Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus includes a flexible, initially flat sheet, which is attached to the cleaning head of a cleaning apparatus by interlocking with a compressible foam substrate on the cleaning head, or by attachment members carried on the cleaning head which interact with the sheet itself or with separate attachment members carried on the sheet and the cleaning head.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION 
     Applicant claims priority benefit to the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/792,262, filed Mar. 15, 2013, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/879,819, filed Sep. 19, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/896,734, filed Oct. 29, 2013, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates, in general, to cleaning apparatus and, more specifically, to apparatus for cleaning glass, mirrors and the like. 
     Various tools are available to clean glass, such as the exterior surface of vehicle windows. Such tools typically include a handle and a perpendicularly oriented cleaning element, such as a wiper blade, sponge rubber pad, and combinations thereof. Water or ammonia based cleaning fluid is applied to the exterior surface of the vehicle window and scraped off by the tools to remove debris. Such tools are easy to use on the exterior surface of vehicle windows since the exterior surface of the vehicle windows is easily accessible both to apply cleaning fluid to the windows and to remove the fluid and debris from the windows. 
     A variety of tools have been devised specifically to clean the inner surfaces of vehicle windows. Such tools are typically formed of a pad which is connected to an elongated handle. A cleaning element is attached to one side of the pad by various means including clips, straps, or hooks and pile fasteners. However, each of these tools is specifically devised for a single type of cleaning operation, such as scrubbing or drying, but not both. 
     An improved and more effective cleaning apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,231,684 and 6,795,999. In these cleaning apparatus, the inner pad between the bottom surface of the paddle and the encompassing cleaning element or bonnet is formed of an easily absorbent material. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head having a top surface, a bottom surface and a peripheral surface, a handle pivotally coupled to the cleaning head, an open cell material pad attached to the bottom surface of the cleaning head, and a cleaning element formed of a woven material removably attachable to the pad. 
     In one aspect the cleaning apparatus includes the open cell material pad is formed of an open cell foam material. 
     The cleaning apparatus can include a secondary attachment between the cleaning element and the cleaning head including separable complimentary fasteners carried on the cleaning head and the cleaning element. 
     In one aspect, the cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of releasable attachment members fixed to the top surface of the cleaning head at spaced locations from the peripheral surface of the cleaning head. A cleaning wipe in the form of a flexible material has a plurality of attachment members fixed to the cleaning element at spaced locations for engagement with the attachment members on the cleaning head to releasibly attach the cleaning wipe to the cleaning head. 
     The attachment members on the cleaning wipe wrap around the edges of the cleaning head. 
     The attachment members on the cleaning wipe can be fixed on only one surface of the cleaning wipe. 
     In another aspect, a plurality of attachment members are fixed at spaced locations about the peripheral surface of the cleaning head. The attachment members have an adhesive outer surface. A cleaning wipe formed of flexible material has peripheral portions wrapped around the peripheral surface of the cleaning head to bring portions of the cleaning wipe into releasable attachment including the attachment members on the cleaning head. 
