U.S. patent application number 12/077281 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for cleaning device.
Invention is credited to Lauren Campbell.
Application Number | 20080256735 12/077281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39870745 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256735 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Campbell; Lauren |
October 23, 2008 |
Cleaning device
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a cleaning system having a
first member and a second member. The system is particularly
suitable for cleaning glass and other surfaces particularly where
both sides of the glass are to be cleaned together. The first and
second member are preferably flexible and have a flexible magnetic
member and a microfiber cleaning surface
Inventors: |
Campbell; Lauren; (East
Moriches, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas A. O'Rourke;Bodner & O'Rourke
425 Broadhollow Road
Melville
NY
11747
US
|
Family ID: |
39870745 |
Appl. No.: |
12/077281 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60918817 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/220.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/220.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 1/03 20060101
A47L001/03 |
Claims
1. A cleaning system for thin substrates, said substrates having a
first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of said
substrate, said system comprising: a first housing made from a
flexible material, a first magnetic member on a surface of said
housing, said magnetic members conforming to the shape of said
first surface of said substrate when said housing is positioned on
said first surface of said substrate, said magnetic member having a
micro fiber material for cleaning said surface on a surface of said
magnetic member opposite said housing; and a second housing made
from a flexible material, a second magnetic member on a surface of
said second housing, said magnetic members conforming to the shape
of said second surface when said second housing is positioned on
said substrate, said magnetic member having a micro fiber material
on the surface of said magnetic member opposite said housing; and
wherein one of said magnetic members is a magnet and the other of
said magnetic members is a magnet or a material attracted to said
magnet such that when said first housing is moved on said substrate
by a user said second housing moves simultaneously therewith.
2. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least on of said
magnetic members is comprised of a plurality of magnets.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein one of said magnetic
members is a flexible magnetic sheet.
4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said substrate is curved
glass.
5. The system according to claim 4 wherein flexible magnetic sheet
flexible magnet withstands cracking while wrapped around a 0.5''
diameter rod.
6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the flexible magnet
sheet has a thickness from about 0.015'' to about 0.060.''
7. The system according to claim 4 wherein one of said magnetic
members is a magnetic powder.
8. The system according to claim 6 wherein said microfiber is a
sheet removably secured to said magnetic member.
9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said magnetic member is
removably secured to said housing.
10. The system according to claim wherein said housing has a hand
hold for holding said housing during use.
11. The system according to claim 10 wherein said hand hold is a
knob.
12. The system according to claim 10 wherein said hand hold extends
from a top surface of said housing and forms an opening for
receiving a hand of a user.
13. The system according to claim 12 wherein said hand hold
comprises a sheet secured to a surface of said housing at at least
two points on said housing thereby forming an opening with said
housing for receiving a hand.
14. The system according to claim 13 wherein said sheet is
flexible.
15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the housings are
secured together by means of a string.
16. The system according to claim 1 wherein said housings are
flexible and the surface of the housings that contact the substrate
to be cleaned conform to the shape of the substrate's surface
Description
[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/918,817, filed on Mar. 19, 2007 the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
window cleaning and washing, more specifically devices useful for
washing both sides of a window at the same time. The present
invention uses a unique means including micro fiber based cleaning
pads and sheets and magnets to clean both sides of a window at a
single time.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Window cleaning is a difficult and challenging task.
Cleaning the outside pane of a window is much more difficult then
the inside, especially windows on the second floor or higher.
Cleaning both sides of a window at the same time would make for an
ideal situation. This would reduce the time required and the amount
of effort. In particular, for windows above the first floor this
would eliminate the need to use a ladder to reach higher
floors.
[0004] Many of the household cleaners used today contain a variety
of harmful toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenol, ammonia,
ethanol, butane, propane to name a few, and these chemicals may
have a large impact on our health and environment. It would be
desirable to have a cleaning device where these chemicals were not
required or their use was reduced.
