U.S. patent application number 12/815297 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-16 for grout cleaning tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Shaelyn D. Crutchley, Paul N. Daveloose, Michael J. Kubes, Bonnie C. Lembitz.
Application Number | 20100313375 12/815297 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42751836 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100313375 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Daveloose; Paul N. ; et
al. |
December 16, 2010 |
GROUT CLEANING TOOL
Abstract
A tool for cleaning grout including a nonwoven web, or nonwoven
web composite, having two opposing major surfaces and at least
three edge surfaces defined by the opposing major surfaces, wherein
the web or web composite is secured in a slot of a grip such as a
handgrip. The web or web composite extends from the grip such that
the edges of the web or web composite are available for scrubbing.
The nonwoven web or web composite may have three or four edge
surfaces. Kits including a plurality of nonwoven webs or web
composites, in combination with a grip, may be made.
Inventors: |
Daveloose; Paul N.; (St.
Paul, MN) ; Kubes; Michael J.; (Oakdale, MN) ;
Lembitz; Bonnie C.; (St. Paul, MN) ; Crutchley;
Shaelyn D.; (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: |
42751836 |
Appl. No.: |
12/815297 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61187173 |
Jun 15, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/210.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/46 20130101;
A47L 13/10 20130101; A47L 17/08 20130101; A47L 13/16 20130101; A47L
13/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/210.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/10 20060101
A47L013/10 |
Claims
1. A tool for cleaning grout, comprising: a nonwoven web having two
opposing major surfaces and at least three edge surfaces defined by
the opposing major surfaces, and a grip having a slot for receiving
a portion of the nonwoven web, wherein the nonwoven web is inserted
into the slot such that the web extends beyond the perimeter of the
grip.
2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grip is a handgrip.
3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grip is porous.
4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web is removably
secured to the grip.
5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web is permanently
secured to the grip.
6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web comprises
thermoplastic polymeric fibers.
7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web comprises natural
fibers.
8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grip covers at least half of
the surface area of each opposing major surface of the nonwoven
web.
9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the grip is stiffer than the
nonwoven web.
10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the two opposing major surfaces of
the nonwoven web define four edge surfaces.
11. The tool of claim 10, wherein for a side view of the tool, the
perimeter of the tool has a trapezoidal shape.
12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the two opposing major surfaces
define three edge surfaces.
13. The tool of claim 12, wherein for a side view of the tool, the
perimeter of the tool has the shape of an isosceles triangle.
14. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web is folded back
onto itself.
15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the nonwoven web comprises a
composite of a plurality of nonwoven webs arranged in a stacked
configuration.
16. A kit comprising: at least one nonwoven web, the web having two
opposing major surfaces and at least three edge surfaces defined by
the opposing major surfaces, and a grip having a slot for receiving
a portion of the nonwoven web, wherein the nonwoven web is inserted
into the slot such that the web extends beyond the perimeter of the
grip.
17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the nonwoven web comprises a
composite of a plurality of nonwoven webs arranged in a stacked
configuration.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/187,173 (Benson), filed Jun. 15, 2009, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure generally relates to cleaning tools and
particularly to hand-held, manually-operated cleaning tools for
cleaning grouted joints.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Grout is a construction material often used to seal joints.
For example, grout can be used to seal joints between tiles to keep
out water, prevent edges of tiles from chipping and cracking, and
to give tiled surfaces a finished look. Grout is also used to seal
joints between a faucet assembly and the surface of a sink to keep
out water and to hold the faucet assembly in place. In many
applications, grout forms long narrow concavities between items
that are sealed together, and these concavities can be difficult to
clean if they become stained, moldy or filled with debris. Typical
sponges and pads are not ideal for cleaning such long narrow
concavities because they have large surface areas that are not
easily conformable to such narrow shapes.
SUMMARY
[0004] These and other aspects of the invention are described in
more detail below. The above summary is not intended to limit the
claimed subject matter in any way.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS
[0005] The figures are drawings of exemplary articles disclosed
herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale.
[0006] FIGS. 1a and 1b show perspective views of an exemplary grout
cleaning tool.
[0007] FIG. 2a shows a side view of the exemplary grout cleaning
tool shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.
