U.S. patent application number 13/874799 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for double-sided integral cleaning utensil with inserted plastic sheet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gerardo Strobl DIENER. Invention is credited to Gerardo Strobl DIENER.
Application Number | 20140165317 13/874799 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929222 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140165317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DIENER; Gerardo Strobl |
June 19, 2014 |
Double-Sided Integral Cleaning Utensil With Inserted Plastic
Sheet
Abstract
A double-sided cleaning utensil is described including an
inserted plastic sheet, formed by a double-sided piece, wherein the
face on the thicker side of the piece has the plastic sheet
inserted therein which extends along much of its contour. Both
sides are of different materials and textures allowing versatility
in use when cleaning since the cleaning utensil provides for fluid
absorption by one of its faces, and the other face allows for
removal of solid waste attached to a glass, ceramic, plastic, wood
or metal surface by scrubbing or scraping of the same with the
plastic sheet of the cleaning utensil. The diversity available with
this cleaning item, allows it to be used in the cleaning of kitchen
utensils, bathroom surfaces, laundry garments, among others.
Inventors: |
DIENER; Gerardo Strobl;
(Monterrey, MX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DIENER; Gerardo Strobl |
Monterrey |
|
MX |
|
|
Family ID: |
50929222 |
Appl. No.: |
13/874799 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/229.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20130101;
B08B 1/006 20130101; B08B 1/005 20130101; A47L 13/11 20130101; A47L
13/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/229.11 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20060101
A47L013/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 18, 2012 |
MX |
MX/A/2012/014974 |
Claims
1. A cleaning utensil comprising a first layer and a second layer
joined together, wherein the first layer is of an absorbent
material and the second layer is of an abrasive material and/or
absorbent material and is of a lesser thickness than the first
layer; wherein the first layer has at least one groove therein
parallel to the first layer and the second layer, and into said
groove is inserted and fixed a plastic sheet which protrudes beyond
an edge contour of the cleaning utensil, in such a way that the
plastic sheet without scratching removes solids contained on a hard
planar surface.
2. The cleaning utensil according to claim 1, wherein the plastic
sheet is a single body having an inner section and an outer
section.
3. The cleaning utensil according to claim 2, wherein the outer
section is made of a plastic which is flexible at room
temperature.
4. The cleaning utensil according to claim 3, wherein said plastic
is selected from thermoplastic rubber, silicone, thermoplastic
elastomer, and nylon.
5. The cleaning utensil according to claim 2, wherein the inner
section is made of a hard polymer plastic.
6. The cleaning utensil of claim 5, wherein said hard polymer
plastic is selected from polypropylene,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polystyrene, and polyethylene.
7. The cleaning utensil according to claim 2, wherein in the
plastic sheet along a point where the outer section meets the inner
section is present a perpendicular edge constructed and arranged to
provide that only the inner section of said plastic sheet is
inserted in the groove.
8. The cleaning utensil according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning
utensil has a contour geometry selected from half-circle, circular,
elliptical, polygonal, and combinations thereof.
9. The cleaning utensil according to claim 8, wherein said contour
is polygonal and includes rounded tips.
10. The cleaning utensil according to claim 8, wherein said contour
is polygonal and includes acute angle tips.
11. The cleaning utensil according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one groove has a depth not exceeding 90% of a horizontal area
of the utensil.
12. The cleaning utensil according to claim 1, including at least
one cross-section slit in the utensil and said at least one
cross-section slit is located anywhere on a contour of the utensil
not including the plastic sheet protruding therefrom.
13. The cleaning utensil according to claim 12, wherein the at
least one cross-section slit is radial and has a length equal to or
less than 2 cm.
14. The cleaning utensil according to claim 1, including a hole
therethrough structured to allow hanging of the utensil.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention provides a double-sided cleaning
utensil including a sheet inserted in the utensil along a major
portion of the utensil's contour. The utensil provides for fluid
absorption on one of its sides, while the other side provides for
removal of solid waste adhered to any glass, ceramic, plastic, wood
or metal planar surface by scrubbing or scraping the surface with
the help of the cleaning utensil.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Until now there has been a constant need for a cleaning
utensil wherein one product encompasses different capabilities:
flexibility, absorption, roughness or abrasiveness, without
tearing, and wherein the utensil may slide on smooth surfaces to
remove waste and/or excess moisture.
[0003] Different goods and/or cleaning utensils are commercially
available with physical characteristics that satisfy only some of
the features mentioned above, however, no cleaning utensil has been
found to be equipped with any such physical characteristics that
provide integrally the above mentioned features in one and the same
utensil to meet the existing need.
