Abstract:
A machine is presented for the cleaning of eyewear. The machine allows the manual or automatic cleaning of eyewear. Under both modes of operation, the eyewear is secured by a user to a support bracket inside a transparent, water-tight cylindrical wash chamber. When in manual mode, the user can direct the spray of wash fluid onto the eyewear by rotating the eyewear using a trackball. When used in automatic mode, the machine washes the eyewear during a preset washing cycle. For both modes, the washing cycle is followed by the drying cycle where a blower directs air onto the lenses for a set time period to blow off excess moisture. The drying cycle concludes with a blower venting the cylindrical wash chamber to remove residual moisture from the wash chamber and the eyewear. After the cleaning, the user removes the eyewear from the machine.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/459,857 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) which was filed on Mar. 31, 2011. The entire disclosure of the provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates to devices and methods for cleaning eyewear. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    Lenses and frames of eyewear gather dust, fingerprints, sweat, and other foreign substances through daily wearing activities. Known eyeglass cleaning devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,101 issued to Avi Mor on Sep. 1, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,350 issued to Paul Ewen on Jan. 15, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,412,980 issued to Jean Gehrig et al. on Aug. 19, 2008. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,101 discloses a compact portable lens washing apparatus including a wash chamber, a reservoir for holding wash fluid, a pair of spaced nozzles facing each other, a lens support for holding a lens between the nozzles, a pump for squirting wash fluid through the nozzles onto the lens, a heater for heating the wash fluid, mechanism for maintaining a wash fluid vapor atmosphere in the wash chamber after the pump shuts off, and electronic elements for controlling the operation of the apparatus. Also disclosed is a method for washing a lens that includes the steps of impinging the lens surfaces with an organic volatile wash fluid during a wash cycle, shutting of the flow of wash fluid, allowing residual wash fluid to be drawn of the lens edge by fibers or filaments, and drying the lens in the presence of a wash fluid vapor atmosphere. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,350 discloses a portable device for cleaning eyeglasses. A transparent enclosure is provided having an upper chamber for cleaning the eyeglasses, a lower left chamber which may be removable for containing the cleaning solution and a lower right chamber housing a pump which is powered by batteries and controlled by a microprocessor. The pump circulates cleaning solution through a plurality of apertures in the floor of the upper chamber which creates a spray on the eyeglasses. A fan with a heating coil then circulates warm air over the eyeglasses in order to dry them. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,412,980 discloses a washing machine for glass lenses or other similar items of the type including a conveyor which has a bearing surface for moving the lenses through a washing chamber made of a succession of washing means. The traction force transmitted by the aforementioned bearing surface is carried out by two chains with endless links, located on the both sides of the aforementioned bearing surface, each chain being joined at the longitudinal side corresponding to the aforementioned bearing surface and is stretched tight between two driving gears, of axis parallel to the plane of the aforementioned bearing surface and perpendicular to the direction of displacement. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The accumulation of dust, fingerprints, sweat, and other foreign substances, which impairs vision, is a problem when those who use eyewear are in locations where foreign substances such as sand grains, dust, and oils are commonly present. The manual effort of wiping lenses with a clean cloth is often unavailable or ineffective and can especially damage the lenses of the eyewear when foreign substances, such as sand grains, are wiped across them. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention have a dual purpose of utility and entertainment. 
         [0010]    Regarding utility, embodiments permit a user to direct cleaning solution to user-selected portions of the glasses so that cleaning solution can be focused on the portions of the lenses and/or frames that requiring washing. Thus, exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an eyewear washing machine utilizing nozzles that will direct a wash fluid, under pressure, onto the front and back of the lenses and onto the frames of the eyewear for a preset time period. The eyewear will be secured in place by the user to a support bracket near the center of the machine. The orientation of the support bracket may be user-controlled. The washing cycle will be followed by a drying cycle that will direct a stream of air onto the eyewear utilizing piping and a diffuser connected to a blower. 
         [0011]    Regarding entertainment, the embodiments permit manual cleaning option in a game-like, entertaining format. Additional advantages and novel aspects of embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide for entertaining a user by enabling the user to manually direct the wash fluid onto the lenses or frames of the eyewear by using a trackball to rotate the support bracket and the attached eyewear during the washing cycle. 