[0005] Individuals that suffer from allergies or multiple chemical
sensitivities are even more susceptible to the ill effects of these
toxic chemicals. The user may opt for this choice for health
reasons or whether the user just wants a chemical free way to
clean. Recently people have started to turn again to the old tried
and true cleaning solutions, such as baking soda, vinegar, etc. The
only problem is that in our busy society, these cleaners aren't as
convenient as off the shelf cleaning products.
[0006] The prior art shows several devices for cleaning both sides
of a window simultaneously. In each instance the devices have rigid
surfaces that contact the surface to be cleaned. As a result these
typically have on piece that contains a magnetic member and a
second piece that goes on the opposite side of the window which is
also made from a magnet Cleaning simultaneously both sides of
surfaces which are curved cannot be achieved with prior art
magnetic cleaners. Other available cleaners consist of rigid
magnets which will not curve with the curved surface. Using any
source of magnetic attraction which does not constrict the
flexibility of the housing will allow the user to clean surfaces in
difficult to reach areas as well as curved surfaces.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0007] Some of the related art which is available is U.S. Pat. No.
4,977,637, Demers, "magnetic window cleaning apparatus", which
although is a means for cleaning the inside and outside of a window
at the same time by the use of magnets, neither does it use micro
fiber cloths nor are the magnets flexible, making the device
impractical for any curved surface. Another piece of related art is
U.S. Pat No. 3,492,685, Curzon, entitled "Window washing device"
discloses the use of horseshoe magnets in holding together two
cleaning units to clean two sides of a window simultaneously. This
device also does not employ the use of micro fiber cloths or
flexible magnets. Horseshoe magnets would not allow the user to
clean any curved surfaces ro small difficult to reach areas, as is
possible with a flexible magnetic device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,793
Kaftan, "Magnetic window cleaning apparatus" is a device which uses
a magnetic member to hold a cleaning sheet in position on each
unit. Although the magnetic force of the device may allow the user
to also clean both sides of the window at once, the magnets are not
flexible and will not be able to adequately clean any curved
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Applicant's invention is directed to a device that is useful
in cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of a window pane
simultaneously, thus saving time and effort, by means of a housing
containing at least one ultra strong magnet. There is a second
housing having a magnet or a material that is attracted to a
magnet. The first housing is positioned on one side of a pane and
the other housing is positioned on the other side of the pane. The
magnet is preferably a flexible magnet that can bend as it goes
over the surface to be cleaned. This permits the present invention
to be used on curved surfaces.
[0009] The window cleaner of the present invention sticks to both
sides of the glass window. The user simply needs to slide it back
and forth in the desired pattern to thoroughly clean the glass. The
invention maybe used on almost any glass surface that is thin
enough for the magnetic forces present in the housings to pass
through. The ultra strong magnets are also flexible. Using flexible
magnets permits the invention to be used on any suitable surface
including curved surfaces. This allows the user to use the
invention for any shaped windows or glass. Windows which are curved
can now easily be cleaned using the present invention. The
preferred embodiment of applicant's invention would use a micro
fiber cloth for cleaning thus providing superior cleaning without
the use of harmful, toxic chemical cleaners.
[0010] Micro fiber cloths are typically a polyester/nylon blend.
The polyester and nylon are alternatively forced through a nozzle
that combines them through a heat weaving process. The fiber is
then split a number of times to create the micro fibers that are
then intertwined to create an ultra absorbent micro fiber
material.
[0011] The term micro fiber is based on the size of a fiber
measuring below 1.0 denier (the diameter or fineness of a
continuous or filament fiber) The lower denier of a fiber, the
finer the fiber, which in turn is more effective for cleaning
surfaces.
[0012] The splitting of the fiber creates millions of edges that
enable you to clean closer to surfaces and trap all the dust and
dirt that bonds to the micro fiber material and this material is
not released until the cloth is washed in hot water. Therefore the
dirt is not transferred from surface to surface while cleaning.
Also, micro fiber cloths work especially well on mirrors, windows,
and glass because the surface will dry without any streaks.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the invention to provide the user with a
more efficient way of cleaning both sides of a window
simultaneously.
[0014] It is also an object of the present invention to provide the
user with an efficient method for cleaning both side of a curved
glass, acrylic or other thin surface.
