U.S. patent application number 12/928652 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for multifaceted scrubbing device.
Invention is credited to Yong-Hoon Cho.
Application Number | 20120151701 12/928652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46232473 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120151701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cho; Yong-Hoon |
June 21, 2012 |
Multifaceted scrubbing device
Abstract
A multifaceted scrubbing device comprising a body having a head
portion on one end and a handle on another end, the head portion
having at least three faces for accommodating at least three
working surfaces of one type or of different types. The working
surfaces may be attached permanently to the faces on the head
portion of the scrubbing device or they may be replaceable.
Inventors: |
Cho; Yong-Hoon; (Fullerton,
CA) |
Family ID: |
46232473 |
Appl. No.: |
12/928652 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 25/08 20130101;
A47L 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/105 |
International
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20060101
A47L025/00 |
Claims
1. A multifaceted scrubbing device, comprising: a body having a
head portion on one end and a handle on another end, the head
portion having at least three faces for accommodating at least
three working surfaces of one type or of different types.
2. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the working surfaces are
attached permanently to the faces on the head portion of the
scrubbing device.
3. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the working surfaces are
replaceable.
4. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the working surface has
a flat top peripheral contour.
5. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the working surface has
a curved top peripheral contour.
6. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the working surface has
a geometric shape different from the geometric shape of the head of
the scrubbing device.
7. The scrubbing device of claim 1 wherein the head portion
accommodate the working surface through a trough-like etched
portion at the head of the scrubbing device.
8. The scrubbing device of claim 7 wherein the trough-like etched
portions and the working surfaces have matching dimensions.
9. The scrubbing device of claim 2 wherein a trough-like etched
portion on the head of the scrubbing device have a matching base
and lateral dimensions as the working surface for maximum bonding
of the working surface to the trough-like etched portion at the
head of the device.
10. The scrubbing device of claim 3 further comprising a holder
banded permanently around a lateral periphery of the working
surface, the holder having a protrusion on opposing lateral
sides.
11. The scrubbing device of claim 10 wherein the protrusions are
located only at two opposing lateral sides.
12. The scrubbing device of claim 11 wherein the protrusion on the
holder is at a middle section of the two opposing lateral sides
having slits on both sides of the protrusion, the middle section
bordered by slits having a width greater than the width of the
opposing lateral sides thereby resulting into an upper peripheral
edge of the middle section protruding on top of the working surface
acting as a tab.
13. The scrubbing device of claim 3 further comprising an
indentation on an inside lateral side of a trough-like etched
portion at an upper section towards an outer surface of the head
portion of the scrubbing device, the indentation matching a
protrusion on a working surface holder banded to the working
surface in both shape and number to lodge the protrusion into the
indentation when the working surface is introduced into the
trough-like etched portion on the faces of the head of the
scrubbing device.
14. The scrubbing device of claim 13 wherein the holder is made of
a resilient material.
15. A multifaceted scrubbing device, comprising: a body having a
head portion on one end and a handle on another end, the head
portion having at least three faces for accommodating at least
three working surfaces of one type or of different types attached
permanently to the faces on the head portion of the scrubbing
device, the head portion having a trough-like etched portion for
accommodating the working surface of a matching dimension as the
trough-like etched portion for maximum bonding of the working
surface to the trough-like etched portion at the head of the
device.
16. The scrubbing device of claim 15 wherein the working surface
has a flat top peripheral contour.
17. The scrubbing device of claim 15 wherein the working surface
has a curved top peripheral contour.
18. The scrubbing device of claim 15 wherein the working surface
has same or different geometric shapes from a geometric shape of
the head portion of the scrubbing device.
19. A multifaceted scrubbing device, comprising: a body having a
head portion on one end and a handle on another end, the head
portion having at least three faces for accommodating at least
three replaceable working surfaces of one type or of different
types; a holder banded permanently around a lateral periphery of
the working surface, the holder having a protrusion on at least two
opposing lateral sides, the protrusion located at an upper section
of a middle section of the two opposing lateral sides towards an
outer surface of the head portion, the middle section bordered by
slits on both sides of the protrusion having a width greater than
the width of the opposing lateral sides thereby resulting into an
upper peripheral edge of the middle section protruding on top of
the working surface acting as a tab; and, an indentation on an
inside lateral side at an upper section towards the outer surface
of the head portion of the scrubbing device of a trough-liked
etched portion of the head portion, the indentation matching the
protrusion on the working surface holder in both shape and number
to lodge the protrusion into the indentation when the working
surface is introduced into the trough-like etched portion on the
faces of the head of the scrubbing device.
20. The scrubbing device of claim 19 wherein the holder is made of
a resilient material.