     The cleaning apparatus including the cleaning wipe is a disposable cleaning wipe made of paper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The various features, advantages, and other uses of the present method and apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing one aspect of an attachment of a cleaning element to the cleaning apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of another aspect of a cleaning apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial plan view showing the attachment of the cleaning element of  FIG. 3  on the cleaning head; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of another aspect of a cleaning head; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of another aspect of the cleaning element; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the attachment of the cleaning element of  FIG. 6  on the cleaning head of claim  5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is partial cross-sectional view generally taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 8 , but showing an alternate attachment of the cleaning element to the cleaning head; 
         FIGS. 10, 11 and 12  are planed views showing another aspect of a cleaning element an cleaning head attachment; and 
         FIGS. 13 and 14  are planed views showing yet another aspect of an attachment of a cleaning element to a cleaning head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is depicted a unique swipe lock attachment of the cleaning element  802  to the cushion or pad  800  carried on one surface of the paddle  220 . In this configuration, the cushion or pad  800  is formed of an open cell material structure, such as, but not limited to, open cell foams made of, but also not limited to, polyurethane or polyethylene foams, of either hard or soft density and in any thickness. The open cell structure of the pad  800  interacts with the woven fibers of the cleaning element  802  when the cleaning elements  802  is formed of a woven material, such as micro fiber, paper, etc. Compression, friction, and the opencell structure of the pad or substrate  800  cause the pad  800  to interlock with the woven fibers of the wipe or cleaning element sheet  802   
     The cleaning element or wipe  802 , although capable of having any shape, may have a shape complimentary to the shape of the pad  800  and the paddle  220 , with an outer margin or a peripheral surface extending beyond the outer peripheral edge of the pad  800  for a predetermined length, such as between zero and five inches, for example only. This small peripheral margin for the cleaning element  802 , provides a maximum cleaning surface while not creating sufficient force to cause separation of the cleaning element  802  from the pad  800  on the paddle  220 . Thus, the shape of the cleaning element or wipe  802  mirrors the shape of the cleaning head or paddle structure  220 . 
     The cleaning element  802  can be attached to the open cell foam pad  800  in different ways. In one attachment method shown in  FIG. 2 , the paddle  220  is held in one hand  803  of the user with the pad  800  facing outward. The user then places his other hand  804  on the outer surface of the cleaning element or wipe  802  and moves the cleaning element  802  in the direction of arrow  806  to bring the cleaning element  802  into contact with the pad  800 . The user then swipes or slides his hand  804  sideways or laterally with respect to the pad  800 , such as in the direction of arrow  808  to engage substantially all of the cleaning element  802  with the open cell surface of the pad  800 . 
     Another attachment method is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  in which the cleaning element or sheet  802  is placed on a flat surface  810 , such as a table or counter top, etc. The user then urges the cleaning assembly toward the sheet  802  in the direction of arrow  811  with the pad  800  facing the sheet  802  until the pad  800  fully engages the sheet  802 . 
     An auxiliary attachment process is also shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this attachment process, optional mating separable fasteners  812  and  814  are disposed in complimentary locations on the paddle  220  and the cleaning element  802 . The releasable fasteners  812  and  814  may be any type of separable fastener, including, but not limited to, Velcro hook and loop type pads, snaps, tape, etc. 
     In use, with the cleaning element  802  attached to the paddle  220  by either of the two attachments methods shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, the tip end of the cleaning element  802  is folded over the tip  228  of the paddle  220  bringing the fastener  814  attached to the cleaning element  802  into releasable engagement with mating fastener  812  on the paddle  220 . 
     The use of the separable fasteners acts as a secondary attachment of the cleaning element  802  to the pad  800 . It is implemented as a “fail safe” attachment to insure that the primary attachment means of the open cell foam construction of the pad  800  with the woven fiber construction of the cleaning element  802  works at maximum performance. 
     It will be understood that one or more separable fasteners  812  and  814  may be provided at the tip end of the cleaning element  802  and the pad  800 . Alternately, secondary attachments using similar releasable fasteners may be provided at the opposite corners of the paddle  220  and cleaning element  802 . 
     The attachment mechanisms described above involving a woven fiber generally flat sheet-like cleaning element  802  and the open cell construction of the pad  800  allows many types of wipe materials to work with the cleaning head since the compression, friction and pressure generated by the paddle  220  as it pushes down on the work surface assist in holding all types of wipe materials in place on the paddle  220 . 
     The sheet-like cleaning element  802  eliminates substantial product cost since the need for an elastic means to secure the current bonnet over the cleaning head or paddle is eliminated. In addition, the sheet like cleaning element  802  does not create any tension or negative force acting against the tip ends of the cleaning head or paddle  220 . Thus, one hundred percent of the cleaning head surface remains in constant contact with the surface being cleaned. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 , there is depicted a cleaning apparatus  810  which is similar to the cleaning apparatus  220  shown in  FIG. 1  in that the cleaning apparatus  810  includes a cleaning head or paddle  220  having a generally illustrated triangular shape. It will be understood that the cleaning head  220  may take other forms, such as square or rectangular, circular, etc. 