[0015] It is also an object of the present invention to provide the
user with more healthy way of cleaning windows using a micro fiber
cloth as opposed to chemical cleaners.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention where the article is handled by a user with an
optional hand pocket.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the slave member of the cleaning
device.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the master member of FIG. 1 and
the slave member of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment showing a handle for
the master housing.
[0021] FIG. 6 is one embodiment using a micro fiber with loops in
the micro fiber that surround the outer edge of the device.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the layer structure of the device
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Applicant's invention can clean the inside and outside
window at the same time, save time and work, by means of ultra
strong magnets. In a preferred embodiment there is a first housing
10 with at least one magnet and a second housing 30 with a material
that is attracted to a magnet or a magnetic member.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 7 there is a base
layer 11 which is comprised of an outer surface 12 and an inner
surface 13. The outer surface 12 contacts a glass or other material
to be cleaned. The base layer is preferably a micro fiber material.
A second layer is made up of a flexible magnetic sheet 14. The
flexible magnetic sheet may be of any suitable magnetic strength.
Preferably, the magnetic sheet should be as strong as possible. One
preferred magnetic sheet is a magnetic sheet sold by Rochester
Magnet of East Rochester, N.Y. This flexible magnet withstands
cracking at 68.degree. F. while wrapped around a 0.5'' diameter
rod. Other flexible magnets are also suitable. The flexible magnet
can range in thickness from about 0.015'' to about 0.060'' or more.
The magnetic sheet may be a single layer or, if desired, a
multilayer sheet where additional layers are laminated or extruded
onto the magnetic sheet. In one embodiment a layer of PVC 15 is
laminated onto the thin, magnetic sheet on the side opposite the
base layer 11. It is usually not advisable to have a layer between
the micro fiber and the magnetic surface as it may reduce the
strength of the magnetic field.
[0025] In another embodiment, there may be an optional adhesive
layer on the magnetic sheet 17. The adhesive could be of the type
used in Post-It notes sold by 3M and others. This adhesive does not
dry and is reusable. This would permit the magnetic layer to be
removably secured to a portion of the housing 10 if desired.
Alternatively, the magnetic material may be secured directly to the
housing. The means of securing the magnetic member to the housing
and/or the microfiber layer can be by any suitable means.
[0026] The micro fiber base layer may be removably secured to the
flexible magnetic sheet. In another embodiment, the base layer
might be a micro fiber material with an outer surface 12. On the
inner surface 13, there may be a suitable adhesive layer 16. Such
an arrangement would permit a user to remove the base layer for
cleaning or disposal after use. The adhesive layer 16 on the inner
surface 13 can contact the magnetic surface to removably secure the
base layer 11 to the flexible magnetic layer.
[0027] On the side of the flexible, magnetic sheet opposite the
base layer there can be one or more additional layers, if desired.
The flexible magnetic sheet can also be secured to the housing 10.
The flexible, magnetic sheet can be removably secured to the
housing 10 for replacement, if necessary. The housing 10 may be any
suitable shape. As seen in FIG. 1, the housing has a front end 17
and a rear end 18. The front end 17 and the rear end 18 are joined
by sidewalls 19 and 20. The housing preferably have a narrower
front end than the rear end to facilitate movement of the device
into hard to reach areas such as corners. The housing 16 of FIG. 1
is shown with an optional hand hold 21. The hand hold is secured to
the upper surface 22 of the housing and it provides a user the
ability to more easily manipulate the device of the present
invention.
[0028] The first housing 10 is the master, the second housing is
the slave. The slave member 30 can have a similar structure as the
master housing. There can be a base layer and a flexible magnetic
sheet.
[0029] In operation, the master is positioned on a surface to be
cleaned. The slave is positioned on the opposite surface of the
article to be cleaned. As the master moves, the magnetic forces of
the magnets are such that the slave moves along with the
master.
[0030] The window cleaner of the present invention sticks to both
sides of the glass window. The user simply needs to slide it back
and forth to thoroughly clean the glass The invention maybe used in
almost any glass. The ultra strong magnets are also flexible, this
allows the user to use the invention for any shaped windows or
glass. Windows which are curved can now easily be cleaned.
