Abstract:
The disclosed cleaning tool assembly for cleaning a hard kitchen surface includes a cleaning tool and a wiping substrate. The cleaning tool is a unitary cleaning tool having a base portion, a handle portion, and a neck portion connecting the base portion to the handle portion. The base portion includes a planar, rigid working surface. The handle portion includes an upper convex surface that forms an upper portion of the cleaning tool whereby the upper convex surface engages with the palm of a hand. The neck portion is recessed from both the base portion and the handle portion. The neck portion engages with the fingers of a hand. The wiping substrate is removably attached to the working surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a hand-held cleaning tool assembly and a method of using the hand-held cleaning tool assembly to clean a surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a hand-held cleaning tool assembly, which includes a cleaning tool and a wiping substrate and a method of using such a tool for cleaning a kitchen surface. 
         [0002]    For cleaning surfaces, including kitchen surfaces, it is common to use a cleaning solution in combination with a cleaning cloth or sponge. However, users often do not know if a particular cleaning solution can be safely used on the particular surface being cleaned. For example, surfaces such as stainless steel, granite, quartz, and ceramic cook-tops may require specialized products that do not stain, scratch, or otherwise damage these surfaces. In addition to knowing whether a particular chemical is safe for use with a particular surface, users often do not know how much of the chemical should be used or whether the type of cleaning cloth or scouring pad is safe on the surface. 
         [0003]    Wiping substrates such as cleaning cloths, sponges, and foam pads are used to clean surfaces. One particular type of wiping substrate used to clean surfaces is a loaded wipe, which contains chemical loaded into the substrate. A user will remove a wipe from a package and with his or her hand apply the loaded wipe to the surface. This method of cleaning eliminates the need for the user to portion out the cleaner and determine if the cleaner and cleaning cloth are compatible. However, with this method of cleaning a user&#39;s hand must contact both the wipe and the cleaner. Additionally, because the user&#39;s hand is guiding the wipe along the surface being cleaned, the cleaning solution is unevenly distributed, resulting in streaks along the surface. Often, in order to eliminate the streaking, a second cleaner or wipe should be used. 
         [0004]    There are cleaning systems that use wiping substrates in combination with a cleaning tool. In some of these systems, the wiping substrates are loaded with cleaner. However, these systems are typically for mops and floor cleaning applications. Often, these tools include a resilient backing with a large surface area both to dissipate the force applied to the tool and to prevent scratching and damage to the floor. As such, mops are not designed for scouring, where concentrated amount of force being applied to the surface being cleaned may help in removal of stains. Further, some mops used in combination with wiping substrates are specifically designed to have a curved or nonplanar backing profile to prevent so-called snowplowing of dirt and debris and to utilize more surface area of the wipe for picking up dirt and debris. 
         [0005]    There is a need for a hand-held cleaning tool that does not require the user to determine the proper amount of cleaning solution for a particular cleaning application. Additionally, there is a need for a hand-held cleaning tool that does not require the user to determine the proper combination of cleaner and wipe for a particular cleaning application. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a hand-held cleaning tool assembly and a method of using the cleaning tool to clean a planar surface. The cleaning tool assembly for cleaning a hard kitchen surface includes a cleaning tool and a wiping substrate. The cleaning tool is a unitary cleaning tool having a base portion, a handle portion, and a neck portion connecting the base portion to the handle portion. The base portion includes a planar, rigid working surface. The handle portion includes an upper convex surface that forms an upper portion of the cleaning tool whereby the upper convex surface engages with the palm of a hand. The neck portion is recessed from both the base portion and the handle portion. The neck portion engages with the fingers of a hand. The wiping substrate is removably attached to the working surface. 
         [0007]    The method of cleaning a kitchen surface comprises providing a cleaning tool having a base portion with a planar, rigid working surface, a handle portion, and a neck portion connecting the base portion to the handle portion, providing a wiping substrate over the planar, rigid working surface to form a rigid, planar wiping surface, applying the wiping surface to a planar kitchen surface to clean the kitchen surface, and removing the wiping substrate from the cleaning tool after applying the wiping surface to a planar kitchen surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hand-held cleaning tool assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the hand-held cleaning tool assembly. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a right side view of the hand-held cleaning tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a left side view is a mirror image of the right side view. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the hand-held cleaning tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       
    
    
       [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. The figures may not be drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hand-held cleaning tool assembly  100  in the hand  500  of a user and in use over a surface  600 .  FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the hand-held cleaning tool assembly  100 , which includes a hand-held cleaning tool  200 , a wiping substrate  300 , and an attachment mechanism  400  for holding the wiping substrate  300  to the cleaning tool  200 .  FIG. 3  is a right side view of the cleaning tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A left side view, not shown, is a mirror image of the right side view.  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cleaning tool of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Common features throughout the figures are referenced with common reference numbers. 