     A pair of receivers  230  and  232 , described previously and shown in  FIG. 1 , are disposed on the upper surface of the cleaning head  220 . 
     The opposite surface of the cleaning head  220  may have any of the constructions described above, including a bottom surface with or without a foam or compressible resilient pad. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of releasable attachment members  820 ,  822 ,  824  generally in the form of tabs, strips or pads, are mounted along at least two or all of the sides  225 ,  226 ,  228  of the cleaning head  220 . By way of example only, the releasable attachment members  820 ,  822 ,  824  are in the form Velcro hook or loop strips which are secured to one surface of the cleaning head  220  by suitable means, such as an adhesive. 
     The cleaning apparatus  810  also includes a releasable cleaning wipe  830 ,  FIG. 6 . The cleaning wipe  830  may have a shape approximate that of the triangular shaped cleaning head  220  or any other shape, complimentary or non-complimentary to the shape of the associated cleaning head  220 . Thus, for example, the wipe  830  may have a generally rectangular or square polygonal shape. 
     The cleaning wipe  830  has a plurality of releasable attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836  releasably attachable to the attachment member  820 ,  822 ,  824  mounted on the cleaning head  220  and positioned to releasably engage respective ones of the attachment member  820 ,  822 ,  824 . 
     Although any releasable attachment means may be used to form the attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836 , since the attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836  are formed of Velcro hook material, for example, the attachment member  820 ,  822 ,  824  are formed of releasable mating Velcro loop material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836 , such as the attachment member  832  shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 , is stitched over the edge of the sheet of the cleaning wipe  830 , such as edge  840 . This provides structure to the sheet  830  without detracting from the performance of the sheet  830  in cleaning a surface. 
     Alternately, as shown in an alternate construction in  FIG. 8 , the attachment members, such as attachment member  832 , may be attached, such as by adhesive, stitching, etc., to only one surface of the sheet  830 . 
     In use, the cleaning wipe or sheet  830  and the cleaning head  220  are overlaid with each other with the cleaning head  220  substantially centered within the periphery of the sheet and outer edge portions of the sheet extending beyond the sides  225 ,  226 , and  228  of the cleaning head  220 . The edges of the sheet  830  are then wrapped around the adjacent edges  225 ,  226 , and  228 , respectively, of the cleaning head  220  to bring the attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836  respectively, into releasable engagement with the attachment members  820 ,  822 ,  824  on the cleaning head  220 . This results in the wrapped arrangement shown in  FIGS. 7-9  where the outer edges of the cleaning wipe  830  are secured to the paddle  220  by releasably joined attachment members  820 ,  822 , and  824  and  832 , and  834  and  836 . 
     Since the releasable attachment members  832 ,  834 ,  836  attached to the cleaning wipe  830  provide support and structure to the sheet to enable it be usable during attachment to the cleaning head  220 , any suitable absorbent cleaning material may be used to form the sheet. For example, microfiber, cloth, paper, etc., may be used to form the sheet  830 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10-11 , there is depicted a cleaning apparatus  900  using the same cleaning head or paddle  220 ; but with a different cleaning wipe attachment methodology. In this aspect, an upper or outer surface of the cleaning head  220  is also provided with a plurality of spaced attachment members with three attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  shown by way of example only. Each of the attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  is positioned adjacent one of the side edges  222 ,  224 , and  226  of the cleaning head  220 . 
     In this aspect of the cleaning apparatus, the attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  provide an adhesive lock of a cleaning wipe  914  to the cleaning head  220 . By way of example only, the attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  are a sticky attachment pad or strip, attached by adhesive to one surface of the cleaning head  220  and providing an adhesive outer surface. The base structure of the adhesive members  902 ,  904  and  906  may be formed of any suitable base material, such as rubber, plastic, metal; but has a removable and reusable adhesive on the outer surface. For example, a 3M Scotch brand adhesive tab may be used to form the attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906 . 
