.
9. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 8 wherein the pad means
comprises an abrasive surface and a sponge surface.
10. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 1 wherein the pad means
comprises an abrasive surface on at least one side thereof.
11. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 1 wherein the cleaning head
extends outwardly at an obtuse angle from the handle.
12. A hand cleaning tool comprising: cleaning tool body with a
handle and a cleaning head, said cleaning head comprising a single,
flexibly rigid substantially planar support member extending at an
obtuse angle from the handle, said support member comprising dual
locking tabs, "V" shaped in configuration, located at the backmost
end, on opposite sides of the cleaning head and extending
rearwardly of the cleaning head towards the handle; and cleaning
pad means for insertion onto the cleaning head for cleaning soiled
surfaces, said cleaning pad means comprising an open interior, a
single opening along one edge, rear corners, and internal dual
locking pockets located in the rear corners adjacent to the
opening, whereby upon full insertion of the cleaning head within
the cleaning pad means, the cleaning head substantially fills the
entire interior of the cleaning pad means and the locking tabs are
received by and positioned within the pockets for locking the
cleaning head within the cleaning pad means.
13. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 where in the pad means is
mitt- like in configuration.
14. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 wherein the cleaning head
is substantially encased within the pad means when the cleaning
head is fully inserted into and locked within the pad means.
15. The hand cleaning tool head as in claim 14 wherein the pad
means is mitt-like in configuration.
16. (canceled)
17. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 further comprising means
to allow removal of the pad means from the cleaning head.
18. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 17 wherein the means to
allow removal comprises a slit extending from the opening.
19. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 wherein the pad means
comprises a sponge surface on at least one side thereof.
20. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 wherein the pad means
comprises an abrasive surface and a sponge surface.
21. The hand cleaning tool as in claim 12 wherein the pad means
comprises an abrasive surface on at least one side thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] There are a variety of different hand cleaning tools
designed to efficiently enable a user to manually clean soiled
surfaces on dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and similar soiled
articles. Those tools which have removeable cleaning pads, brushes,
scouring material, or like cleaning elements use different means to
secure the element to the tool. For instance, cleaning elements are
commonly attached by serrated projections, burrs, tacks, and
similar sharp extensions which dig into the cleaning material to
hold it. A variety of clamps, grippers, retaining ribs and various
configurations of holding devices are also used to secure cleaning
elements to their tools. However, prior cleaning tools which employ
the use of removable cleaning elements each have disadvantages. The
attachment devices currently in use generally do not adequately
retain the cleaning elements on the cleaning tools during vigorous
cleaning operations. Replacement of cleaning elements is also
difficult on many tools. Often the design of the tool and the
position of its cleaning element restrict its versatility. Others
are not ergonomically designed to allow the user to clean
efficiently with the tool. In addition, the configuration of many
tools does not adequately protect the hand of the user during the
cleaning operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is thus the object of the present invention to overcome
the disadvantages and limitations of prior hand cleaning tools.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand
cleaning tool of a configuration which solves many of the problems
associated with the use of tools for cleaning soiled surfaces.
[0004] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
hand cleaning tool which is safe for manual use and will eliminate
risk of injury to the user during cleaning operations.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
hand cleaning tool which is easy and simple to use and is
ergonomically designed for efficient use.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
hand cleaning tool which is configured for use with cleaning
elements of varying surfaces to allow cleaning versatility.
[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a hand cleaning tool which prevents its cleaning element
from separating or falling off the tool, especially during vigorous
usage.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
hand cleaning tool which employs cleaning elements which are easily
replaceable when elements need to be cleaned or replaced with new
elements.
[0009] These and other objects are accomplished by the present
invention, a handheld cleaning tool comprising a tool body with an
ergonomically designed handle and cleaning head, the cleaning head
extending at an obtuse angle to the handle. The cleaning head has a
flexibly rigid support member with outwardly extending locking tabs
located at each side of the member. The cleaning head is configured
to be inserted into a mitt-like cleaning pad which substantially
encompasses the cleaning head when it is fully inserted into the
pad. When the cleaning head is fully within the pad, the locking
tabs are immovably positioned within pockets on opposite sides of
the pad. This secures the pad on the cleaning head and to the
handle of the cleaning tool. The outer surfaces of the cleaning pad
can accommodate an abrasive surface, a sponge-like surface, or
other equivalent, commonly used cleaning surfaces. Removal and
replacement of the cleaning pad from the cleaning head is
accomplished by separating and opening a slit within the cleaning
pad, which permits removal of the cleaning head and allows
replacement with a clean pad.
[0010] Novel features which are considered as characteristic of the
invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The
invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and
use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof,
are best understood upon review of the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of the cleaning tool of the present
invention with its components separated.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the components of the present
invention in its cleaning mode.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the cleaning tool of the
present invention in its cleaning mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Hand cleaning tool 1 comprises a unitary cleaning tool body
having handle 2 and cleaning head 10. Handle 2 comprises a
hand-gripping section and optional finger support 3 extending from
the gripping section. Cleaning head 10 consists of a flexibly rigid
support member which extends outwardly at an obtuse angle from end
4 of handle 2. Cleaning head 10 also comprises outwardly extending
locking tabs 14 and 16, substantially "V" shaped in configuration,
located on opposite sides of the cleaning head.
[0015] Cleaning pad 20 is mitt-like in configuration, with rearward
linear edge 23. Opening 24 extends the length of edge 23 and allows
access into pad 20. Formed within the interior of pad 20 and on
either side of it are pockets 24 and 26. It is contemplated that
these pockets will be formed by sewn joints, but equivalent joint
connections, e.g. tacking, glue etc. can be used. Slit 25 extends
inwardly from rearward edge 23. Separating and opening slit 25
serves to expand pad 20 and its opening 24.
[0016] Pad 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, has two sides, one which
comprises abrasive surface layer 21 and the other sponge-like
surface layer 22. It is contemplated that pad 20 also can be formed
with two abrasive surfaces, two sponge surfaces, one sponge and one
abrasive surface, or any other combination of commonly used
cleaning surfaces, e.g. scrub brush, soft cleaning pad, layer of
polishing cloth, etc.
[0017] In use, cleaning head 10 is inserted into pad 20 via opening
24, such that the cleaning head is substantially encompassed by the
pad. Locking tabs 14 and 16 of cleaning head 10 are immovably
positioned within pockets 24 and 26 of pad 20 to maintain and lock
pad 20 onto the cleaning head.
[0018] After pad 20 is positioned on cleaning head 10 and the pad
is locked in place within pockets 24 and 26 via locking tabs 14 and
16, cleaning tools can be used to clean a wide variety of soiled
surfaces. The versatility of the tool is increased since cleaning
pad 20 has two different cleaning surfaces, e.g. an abrasive
surface and a sponge surface. The locking components of the tool
allow it to be used in vigorous cleaning operations, as pad 20 will
not and cannot unintentionally loosen, separate, fall or be pulled
off cleaning head 10. The ergonomic shape of the tool assists in
efficient cleaning, while eliminating risk to the user of injury to
fingers or hands.
[0019] When it is desired to change pad 20, either to clean it for
reuse, discard it when it is worn out, or to replace it with a new
and fresh pad, the user simply opens slit 25. This extends opening
24 outwardly, loosening the fit of pad 20 around cleaning head 10
to allow the cleaning head to be withdrawn from pad 20.
[0020] Certain novel features and components of this invention are
disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at
least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood
that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the
exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that
various modifications and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
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