[0004] Also in the state of the art are known some patent
documents, among which is JP 2004-201812 A entitled "Sponge
Scrubbing Brush With Spatula", which describes a sponge with a
spatula, which may or may not be embedded in the sponge. Although
this utensil is able to absorb with the sponge and remove waste
with the spatula, its physical characteristics limit it as cleaning
utensil.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Due to the limitations of the prior known devices, it is the
intention to provide a utensil which is double sided wherein one
side is of a sponge-type absorbent material and of greater
thickness, while the other side is preferably a mesh attached to
the absorbent material to form a single piece. Inserted into the
cleaning utensil in the side of greater thickness, is a plastic
sheet which protrudes along a section of the cleaning utensil's
outer contour without impeding handling of the utensil. Thus, the
present invention serves to provide an integral cleaning utensil
comprising a double-sided utensil, each side with different
physical properties, and a plastic insert in one side which is
capable of increasing the functionality of the utensil.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning utensil in the
shape of a half circle with an inserted plastic sheet in a section
of the straight contour, and with radial grooves in its curved
contour.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cleaning utensil in the shape of a
half circle with an inserted plastic sheet in the straight and
curved contours.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view along a straight edge of a cleaning
utensil in the shape of a half circle with an inserted plastic
sheet.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a double-sided cleaning
utensil in the shape of a wedge or drop with an inserted plastic
sheet in its tip.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front view of a double-sided cleaning utensil in
the shape of a wedge or drop with an inserted plastic sheet in its
tip.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a side view of a double-sided cleaning utensil in
the shape of a wedge or drop with an inserted plastic sheet in its
tip.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a double-sided cleaning
utensil with polygonal geometry having sharp angles, particularly a
star-shaped form, with an inserted plastic sheet in one of its
sections.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a double-sided cleaning
utensil with polygonal geometry with curved sections, particularly
in a flower shape form, with an inserted plastic sheet in two
sections of its contour.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a double-sided cleaning
utensil with rectangular geometry with curved corners and a cavity
in its contour.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a top view of a plastic sheet with straight
edges.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plastic sheet with
straight edges in the outer section.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a front view of a plastic sheet with curved edges
on the outer section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The cleaning utensil (1) described herein comprises a first
layer (2) and second layer (3) of different shapes and textures,
without limiting the area that make up these layers since such may
vary according to their permanent binding between each other and
take again a total original area. The first layer (2) is of a
sponge-like material, which may be absorbent or not, and is
preferably polyurethane (including polyester and polyether),
cellulose, expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyethylene foams (EPE),
extruded polystyrene foams (XPS), among others. The second layer
(3) is of an abrasive and/or absorbent material, for example, a
mesh, which is optionally woven, extruded or may be a nonwoven
textile. Also, the second layer (3) may be comprised of natural
fibers, such as cotton, bamboo, among others; synthetic fibers,
such as polyester, acrylic, and others. The extruded mesh consists
of plastic films or combinations between polyester, acrylic, low
density polyethylene, polyvinyl-aryl-acetate, high density
polyethylene, ethyl-vinyl-acetate or mixtures thereof. The nonwoven
textile may be nylon, rayon, viscose, among others.
[0019] Typically, the first layer (2) of the utensil has a greater
thickness than the second layer (3), since the first layer (2) has
on its contour at least one groove in parallel with the two layers
which may comprise the entire contour and wherein at least a
plastic sheet (4) is inserted fixedly in one groove and protrudes
from the groove and the contour section where it is located, so
that the sheet can be used and, without scratching, remove solid
waste and drain liquids contained on a glass, ceramic, plastic,
metal or wood flat surface.
[0020] The depth of the at least one groove is equal to or less
than 80% of the area of the cleaning utensil, and its length equal
to or less than the perimeter or circumference, without completely
compromising the flexibility of the sides of the utensil.
[0021] The plastic sheet (4) is a single body having two sections.
An inner section (5), which is fixedly inserted and attached to the
groove of the first layer of the cleaning utensil (1), is the
section that gives firmness to the plastic sheet (4). This inner
section (5) may be of hard plastic, such as polypropylene,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polystyrene, polyethylene,
among other polymeric plastics. The outer section (6) is projecting
from the cleaning utensil contour (1) and is exposed for removing
waste. The outer section (6) is formed of flexible plastic, which
may preferably be of the following materials: thermoplastic rubber
(TPR), silicone, Santoprene (a thermoplastic vulcanizate which is
an elastomer), nylon, among other plastics which are flexible at
room temperature. This outer section (6) has a geometry with two
edges, where each edge is optionally rounded (9) (see FIGS. 1, 2, 8
and 12) or straight (10) or of similar geometry (see FIGS. 4, 5, 7,
9, 10 and 11). It should be noted that these straight edges (10)
can have obtuse angles, acute angles, and combination of these,
depending on the use to be provided. When the cleaning utensil (1)
is for washing dishes, it is preferred that the utensil has rounded
edges (9) defining a crescent (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), as this
geometry is adapted to the plates' curvature. When the utensil is
intended for cleaning large surfaces, such as windows, it is
preferred to have edges forming obtuse angles, so as to cover a
larger area, as represented in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 9. However, it has
been found that with geometries different from those mentioned
above, such produces the expected effect of removing waste and/or
draining excess water without misting.