         [0012]    The aforementioned known glasses cleaning devices do not allow for a manual cleaning option in a game-like, entertaining format, as hereinafter described, or allow the user to focus the wash fluid on the eyewear at the point where there is greatest need. Further, known devices are limited in that they are designed for personal, rather than public, use. None of these known devices are available in a public readily accessible format and provide for the ability to clean the lenses as well as the frames of the eyewear in a focused manner. 
         [0013]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display cabinet that houses a transparent cylindrical wash chamber, the nozzles used for spraying the wash fluid on the lenses and frames of the eyewear during the washing cycle, a portion of the tubing used to transport the wash fluid from a reservoir through a pump to the nozzles during the washing cycle, a portion of the piping used to transport air from a blower to the eyewear during the drying cycle, two vent fans, and the support bracket where the eyewear will be secured during the cleaning process. 
         [0014]    According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, if the user desires to self-clean the eyewear, in the manual mode of operation, the user can utilize a trackball to rotate the support means so that the spray of wash fluid will come into contact with the attached eyewear at locations selected by the user. In addition, the base cabinet will house a computer, wash fluid return assembly, wash fluid reservoir, a pump, tubing to transport the wash fluid to the nozzles in the display cabinet, a blower, a portion of piping to transport air from the blower to the diffuser in the display cabinet, and a motor to raise and lower the cylindrical wash chamber to seal within the display cabinet during operation. 
         [0015]    In exemplary embodiments, the wash fluid is filtered water, preferably through reverse osmosis or deionization filtration methods. Also, in exemplary embodiments, the wash fluid quality detector measures the concentration of total dissolved solids in the wash fluid. Other detectors and parameters may be used for monitoring depending on the wash fluid quality which will largely be dependent upon the environment in which the machine is used. Other types of wash fluid may be employed as well. 
         [0016]    In exemplary embodiments, wash fluid is stored in a reservoir beneath the display cabinet. A pump sprays wash fluid onto the eyewear, and used wash fluid is recovered, filtered and reused resulting in a self contained operation. Periodically, wash fluid is replaced to ensure continued wash quality. A computer controller will be used for controlling the process, recording pertinent data and providing service notifications when needed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the exterior of the machine; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an isolated view of the interior of the display cabinet and the upper portion of the operations panel; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an isolated view of the support bracket; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an interior view of the machine&#39;s base cabinet and its components; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B  are a process flow algorithm for the machine when in operation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein referenced characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the machine. Eyewear  1  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not part of the machine, The hollow display cabinet  2  of the machine is made of a durable, transparent material and is of sufficient size in order to accommodate the cylindrical wash chamber  3 , the support bracket  4 , tubing  13 A,  13 B, piping  14 , nozzles  5 A,  5 B, and a diffuser  6 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Further, the display cabinet  2 , the cylindrical wash chamber  3  must be sufficiently sized so that when the display cabinet  2  and the cylindrical wash chamber  3  are open, the user of the machine is able to insert his hands inside the display cabinet  2  and cylindrical wash chamber  3  and attach eyewear  1  to the support bracket  4 . In this embodiment, the display cabinet  2  is cylindrical in shape with a sliding front door (not shown) and includes a safety mechanism such that the machine&#39;s washing and cleaning operations are incapable of functioning unless the display cabinet is closed. Another safety mechanism is employed to prevent the premature closing of the cylindrical wash chamber  3  before a user removes his hands from the machine. The display cabinet  2  is supported by the control cabinet  7 . 
         [0023]    The cylindrical wash chamber  3  when closed and, as shown in  FIG. 2  seals to an inverted dome  8  located on the ceiling of the display cabinet  2 . In this embodiment, the cylindrical wash chamber has an approximate diameter of 12 inches. To open the cylindrical wash chamber  3 , the chamber  3  is lowered vertically downward within the control cabinet  7 . When in motion, the chamber  3  is in contact with a gasket  16  to remove wash fluid droplets that adhere to its interior surface. To close the chamber  3 , it is raised a set distance until it creates a water tight seal with the inverted dome  8 . 
