U.S. patent application number 12/695619 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for hair and lint cleaning tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Michael A. Amante, Shaelyn D. Benson, Thomas E. Haskett, Scott J. TUMAN, Bridget K. Warmka.
Application Number | 20100192321 12/695619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42396491 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100192321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TUMAN; Scott J. ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
HAIR AND LINT CLEANING TOOL
Abstract
A flexible and conformable cleaning tool is disclosed that
includes a foam body with a first working surface, wherein the foam
body has a shore hardness less than 40. The cleaning tool further
comprises a cleaning material on at least a portion of the first
working surface, wherein the cleaning material includes an array of
20 to 1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter, wherein each
stem has a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness
less than 105 A, wherein the cleaning material is wiped over a
surface to be cleaned to gather debris, lint, or hair.
Inventors: |
TUMAN; Scott J.; (Woodbury,
MN) ; Haskett; Thomas E.; (Oakdale, MN) ;
Benson; Shaelyn D.; (St. Paul, MN) ; Warmka; Bridget
K.; (Oakdale, MN) ; Amante; Michael A.; (St.
Paul, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
42396491 |
Appl. No.: |
12/695619 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61148738 |
Jan 30, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20130101;
A47L 13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/210.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20060101
A47L025/00 |
Claims
1. A cleaning tool comprising: a foam body with a first working
surface, wherein the foam body has a shore hardness less than 40; a
cleaning material on at least a portion of the first working
surface, wherein the cleaning material includes an array of 20 to
1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter, wherein each stem has
a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less
than 105 A, wherein the cleaning material is wiped over a surface
to be cleaned to gather debris, lint, or hair.
2. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the foam body has a shore
00 hardness of less than 30
3. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the foam body has a
thickness of at least 1.27 cm.
4. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the foam body has a
thickness of at least 2.54 cm.
5. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the foam body further
comprises a second surface, adjacent to the first surface, and a
third surface, opposite the first surface.
6. The cleaning tool of claim 5, wherein the cleaning material is
on the first working surface and second working surface.
7. The cleaning tool of claim 5, wherein the cleaning material is
on the first working surface and third working surface.
8. The cleaning tool of claim 5, wherein the cleaning material is a
sheet including the plurality of upstanding stems wherein the sheet
extends from the first working surface to the third working
surface.
9. The cleaning tool of claim 8, wherein the second working surface
of the foam body is compressed to extend the sheet of cleaning
material from the first working surface to the third working
surface.
10. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning material
covers the entire first working surface.
11. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is
releasably attached to the first working surface of the foam
body.
12. The cleaning tool of claim 11, wherein the working surface
includes a plurality of hooks and wherein the cleaning material
includes loop material, opposite the plurality of upstanding
stems.
13. The cleaning tool of claim 1, wherein the foam body includes a
first and second recessed grooves.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/148,738, filed Jan. 30, 2009, the
disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a flexible and conformable
foam cleaning tool with a plurality of upstanding stems for
gathering or removing debris, lint, or hair from a variety of
surfaces.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Adhesive or other tacky lint removal devices, such as lint
rollers, or directional felted fabric, such as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,901,622 can be used to remove lint and debris, such as
particles, dirt, or hair from a surface. Hair embedded into fabric
surfaces presents a particular challenge to remove as the hair is
often entangled into the fabric surface.
[0004] For adhesive lint removal devices, the adhesive may not be
strong enough to capture strongly embedded hair. Also, even if the
adhesive sheet can retain the hair, often the adhesive sheet
becomes loaded with debris so quickly that it becomes inefficient
to clean a large area or an area having heavy debris cover. For
directional felted fabric, the fabric is only useful at removing
debris, lint, or hair by use in one direction. Further, once the
fabric becomes loaded with debris, the user must remove the debris
to continue use as these types of materials are typically not
disposable.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure relates to a flexible and conformable
foam cleaning tool with a cleaning material comprising of a
plurality of upstanding stems for gathering or removing debris,
lint, or hair from a variety of surfaces. The cleaning material
comprised of a plurality of upstanding stems is wiped over a
surface to remove embedded lint or hair. When the cleaning tool to
which the cleaning material is secured is a flexible and
conformable foam, the cleaning tool is able to flex, compress, and
generally conform the surface being cleaned. Therefore, nearly
constant contact between the cleaning material and the surface
being cleaned is achieved to maximize the amount of lint and hair
gathered and retained in the stems. To achieve this, a relatively
soft foam is needed for the cleaning tool.
[0006] In one embodiment, the cleaning tool comprises a foam body
with a first working surface, wherein the foam body has a shore
hardness less than 40. The cleaning tool further comprises a
cleaning material on at least a portion of the first working
surface, wherein the cleaning material includes an array of 20 to
1000 upstanding stems per square centimeter, wherein each stem has
a height from 0.2 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less
than 105 A, wherein the cleaning material is wiped over a surface
to be cleaned to gather debris, lint, or hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning
tool;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning tool of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 1 in
use;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a cleaning
tool;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a cleaning
tool;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of an embodiment of a cleaning
material.
