Abstract:
A ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper is used to remove mineral deposits from ceramic surfaces by scrapping the surface. The scrapper can be manufactured from plastic. A shaft of plastic is cut at an acute angle which provides a cutting edge that can extend over nearly a 108° arc. A handle is mounted to the other end of the shaft. The scrapper removes the mineral deposits without scratching the surface of the ceramic.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to the co-filed U.S. applications Ser. No. 29/511,007 entitled “Ceramic Surface Mineral Deposit Scrapper”, filed on Dec. 5, 2014, which are assigned to the same assignee as the present application and invented by the same inventor as the present application and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Ceramic and porcelain cab ne formed from clay and water that is worked into a clay compound which is placed in a form. The clay compound is then glazed then heated in a kiln to harden. The clay compound covered with the glaze, once out of the kiln, has a smooth finish that is waterproof and strong. The finished product is called a ceramic or porcelain. These forms can be used to shape the day compound into consumer products such as toilets, sinks, cookware, and bathtubs. The smooth surface, if maintained properly, can be kept clean and sanitary. Therefore, these products have a potential to perform well in a water environment that is found in the home, i.e. the bathroom or kitchen. 
         [0003]    Water an important medium plays an important role in the home to offer cleaning power. However, water also can carry minerals which the water absorbs from the earth as the water perks through the various layers of earth. These layers can contain deposits of calcium and magnesium-containing minerals causing the water to absorb these components becoming hard water. Hard water is fine to drink but causes problems when the water containing these minerals are applied to the suffices of ceramic or porcelain found in the home. The concentration of calcium or magnesium in the water can range from under a 100 to over 500 or more parts per million (ppm) or higher. Over time, depending on the concentration, the minerals slowly adhere to the surface of the ceramic or porcelain and cause a build-up of a mineral deposit coating. This coating can be difficult to remove. 
         [0004]    One way of removing the mineral deposit coating is h applying chemicals to the surface of the mineral deposit coating causing the coating to dissolve and/or weaken. If there is a reservoir of water covering the costing, the water usually needs to he removed so that the applied chemicals are not diluted when acting on the coating. If the coating is exposed, a cloth wetted with the chemicals is applied or pasted to the coating to let the chemical work on the coating. Then, after a period of time, the coating is weakened; the coating can be removed by a rubbing or rinsing action. 
         [0005]    The chemical means of removal of the coating requires a period of time and special procedures (draining the reservoir of water or pasting the chemical to an exposed coating). Both of these methods are an inconvenience to the user. 
         [0006]    Another way of removing the mineral deposit coating is by using an abrasive action such as rubbing the coating with a pumice stone. The pumice stone is wetted and rubbed with force against the coating. The abrasive action slowly removes the coating. 
         [0007]    There are concerns over the potential damage of the abrasive action of the pumice stone on the surface of the ceramic or porcelain. Although the surface can become clean, the abrasive action of the stone on the surface of the ceramic over a period of time is believed to scratch the surface of the ceramic. Secondly, for mineral deposit coating in corners or in tight areas are difficult to remove because of the confined spaces of the corners block the pumice stone from making contact with the mineral deposit coating. Thus, some regions of the mineral deposit coatings are not accessible by the pumice stone. 
         [0008]    A way of quickly removing the mineral deposit coating is desirable. Firstly, removing the mineral deposit coating in corners or tight areas without the use of chemicals is needed. Secondly, removing the coating without the need for draining the reservoir of water would beneficial. Lastly, avoiding the possibility of an abrasive action on the surface of the ceramic would be desirable. A way of achieving all these features will be presented. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    This invention helps to overcome these shortcoming and offer several other advantages as well. Various embodiments and aspects of the inventions will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. Some diagrams are not drawn to scale. The following description and drawings are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. However, certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of the embodiments of the present inventions. 
         [0010]    One of the embodiments of this disclosure presents a shaft cut at an acute angle creating a cutting edge extending over 180° arc. The cutting edge can be positioned and placed at the ceramic-(mineral deposit coating) interface. By applying force to the cutting edge, mineral deposits can be scrapped from the surface of the ceramic object. The scrapping direction can occur in a parallel direction to the projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. In addition, the scrapping direction can be directed in an acute angle measured from this projection. 