[0008] FIGS. 2b and 2c show side views of exemplary grout cleaning
tools.
[0009] FIGS. 3a and 3b show perspective views of another exemplary
grout cleaning tool.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows exemplary use of the exemplary grout cleaning
tool shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b.
[0011] FIGS. 5a and 5b show perspective views of exemplary grout
cleaning tools.
[0012] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of exemplary grout cleaning
tool 100. The tool comprises grip 110 and nonwoven web 120. The web
comprises two opposing major surfaces 121a and 121b (not shown),
and these opposing surfaces define four edge surfaces 122a, 122b,
122c (not shown) opposing edge surface 122a, and 122d (not shown)
opposing edge surface 122b. Grip 110 comprises grip portion 111 and
two ledges 112a and 112b disposed on opposing sides of the grip
portion. In general, the grip portion facilitates gripping, and the
ledges provide finger protection. Grip 110 comprises slot 113 for
receiving a portion of the nonwoven web and when inserted, as shown
in FIG. 1b, the grip does not completely cover the web. In general,
for a side view of the tool, the web extends from the slot to
beyond the perimeter of the grip such that portions of major
surfaces 122a and 122b are viewable below the grip. The web may or
may not be viewable at the sides of the grip.
[0014] FIG. 2a shows a side view of grout cleaning tool 100. In
this embodiment, for a side view of the tool, the web is about as
wide as the grip such that the web is viewable below the grip but
not at the sides of the grip. Tool 100 has a trapezoidal shape as
viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 2a, which can facilitate
cleaning because a user can see the front portion of the web along
edge surface 122a. In general, useful trapezoidal shapes have an
acute angle of from about 40 to about 65 degrees.
[0015] FIGS. 2b and 2c show side views of exemplary grout cleaning
tools. In FIG. 2b, exemplary grout cleaning tool 200 comprises grip
210 and nonwoven web 220, wherein the web is longer than the grip,
and both the grip and the web have a rectangular shape. In FIG. 2c,
exemplary grout cleaning tool 230 comprises grip 240 and nonwoven
web 250, wherein the web is longer than the grip, and both the grip
and the web have a trapezoidal shape.
[0016] In general, the grip is suitable for gripping by hand. The
grip may make the grout cleaning tool stiffer as compared to the
stiffness of the nonwoven web. The grip may or may not be stiffer
than the nonwoven web. The grip may be anywhere from hard and rigid
to soft and flexible, depending on the design of the particular
tool, e.g., a tool with a harder more rigid grip may require less
work to use as compared to a tool with a soft and flexible
grip.
[0017] The grip may comprise porous and/or nonporous materials.
Exemplary nonporous materials include natural and synthetic
polymers. Exemplary porous materials include natural and synthetic
foams, sponges, and polymers. Porous materials may have an open or
closed cell structure and/or small or large pores. Sponges include
natural sponges and cellulose-based sponges including those which
are derived from plant or animal products.
[0018] Any polymer known to be used for grips may be used,
including porous rubber, silicon, melamine or post treated
impregnated foams, foamed polyester, cellulose materials, low and
high density polyethers and polyesters, neoprene, natural rubber,
styrene-butadiene rubbers, ethylene-propylene rubbers, butyl
rubbers, butadiene rubbers, nitrile rubbers, epichlorohydrin-based
polymers, polystyrenes, polyolefins such as polyethylene and
polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, EMA, metallocene resin,
polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, flame retardant polymers, blends
of any of the above, and the like.
[0019] The properties of the nonwoven web may vary, depending on
the intended application, use, etc. The nonwoven web may be stiff
or drapable, open and porous, dense and substantially nonporous,
and/or hard or soft. In some cases, as described below for the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5a, the nonwoven web is flexible enough so
that it can be folded back onto itself. The nonwoven web comprises
fibers which may be polymeric and/or metal fibers. Polymeric fibers
are typically made from thermoplastic polymers including
polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene;
polyamides such as nylon 6, nylon 6/6, and nylon 10); polyesters
such as polyethylene terephthalate; copolymers containing
(meth)acrylic monomers; and blends and copolymers thereof.
Semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate fibers; natural fibers such
as cotton fibers, looflah (a cellularly structured material made
from the fruit of the Luffa acutangula plant); regenerated fibers
such as rayon fibers, and other non-thermoplastic fibers can be
blended with the thermoplastic fibers. One example of a nonwoven
web is a scrub pad sold under the tradename SCOTCHBRITE from 3M.TM.
Company. The nonwoven web may comprise a foam made from a
polyolefin such as polyethylene; melamine; or polyurethane. The
nonwoven web may comprise a rubber eraser-like material having
abrasive particles embedded into the material.
[0020] The nonwoven web may comprise more than one layer of
material such that the faces of the web have different properties.
For example, a nonwoven web may comprise a synthetic foam on one
face, and porous polymer on the other.
[0021] The nonwoven web can be prepared by any suitable melt
forming or mechanical forming operation. For example, the nonwoven
may be carded, spunbonded, spunlaced, melt blown, air laid, creped,
or made by other processes as are known in the art. The nonwoven
can be consolidated by any known technique such as for example
hydroentanglement, thermal bonding (e.g. calendar or through air)
chemical bonding, needlepunching/needletacking, use of binder
fibers, etc. The fibers typically have a denier of from about 1 to
about 3000, or from about 1 to about 50. The basis weight of the
nonwoven web may be from about 10 to about 500 grams per square
meter, from 50 to about 350 grams per square meter, or less than
100 grams per square meter.
[0022] In some embodiments, the grip comprises an extruded closed
cell foam, and the nonwoven web comprises a replaceable heavy duty
web sheet.
[0023] In general, the nonwoven web is secured to the grip by
inserting the web into the slot. The slot may comprise protrusions
such as pins that extend inward from the sides of the slot. Spokes,
hinges, and pieces that snap together may be used to secure the web
to the grip. The slot may have features for securing the web
wherein the features penetrate through the web. The nonwoven web
may be removably secured to the grip such that a different edge of
the web can be used, or the web replaced with a new or different
web. The nonwoven web may not be removably secured to the grip,
rather, it may be permanently secured to the grip. The web may be
glued to the grip or the web and grip materials may be
coextruded.
[0024] The slot needs to have a height large enough such that
sufficient hold of the nonwoven web can be obtained. In some
embodiments, the grip may cover at least half of the surface area
of each opposing major surface.
[0025] In general, the grout cleaning tool may be provided in any
useful overall size and shape such as a square shape. For example,
the length of the grip may be anywhere from about 2 to about 30 cm,
the width may be from about 2 to about 10 cm, and the height may be
from about 2 to about 10 cm. The slot may have a length that is the
same or nearly the same as that of the grip, or from about 2 to
about 30 cm, or it may be longer or shorter than the grip. The slot
may have a width of from about 0.5 to about 5 cm, and a height of
from about 1 to about 5 cm. The nonwoven web may have a length that
is the same or nearly the same as that of the grip, or from about 2
to about 30 cm, or it may be longer or shorter than the grip. The
nonwoven web may have a height such that from about 5 to about 15
cm extends beyond the perimeter of the grip.
[0026] FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of exemplary grout cleaning
tool 300. The tool comprises grip 310 and nonwoven web 320. The web
comprises two opposing major surfaces 321a and 321b (not shown),
and these opposing surfaces define three edge surfaces 322a, 322b
(not shown, counterclockwise from 322a) and 322c (not shown,
counterclockwise from 322b). Grip 310 comprises slot 311 for
receiving a portion of the nonwoven web and when inserted, as shown
in FIG. 3b, the web extends beyond the perimeter of the grip when
viewed from the side, i.e., the slot receives the web, but does not
completely cover the web. When viewed from the side, the perimeter
of grip 310 comprises an isosceles triangle. In some embodiments,
the perimeter may comprise a triangle having two sides of equal
length, and the third side a different length. In some embodiments,
the perimeter may comprise a triangle having three sides, each side
having a different length. FIG. 4 shows exemplary use of grout
cleaning tool 300.