[0013] While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth
embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not
limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention.
The figures may not be drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cleaning
tool that comprises a cleaning material 100 on a foam body 200.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cleaning material 100
removed from the foam body 200. FIG. 3 is a side view of the
cleaning material 100 and cleaning tool 200 of FIG. 1.
[0015] The foam body 200 is a solid foam material having a Shore OO
hardness of less than 40. In another embodiment, the foam body 200
has a Shore OO hardness of less than 30. Therefore, the foam body
200 is relatively soft, flexible, conformable, and deformable.
[0016] Typically, the foam body 200 has a thickness of at least
0.635 cm. In another embodiment, the foam body 200 has a thickness
of at least 1.27 cm. In a preferred embodiment, the foam body 100
has a thickness of at least 2.54 cm.
[0017] The surface(s) of the foam body 200 that include the
cleaning material 100 form a working surface. In this embodiment,
the cleaning material 100 covers only a single surface, and covers
essentially that entire surface. In other embodiment, the cleaning
material 100 may cover only a portion of a surface or may cover
more than one surface, as will be discussed in more detail with
respect to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0018] It is understood that the foam body 200 can be any number of
various shapes, including sides that are square, triangle, oval,
circular, or irregular. The surfaces of the foam body 200, all or
individually, could be planar or curved, concavely or convexly. The
surfaces, all or individually, may includes peaks, ridges, recesses
that are in a regular pattern or irregular shape.
[0019] In this embodiment, a first recessed groove 220 and second
recessed groove 222 are included at the sides of the foam body 100.
The recessed grooves 220, 222 provide channels for a user's fingers
to rest in while gripping and holding the foam body 200.
[0020] Suitable materials for use as the foam body include natural
or synthetic foamed materials maintaining the above hardness
properties. Specific exemplary materials include polyether or
polyester, low or high density, small, large or twin pore sizes,
closed or open cell, non-flammatory or flame retardant, melamine or
post treated impregnated foams, and the like. Also, neoprene,
natural rubber, SBR, butyl, butadiene, nitrile, EPDM, ECH,
polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, EVA, EMA,
metallocene resin, polyurethane, PVC, blends of any of the above,
and the like are also suitable materials. Cellulose-based sponges
can be used. However, the cellulose sponges are more rigid when dry
so to have a compressible and conformable cellulose sponge, the
sponge should be wet.
[0021] The cleaning tool includes a cleaning material 100. The
cleaning material 100 is an array of upstanding stems 110
projecting from a backing 120, known as a stem web. U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,372,323; 6,610,382; and 6,904,615, the disclosures of which are
herein incorporated by reference, disclose a stem web and method of
making a stem web that is suitable as cleaning material 100. Unlike
directional fabric, a stem web can be wiped across a surface in any
direction and gather and capture debris, lint, or hair.
[0022] The cleaning material 100 may be removable from or
permanently secured to one or more of the working surfaces of the
foam body 200. Regardless, during use of the cleaning tool a wiping
motion causes frictional forces between the cleaning material 100
and the surface to be cleaned. The attachment mechanism between the
cleaning material 100 and the foam body 200 should form a secure
connection so that the cleaning material 100 does not slip or
remove from the working surface of the foam body 200. The cleaning
material is secured to the working surface such that the cleaning
material is securely placed under tension in the direction of
intended wiping. Because a cleaning material 100 comprising an
array of stems provides the benefit multidirectional use, the
attachment mechanism should provide the same. Therefore, in one
embodiment, the entire area of contact between the cleaning
material and the working surface includes an attachment
mechanism.
[0023] The foam body 200 includes an attachment surface 230 and the
cleaning material 100 includes an attachment surface 130 that meet
to secure the cleaning material 100 to the foam body 200. In one
embodiment, adhesive may be included on one or both of the
attachment surfaces 130, 230 for either a permanent or removable
attachment of the cleaning material 100 to the foam body 200. In
another embodiment, hook and loop or hook and hook attachment may
be used to removably secure the cleaning material 100 to the foam
body 200. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning
material 100 includes a loop material on the attachment surface 130
that secures with hooks projecting from attachment surface 230 of
the foam body 200. A knitted or nonwoven material may be used as a
loop for connection to hooks on the cleaning tool.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a side-sectional view of one embodiment of a
stem web 20 suitable as a cleaning material 100. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6, the stem web 20 includes a backing layer 21 having
a first surface 24 with an array of generally upstanding stems 26.
The stems may be arranged in a regular or an irregular array.