     The cleaning wipe  914  can be in the form of a sheet  916  having any suitable dimensions, not just a triangular shape slightly larger than that of the triangular shaped cleaning head  220  shown by example in  FIG. 10 , but other shapes, such as square or rectangular polygonal shapes as well as circular, oval etc. 
     To assemble the sheet  916  to the cleaning head  220 , the cleaning head  220  is overlaid into contact with the sheet  916 . The outer edges of the sheet  916  extending beyond the side edges  224 ,  222  and  226  of the cleaning head  220  are folded over the side edges  224 ,  222 , and  226  of the cleaning head  220  in a tight smooth fashion into releasable attachment with the attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The attachment members  902 ,  904  and  906  thus releasibly attach the sheet  916  to the cleaning head  220 . 
     Due to the adhesive nature of the attachment members  902 ,  904 , and  906 , any material may be used to the form the sheet  916  of the cleaning wipe  914 . For example, woven and non-woven materials may be employed, including microfiber, paper, cloth, etc. A paper material, if used, provides a readily disposable cleaning wipe  914 . 
     In use, after the sheet  916  is attached to the cleaning head  220 , once one side of the sheet  916  gets overly wet or dirty, the sheet  916  is simply pulled away from the adhesive attachment members  902 ,  904 , and  906 , turned over and then re-secured back on the cleaning head  220  via the attachment members  902 ,  904 , and  906 . 
     When both sides of the sheet  916  are overly wet or dirty, the entire sheet  916  can be disposed of, if made of a disposable material, such as paper. 
     It should be noted that the use of certain materials to form the cleaning wipes as shown in  FIGS. 2-12 , such as microfiber or cloth, may be washed between uses so as be renewed to a clean condition for subsequent cleaning uses. 
     Another aspect of a cleaning apparatus  930  shown in  FIGS. 12-14 . 
     In this aspect, the cleaning head  932  is formed substantially as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with a reduced foam substrate thickness described above. 
     A plurality of discrete Velcro hook or loop fastener pads  934 ,  936 ,  938  are mounted on the top surface  940  of the cleaning head  932 , generally, centrally inward of the peripheral edges  943 ,  945 ,  947  of the cleaning head  932  between the tip  942  and the opposed corner ends  944 ,  946 . 
     An enlarged sheet-like cleaning element  950 , such as a microfiber-cleaning element, has a shape identical to the peripheral shape of the cleaning head  932  but with slightly larger dimensions sufficient to enable a peripheral edge portion of the cleaning element  950  to be folded over the top surface  940  of the cleaning head  932  as described hereafter. The peripheral edges  952  of the cleaning element  950  can be seamed  954  to provide a clean edge. 
     In use, the sheet-like cleaning element  950  is laid on a flat surface. The cleaning head  932  is then centered within the cleaning head  932  and brought into engagement with the cleaning element  950 . The user then folds over the exposed peripheral edges  950  of the cleaning element  950  until the cleaning element  952  removably, but securely engages the Velcro hook or loop pads  934 ,  936 , and  938  on the top surface  940  of the cleaning head  932 . 
     The folding of the cleaning element  950  over the peripheral edges  943 ,  945 ,  947  of the cleaning head  932  secures the cleaning element  950  to the cleaning head  932 ; but avoids the elastic forces exerted on previously devised cleaning elements with edge elastic bands which led to the excessive compression of the peripheral portions of the foam substrate mounted on the bottom surface of the cleaning head. The reduced thickness foam substrate described for use in this aspect of the cleaning apparatus also contributes to minimizing of any excessive compression of the peripheral edges of the foam substrate. This combination of features provides a substantially square, perpendicular corner between the peripheral edge of the cleaning head and the cleaning element for effective cleaning of the entire surface to be cleaned.