         [0014]    The hand-held cleaning tool assembly  100  includes a hand-held cleaning tool  200  and a wiping substrate  300 . As shown by  FIG. 1 , a hand  500  is able to hold the cleaning tool  200  to clean a surface  600  with the wiping substrate  300 . Surface  600  intended to be cleaned with the cleaning tool assembly  100  is generally planar, rigid surface. More particularly, surface  600  intended to be cleaned with the cleaning tool assembly  100  is a kitchen surface that may be essentially nonporous such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, stone, ceramic, cook-top surfaces, and engineered materials such as Formica®, Silestone®, and Corian®. Typical kitchen surfaces include countertops, appliances, and sinks. 
         [0015]    I. Cleaning Tool 
         [0016]    The cleaning tool  200  includes a base  210  and a handle  250  spaced from the base by a neck  230 . The base  210  includes a working surface  212 . Working surface  212  is located opposite the handle  250  and is generally adjacent the surface  600  to be cleaned. In this embodiment, the working surface  212  is rectangular and includes a leading edge  214 , a trailing edge  216 , a first side edge  218 , and a second side edge  220 . The rectangular shape allows for the working surface  212  to reach into corners. However, other shapes are possible including, but not limited to, triangular, circular, and arch shaped with a linear trailing edge. 
         [0017]    The working surface  212  is generally rigid and substantially planar so that pressure applied to the cleaning tool  200  is transferred evenly across the working surface  212 . Even distribution of pressure across the working surface  212  results in even pressure across the surface being cleaned  600 , which typically is also planar. Even pressure across the surface being cleaned  600  prevents high pressure points, which may cause scratching of the surface  600  and streaking of the chemicals. In one embodiment, the area of the working surface  212  is from 50 to 200 cm 2 , and in one embodiment the area of the working surface  212  is from 80 to 110 cm 2 . The area of the working surface  212  is not so large that the pressure applied to the cleaning tool is dissipated over too large of an area to decrease the effectiveness of the scouring and cleaning ability of the cleaning tool  200 . 
         [0018]    The handle  250  includes an upper convex surface  252  that creates an upper portion  254  of the cleaning tool  200 . The upper convex surface  252  generally slopes from the leading edge  214  to the upper portion  254  of the cleaning tool  200 . The upper convex surface  252  is intended to conform to the palm  501  of a user&#39;s hand, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Achieving a conforming fit of the upper convex surface  252  of the handle  250  with the user&#39;s hand  500  allows for effective application of the force applied by the user&#39;s hand  500  to be transferred to the cleaning tool  200  and the surface  600  to be cleaned. 
         [0019]    The cleaning tool  200  is a hand-held tool intended to fit in a user&#39;s hand  500 . The cleaning tool  200  has a low profile, which is a height measured from the working surface  212  to the upper portion  254 . Typically, the height of the cleaning tool  200  from the working surface  212  to the upper portion  254  ranges from 4 cm to 15 cm and in one embodiment ranges from 5 cm to 8 cm. 
         [0020]    Optionally, the handle  250  may include a finger resting surface  256  and gripping ridges  258 . The finger resting surface  256  shown in this embodiment is a planar surface (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or may be a concave surface where a user&#39;s index finger  504  and middle finger  506  (see  FIG. 1 ) may rest. The finger resting surface  256  allows for a conforming fit of the cleaning tool  200  with the user&#39;s hand  500  to effectively transfer the force applied by the user to the cleaning tool  200 . 
         [0021]    Gripping ridges  258  may be included on the surface of the upper convex surface  252 . The gripping ridges  258  are a series of raised ridges that extend laterally across the upper convex surface  252  that help to prevent slipping of the user&#39;s palm  501  when force is applied by the hand  500  to the cleaning tool  200 . If included, there may be one or a plurality of gripping ridges  258 . Further, the gripping ridges may be constructed from an anti-slip material or a “soft-touch” material to further prevent slipping of the user&#39;s palm  501 . 