[0031] The housing may be made of any suitable material. For
example, the housing may be made from rubber, foam, nylon, silicone
or other soft thin material. One or more flexible magnetic strips
or sheets that may be secured to the housing 10, or 30, or a
combination magnetic powder or protruding magnets may be used
instead of a flexible magnetic sheet. A preferred embodiment may
also have attached to the thin material housing rare earth magnets
embedded in the housing or attached to it. Any magnet used will
preferably be very thin and still allow the overall housing to
remain flexible. In an alternative embodiment, one of the members
can have a material that is attracted to a magnet and the other can
be a magnet or both members can be magnetic. The master and slave
housing can each contain magnets of a different polarity so that
they will be attracted to one another.
[0032] When a magnetic powder is used, the magnetic powder may be
applied to a substrate or to the housing directly. There may be an
adhesive on the substrate or the housing to secure the magnetic
powder thereto.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment the soft thin cloth maybe micro
fiber, although any other cloth suitable for cleaning maybe
substituted. The micro fiber may also have many loops 51 in the
material to achieve more affective cleaning as shown in FIG. 5. The
cloth can be permanently affixed using a glue or be removable and
attached via a Velcro product, snap clip or other such fastening
device. In a preferred embodiment the housing maybe in a triangular
shape with one of the angles being rounded, so that it can easily
fit into tight corners. It may also be of any other shape, the
master and slave housing do not need to be of the same shape. It
may also have attached to it a handle 52 either in a knob like
shape or one which the user can curl his or her fingers around. The
housing may also have a hand pocket as seen in FIG. 2 attached for
the user to put his hand in, or the user can simply grip the
housing.
[0034] The invention is constructed in such a way so that when a
piece of glass, acrylic or other thin surface is placed between the
master and slave components each half of the system is attracted to
the other so that both sides of the surface are cleaned
simultaneously. The flexibility of both the slave and master
housing will allow the user to clean any surface including a curved
surface, it will also allow the housing to easily reach corners or
awkwardly shaped areas of the window. This will save the user time
and the use of a micro fiber cloth will also extinguish the need
for the user to use force or exert pressure in order to clean the
surface. The use of a micro fiber cloth also makes the device
environmentally friendly due to the lack of chemical agents used as
well the reusability of the clothes, thereby creating less waste.
In a preferred embodiment the master and slave housing units may
have a means to attach to some other cleaning device such as 3M's
magic eraser or other such product.
[0035] Another embodiment of the invention may also include a means
for attaching a pole so that the user may clean surfaces which are
not in arms reach. This would allow the user to clean high windows
without from the inner and outer pane without the need of a ladder,
thus eliminating the danger of an unstable ladder as well as making
the task less time consuming. The slave and master unit may be
connected via an elastic cord 41 as shown in FIG. 3 so that if the
magnetic force is temporarily lost the other unit is not lost if it
falls. FIG. 3 shows a loop made of plastic or any other suitable
material for attach a plastic cord.
[0036] The housing can range in size from a width as small as six
inches to as wide as 2 feet or larger as needed for larger
surfaces. A larger embodiment maybe used to clean large storefront
windows, large delicatessen refrigerator cases, or jewelry display
cases. The larger embodiment may also be useful in cleaning large
shower doors or skylights. Yet another embodiment of the proposed
device would have a layer of memory foam underneath the micro fiber
between the housing and the magnet for improved flexibility.
[0037] The present invention will save the user a great amount of
time, it is also more economical due to the reusable cloth and the
lack of a need for cleaning agents. The use of micro fiber cloth
would also eliminate the need for using a separate squeegee. The
flexible nature of the housing along with the slimness of the
master and slave component will allow the device to fit into very
small spaces such as between storm windows or the rear windshield
of a car, the device may also fit between a truck cab and slide on
rear camper. The flexible nature of the device may also be used to
clean the curved windows or windshields on airplanes, helicopters,
boats, buses or other transportation vehicles.
* * * * *