Various patterns of stems may be used, such as hexagonal, diagonal,
sinusoidal, etc. The stems 26 are constructed at least in part of
an elastomeric material. Preferably, the entire exterior surface of
the stems 26 are an elastomeric material. In the embodiment of FIG.
6, the backing layer 21 is integrally formed with the stems 26 of
an elastomeric material. Although the illustrated embodiment shows
the stems 26 as being generally cylindrical, the sides of the stems
26 typically have a slight taper 35 to facilitate removal from the
mold during formation. As shown in FIG. 6, the taper 35 is inward
from the base to the tip of the stem. It is understood, that the
stem may be constructed having a taper outward from the base to the
tip of the stem. A variety of non-cylindrical shapes can also be
utilized, such as truncated cones or pyramids, rectangles,
hemispheres, squares, hexagon, octagon, gum drops, and the
like.
[0025] A stem, for purposes of this disclosure, is distinguished
from a hook. A stem is a protrusion that projects from a surface
but does not form an interlocking fastening system like a hook may
with a mating surface. Hooks generally have an overhang, or other
portion that projects laterally from the main body of the hook to
create the interlocking fastening system. A stem, alternatively,
typically does not have a portion that projects laterally from the
main body of the stem. As can be seen in the embodiment in FIG. 6,
the stem 26 does not include a portion that projects laterally and
instead has a linear side (as indicated by L as a line extending
generally from the backing toward the tip of the stem).
[0026] Stems that are generally upstanding tend to optimize the
performance of the cleaning material 100. The stems are kept
upstanding by the stem diameter and the nature of the elastomeric
material. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the upstanding
stems angle relative to the backing is 90 degrees. However, an
upstanding stems may be angled from 40 to 90 degrees relative to
the backing Additionally, the stems may be multi-angled such that
different stems can angle in different directions. The stems
typically have a height 28 in the range of about 0.2 mm to about 3
mm, preferably about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. The separation or gap
30 between adjacent stems 26 is generally in the range of about
0.25 mm and about 2.5 mm and more typically in the range of about
0.4 mm to about 1.0 mm. This separation gap creates a percent of
free volume that is volume within the stem web that is not occupied
by the stems. The percent of free volume is typically from 60 to
98% of the stem web and more typically from 85 to 95%. The larger
the free volume, the larger volume is available for loading with
debris, lint or hair. The stems 26 have a maximum cross sectional
dimension 29 of about 0.076 mm to about 0.76 mm. The stems 26 are
arranged on the backing in a density of at least 20 per square
centimeter, and more typically at least 50 per centimeter squared.
The stem density is generally at most about 1000 per centimeter
squared, more typically at most about 500 per centimeter
squared.
[0027] The stems have an aspect ratio of at least 1.25, and
preferably at least 1.5, and most preferably at least 2.0. Aspect
ratio refers to the ratio of stem height to the maximum cross
sectional dimension. For stems with a circular cross section, the
maximum cross sectional dimension is the stem diameter. When the
stems or pins are formed from an elastomeric material, the
relatively small stem diameter enhances the soft nature of the stem
web surface to the touch.
[0028] Secured to the backing 21 may be an optional layer 22 that
may serve as a reinforcing layer or attachment layer. The layer 22
may impart increased tear resistance or tensile strength to the
stem web. The layer 22 may serve as an attachment mechanism.
[0029] Suitable materials for the stem web include elastomers. The
elastomer should have a Shore Hardness less than 105 A. In one
embodiment, the elastomer has a Shore Hardness less than 85 A.
Suitable materials include thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl
chlorides, polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene
and polypropylene), polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate),
polystyrenes, nylons, acetals, block polymers (e.g., polystyrene
materials with elastomeric segments, available from KRATON Polymers
Company of Houston, Tex., under the designation KRATON.TM.,
polycarbonates, thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., polyolefin,
polyester or nylon types) and copolymers and blends thereof. The
thermoplastic material may also contain additives, including but
not limited to fillers, fibers, antistatic agents, lubricants,
wetting agents, foaming agents, surfactants, pigments, dyes,
coupling agents, plasticizers, suspending agents,
hydrophilic/hydrophobic additives, adhesives and tacky polymers,
and the like.
[0030] The stems of the stem web provide a particularly desirable
cleaning material because the stems project onto the surface to be
cleaned to gather, capture, or collect debris, lint or hair from a
surface. The free volume of the stem web provides open space for
the debris, line or hair to become trapped in and held by the stem
web. With a free volume from 60 to 98% of the stem web, a
signification portion of the stem web is available for loading of
the debris, lint or hair. The stem web provides a soft feel and
conformable cleaning material that results in minimal damage when
wiped repeatedly over a variety of surfaces, such as fabric and
upholstery. Therefore, the stem can be repeatedly used to clean
such things as clothing, furniture, carpeting to remove debris,
lint or hair without excessive wear. U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/833,846 titled "Stem Web," filed on Aug. 3, 2007, the
disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses
a stem web for use as the cleaning material. Further, because the
stem web is not a hook, less damage to the fabric or upholstery
occurs with repeated use.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the foam body 200 and cleaning
material 100 in use over a surface to be cleaned 300. The foam body
200 is held, usually by a hand (not shown for simplicity of
viewing) or could be attached to a tool and the cleaning material
100 attached to foam body 200. The foam body 200 and attached
cleaning material 100 is wiped over the surface to be cleaned 300.