         [0011]    Another embodiment relates to a plastic scrapper apparatus comprising: a shall with a first end, a second end and an outer surface; an axis along the center of the shaft; a handle coupled to the first end of the shaft; a planar surface forming the second end of the shaft; an acute angle greater than zero formed between the planar surface and the axis of the shaft; and all acute angled edges formed between the outer surface of the shaft and the planar surface presents a cutting edge; wherein the cutting edge can he used to remove a mineral deposit coating, adhered to a surface of a ceramic object, wherein the cutting edge is placed in contact with an interface between the ceramic object and the mineral deposit coating, wherein a removal of the mineral deposit coating occurs when the shaft is forced to move along the surface of the ceramic object in any acute angled path with respect to a projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. The apparatus wherein the shaft is cylindrical along its length, wherein the shaft is oval along its length, wherein the plastic scrapper apparatus removes all mineral deposits that formed on the surface of the ceramic object, wherein the ceramic object is selected from the group consisting of a sink, a bathtub, and a toilet. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment relates to a plastic scrapper apparatus comprising: a shaft having an outer surface surrounding an axis of the shaft; as handle coupled to a first end of the shaft; a second end of the shaft having a planar surface; an acute angle greater than zero formed between the planar surface and the axis of the shaft; and all acute edges formed between the outer surface of the shaft and the planar surface presents a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge can be used to remove a mineral deposit coating adhered to a surface of a ceramic object, wherein the ceramic object is selected from the group consisting of a sink, a bathtub, and a toilet. The apparatus wherein the cutting edge is placed in contact with an interface between the ceramic object and the mineral deposit coating, wherein a removal of the mineral deposit coating occurs when the shaft is forced to move along the surface of the ceramic object in any acute angled path with respect to a projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. The apparatus wherein the shaft is cylindrical along its length, wherein the shaft is oval along, its length, wherein the plastic scrapper apparatus removes a mineral deposit that formed on the surface of a ceramic object. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment relates to a plastic scrapper apparatus comprising: a shaft having an outer surface surrounding an axis of the shaft; a handle coupled to a first end of the shaft; a second end of the shaft having a planar surface; an acute angle formed between the planar surface and the axis of the shaft; and any acute angled edges formed between the outer surface of the shaft and the planar surface presents a cutting edge; wherein a force can be applied to the cutting edge to remove a mineral deposit coating adhered to a surface of a ceramic object, wherein the ceramic object is selected from the group consisting of a sink, a bathtub, and a toilet, wherein the plastic scrapper apparatus removes the mineral deposit that formed on the surface of the ceramic object. The apparatus wherein the cutting edge is placed in contact with an interface between the ceramic object and the mineral deposit coating, wherein a removal of the mineral deposit coating occurs when the shaft is forced to move along the surface of the ceramic object in any acute angled path with respect to a projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Please note that the drawings shown in this specification may not necessarily be drawn to scale and the relative dimensions of various elements in the diagrams are depicted schematically. The inventions presented here may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments arc provided so that this disclosure will he through and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper for a handled tool in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper for a handled tool in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper for a handled tool in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper for a handled tool in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  depicts the tip of the scrapper illustrating the planar surface and shaft of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  shows a side view of the edge of the scrapper in  FIG. 5A  of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a top view highlighting the lower side edge of the scrapper of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  presents a front view of the lower side edge of the scrapper in  FIG. 6A  of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a top view highlighting an obtuse edge of the scrapper of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7B  depicts the side view of the scrapper illustrating the obtuse angle of the planar surface and shaft of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A  shows a side view of a ceramic object coated with mineral deposits being scrapped by the scrapper of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a side view of a ceramic object coated with mineral deposits being scrapped by the scrapper with a cutting edge less than 90° of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8C  presents a side view of a ceramic object coated with mineral deposits attempting to be scrapped by the scrapper with a cutting edge greater than 90° of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  shows a top view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper illustrating the 180° arc spread of the cutting edge of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  illustrates the cutting edge decreasing from less than 90° to a minimum (corresponding to the edge illustrated in  FIG. 5B ) then increasing back to less than 90° (corresponding to the edge illustrated in  FIG. 6A ) by proceeding from A to B of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  presents a top view of the tip of a ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper as indicated in  FIG. 4  of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a top view of a