21. The scrubbing device of claim 20 wherein the working surface
has same or different geometric shapes from a geometric shape of
the head portion of the scrubbing device.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a scrubbing device having a
multiplicity of one or the same type of working surfaces of
differing coarseness or a variety of different types of working
surfaces on each face of a multifaceted head of the device.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Most scrubbing devices have only one working surface or a
combination of two working surfaces, usually located on opposite
sides or faces, mostly in a back to back orientation. These working
surfaces may be of one or the same type of varying levels of
coarseness or fineness or it may have different types of surfaces.
Scrubbing devices that are multifaceted do not have at least three
different working surfaces. They are either of the same working
surface on all faces or at most, only two working surfaces. The
claimed scrubbing device can be used for the feet and the legs as
well as for the palm of the hands and the arms. One type of working
surface may be used for removing thick calluses or corns that
develop on the feet and the palm when the epidermis becomes
partially keratinized due to frequent repeated contact with a
variety of hard or coarse surfaces. Calluses and corn produces pain
and discomfort when wearing shoes, while walking or even with a
normal everyday activity. To remove calluses, one usually starts
with a rougher working surface and then gradually reduce the
coarseness of the surface as the callus is removed. Another working
surface can be used to gently remove or exfoliate the dry flaking
top layer of dead skin on the legs and the arms. Another working
surface can be used to cleanse the feet, legs, palm or arms after
the removal of the calluses or dry dead skin. The different types
of working surfaces includes but is not limited to serrated metal,
pumice stone, rubberized mats, brush of different bristles and
densities, sponge, sandpaper and other scrubbing surfaces used for
human use that are commercially available. The claimed invention
does not claim the type of working surfaces but rather claims the
provision of at least three different working surfaces in one
scrubbing device. This will allow the user to conveniently simply
flip or turn the faces when a different working surface is desired
to perform a different function using only one scrubbing device.
This eliminates the need to provide more than one scrubber, thereby
also reducing the cost to the consumer. Scrubbing as used here
includes buffing, abrasing or scrapping, smoothing, thinning,
removing hyperkeratotic tissues, brushing, shining and the
like.
[0003] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a
scrubbing device with a multifaceted head having at least three
working surfaces of the same type of scrubber but of varying
coarseness.
[0004] It is also an object of this invention to provide a
scrubbing device with a multifaceted head having at least three
different types of working surfaces.
[0005] It is a further object of this invention to provide a handle
on the opposite end of the multifaceted head for easy handling of
the device.
[0006] It is also a further object of this invention to provide
replaceable working surfaces so that a working surface can be
exchanged for another if needed during the operation.
[0007] It is also still a further object of this invention to
provide a new replacement working surface as they become worn or as
new ones get developed without having to buy another scrubbing
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A multifaceted scrubbing device, comprising a body having a
head portion on one end and a handle on another end, the head
portion having at least three faces for accommodating at least
three working surfaces of one type or of different types. Head can
be used to indicate head portion herein. The working surfaces may
be attached permanently to the faces on the head portion of the
scrubbing device or it may be replaceable allowing a user to use
more working surfaces using a single scrubbing device. The top
peripheral contour of the working surface may be flat or curved.
The geometric shape of the working surface need not match with the
geometric shape of the head of the scrubbing device. A trough-like
etched portion at the head of the scrubbing device usually
accommodates the working surface. It is also possible for the
working surface to be attached to the outer surface of the head of
the scrubbing device without the trough-like etched portion on the
face of the head portion of the scrubber. Scrubbing device and
scrubber are used herein interchangeably. The trough-like etched
portion and the working surface have matching dimensions in order
to attach through bonding, the working surface well into the
trough-like etched portion and also to fit the replaceable working
surface into the trough-like portion. For maximum bonding of the
working surface, the base and lateral dimensions have to match and
fit but for the replaceable working surface, only the lateral
dimensions have to match and fit so long as the depth or width of
the working surface fits into the recess or depth of the
trough-like etched portion.
[0009] A replaceable working surface has to be modified in order to
be able to change one working surface with another. A holder having
a protrusion on at least two opposing lateral sides is permanently
banded around the lateral periphery of the working surface. The
protrusion is located at a middle section of the holder on both
opposing lateral sides. The middle section is bordered by slits on
both sides of the protrusion. The middle section has a width
greater than the width of the rest of the opposing lateral sides
which makes an upper peripheral edge of the middle section of the
holder protrude on top of the working surface after the holder is
banded to the working surface. This upper peripheral edge acts as a
tab for pulling the working surface out of the trough-like etched
portion at the head of the scrubbing device. The slits cut into the
depth or width of the middle section but leaves behind an uncut
bottom section. To accommodate the protrusion and situate the
working surface into the trough-like etched portion, a small
indentation is carved out at the inside lateral side of the
trough-like etched portion. The indentation matches the protrusion
on the working surface holder in both shape and number to lodge the
protrusion into the indentation when the working surface is
introduced into the trough-like etched portion on the faces of the
head of the scrubbing device. To facilitate removal of the working
surface from the trough-like etched portion, the indentation as
well as the protrusion are placed at an upper section towards the
outer surface of the head portion of the scrubbing device. The
holder banding the working surface is recommended to be made of a
resilient material to facilitate dislodging of the working surface
from the indentation at the trough-like etched portion when the
upper peripheral edge of the middle section at each opposing
lateral sides are pushed or pinched towards each other.