         [0022]    The handle  250  may include a brush or scraper (not shown). The brush may be projecting bristles from a portion of the handle  250 , or other portion of the cleaning tool  200 . The scraper may be a rigid, linear edge that allows a user to apply significant scouring to a surface. The scraper may be molded into the handle  250 , or other portion of the cleaning tool  200 . Alternatively, the brush or scraper may be separate from the cleaning tool  200  but retained in a compartment in the handle  250 . 
         [0023]    The handle  250  may include reservoir that holds a liquid such as water or a cleaning solution. Located on the cleaning tool may be a delivery mechanism that the user actuates with his or her fingers or thumb to spray the liquid on to the surface  600  to be cleaned. Such a mechanism may be desirable if the wiping substrate  300  does not include cleaner or is dry loaded and must be moistened to be activated. 
         [0024]    The neck  230  is a narrowing region between the base  210  and the upper convex surface  252  of the handle  250  that is a place for some of the user&#39;s fingers to rest (see  FIG. 1 ). In this embodiment, the neck  230  includes is a first concave side surface  234 , a second concave side surface  236  (not shown), and a rear concave surface  238 . As shown by  FIG. 1 , a user&#39;s thumb  502  rests against the first concave side surface  234  and a user&#39;s ring finger  508  and small finger (not visible) rest against the second concave side surface  236 . The rear concave surface  238  completes the neck  230  and allows for the working surface  212  to be positioned under an area where the entire cleaning tool  200  may not otherwise fit, such as behind the pull bar of an oven door. The first and second concave side surfaces  234 ,  236  allow for a conforming fit of the cleaning tool  200  with the user&#39;s hand  500  and fingers to effectively transfer the force applied by the user to the entire working surface  212  of the cleaning tool  200 . 
         [0025]    II. Wiping Substrate 
         [0026]    The cleaning tool  200  is used in combination with a wiping substrate  300  for cleaning the surface  600 . The wiping substrate  300  includes working surface  310  and an attachment surface  320 . The attachment surface  320  of the wiping substrate  300  is placed over the working surface  212  of the cleaning tool. Then, the working surface  310  is exposed to the surface  600  to be cleaned. Generally, the wiping substrate  300  will be of a uniform construction such that the attachment surface  320  and working surface  310  are of the same composition. However, in some embodiments, the attachment surface  320  and working surface  310  may be of different compositions. 
         [0027]    The wiping substrate  300  may be a cleaning cloth, a sponge, a foam or other similar type of wiping substrate for cleaning. Wiping substrates  300  that are cleaning cloths may be a knitted or woven fabric or may be constructed from a nonwoven web. The wiping substrate  300  may be disposable or reusable and may be dry, dry loaded, or wet loaded. Use of the cleaning tool  200  with a wiping substrate  300  loaded with cleaner eliminates the current methods of cleaning a surface  600  where the user&#39;s hand directly touches the cleaner saturated cloth. Also, use of the rigid, planar working surface  212  of the cleaning tool  200  with the loaded wipe  300  allows for even unloading of the cleaner over the surface  600 . 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  is a generally flexible sheet of material typically less than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) thick. The wiping substrate  300  shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-4  is a nonwoven lofty web of fibers. The fibers may be made from one or more of a variety of thermoplastic polymers that are known to form fibers. Suitable thermoplastic polymers can be selected from polyolefins (such as polyethylenes, polypropylenes, and polybutylenes), polyamides (suds as nylon 6, nylon 6/6, and nylon 10), polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate), copolymers containing acrylic monomers, and blends and copolymers thereof. Semi-synthetic fibers (such as acetate fibers), natural fibers (such as cotton), regenerated fibers (such as rayon), and other non-thermoplastic fibers can also be blended with the thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven web of the wiping substrate  300  can be prepared by any suitable melt forming or mechanical forming operation. For example, the nonwoven webs may be carded, spunbonded, spunlaced, melt blown, air laid, creped, or made by other processes as are known in the art. The nonwoven web 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 from about 1 to about 50. The basis weight of the nonwoven wiping substrate is typically from about 10 to about 500 grams per square meter in one embodiment, from 50 to about 350 grams per square meter in another embodiment, and from 100 to 300 grams per square meter in another embodiment. 