         [0024]    Mounted near the center of the display cabinet  2  and the chamber  3  when closed there is a support bracket  4 , which, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is attached to gear assembly  25  located in the top  9  of the display cabinet  2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the support bracket  4  comprises a stem  17 , two linear bars  19 , which are opposite one another and emanating from the rear edge of a disc  20 , a bracket bar  21 , which protrudes from the front of the disc  20  perpendicular to the linear bars  19 , and a nose bridge holding assembly  18  attached to the end of the bracket bar  21  that is opposite the stem  17 . In this embodiment, the stem  17  is cylindrical in shape and has a length of approximately 12 inches and a diameter of approximately 0.5 inches. The stem  17  connects to a gear assembly  25  located in the top  9  that enables the support bracket  4  to rotate from side to side. The linear bars  19  can be cylindrical in shape with an approximate diameter of 0.5 inches and each have a length of approximately four inches. Further, the linear bars  19  each have, extending vertically at their outermost end, a loop  22  of adequate size to allow the arms of standard eyewear  1  to pass through each loop  22  when being secured into the support bracket  4  as shown in  FIG. 2 , The bracket bar  21  is also rectangular in shape with an approximate length of three inches. Contained within the bracket bar  21  is a resilient member (e.g., spring  26 ) connected to the disc  20  and the nose bridge holding assembly  18 . Attached at the end of the bracket bar  21 , which is opposite the end attached at the disc  20 , is the nose bridge holding assembly  18 , which further comprises a vertically-aligned cradle or notch  23 , with a fastener  24  molded into the cradle  23 , which secures the eyewear  1  during operation of the machine. In this embodiment the fastener  24  is metal with a polyethylene cover. 
         [0025]    The support bracket  4  for the eyewear  1  is capable of accommodating eyewear  1  of varying sizes and shapes. The cradle  23  and the fastener  24 , with a polyethylene cover further provide a slip resistant surface for the eyewear  1 , Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the tensile strength of the spring connecting the holding assembly  18  and the disk  20  is calibrated to snugly clamp the nose bridge of the eyewear  1 . The slip resistance and secure hold of the support bracket  4  elements are necessary so that the eyewear  1  remains stationary throughout the washing and drying cycles and through the various movements created by the gear assembly  25 . The loops  22  of the support bracket  4  and the disk  20  are sized to fit the stems of eyewear  1  of varying styles and leave the eyewear  1  in an open position. The support bracket  4  firmly supports the eyewear  1 , and because the eyewear  1  is maintained in an open position the support bracket provides the greatest available surface area for wash fluid  39  contact and cleaning purposes. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bottom center of the display cabinet  2  includes a drain  10  with a diameter approximately the same as the cylindrical wash chamber  3 . The drain is underlain by a fabric filter  11 . The top  9  is also equipped with two vent fans  12  and an antenna  29  for receiving and transmitting information. An operations panel  15  is situated in front of the display cabinet  2  and includes a touch screen  27  and a trackball  28  so the user can operate the machine. The operations panel  15  also includes a payment center  46  where the user can choose his method of payment. In the exemplary embodiment the payment center  46  allows the user to pay using cash, credit or debit card, or through an electronic transaction (e.g., smart phone application with code retrieval and input). The operations panel  15  is operatively connected to the computerized controller  42 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the wash fluid reservoir  30  is made of a durable, non-corrosive material and is located at the bottom in the interior of the base cabinet  12 . The weight of the wash fluid  39  stored in the wash fluid reservoir  30 , will further aid in stabilizing the machine. A wash fluid quality detector  31  will be placed the wash fluid reservoir  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the wash fluid reservoir  30  has a 5-gallon capacity and is a standard water bottle. Further the wash fluid quality detector measures total dissolved solid in the wash fluid  39 . The preferred wash fluid  39  is water filtered through reverse osmosis or other filtration methods. 
         [0028]    The use of water filtered with reverse osmosis as the wash fluid  39  has distinct advantages over other options considered and used by others. First, because the wash fluid  39  is water, there will not be a need for special handling, management of materials, or concerns over leakage. This would be the case if other solvents were used. Second, reverse osmosis water normally has a pH which is slightly less than normal (pH of 7). Therefore, the use of reverse osmosis water as a wash fluid helps to dissolve solids which are adhering to the eyewear  1 . Third, because of its lower mineral content, reverse osmosis water will prevent spotting on the eyewear  1 . A final advantage of the reverse osmosis water over other types of wash fluids is the ability to regenerate and reuse the wash fluid  39  once it is determined to be ineffective. The ability to reuse a large percentage of wash fluid  39  greatly increases the cost efficiency of the machine. Also, the ability to use common water filtration devices to filter and recycle used wash fluid  39  allows for greater operating times between wash fluid change outs. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pump  32  is mounted inside the base cabinet  12 . A suction hose  33  is attached at one end to the pump  32  and extends from the pump  32  into the wash fluid reservoir  30  near its base. The end of the suction hose  33  has an in-line filter  34  attached to it. When the machine is operating during the washing cycle, the pump  32  will draw wash fluid  39  from the wash fluid reservoir  26 , through the in-line filter  30  and through the suction hose  29 . The wash fluid  39  is then conveyed from the pump  32  through tubing  13 A,  13 B, which are connected at the pump  32  outlet. A blower  35  is mounted in the base cabinet. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the tubing  13 A,  13 B and piping  14  extend up from the pump  32  and the blower  35 , respectively, through the base cabinet  12  and into the display cabinet  2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , tubing  13 A and  13 B extend and connect to nozzles  5 A and  5 B to a point approximately 3 inches in front and behind of nose bridge holding assembly  18  when the cylindrical wash chamber  3  is closed. The center of the diffuser  6  will be aligned horizontally with the nose bridge holding assembly  18  and situated approximately 5 inches above the eyewear  1  when attached to support bracket  4 . In this embodiment, the pump  32  has an operating pressure range of at least 200 to no greater than 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The preferred application pressure is at least 250 psi and no more than 300 psi. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is an accordion drain line  36  that is attached to the catch-pan  37  that supports the cylindrical wash chamber. Used wash fluid  39  collects in the catch-pan  37  following the washing cycle and drains through the accordion drain line  36  into a collector  38 . A transfer pump  40  pumps used wash fluid  39  through a filter series  41  and returns the wash fluid to the reservoir  30 . In exemplary embodiments, the filter series  41  comprises an ultraviolet light filter followed by a carbon filter, and the collector  38  has a capacity of one-half gallon. Other filtration methods may include reverse osmosis or ion exchange and can be considered in series or in isolation depending on the filtration demand. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the exterior of the operations panel  15  includes a trackball  28 , which controls the gear assembly  25 , and a touch screen  27  to allow the user to interact with the computerized controller  42 . The machine also includes one or more audio speakers  45  which allow for audio communication with the user depending on the machine status. In automatic mode, the computerized controller  42 , which, as shown in  FIG. 4 , is mounted in the base cabinet  12 , will activate the gear assembly  25  causing the support bracket  4  to rotate side-to-side. As shown in  FIG. 3 , this rotation will deflect the loops  22  approximately one inch in each direction from the support bracket&#39;s  4  starting position during both the wash cycle and drying cycle. This will allow for all parts of standard eyewear  1  respectively to be fully exposed to the nozzles  5 A and  5 B, and the diffuser  6  during the washing cycle and drying cycle, respectively. When the machine is being operated in manual mode, the user can activate the gear assembly  25  and cause the support bracket  4  to rotate by moving the trackball  28 . Alternatively, the trackball  28 , as well as the touch screen  27  can be eliminated in which case the machine would always function in automatic mode. Instead of the touch screen  27 , a touchpad may be used. 
         [0032]    Other input devices, such as a joystick, a directional keypad, etc. may also be used in addition to or instead of the trackball  28 . According to the present example, when the machine is being operated in manual mode, the trackball  28  is both durable and the requires limited motion to be affected, and has been found by the inventor to be more appealing to young children who use the machine. 
         [0033]    Further, the computerized controller  42  activates a sliding motor  43 , as shown in  FIG. 4  that will rotate the display cabinet  2  to an open position allowing the user to secure the eyewear  1  to the support bracket  4 . Once the eyewear is secured and hands are cleared from the machine, the computerized controller  42  activates a lift motor  44  that will raise the cylindrical wash chamber  3  to a closed position. The computerized controller  42  also activates sliding motor  43  to close the display cabinet  2 . The computerized controller  42  will then initiate the wash cycle by activating the pump  32  for a preset time period and then initiate the drying cycle by activating the blower  35 , which operates for a preset time period. Near the conclusion of the machine&#39;s drying cycle, the computerized controller  42  activates the two vent fans  12  which will operate for a preset period to evacuate residual moisture in the cylindrical wash chamber  3 . The computerized controller  42  completes the process by opening the cylindrical wash chamber  3  with the lift motor  44  and the display cabinet  2  with the sliding motor  43  to allow the user to remove his eyewear  1  from the support bracket  4 . 
