Abstract:
A lint removal apparatus containing a tabbed end or ends on any side so a user to grip and hold the apparatus. One side of the apparatus contains an adhesive side that is protected by a backing. The backing must be removed by the user prior to using the apparatus. Once the backing is removed, a small portion of the backing will remain so that user can easily grip the apparatus. While gripping the apparatus, the user may remove lint by pressing the exposed adhesive side of the apparatus against the desired area containing lint or other particles to be removed. The apparatus is a small, durable, portable, economic, practical and be used by all individuals regardless of physical size.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/890,560, filed 2007 Feb. 19 by the present inventors. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present application relates generally to a device for removing lint and other debris from clothing and the like. In particular, the application relates to a handheld disposable sheet, or patch, for removing lint and other debris from clothing and the like. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Clothing and other fabric covered articles, such as chairs, couches, and the like, have a tendency to collect or attract lint. As used herein, the term “lint” refers to fibers from both natural and/or synthetic sources, including hair from any animal, and any natural and/or synthetic particles and/or particulate matter, and the like, as well as dust, other debris, and the like. 
     Lint is considered an undesirable item when attached to clothing or other fabric covered articles. Due to its undesirable nature individuals are in need of easy and inexpensive methods of removing lint from clothing and other fabric covered articles. The knowledge of lint&#39;s undesirable nature has caused inventors to seek several ways to remove lint once it has become attached to clothing and other fabric covered items. 
     Inventors have done a commendable job of inventing several methods through which lint may be removed from clothing and other fabric covered items. However, the known prior art devices for removing lint include lint rollers, lint mitts, lint brushes and other bulky or cumbersome devices can not meet the needs of all individuals. 
     The lint roller with a tab, U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,953 to McKay and the lint brush U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,634 to McKay and all other similar lint removal devices are large and bulky devices taking up relatively large amounts of space. The amount of space discourages individuals from carrying this product with them. The failure to easily carry these items is a detriment to individuals who wish to have a lint removal device on their person at all times. 
     The lint mitt, U.S. Pub. No. 2002/0124335 μl to Franko, Sr. and LINT GLOVE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,970 to Woodward are more compact lint removal devices than the aforementioned lint roller and lint brush, but are not without their drawbacks. These devices both require a user to insert their hand or a portion thereof to effectively utilize the device. The requirement that a user insert their hand into the device both increases production costs and the likelihood the product will tear or otherwise become unusable through common use. 
     The DISPOSABLE LINT REMOVER disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,623 describes a device that is less bulky and more portable than the preceding devices. Although less bulky and more portable, the DISPOSABLE LINT REMOVER requires the user to insert two fingers into thin tabs which will allow the user to grasp the apparatus. This design suffers from many of the same downfalls of the LINT GLOVE and lint mitt in that it requires a component that must be made of thin material yet must survive the handling by fingers of various sizes and strengths. 
     There are several types of lint removal apparatuses available for review, but all the known available apparatuses suffer from a number of disadvantages. These disadvantages either make the apparatus costly to produce, difficult to transport or subject to undue breakage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     This invention seeks to distinguish itself from the prior art by providing several advantages over the prior art while accomplishing several objectives. This invention is an invention that will provide useful benefits above and beyond those currently available. 
     This major advantage of this invention is that the device is readily portable. This invention is capable of easily being placed into a shirt pocket, pants pockets or likewise taking up little space in a briefcase, purse or other similar device. The product is also capable of being placed into a wallet for easy transport. Due to its size users will also be able to easily carry more than one Lint Patch with them at any given time. While retaining this portability and compact feature, the invention still provides a small tab that can serve as a handle during its use. 
     The next significant advantage of the invention is its durability. Although a disposable product durability is important for the transport and use of the invention. The invention has no additional components, compartments, accessories, attachments or gripping devices that could easily be damaged and render the invention unusable. The invention&#39;s durability will allow it to ready and available for use under almost all circumstances. 