         [0029]    The specific construction of the wiping substrate  300  is designed for the particular cleaning application and cleaner. In one embodiment, a wiping substrate  300  is specifically designed for use with a particular cleaner for cleaning a kitchen surface and more specifically a ceramic cook-top. In this embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  is a needlepunched nonwoven web of fibers. In this embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  is a single use, disposable product. In one embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has a viscose rayon fiber, a polyester fiber, and a polypropylene fiber. In one embodiment the viscose rayon fiber content is a minimum of 15 weight % and the polypropylene is a minimum of 25 weight % of the content of the wipe  300 . The viscose rayon may be from 1.5 to 3 denier, the polyester may be from 1.5 to 50 denier, and the polypropylene may be from 1.6 to 6 denier. 
         [0030]    The wiping substrate  300  as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  is rectangular to match the rectangular size and shape of the working surface  212 . The wiping substrate  300  should at least match the size and shape of the working surface  212  to cover the entire working surface  212 . It is understood that the wiping substrate  300  could be larger than the working surface  212  and in such an embodiment, may be of a different shape than the working surface  212 . 
         [0031]    a. Wiping Substrate and Cleaner for a Kitchen Surface 
         [0032]    One suitable wiping substrate  300  for cleaning a kitchen surface and particularly a ceramic cook-top is a nonwoven fabric available from Texel of Quebec, Canada. The nonwoven fabric has a composition of 50 weight % polypropylene (unfinished), 25 weight % viscose rayon, 25 weight % polyester having a basis weight of 230 grams per square meter. Unfinished means finish-free or very low finish, describing the polypropylene olefin fiber as being devoid of any surface enhancements or processing lubricants that could affect the hydrophobicity or hydrophylicity of the fiber. The unfinished polypropylene fiber makes the web more oil-absorbing. The viscose rayon is 1.5 denier, the polyester is 15 denier, and the polypropylene is 3 denier. 
         [0033]    This wiping substrate  300  described is suitable for cleaning a kitchen surface. The wiping substrate  300  can be loaded with a cleaner for cleaning a kitchen surface and more particularly for cleaning a cook-top surface. In one embodiment, the cleaner includes a soft abrasive particle. Suitable soft abrasives include, without limitation, inorganic materials such as flint, silica, pumice, and calcium carbonate as well as organic polymeric materials such as polyester, polyvinylchloride, methacrylate, methylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and polystyrene as well as combinations of any of the foregoing materials If the cleaner includes a soft abrasive particle, the user will typically follow the scouring with an additional wiping step. 
         [0034]    One suitable cleaner for use with the wiping substrate  300  for cleaning a cook-top is 3M Scotch-Brite® Vitro, a cleaner containing soft abrasive particles of calcium carbonate. 3M Scotch-Brite® Vitro includes 65% water, 25% calcium carbonate, with the remainder being surfactant, thickener, perfume, and isopropylalcohol. Other commercially available cleaners, especially for ceramic cook-tops, may be used. 
         [0035]    To make the loaded wiping substrate  300  described above, the dry wipe  300  is loaded with the cleaner following formation of the nonwoven web. In one embodiment, the wipe  300  has a 200 to 500 weight % loading of the cleaner. In another embodiment, the wipe has a 300 weight % loading of the cleaner. In the embodiment, where a cleaner includes a soft abrasive particle, the wiping substrate has a 300 weight % loading of the cleaner and a subsequent 200 weight % loading of water is added to the web to achieve a desired level of wetness. This method is preferred to diluting the cleaner and then loading to the web in a single step. 
         [0036]    b. Wiping Substrate and Cleaner for a Stainless Steel Surface 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, a wiping substrate  300  is specifically designed for use with a particular cleaner for cleaning a stainless steel surface. In this embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  is a needlepunched nonwoven fabric. In one embodiment, the nonwoven fabric has a viscose rayon fiber, a polyester fiber, and a polypropylene fiber. In one embodiment the viscose rayon fiber content is a minimum of 15 weight % and the polypropylene is a minimum of 25 weight % of the content of the wiping substrate  300 . The viscose rayon may be from 1.5 to 3 denier, the polyester may be from 1.5 to 15 denier, and the polypropylene may be from 1.6 to 6 denier. 