[0022] At the limit of the inner section (5) and the outer section
(6) of the plastic sheet, the sheet includes a perpendicular edge
(7) so as to limit the insertion of only the inner section (5) of
the sheet in the groove and prevent, following constant use of the
utensil, expansion of the groove and separation of the plastic
sheet (4) from the cleaning utensil (1). The perpendicular edge
limit between the sections of the plastic sheet (4), should allow a
maximum of 80% of the length of the sheet in the groove, and 20%
minimum of the remaining length protruding from the cleaning
utensil contour (1).
[0023] The double-sided cleaning utensil (1) with inserted plastic
sheet (4) has a circular, elliptical or polygonal shape with an
outer contour including rounded edges (11), sharp angles (12), or a
combination of contours, such as a crescent shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and
3, which allows a user to remove dirt from nooks of objects to be
cleaned, making the cleaning process more efficient. In addition,
the utensil can have at least one cross-section (8) radial to the
cleaning utensil (1), which allows cleaning the contour or "lips"
of glasses or cups, with one 360.degree. motion from the cleaning
utensil (1) on the glass. The at least one cross-section slit is
located anywhere on the contour of the utensil, without opposing to
the plastic sheet, and presenting a length less than or equal to 2
cm.
[0024] Hereinafter is made detailed reference to preferred
implementations of the cleaning utensil (1), but it should be noted
that they are examples, and the utensil is not limited to
these.
[0025] Additionally, the term "cleaning utensil" as used herein
includes different applications such as bathing, scrubbing pots,
plates and the like; scrubbing walls, windows, screens, furniture
surfaces such as tables, chairs to name a few applications.
Example 1
[0026] A preferred implementation example includes a double-sided
utensil with a crescent geometry, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, where
the straight side measures 10 cm, and the curved side has a radius
of 5 cm. A groove is located in its straight side.
[0027] Particularly the first layer (2) is made of polyurethane
foam with a thickness of 3 cm, the second layer (3) is made of a
weave of polyester yarns with polyester filaments having with a 0.5
cm thickness, wherein a thickness ratio between the first layer and
the second layer is 1:60, although this can vary from 1:10 to
1:60.
[0028] The groove has an 8 cm length and a 1.6 cm depth, so that
the plastic sheet (4) is inserted therein, and protrudes a 0.3 cm
outer section (6) along the contour of the utensil. The protruding
outer section (6) has rounded angles (9) forming in turn a
semi-circle.
[0029] The curved contour has a pair of 2 cm in length radial
cross-sections, each separated by 4 cm, so that it can be placed on
the contour of a glass and with a 180.degree. spin remove full
diameter dirt from the glass (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).
Example 2
[0030] A preferred implementation example of the double-sided
utensil is where the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) are
joined permanently and have a 1:10 thickness ratio.
[0031] In this example, the utensil has a pentagonal geometry with
rounded angles (9), each defining the petal of a flower, and
together defining a flower geometry. Given that from the center to
the furthest point of each petal of the flower geometry, there is a
5 cm distance, has two grooves in alternating petals in each of
which is inserted the inside section (5) of the plastic sheet (4),
and the outer section (6) protruding from the plastic sheet (4) has
a geometry with rounded angles (11) in such a way as not to exceed
the dimensions of the petal in which it is located (see FIG.
8).
Example 3
[0032] A preferred implementation example includes the double-sided
utensil (1), wherein the first layer (2) and second layer (3) are
joined permanently and have a 1:20 thickness ratio.
[0033] In this example, the utensil has a wedge or drop shaped
geometry, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 having in its straight angle
portion a groove which takes the shape of the utensil angle, and
the outer section (6) of the projecting plastic sheet (4) presents
a geometry with rounded and straight angles in combination.
Additionally, in the rounded contour of the utensil, a perforation
(13) completely therethrough is present to allow introduction of a
string for hanging the device, or for hanging the utensil
directly.
[0034] The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended
to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the
invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in
order to explain the principles of the present invention so that
others skilled in the art may practice the invention. As will be
apparent to one skilled in the art, various modifications can be
made within the scope of the aforesaid description. Such
modifications being within the ability of one skilled in the art
form a part of the present invention and are embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *