Abstract:
An apparatus for the cleaning and washing of objects includes a flexible inner lining that extends over a hand and wrist or arm of a user so as to provide a gap intermediate the exterior of at least a portion of the hand and the interior of the inner lining. A preferred material for the inner lining is fabricated neoprene, rubber, or latex. An outer lining extends over at least a portion of the inner lining and is adapted for a cleaning, polishing, or dusting operation. A preferred material for the outer lining includes cotton fibers. The apparatus is available in either a “gloved” version with fingers or in a “mitt” version that accommodates a plurality of fingers. Both versions, preferably, include a thumb area as well. A first seal surrounds the apparatus around the wrist or arm of the user and is tightened to restrict the inflow of a fluid into the apparatus. A second seal is parallel to the first seal and further restricts the inflow of the fluid and prevents entry of a substantial quantity of the fluid into the gap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is related to prior application Ser. No. 09/550,691 filed on Apr. 17, 2000, now abandoned. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general relates to mops and rags and the like that are used for dusting, washing, cleaning, and polishing and, more particularly, to mittens and gloves that are adapted to assist with these and other cleaning tasks and purposes. 
   Devices that are worn over the hand, like a mitten with a cotton surface are known types of devices that are used to wash, apply wax, remove wax, dust, and the like. 
   Business establishments that wash automobiles are familiar with such types of devices and often use them. These types of businesses are commonly referred to as “car washes”. 
   At car washes, personnel will often wear a cotton type of a mitt (or mitten) and wash automobiles or portions of automobiles as they pass by. 
   A problem occurs in that when cold water is used, such as at car washes, and such a type of a mitt is used, the hand of the person becomes very cold. A knuckle joint (or joints) in particular, may start to ache. 
   Sustained exposure to cold water is, itself, painful and may have long term negative consequences. The linkage between frequent and protracted exposure to cold water and the effect on joints is not known. Can this lead to arthritis or to other maladies? If so, is there a potential liability to car washes? These types of questions remain unanswered and may require legal action to resolve them. 
   Clearly, this potential looms ominously to any car wash owner. Regardless of any liability considerations, the fact that any type of an exposure to cold water makes the job of washing cars more difficult is, itself, a certainty. This can result in job dissatisfaction and in the quick turn over of personnel, which is another consequence that often affects and adds expense to the car wash owner. 
   While the focus in the preceding discussion has been car washes, it is to be understood that this problem is not limited only to car washes. Window washers as well as general cleaning personnel, including “maid” services and other specialized types of commercial, industrial, or residential cleaning services may experience nearly identical or similar or related types of problems from an exposure to cold water or to some other type of a cold fluid that is used as a cleaning solution. 
   Excessively hot water or fluids can have a similar negative effect. Exposure to fluids that are too hot is also painful and potentially damaging. 
   Accordingly there exists today a need for a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand which aids in cleaning, dusting, and polishing tasks and helps to insulate the hand of the user. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be a useful and desirable device. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Dust mitts are, in general, known. For example, a product that is called “WASH MITT” is commercially available. This product is for washing and dusting purposes and it is formed from 100% cotton denille. 
   While the structural arrangements of the above described device and other similar types of devices may, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that insulates the hand of a user. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that includes an inner lining. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that includes an inner lining that provides thermal insulation to a user. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that includes a glove. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that includes a mitten. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that includes an inner lining and a material adapted for a cleaning task, the material being disposed over at least a portion of the inner lining. 
   One further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that provides an increase in the time a hand of a user may be exposed to a cold fluid. 
   One still further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that provides an increase in the time a hand of a user may be exposed to a hot fluid. 
   A first continuing object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that prevents contact of a fluid with the hand. 
   A second continuing object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand and which provides a seal proximate a wrist of a wearer that prevents fluid from contacting the hand. 
   A third continuing object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand and which provides an adjustable seal proximate a wrist of a wearer that prevents fluid from contacting the hand. 