ceramic object coated with mineral deposits being scrapped by the scrapper in a direction parallel to the projection of the axis of the shaft of the scrapper onto the surface of the ceramic object of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  presents a side view of  FIG. 10B  of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10D  shows a top view of a ceramic object coated with mineral deposits being scrapped by the scrapper in an angled direction that is acute Φ to the projection of the axis of the shaft of the scrapper onto the surface of the ceramic object of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10E  presents a side view of  FIG. 10D  of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper with a handle  1 - 1 , a shaft  1 - 2 , the axis of the shaft  1 - 4 , and the planar surface  1 - 3 . The handle can be a handle having finger grips or an even more elaborate design not illustrated). The shaft can have a circular or oval cross-section and can he formed from a material similar to plastic. This type of plastic does not scratch or leaves visible marks on the ceramic surface when the plastic is used as a scrapper.  FIG. 2  is a side view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper for a handled tool.  FIG. 3  is a top view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper. The dotted region  5 A will be illustrated in  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the ceramic surface mineral deposit scrapper. The dotted region  10 A will be presented in  FIG. 10A . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5A  highlights the detail illustrated in  FIG. 3  corresponding to the tip of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  and the back of the shaft  1 - 2  meet within the region  5 B. A side view of the region  5 B is provided in  FIG. 5B . The planar surface  1 - 3  intersects and meets the surface of the back of the shaft  1 - 2  to create a cutting edge  5 - 1  at the tip of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  meets the surface of the shaft at an acute angle φ which is less than 90°. The angle is also minimum at this point  5 - 1 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a side edge region  6 B of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  and the side surface of the shaft  1 - 2  meet tangentially at the intersection  6 - 1 . A side view of the region  6 B is provided in  FIG. 6B . The planar surface  1 - 3  intersects and meets the side surface of the shaft  1 - 2  to create an edge  6 - 1  at this interface of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  meets the surface of the shaft at a right angle φ as illustrated by the tangential line  6 - 2 . The angle φ is called the attack angle. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7A  illustrates a top edge region  7 B of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  and the top surface of the shaft  1 - 2  meet at the intersection  7 - 1  at the top of the shaft. A side view of the region  7 B is provided in  FIG. 7B . The planar surface  1 - 3  intersects and meets the top surface of the shaft  1 - 2  to create an edge  7 - 1  at this interface of the scrapper. The planar surface  1 - 3  meets the surface of the shaft at an obtuse angle φ as illustrated  7 - 1 . The angle φ is also maximum at this point. These angles φ are called the attack angle. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5-7  presents the various attack angles of φ made between the planar surface  1 - 3  and the surface of the shaft along the edge of the planar surface  1 - 3 . These attack angles of φ ranges from a minimum angle less than 90 to a maximum angle that is obtuse. The mineral deposits can be more easily removed if the attack angle of φ is acute (this range of attack angles are called the cutting angle). This way the edge of the scrapper has an opportunity to get under the mineral deposits and separate these mineral deposits from the ceramic object. This is further discussed in the description of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a side view of a mineral deposit  8 - 1  adhered to a ceramic object  8 - 2 . A scrapper (equivalent to that illustrated in  FIG. 5B ) shows the scrapper being forced by the force F 1 . The force is in a parallel direction to the projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. This force is transferred to the cutting edge  8 - 3  which is applied to the interface between the mineral deposit  8 - 1  and the ceramic object  8 - 2 . The force causes the cutting edge to move under the leading edge of the mineral deposit. The force causes the leading edge of the mineral deposit to separate from the ceramic object; thereby, cleaning the ceramic object. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8B  illustrates also a side view of a mineral deposit  8 - 1  adhered to a ceramic object  8 - 2 . A scrapper (approximately equal to the position of the cutting edge  6 - 3  in  FIG. 6A ) shows the scrapper being forced by the force F 2 . This force is transferred to the cutting edge  8 - 5  which is applied to the interface between the mineral deposit  8 - 1  and the ceramic object  8 - 2 . This force can be directed in an acute angle measured from this projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object. The three causes the cutting edge (since it is less than 90°) to move under the leading edge of the mineral deposit. The force causes the leading edge of the mineral deposit to separate from the ceramic object; thereby, cleaning the ceramic object. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8C  illustrates also a side view of a mineral deposit  8 - 1  adhered to a ceramic object  8 - 2 . A scrapper (equivalent to that illustrated in  FIG. 7B ) shows the scrapper being forced by the force F 3 . This force has a difficulty being transferred to the attack angle  7 - 1  which is applied to the interface between the mineral deposit  8 - 1  and the ceramic object  8 - 2 . The force causes the edge of the attack angle (since it is obtuse) to move over the leading edge of the mineral deposit. This force causes scrapper to move over the mineral deposit  8 - 1 . In this case, the mineral deposit would have difficulty in being removed since the scrapper has a greater likelihood to slip over the leading edge of the mineral deposit; thereby, not having an opportunity to remove the mineral deposit. 