[0027] The perimeter of grout cleaning tool 300 is such that when
viewed from above, a user can see where and how the nonwoven web is
contacting the cavity, surface, etc. to be cleaned. Grout cleaning
tool 300 may be provided in any useful overall size. For a tool
having a nonwoven web inserted into the grip, the sides may each
have a length of from about 40 to about 60 cm, e.g., the sides may
each have a length of about 50 cm. The width of the grip may be
from about 5 to about 20 cm. The width of the nonwoven web is less
than that of the grip. Opposing major surfaces 321a and 321b of the
nonwoven web may have any surface area relative to the grip, e.g.,
the opposing surfaces may have the same surface area as the grip,
or the surface area may be larger than that of the grip. The
nonwoven web may be positioned such that opposing major surfaces
321a and 321b extend beyond the perimeter of the grip by about 2 to
about 10 cm.
[0028] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of exemplary grout cleaning
tool 500. The tool comprises grip 510 having grip portion 511 and
two ledges 512a and 512b disposed on opposing sides of the grip
portion. In general, the grip portion facilitates gripping, and the
ledges provide finger protection. Grip 510 comprises slot 513 for
receiving a portion of nonwoven web composite 520 which is a
nonwoven web folded back onto itself as shown in FIG. 5a. Nonwoven
web composite is inserted in slot 513, and as described above for
grout cleaning tool 100, the grip does not completely cover the
web. Nonwoven web composite 520 extends from the slot to beyond the
perimeter of the grip as described above for grout cleaning tool
100, and the web composite may or may not be viewable at the sides
of the grip when tool 500 is viewed from the side. The embodiment
shown in FIG. 5a differs from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and
1b in that the nonwoven web composite is folded back onto itself,
increasing the thickness of the nonwoven web and providing a curved
web composite surface available for use. The edge opposing the
curved web composite surface may also be used. Slot 513 may have a
larger width than slot 113, for example, if the same nonwoven web
is used.
[0029] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of exemplary grout cleaning
tool 530. The tool comprises grip 540 having grip portion 541 and
two ledges 542a and 542b disposed on opposing sides of the grip
portion. In general, the grip portion facilitates gripping, and the
ledges provide finger protection. Grip 540 comprises slot 543 for
receiving a portion of nonwoven web composite 550 which comprises
three separate webs shown as a single web in FIG. 5b. Nonwoven web
composite 550 is inserted in slot 543, and as described above for
grout cleaning tool 100, the grip does not completely cover the web
composite. Nonwoven web composite 550 extends from the slot to
beyond the perimeter of the grip as described above for grout
cleaning tool 100, and the web composite may or may not be viewable
at the sides of the grip when tool 530 is viewed from the side. The
embodiment shown in FIG. 5b differs from the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1a and 1b in that the nonwoven web composite comprises three
separate nonwoven webs. Slot 543 may have a larger width than slot
113, for example, if the same nonwoven web is used for nonwoven web
120 and nonwoven web composite 550. Three nonwoven webs may be used
to provide a larger edge surface available for use. The nonwoven
web composite is not limited to three separate nonwoven webs, but
may comprise two nonwoven webs, or more than three webs. The
separate nonwoven webs may be formed into the composite such that
one, two, three or four edges of the composite comprise a
substantially even surface. The edge surfaces intended for use may
be substantially even, or one or both may be uneven depending on
the intended use of the tool.
[0030] For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the nonwoven
web composite may be formed with or without means for securing the
webs together. If the webs are secured together, they can be
secured using mechanical means or by an adhesive. Further, the webs
may be secured permanently such that they cannot be separated
easily by the user, or temporarily such that the user can readily
reform the web composite by unfolding the web composite and
refolding it, or by restacking the webs in a different order and/or
orientation. In either case, temporarily secured webs may be
employed to expose different edges available for use. If an
adhesive is used, it may be a hot melt adhesive, or a curable
adhesive such as a urethane adhesive or a two-part epoxy adhesive.
The coating weight for the adhesive may be, for example, anywhere
from about 1 to about 50 mil.
[0031] For each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a-1b, 2a-2c and
5a-5b, the grip may comprise a groove or concave feature along the
top of the grip portion, for example, grip portion 111 as shown in
FIGS. 1a-1b. The concave feature could provide an area for
positioning one or more fingers on the grip.
[0032] Kits comprising at least one of the nonwoven webs and/or web
composites in combination with one or more grips may be made,
typically for embodiments in which the webs or web composites are
intended to be removed from the grip and replaced.
[0033] 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.
* * * * *