     Another advantage to the invention is that it can be used by individuals without regard to hand size or strength. This invention, unlike the aforementioned lint glove or lint mitt inventions, does not have limitations that can be attributed to the end users personal characteristics. A small hand or a large hand will be equally capable of using this invention without causing any damage to the product as may occur with the use of the lint glove or the lint mitt. These limitations are removed because instead of utilizing compartments or tabs for the user to grip, the adhesive side of the invention will retain a non-adhesive portion whereby the invention may be held during its use. 
     Further possible advantages to the invention are that the backing used to protect the adhesive before use may be saved and reapplied to the invention. This reapplication of the backing can allow for the invention to be used more than once by an end user. The invention will also be inexpensive to produce as it does not require any special attachments or gripping devices in order for the invention to be used. The invention can also be made to have customized imprinting on it to provide for additional sales and marketing opportunities. 
     In conclusion the invention provides for a durable, economical, easily portable and easy to use apparatus with a tabbed gripping area which an individual may utilize to remove lint from clothing or other fabric covered articles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It will be appreciated that the illustrated boundaries of elements (e.g., boxes or groups of boxes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. Further, in the accompanying drawings and description that follow, like parts are indicated throughout the drawings and description with the same reference numerals, respectively. The figures may not be drawn to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated for convenience of illustration. 
         FIG. 1  is a front planar view of one embodiment of a lint patch having a tab; 
         FIG. 2  is a front planar view of one embodiment of a lint patch with a backing partially removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified close-up side view of one embodiment of a lint patch; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of one embodiment of a lint patch, held by an exemplary user; 
         FIG. 5  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a tab on an upper right corner; 
         FIG. 6  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a tab on a right side; 
         FIG. 7  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a tab on a lower left corner; 
         FIG. 8  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a tab on an upper left corner; 
         FIG. 9  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a tab on a left side; 
         FIG. 10  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a pair of tabs on a lower right corner and a lower left corner; 
         FIG. 11  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a pair of tabs, with a backing partially removed; 
         FIG. 12  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a pair of tabs on a right side and a left side; 
         FIG. 13  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a pair of tabs on an upper right corner and an upper left corner; 
         FIG. 14  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a curved perforation; 
         FIG. 15  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a curved perforation, with a backing partially removed; and 
         FIG. 16  is a front planar view of an alternative embodiment of a lint patch having a curved perforation, with a backing removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front planar view of one embodiment of a lint patch  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lint patch  100  includes a sheet  110  and a tab  120 . The sheet  110  is generally square with rounded corners. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the sheet may have sharp corners. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the sheet may be rectangular, circular, oval, or have the shape of any regular or irregular polygon. 
     The tab  120  is configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s thumb and/or fingers. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  120  is located at the bottom right corner of the sheet  110  and extends approximately ⅓ the length of the sheet  110 . In alternative embodiments (not shown), the tab  120  may have a length that is approximately 5% of the length of the sheet to approximately 150% of the length of the sheet. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a loop or a ring of material may be used in place of a tab. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front planar view of the lint patch  100 , having a backing  210  partially removed to expose an adhesive surface  220 . The backing  210  includes a non-stick surface, allowing it to be peeled from the adhesive surface  220 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive surface  220  and the backing  210  extend across the entire sheet  110 , but neither the adhesive surface  220  nor the backing  210  extend to the tab  120 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), only a portion of the sheet (i.e., less than 100%) is covered by the adhesive surface  220  and the backing  210 . For example, a border may extend around the edges of the sheet  110  to allow a user to handle the edges of the lint patch  100 . In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the adhesive surface  220  and the backing  210  extend across the tab  120 . 
     In one embodiment (not shown), the adhesive surface is scented, so that the lint patch  100  may serve dual functions of removing lint and providing a pleasing scent to clothing, furniture, and other objects. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section of one embodiment of the sheet  110 . In one embodiment, the sheet  110  has a thickness of about 0.01 inches to about 0.1 inches. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet  110  has a thickness of about 0.002 inches to about 0.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet  110  includes the backing  210  having a release coating  310  provided thereon. The backing  210  may be constructed of paper, cardboard, or other similar material. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the release coating  310  is impregnated into the backing  310  to form an overall “release backing” having a unitary construction. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the sheet  110  further includes a face sheet  320  having an adhesive provided thereon to form the adhesive surface  220 . In one embodiment, the adhesive may be a full-coat pressure-sensitive face. 