[0010] Other embodiments of the present invention will become
readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, wherein it shows and describes only certain
embodiments of the invention by way of illustration. As will be
realized, the invention is capable of other and different
embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in
various other respects, all without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature
and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Aspects of the present invention are illustrated by way of
example, and not by way of limitation, in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-faced scrubbing
device.
[0013] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a scrubbing device
with three different types of working surfaces, having a third one
hidden from the drawing.
[0014] FIG. 3A-3C shows a four-faced, five-faced and six-faced
scrubbing device.
[0015] FIG. 4A shows the top view of a flat top working
surface.
[0016] FIG. 4B shows the top view of an arched top working
surface.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the assembly by attaching
a working surface to one of the faces at the head of the scrubbing
device.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing the assembly of a
replaceable working surface to one of the faces at the head of the
scrubbing device.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the interior of a face
on a multifaceted scrubbing device for replaceable working
surfaces.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an assembled replaceable working surface on a
scrubbing device showing the protruding edge on the holder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The detailed description represented herein is not intended
to represent the only way or the only embodiment in which the
claimed invention may be practiced. The description herein is
provided merely as an example or examples or illustrations of the
claimed invention and should not be construed as the only way or as
preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or means of
practicing the invention. Any means of providing a handheld
multifaceted scrubbing device having at least three different
working surfaces in one device is within the scope of this
invention. Different working surface here means one or the same
type or of different types of working surfaces. Those of the same
type have similar materials, make up and preparation except for
varying coarseness like a sandpaper. The different types have
different materials, make up and preparation as stated above like
pumice stone, serrated metal, sponge, etc. The detailed description
includes specific details to provide a thorough understanding of
the claimed invention and it is apparent to those skilled in the
art that the claimed invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In some instances, well known structures and
devices are shown in block diagrams or drawn with broken lines in
order to either avoid obscuring the main concepts of the invention
or to show the relationship of one part to the other.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three-faced scrubbing
device 100. The working surfaces 1 can be of the same type, for
example, an abrasive like a sandpaper with different degrees of
coarseness or of different types as shown in FIG. 2, for example, a
serrated metal on one face, a pumice stone on another face and a
sponge on another face (not shown). The number of faces or working
surfaces that can be accommodated in one device depend on the
ability to use one working surface independent of the other
surface, that is, without the other working surface interfering on
its function. For example, a six-faced scrubbing device shown on
FIG. 3C can still achieve this goal with proper design of for
example, the top peripheral contour and the shape of the working
surface.
[0023] The example that will be used here to describe the invention
is a three-faced scrubbing device. To have more working surfaces,
one way is to modify the triangular like head of the three-faced
scrubbing device shown here to a rectangularly shaped head for a
four-faced scrubbing device and so on as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C for a
4, 5 or 6-faced scrubbing device. The outside top peripheral
contour of working surfaces 1 may be flat 2 or they may be curved
or arched 3 outward. Although only one arch is shown, it may have
several arches designed in a wave form. FIG. 4A shows the top view
of a flat top working surface while FIG. 4B shows the top view of
an arched top working surface. The three-faced scrubbing device as
shown in the illustrated examples also has planar bases but the
contours, top or base, are not as important as that of providing as
much working surfaces as possible with less number of scrubbing
devices so long as the top peripheral contours of the working
surface will not hurt the user. While the illustrations show the
working surfaces as rectangular in shape, any geometric shape may
be used. The shape of the head having the number of faces should
not be confused with the shape of the working surfaces. For
example, the shape of the head may be the same or of a different
geometric shape from that of the working surface. For example, the
head may be rectangular while the working surface may be oval so
long as the shape of the face on the head matches the shape of the
working surface as will be described in more detail below.
[0024] One way of making this scrubbing device is to attach through
bonding, the desired working surfaces 1 on the faces 4 of the
scrubbing device by a glue or adhesive. The faces 4 are located at
the head 5 of the scrubbing device opposite the handle 6 as shown
in the examples. The scrubbing device is also referred to herein
simply as device. The head of the scrubbing device is recommended
to have trough-like etched out portions 7 with a base 8 on each
face 4 to accommodate a working surface 1 as shown in FIG. 5.