         [0034]    The computerized controller  42  is also capable of transmitting data and messages communicating wirelessly via the antenna  29 . The computerized controller  42  will perform system diagnostics periodically to ensure the machine is in service. Because it is anticipated that machines will be located at various locations of greatest need, communications with a central operator or technician is necessary to ensure timely maintenance. The technology for the exchange of operational status information via wireless communication or wireline has been previously disclosed in applications such as U.S.2010/0268792 and is incorporated herein by reference. These systems may be integrated or utilized wholly or partially in various embodiments to maintain communications amongst the machines in service and the operator or technician. 
         [0035]    Next, the eyewear washing method is described with reference to  FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B . The method is executed by the computerized controller  42  by executing a program stored thereon when the machine is turned on. First, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the computerized controller will determine whether or not the machine is in service (Step S 10 ). If there is a fault in the machine (Step S 10 : No) the computerized controller  42  transmits an appropriate fault message (Step S 30 ) to an operator or technician. If the machine is in service (Step S 10 : Yes), the machine prompts the user to insert payment (Step S 20 ). If payment is not received (Step S 20 : No), the machine returns to ready mode (Step S 10 ). If payment is received (Step S 20 : Yes), the display cabinet  2  opens (Step S 40 ) and the user inserts his eyewear  1  into the support bracket  4  (Step S 50 ). 
         [0036]    If the user&#39;s hands or other objects remain in the machine (Step S 60 : No), the user is prompted via the speakers  45  and the touch screen  27  to remove hands or articles from the machine (Step S 70 ). Once the user&#39;s hands are removed from the display cabinet  2  (Step S 60 : Yes), the cylindrical wash chamber  3  and the display cabinet  2  will close (Step S 80 ). Referring to  FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B , the user selects either an automatic or manual mode of operation (Step S 90 ). In the automatic mode (Step S 100 )(Step S 90 : Auto), the computerized controller  42  will oscillate the support bracket  4  and the eyewear  1  throughout as wash fluid  39  is sprayed onto the eyewear for a preset time period. If the manual mode (Step S 110 )(Step S 90 : Manual), the user guides the support bracket  4  with the trackball  28  to allow wash fluid  39  to come in contact with selected parts of the eyewear  1  over a preset time period. 
         [0037]    The drying cycle (Step S 120 ) follows the wash cycle. The computerized controller  42  automatically oscillates the support bracket  4  and the eyewear  1  and operates the blower  35  for a preset time period. The computerized controller turns off the blower and activates the two vent fans  12  which again operate for a preset period to complete the drying cycle (Step S 120 ). After the drying cycle the cylindrical wash chamber  3  and the display cabinet  2  open (Step S 130 ). The user removes the eyewear  1  from the machine (Step S 140 : Yes). If the user fails to remove his glasses (Step S 140 : No), the user is prompted via the speakers  45  and the touch screen  27  to remove hands and eyewear (Step S 150 ). Once the user retrieves his eyewear the display cabinet  2  closes (Step S 160 ). The computerized controller will determine if the machine remains in service. (Step S 10 ) and the process is repeated. 
         [0038]    The machine and accompanying method described in the embodiments above provide an improvement over the related art because the machine is be readily available at locations of greatest need. Further, the machine and method are simple to use and allow the user the option to isolate wash fluid on the dirtiest part of the eyewear. The machine includes a display cabinet, cylindrical wash chamber, operations panel, and a control cabinet. 
         [0039]    While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying inventive principles. 
         [0040]    For example, a version may be presented without the touch screen  27  or the payment center  46 . It is conceivable that, depending on the desired machine performance, the filter series  41  could be totally or partially bypassed or that other filtration methods may be employed. Also, because it is not critical to the operation, the display cabinet  2  could remain in the open position while the machine is operating. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions and operating parameters and process contained herein.