     As is known to those skilled in the art, release coating  310  functions to allow removal or “peel off” of backing  210  from the sheet  110 , for exposure of the adhesive surface  220  as desired. Adhesive laminate is commercially available in roll form from, for example, Green Bay Packaging Inc.—Coated Products Operations of Green Bay, Wis., and from Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a lint patch  100  in use by an exemplary user. In the illustrated embodiment, the user holds the lint patch  100  with his right hand H. The tab  120  extends beneath the thumb of the user&#39;s hand H. The user may grasp the tab  120  by squeezing it between the thumb and the forefinger of the right hand H. It should be understood that the lint patch  100  may be rotated 180 degrees, such that the tab  120  extends from the upper left corner of the sheet  110  instead of the lower right corner. In this orientation, the lint patch  100  may be grasped by the left hand of the user, with the tab extending behind the thumb of the user&#39;s left hand. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the user has removed the backing from the sheet  110  to expose the adhesive surface  220 . The user may then remove lint, hair, dirt, or other loose material from an article of clothing, furniture, or other objects, by pressing the adhesive surface  220  of the sheet  110  against the object, then lifting the lint patch  100 . The user may use a brushing or a patting motion to achieve lint removal. 
     In one embodiment, before the backing  210  is removed from the lint patch  100 , the lint patch  100  may be easily transported in a user&#39;s pocket, purse, briefcase, or other such location. Alternatively, the lint patch  100  may be stored in a closet, drawer, chest, trunk, shelf, or other such location. For example, in one embodiment, a plurality of lint patches may be joined together in a continuous tape, with the boundaries of each lint patch defined by perforations. In this embodiment, the continuous tape may be wound in a roll for storage. The roll may be stored in a dispenser. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of lint patches may be stacked on top of each other, or next to each other, for bulk storage or transportation. The stack of lint patches may be stored in a dispenser. In one embodiment, the lint patches may have tabs different locations to facilitate the removal of a single lint patch from the sheet. 
     For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lint patch  500  having a sheet  510  and a tab  520  extending from the upper right corner of the sheet. It should be understood that the lint patch  500  otherwise has the same features as those described above in relation to the lint patch  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another alternative embodiment of a lint patch  600 . In this embodiment, the lint patch  600  has a sheet  610  and a tab  620  extending from a central portion of the right side of the sheet. It should be understood that the lint patch  600  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In one embodiment, to facilitate easy removal of a single lint patch, a stack of lint patches may alternate between a lint patch  100  having a tab  120  extending from a lower right corner of the sheet  110 , followed by a lint patch  600  having a tab  620  extending from a central portion of the right side of the sheet  610 , followed by a lint patch  500  having a tab  520  extending from the upper right corner of the sheet  510 . It should be understood, however, that the lint patches may be stacked in any desired order. 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate additional alternative embodiments of lint patches configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s left hand (not shown).  FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lint patch  700  having a sheet  710  and a tab  720  extending from a lower left corner of the sheet  710 . It should be understood that the lint patch  700  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . It should be further understood that the lint patch  700  may be structurally identical to the lint patch  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , but rotated 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lint patch  800  having a sheet  810  and a tab  820  extending from an upper left corner of the sheet  810 . It should be understood that the lint patch  800  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . It should be further understood that the lint patch  800  may be structurally identical to the lint patch  100 , but rotated 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lint patch  900  having a sheet  910  and a tab  920  extending from a central portion of the left side of the sheet  910 . It should be understood that the lint patch  900  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 . It should be further understood that the lint patch  900  may be structurally identical to the lint patch  600  illustrated in  FIG. 6 , but rotated 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a lint patch  1000  configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s right or left hand without the need to rotate the lint patch  1000 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lint patch  1000  includes a sheet  1010 , a first tab  1020  extending from the lower right corner of the sheet  1010 , and a second tab  1030  extending from the lower left corner of the sheet  1010 . The sheet  1010  is generally square with rounded corners. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the sheet may have sharp corners. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the sheet may be rectangular, circular, oval, or have the shape of any regular or irregular polygon. 