   A fourth continuing object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand and which provides a pair of seals proximate a wrist of a wearer that prevents fluid from contacting the hand. 
   Briefly, a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has an inner lining that is flexible and is adapted to receive at least a portion of a hand therein. The inner lining may include a mitt portion only, or it may include a mitt portion and a thumb portion, or it may include individual finger portions, either with or without a thumb portion. A layer of material, such as cotton fibers, are attached over the exterior of at least a portion of the inner lining. In use, a fluid, typically water or a water-based cleaning solution, is used and an adjustable seal proximate a wrist of the user provides a seal that prevents fluid from contacting the hand of the user. Accordingly, the hand remains comfortable for long periods of time even when it is immersed in cold or hot fluids. The seal includes, preferably, a first and a second seal, which together provide an especially effective barrier to prevent the fluid from contacting the hand of the user. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand of a user. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken on the line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  of the cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken on the line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1  of the cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand but with a first and a second seal tightened more than in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and on occasion to  FIG. 3  is shown, a cleaning apparatus that is worn over a hand, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . The term “apparatus” and “device” are used interchangeably hereinafter. 
   The apparatus  10  is divided into a left most portion, identified in general by the reference numeral  12  and a right most portion, identified in general by the reference numeral  14 . A split, identified in general by the reference numeral  15  is not normally present but is included only to differentiate between the left most portion  12  and the right most portion  14 . 
   The left most portion  12  is similar to a type of a garment normally referred to as a “glove”. The right most portion  14  is similar to a type of a garment normally referred to as a “mitt” or a “mitten”. 
   The terms “mitt” and “mitten” are often used interchangeably and are done so herein as well. Sometimes, the term “mitt” refers to a garment (i.e., an article of clothing) that does not include a separate provision for a thumb, whereas the term “mitten” will include a separate provision to accept a thumb. 
   The apparatus  10 , in any of its many possible embodiments, may be adapted to include such a separate provision to accept a thumb or is may be omitted according to the preferences of the application at hand. 
   The left most portion  12  includes finger areas  16 ,  18 . Each of the finger areas  16 ,  18  is adapted to receive one of four fingers (not shown) of an arm and hand of a user  19 . Only the two finger areas  16 ,  18  are shown. The other two that would normally be included (i.e., with the glove) are not shown to provide an opportunity to show construction of an alternative embodiment (i.e., the mitten). 
   The user  19 , as shown, reveals but a portion of his arm as it extends both from and enters into the apparatus  10 . 
   The right most portion  14  includes a one piece area  20  that is adapted to receive a plurality of the fingers of the user. 
   In actual use the apparatus  10  would be constructed so as to entirely be either as shown in the left most portion  12  or as shown in the right most portion  14 . 
   The glove style (i.e., the left most portion  12 ) and the mitten style (i.e., the right most portion  14 ) as shown each include a thumb area  21 . The thumb area  21  may be omitted if desired, as mentioned hereinbefore. The thumb area  21  is adapted to receive a thumb (not shown) of the user  19 . 
   The apparatus  10  includes a inner lining  22  that includes a cuff area, identified in general by the reference numeral  24 . The inner lining  22  extends to form the thumb area  21  and each of the finger areas  16 ,  18  or, alternately, the one piece area  20  of the apparatus  10  depending upon whether the glove or the mitten form is desired. 
   It is important to note that the inner lining  22  is entirely waterproof. It is formed from a waterproof, flexible material such as rubber, latex, neoprene, etc. The inner lining  22  may be of any color, such as blue, black, or otherwise, as desired. 
   An outer lining  26  is provided over at least a portion of the inner lining  22 . The outer lining  26  is disposed so as to cover the inner lining  22  where desired. Normally, the outer lining  26  would cover at least the finger areas  16 ,  18 , the thumb area  21 , the one piece area  20 , over a palm area identified in general by the reference numeral  27 , and over a back of the hand area (not shown) that is generally disposed on an opposite side of the apparatus  10  with respect to the palm area  27 . The task for which the apparatus  10  is to be used determines the amount and location (i.e., the placement) of the outer lining  26  and which portions of the inner lining  22  it is to cover. 