The wiping motion resulting in frictional contact between the
surface being cleaned 300 and the cleaning material 100 is what
engages the individual stems of the cleaning material 100 with the
loose hair, lint, or debris on the surface being cleaned 300. The
loose hair, lint, and debris becomes tangled and trapped in the
array of stems.
[0032] To maximize the cleaning capacity of the cleaning material
100 constant and continual contact between the cleaning material
100 and the surface being cleaned 300 will result in maximum
loading of the cleaning material. The soft foam body 200 for
supporting the cleaning material will contour and conform even with
small amounts of force applied to allow the attached cleaning
material 100 to contour and conform to the surface being cleaned
300. This is particularly ideal when the surface being cleaned is
nonplanar and includes ridges, bumps, or sloping surface, such as
found on chairs, couches, seats, or other pieces of furniture.
[0033] In addition, a soft foam body 200 that supports the cleaning
material 100 will compress at the leading edge 224. A contact area
226 is created between the cleaning material 100 and the surface
being cleaned 300. For a softer, more compressible foam, the
contact area 226 will be larger than the contact area created for a
harder and less compressible foam. The wiping force applied by the
user is spread over the contact area 226. It has been found that on
harder and less compressible foams the forces applied will tend to
be on such a small contact area 226 that the cleaning material 100
may pull away and release from the foam body 200. Using a softer,
more compressible foam minimizes the problem of the cleaning
material 100 releasing from the foam body 200 during use.
[0034] As discussed above, the cleaning material 100 may be
permanently secured to the foam body 200. Therefore, after using
the cleaning material 100 to clean a surface, the entire foam body
200 and cleaning material 100 are discarded. Alternatively, the
cleaning material 100 may be removable from the foam body 200.
Therefore, after using the cleaning material 100, the cleaning
material 100 is removed from the foam body and discarded. In either
embodiment, it may be possible to clean the cleaning material 100
after a use to extend the useful life of the cleaning material
100.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a cleaning
material 100 over a foam body 200. In FIG. 1, only the first
working surface 201 included the cleaning material 100. However, in
this embodiment, the cleaning material 100 is in a sheet form an
wraps to cover a first working surface 201, second working surface
202, and third working surface 203 of the foam body 200. As
discussed above, the cleaning material 100 could be permanently or
removably secured to the foam body 200. Similar attachment
mechanisms could be included as discussed above. The attachment
mechanisms could be located at each of the working surfaces or only
at the first and third working surface 201, 203.
[0036] The entire working surface may be covered with a single
array of stems, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 where the
working surface is shown as being covered with stems. However, the
different size stems may be included with the cleaning tool, such
as is disclosed in U.S. provisional patent Application 61/116,952,
filed on Nov. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is herein
incorporated by reference. A first size stem 110 is located on the
first working surface 201 and a second size stem 112 on a third
working surface 203. It is understood that separate sheets may be
used to provide the first size stem 110 and the second size stem
112. It may be desirable to include two or more sizes of stems. The
larger size stem could function to loosen embedded lint or hair,
followed by the smaller size to gather and capture the lint and
hair.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of a cleaning
material 100 over a foam body 200. This embodiment is similar to
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, however in this embodiment, the
cleaning material 100 is in a sheet form and tightly wraps over a
first working surface 201, second working surface 202, and third
working surface 203 to compress the foam body and create a tapered
region 240. A tapered region 240 provides a particularly
advantageous combination of surfaces for supporting the cleaning
material 100. The tapered region 240 creates a narrowed portion or
point having a cleaning material 100 in opposed direction available
for cleaning. The tapered region 240 provides a particularly
desirable feature for gathering or capturing debris, lint, or hair
in the crease of a chair, sofa, or the like, in the area where the
back meets the seat. A foam that is soft and compressible is most
suitable for being compressed by a cleaning material 100 tightly
applied to the foam body 200.
[0038] Although specific embodiments of this invention have been
shown and described herein, it is understood that these embodiments
are merely illustrative of the many possible specific arrangements
that can be devised in application of the principles of the
invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in
accordance with these principles by those of ordinary skill in the
art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to
the structures described in this application, but only by the
structures described by the language of the claims and the
equivalents of those structures.
* * * * *