     The tab  1020  is configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s right thumb and/or fingers when the lint patch  1010  is held by a right hand. When the lint patch  1010  is held by a user&#39;s left hand, the tab  1020  may be grasped between a user&#39;s left pinky finger and left ring finger, or it may simply be left free. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  1020  is located at the bottom right corner of the sheet  1010  and extends approximately ⅓ the length of the sheet  1010 . In alternative embodiments (not shown), the tab  1020  may have a length that is approximately 5% of the length of the sheet to approximately 150% of the length of the sheet. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a loop or a ring of material may be used in place of a tab. 
     The tab  1030  is configured to be grasped by a user&#39;s left thumb and/or fingers when the lint patch  1010  is held by a left hand. When the lint patch  1010  is held by a user&#39;s right hand, the tab  1030  may be grasped between a user&#39;s right pinky finger and right ring finger, or it may simply be left free. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  1030  is located at the bottom left corner of the sheet  1010  and extends approximately ⅓ the length of the sheet  1010 . In alternative embodiments (not shown), the tab  1030  may have a length that is approximately 5% of the length of the sheet to approximately 150% of the length of the sheet. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a loop or a ring of material may be used in place of a tab. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a front planar view of the lint patch  1000 , having a backing  1110  partially removed to expose an adhesive surface  1120 . The backing  1110  includes a non-stick surface, allowing it to be peeled from the adhesive surface  1120 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive surface  1120  and the backing  1110  extend across the entire sheet  1010 , but neither the adhesive surface  1120  nor the backing  1110  extend to the tabs  1020 ,  1030 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), only a portion of the sheet is covered by the adhesive surface  1120  and the backing  1110 . For example, a border may extend around the edges of the sheet  1010  to allow a user to handle the edges of the lint patch  1000 . In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the adhesive surface  1120  and the backing  1110  extend across the tabs  1020 ,  1030 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another alternative embodiment of a lint patch  1200 . In this embodiment, the lint patch  1200  has a sheet  1210 , a first tab  1220  extending from a central portion of the right side of the sheet  1210 , and a second tab  1230  extending from a central portion of the left side of the sheet  1210 . It should be understood that the lint patch  1200  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  1000  illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another alternative embodiment of a lint patch  1300  having a sheet  1310 , a first tab  1320  extending from the upper right corner of the sheet  1310 , and a second tab  1330  extending from the upper left corner of the sheet  1310 . It should be understood that the lint patch  1300  otherwise has the same properties as those described above in relation to the lint patch  1000  illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 . It should be further understood that the lint patch  1300  may be structurally identical to the lint patch  1000 , but rotated 180 degrees. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another alternative embodiment of a lint patch  1400  having sheet  1410  and a curved perforation defining a tab  1420 . In prior illustrated embodiments, the lint patches were shown to have tabs defined by a straight perforation. It should be understood that the tab may take any desired shape. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a front planar view of the lint patch  1400 , having a backing  1510  partially removed to expose an adhesive surface  1520 . The backing  1510  includes a non-stick surface, allowing it to be peeled from the adhesive surface  1520 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive surface  1520  and the backing  1510  extend across the entire sheet  110 , but neither the adhesive surface  1520  nor the backing  1510  extend to the tab  1520 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), only a portion of the sheet is covered by the adhesive surface  1520  and the backing  1510 . For example, a border may extend around the edges of the sheet  1410  to allow a user to handle the edges of the lint patch  1400 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a front planar view of the lint patch  1400 , with the backing completely removed to expose the adhesive surface  1520 . In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  1420  has a rectangular shape, with rounded corners. In one embodiment, the tab is shaped to provide a non-stick surface for a user to grasp, while maximizing the size of the adhesive surface  1520 . 
     To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modem Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or multiple components. 
     While the present application illustrates various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the claimed invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s claimed invention. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.