   The outer lining  26  is formed of any material that is effective for the intended cleaning task. A preferred type of a material includes cotton fibers because they are highly absorbent and soft enough so as not to scratch or mar most surfaces. Other, more abrasive, materials may be used to form the outer lining  26  some of which are discussed in greater detail hereinafter. 
   The outer lining  26  is attached to the inner lining  22  by the use of a plurality of stitches  28  ( FIG. 2 ) that are placed where desired and in a quantity that is sufficient to adhere the outer lining  26  to the inner lining  22 . The stitches  28  penetrate the inner lining  22  which then forms a watertight seal around each of the stitches  28  sufficient to prevent the entry of fluid. If preferred, each of the stitches  28  is treated with a waterproof sealant  29 , such as a type of silicone sealant, to ensure that water cannot penetrate through the stitches  28 . 
   The stitches  28  are used when it is desirable to attach the outer lining  26  to the inner lining  22  by a sewing operation. If preferred an adhesive  29   a  is used to attach the outer lining  26  to the inner lining  22 . 
   In normal use a gap, identified in general by the reference numeral  30  is provided intermediate the hand of the user  19  and an interior of the inner lining  22 . There are, of course, contact areas that occur between the user  19  and the lining  22  but in general it is important to note that the gap  30  is substantially free of fluids. The reason this occurs is discussed in greater detail hereinafter. 
   The gap  30  keeps the hand of the user  19  dry and allows for prolonged use of the cleaning apparatus  10  and for its prolonged immersion in either hot or cold fluids without adversely affecting the comfort of the user  19 . 
   Referring now, also to  FIG. 3 , is shown in cross section a portion of the cleaning apparatus that includes the inner lining  22  but which does not generally include the outer lining  26 . 
   A first seal, identified in general by the reference numeral  32  is disposed closest to a shoulder portion (not shown) of the user  19 . 
   The first seal  32  includes a belt  34  with holes and a buckle  36 , similar to a conventional belt used to support a pair of pants (not shown). At least one loop  38  is attached to the inner lining  22  and is used to retain the belt  34  to the cleaning apparatus  10 . 
   Similar to the way in which the belt on a pair of pants is tightened, the first seal  32  is similarly tightened as much as is comfortable. This causes the inner lining  22  to make contact with the wrist or lower arm portion of the user  19  all around the arm. This provides an effective seal that prevents most of the fluid from passing under the first seal  32  and contacting any of the hand portion of the user. 
   However, it does not provide a nearly 100% watertight seal as is desired because there are areas of the inner lining  22  that tend to fold in a generally S-shape (in cross-section) pattern as the inner lining  22  is compressed to fit around the wrist or lower arm portion of the user  19 . 
   If the cleaning device  10  is then lowered deep into a container of fluid (i.e., a cleaning solution of some sort, presumably including soapy water) the pressure that is experienced is apt to urge some of the fluid to pass into the cleaning device  10  beyond the first seal  32 , especially if the device  10  is held below water level for an extended period of time. 
   It is desirable that none of the fluid (or very little at most) should enter into the gap  30  during use to ensure maximum comfort for the user  19  and to permit extended use of the cleaning apparatus  10 . 
   Accordingly, a second seal identified in general by the reference numeral  40 , is provided intermediate the first seal  32  and a portion of the cleaning device  10  that includes the outer lining  26 . 
   The second seal  40  includes a strap  41 . The strap  41  includes an adhesive portion  42  at a first end thereof where it is adhered to an outer surface of the inner lining  22 . A side of the strap  41  disposed at the first end and on an opposite side where the adhesive portion  42  is disposed includes a first half  44  of a hook and loop type of fastener, the first half  44  being either the hook or the loop portion. The first half  44  is disposed along a longitudinal length of the strap  41  and it extends for a distance that is generally greater than that of the adhesive portion  42 . 
   A distal end  41   a  of the strap  41  includes a second half  46  of a hook and loop fastener (again, either the hook or the loop portion, but whatever is opposite to that as is used for the first half  44 ) along a longitudinal length thereof and which is disposed on an inner surface of the strap  41 , facing generally toward the inner lining  22 . 
   In use, the distal end  41   a  is grasped and pulled tightly around the inner lining  22 . The degree of tightness is the maximum that is comfortable for the user  19 . The distal end  41   a  is then placed in contact with the first half  44  so the second half  46  and first half  44  are in contact with each other. 
   The second seal  40  provides a watertight seal that, in cooperation with the first seal  32 , effectively prevents water (fluid) from entering into the gap  30 . 
   An unexpected benefit is provided by the instant invention as described. If only the outer seal  32  or if only the inner seal  40  were used, to prevent the fluid from entering into the gap  30  either seal  32 ,  40  would have to be tightened to such an extreme extent as to be either uncomfortable or dangerous for the user  19 . 
   At best, either seal  32 ,  40  would be so uncomfortable as to be wearable for only a short period of time. At worst, either seal  32 ,  40  would be so tight as to constrict and therefore restrict blood flow to and from the hand. This is potentially dangerous to the user  19 . A restricted amount of blood flow would also tend to cool the hand and possibly even make it numb. Either of these conditions would shorten the time that the cleaning device  10  could be used. 
   However, use of the first seal  32  permits its tightening at a lower tension that is not uncomfortable and which does not restrict blood flow to and from the hand. However, if some fluid does pass into the area between the first seal  32  and the second seal, it is at a greatly reduced pressure and it will not pass beyond the restriction provided by the second seal  40 . 
   Also, if a small quantity of the fluid becomes trapped between the first seal  32  and the second seal  40  that quantity of fluid is heated by the hand and is warmed. That small quantity of fluid that is trapped between the seals  32 ,  40  allows this portion of the cleaning device  10  to function as a wet suit. 
   The benefit provided by the two seals  32 ,  40  is that the hand remains dry during use and this is accomplished without excessive pressure or restriction. 
   Also, another benefit provided by the first seal  32  and the second seal  40  is that when they are both loosened, they provide virtually no resistance to any placing of the hand of the user  19  into the device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1  or withdrawal therefrom. 
   It is possible to modify the type of seal mechanism for either the first seal  32  or the second seal  40  or both, if desired. However, it is preferred to use the belt for the first seal  32  to provide a durable and wide seal for the first seal  32  and also for the other reasons as mentioned herein. It is desirable to use the hook and loop arrangement for the second seal  40  to provide an especially quick sealing and quick release type of mechanism, as is possible with hook and loop types of fasteners. 
   If desired, either the first and second seal  32 , could include any combination of mechanisms sufficient to provide the desired watertight sealing capability. For example, an elastomeric strap (not shown) could be used for either or both the first seal  32  and/or the second seal  40 . 
   While it is possible to eliminate either the first seal  32  or the second seal  40  but not both, the ability to prevent infiltration of the fluid into the gap  30  is greatly diminished when only one seal (either  32  or  40 ) is used. 
   The inner lining  22  provides thermal insulation properties as well. This benefit is also important. 
   The apparatus  10  is provided in both right (not shown) and left hand versions and in different sizes, as preferred. For certain tasks, only one apparatus  10  will be used at a time. For other tasks, both the right and left hand versions of the apparatus  10  will be used simultaneously. 
   If preferred, the cuff area  24  can be extended to pass as far as desired up the arm of the user  19 . Similarly, the outer lining  26  may cover as much or as little of the cuff area  24  as desired. Additional seals (not shown) may be included with extended cuff  24  versions of the device  10 . 
   If the cleaning task at hand so requires it, the outer lining  26  may include bristles  48  where desired to aid in cleaning. The bristles  48  may be of a soft or stiff material and they may, if desired, include abrasive particles  50 . 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.