         [0038]    One suitable wiping substrate  300  for cleaning a stainless steel surface is a nonwoven fabric available from Texel of Quebec, Canada. The nonwoven fabric has a composition of 50 weight % polypropylene (unfinished), 25 weight % viscose rayon, 25 weight % polyester having a basis weight of 130 grams per square meter. Unfinished means finish-free or very low finish, describing the polypropylene olefin fiber as being devoid of any surface enhancements or processing lubricants that could affect the hydrophobicity or hydrophylicity of the fiber. The unfinished polypropylene fiber makes the web more oil-absorbing giving self-buffing properties and eliminates or minimizes the need for follow-up wiping with a paper towel. The viscose rayon is 1.5 denier, the polyester is 3 denier, and the polypropylene is 3 denier. 
         [0039]    This wiping substrate  300  described is suitable for cleaning a stainless steel surface. The wiping substrate  300  can be loaded with a stainless steel cleaner for cleaning and polishing a stainless steel surface. In one embodiment, the cleaner is an aqueous emulsion of white mineral oil. One example is the 3M Liquid Stainless Steel Cleaner &amp; Polish. An example of a stainless steel cleaner is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,422. Other commercially available stainless steel cleaners may be used. 
         [0040]    The make the wiping substrate  300  described, the dry wiping substrate  300  is loaded with the stainless steel cleaner following formation of the nonwoven web. In one embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  has a 200 to 500 weight % loading of the stainless steel cleaner. In another embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  has a 400 weight % loading of the cleaner. 
         [0041]    III. Attachment Mechanism 
         [0042]    An attachment mechanism  400  is included for securing the wiping substrate  300  to the cleaning tool  200 . In this embodiment, the attachment mechanism  400  is a plurality of hook projections  410 . The hook projection  410  may be separate from or integral with the cleaning tool  200 . As shown in this embodiment, the hook projections  410  extend from the cleaning tool  200  in a uniform distribution (see  FIG. 4 ). A uniform distribution of the hook projections  410  across the entire working surface  212 , for the embodiment where the hook projections  410  are located on the working surface  212 , maintains the planar working surface for attachment of the wipe  300 , which gives even unloading of the cleaner. As stated above, a nonplanar working surface may create concentrated points where the forces being exerted on the cleaning tool  200  are transferred resulting in scratching of the surface or streaking of the chemical on the surface caused by uneven unloading of the cleaners within the wipe. 
         [0043]    The hook projections  410  attach to the attachment surface  320  of the wiping substrate  300 . In the embodiment where the wiping substrate  300  is a lofty nonwoven web, a separate loop is likely not necessary. In other embodiments, the attachment surface  320  of the wiping substrate  300  may include a separate loop or mating material that locks with the hook projections  410 . 
         [0044]    Other mechanisms are contemplated for securing the wiping substrate  300  to the cleaning tool  200 . For example, the hook projections may extend from other surfaces of the cleaning tool  200  so that the wipe  300  wraps up and around the cleaning tool  200 . Also, hook projections are not essential. The attachment mechanism may include mechanical fasteners or adhesive. 
         [0045]    IV. Use of the Cleaning Tool Assembly 
         [0046]    To use the cleaning tool assembly  100 , a user will attach the wiping substrate  300  to the attachment mechanism  400  of the cleaning tool  200 . In this embodiment, the wiping substrate  300  is placed over the working surface  212 , which includes hooks  410  that secure the wiping substrate  300  to the working surface  212 . Then, the user will position his or her hand  500  over the cleaning tool  200 . The user&#39;s palm  501  is adjacent the upper convex surface  252  of the handle, thumb  502  is adjacent the first concave side surface  234 , index finger  504  and middle finger  506  are adjacent the finger resting surface  256 , if included, and ring finger  508  and small finger are adjacent the second concave side surface  238 . It is understood that the positioning of the fingers and thumb over the cleaning tool  200  may take other forms so long as the user feels ergonomically comfortable and secure in holding the cleaning tool  200 . 
         [0047]    If the wiping substrate  300  is dry or dry loaded, the wiping substrate  300  will be activated by application of water or a cleaner. If the cleaner is loaded in the wiping substrate  300 , then the user can begin cleaning. The wiping substrate  300  will clean the surface  600  while the wiping substrate  300  may provide, in some embodiments, scouring, pick-up, or absorption capabilities. When the user is finished cleaning the surface  600 , the cleaning tool  200  and wipe  300  are removed from the surface  600 . If the wipe  300  is disposable, the wipe  300  is discarded. If the wipe  300  is nondisposable, the wipe  300  can be cleaned and stored for future use. 
         [0048]    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.