         [0043]      FIG. 9A  indicates the location of the where the attack angle φ becomes a cutting edge. This occurs when the angel between the planar surface  1 - 3  and the surface of the shaft  1 - 2  has an angle that is acute. This occurs at the edge of the scrapper between the angular region defined by the arc of  9 B. Points A and B define the locations of the extremity of the attack angle φ that is equal to 90°. Thus, the cutting edge extends almost 180°. This is further illustrated in  FIG. 9B . Moving away from A, the cutting edge is less than 90. The cutting edge reaches a minimum cutting edge (acute angle the smallest) at the tip of the scrapper  5 - 1 . Then, the cutting edge starts to increase as point B is approached while moving along the arc of  9 B. 
         [0044]      FIG. 10A  presents the area highlighted in  FIG. 4  which corresponds to the top view of the scrapper. The scrapper in  FIG. 10B  is moved forward by force F 1  to remove the mineral deposit  8 - 1 . A side view along  10 C is presented in  FIG. 10C . The tip of the scrapper has the minimum angle of the cutting edge and can be used to separate a portion of the mineral deposit  8 - 1  from the ceramic surface  8 - 2 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 10D  presents the cutting, edge defined by the point  6 - 3  in  FIG. 6A . The scrapper in  FIG. 10D  is moved at an acute angle Φ from the projection of the axis of the shaft onto the surface of the ceramic object by force F 4  to remove a portion of the mineral deposit  8 - 1 . A side view along  10 E is presented in  FIG. 10E . The tip of the scrapper has a cutting edge with a larger angle than before. However, the angle is less than 90°. This angle is sufficient to separate the mineral deposit  8 - 1  from the ceramic surface  8 - 2 . 
         [0046]    Finally, it is understood that the above description is only illustrative of the principles of the current invention. It is understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not mutually exclusive. In accordance with these principles, those skilled in the art may devise numerous modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The ceramic object can he a sink, a bathtub, or a toilet. The handle can be shaped to fit the fingers of the hand or be just a simple cylindrical cover that can be held. After removal of the mineral build, the conventional cleaning methods (which could not clean the mineral deposits) can be used to further clean the area of the easily removable stains and dirt. A shaft is an object with which has a cross-sectional symmetry along its length axis. The cross-sectional symmetry can have the shape of a circle or oval, for example. When the cross-sectional symmetry is a circle, the shaft defines a cylinder. A planar surface is a flat surface as when a surface is defined by a geometric plane. Acute angled edges are formed when the angle between the outer surface of the shaft and the planar surface is less than 90 degrees. These edges present a cutting edge. The cutting edge of the scraper tool occurs when the attack angle (φ) is &lt;90°. Plastic as used in this document includes but is not limited to: Polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene, or acrylic. These types of plastics would not scratch ceramic or porcelain. Attack angle is the measured angle between the surface of the shaft and the planar surface. Mineral deposits can include calcium and magnesium derived from materials such as limestone, chalk and dolomite.