Although the etched out portion is shown here as rectangular in
shape, it may have other shapes such as circular, cylindrical,
square, etc. so long as the trough-like etched portions 7 have
matching dimensions as the working surfaces 1. The working surfaces
shown here also have a flat base 9 to enable maximum adhesion of
the base 9 of the working surface 1 with a flat base 8 of the
trough-like etched portion 7. If one chooses to design a non-flat
base, the requirement is to have matching surfaces for the bases of
the trough-like etched portion and the working surface. The lateral
sides 10 of the working surface also matches with the lateral sides
11 of the trough-like etched portion 7 to also enable these sides
to be attached or glued together for a more permanent bonding.
Here, for example, glue is applied on the surfaces to be bonded and
then the parts are pressed together and allowed to stand for a few
minutes until the glue has set, dried up and bonded the parts
together. Other types of bonding aside from the use of adhesives to
bond the working surface 1 to the faces 4 of the body 12 of the
scrubber is also known such as ultrasonic bonding.
[0025] To maximize the number of working faces that can be used per
scrubbing device, the working surfaces 1 can be replaceable instead
of permanently bonded to the faces 4 of the body 12. To enable
this, the lateral sides of the trough-like etched portion 7 is
modified. FIG. 6 shows how the parts are assembled in a scrubbing
device with replaceable working surfaces. While the illustrations
show the working surfaces as rectangular in shape, any geometric
shape may be used. As stated above, the shape of the head having
the number of faces should not be confused with the shape of the
working surfaces. A replaceable working surface 1a is banded around
its lateral periphery with a holder 13 having a protrusion 14 on
opposite lateral sides 10a after banding with of the working
surface. The holder 13 is banded permanently to the working surface
by means known in the art such as by adhesion, ultrasonic bonding
and the like. To make replacing easier, it is recommended to put
the protrusion on only two opposing lateral sides instead of all
four sides. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of how a replaceable working
surface is assembled showing the lateral side 10a of the holder 13
before banding with the working surface. The protrusion is
recommended to be placed at an upper section of the middle section
15 of the lateral side 10a of the holder 13. Also, a slit 16 is cut
on both sides of the protrusion about approximately at least a
millimeter away from the edges of the protrusion and it is
recommended that the width 17 of the holder at the middle section
15 having the protrusion 14 bordered by the slits 16 is larger than
the width 18 of the rest of the lateral sides 10a to facilitate
replacement of the working surface 1a. The length of the slits are
at least approximately one millimeter and cuts into the depth or
width of the holder leaving at least 2 mm of uncut section at the
bottom section of the holder as shown in FIG. 6. Although the
protrusion is shown here as elongated, it can also be a protruding
rounded nib or some other shapes. The shape of the protrusion may
vary so long as it would be easy to dislodge the working surface
but still hold the working surface on the device during usage. At
the inside lateral side 11a of the trough-like etched portion 7 on
the head portion of the body 12 of the scrubbing device is a
matching carved out recessed groove or indentation 19, herein
simply indentation, depending upon the shape of the protrusion 14
on the working surface 1a as shown in FIG. 7. When the working
surface 1a is positioned or placed on the trough-like etched
portion 7, the protrusion 14 inserts into the indentation 19 to
hold the working surface at the respective faces 4 of the scrubbing
device. The protrusion, as stated above, is on the upper section of
the middle section 15 but still rests on the indentation on the
lateral wall 11a of the trough-like etched portion 7 located within
the upper section of the trough-like etched portion of the head.
The slits 16 are at least a millimeter in length to help in
receding the protrusion 14 from the indentation 19 independent of
the rest of the lateral sides when the middle section 15 is pressed
inwards away from the lateral wall 11a of the trough-like etched
portion 7 without being deterred by frictional force. To be able to
replace one working surface with another, the holder 13 should be
made of a resilient material to be able to recede the protrusion 14
out of the matching indentation 19 and subsequently lift the
working surface out from the face of the device. There are thin
resilient metals or plastics that can be used as holders. Further,
since the width 17 of the middle section 15 is wider than the width
18 of the rest of the lateral sides of the holder 13, an upper
peripheral edge portion 20 of the middle section acting like a tab,
protrudes on top of the working surface as shown in FIG. 8. This
portion is where a user presses on to dislodge the protrusion 14
from the indentation 19. To facilitate replacement, the indentation
19 and the matching protrusion 14 should be located on an upper
section of the trough-like etched portion 7 and the middle section
of the holder 13, respectively. The upper section is located
towards the outer surface of the head of the scrubbing device but
still within the interior of the trough like etched portion.
[0026] The body of the scrubbing device is recommended to be made
of a plastic material but metal and wood can also be used. The
device can have any shape for the handle 6 but one that is
ergonomically shaped will help in providing a better grip as well
as comfort to the user. A rubberized or padded handle can also be
designed for the same purpose.
* * * * *