Patent Publication Number: US-7594294-B2

Title: Cleaning implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority based on U.S. provisional applications 60/784,540, filed Mar. 22, 2006, and 60/844,868, filed Sep. 15, 2006. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to devices for cleaning windows and other hard surfaces. More particularly, it relates to “all-in-one” type devices that deliver a cleaning fluid, work the fluid along the surface being cleaned, squeegee the used liquid off the surface, and collect the used liquid. 
   Cleaning of windows and other hard surfaces typically requires several tools and is a multi-step process. One typically picks up a spray bottle and sprays the window, then picks up a sponge or cloth and works the cleaning fluid along the window glass, then picks up a squeegee to drive the used cleaning fluid off the window, then dries the remaining “drool” with a rag or the like. Hence, several devices are required, and additional time is needed to shift from device to device. Moreover, this process may leave wet and soiled paper or rags to be dealt with or disposed of. 
   There have been attempts to collect liquid as it is being squeegeed off windows or other surfaces, using wicking or absorbent layers adjacent the squeegee blade. See e.g., U. S. Pat. Nos. 5,970,560, 6,092,255 and 6,668,418. Even when using such devices one will still need to use a separate spray bottle. 
   While there have been a variety of attempts to incorporate a source of cleaning fluid into a cleaning device (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,021), most of these devices do not provide the capability for collecting the squeegee “drool”. While this is not a serious problem for automobile use, or for use on the outside of buildings, use on the interior surfaces of building windows can be problematic, particularly where sensitive paint or flooring is adjacent the window being cleaned. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,195 discloses a window cleaning device in which there is a reservoir containing cleaning liquid that impregnates a moistening element/sponge. Adjacent to that is a squeegee which collects the liquid and drives it to an adjacent catch reservoir on the device. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,701 discloses a device which supplies a cleaning liquid, squeegees it off the window, and collects at least some of it in an adjoining absorbent pad region. However, with these devices, once the liquid is used up or the collection capacity of the device exceeded, it is difficult to adapt the device for continued use. Moreover, the devices are not compact and carry unnecessary weight. 
   While replaceable cartridges have been used in a variety of contexts (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,669), there is still a need for a compact, replaceable refill element that both delivers cleaning fluid and absorbs it in the context of a cleaning implement of the all-in-one type. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a cleaning implement for cleaning a surface. It has a support head mounting a squeegee blade and a substrate structure. The substrate structure is impregnated with a cleaning fluid and is suitable to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface as well as to collect used cleaning fluid driven by the squeegee blade off the surface. The squeegee blade and a portion of the substrate structure are capable of simultaneously touching the surface as it is cleaned. 
   In preferred embodiments the substrate structure and the squeegee blade are both removably mountable to the support head, the support head is pivotably linked to a handle, and there is a spring linked to the handle and support head to control pivotal movement of the support head (to improve positioning of the blade relative to the substrate and glass, and to equalize pressure. 
   The substrate structure can be formed from a single block, albeit it may alternatively be of several pieces. Most preferred for the substrate structure are polyester fiber materials, polypropylene fiber materials, cellulose acetate fiber materials, and bonded polyolefin fiber materials available from Filtrona Richmond Inc. (Colonial Heights, Va.)(e.g. BFP or BNW grades). Also preferred are porous polyethylene or polyvinylacetate material available from Porex, or a cellulosic pad with horizontal capillary fibers made of plastic to improve integrity and water transport. Another possibility is to use a melamine foam. 
   In other preferred forms the substrate structure has a portion suitable to face the surface being cleaned, where that portion has an inset area or step adjacent to the squeegee blade to facilitate collecting used cleaning fluid, and an outwardly extending portion more remote from the squeegee blade suitable to contact the surface being cleaned. The squeegee blade is attached to the support head and the substrate structure may be removable from the support head while the squeegee blade remains linked to the support head. Such a device can be used for cleaning windows by applying a window cleaner. 
   In another aspect the invention provides a refill kit for an implement suitable to treat a hard surface. It has a squeegee blade mounted to an anchor, the anchor being suitable to mount the blade to the implement, and a porous substrate impregnated with a window cleaner, the porous substrate being suitable to deliver the window cleaner to the hard surface as well as to collect used window cleaner. 
   The squeegee blade can be wider than the porous substrate, and the porous substrate can have a portion suitable to face the surface being treated, where that portion has an inset area to facilitate collecting used window cleaner and has an outwardly extending portion suitable to contact the surface being treated. 
   In another aspect the invention provides a method of cleaning a hard surface with a tool. One applies liquid stored in the tool to the surface, squeegees the liquid off the surface using the tool, and then absorbs the squeegeed liquid from the surface into a porous absorbent of the tool. The applying, squeegeeing and absorbing steps can be achieved via a single downward stroke of the tool along the hard surface. For example the hard surface can be a window and the liquid can be a window cleaner. 
   Particularly desirable is that the substrate structure have a portion designed to face the surface being cleaned, where that facing portion has an inset adjacent to a squeegee blade to facilitate collecting used cleaning fluid, and an outwardly extending portion suitable to contact the surface being cleaned (to apply and work in the cleaning liquid). This helps avoid leaving dirtied cleaning liquid on the glass or other hard surface. 
   In some forms the squeegee blade is retained with the substrate structure in a single replaceable cartridge unit. Alternatively and preferably, the squeegee blade can be separately mounted to the support head and the substrate structure can be removable from the support head while the squeegee blade remains on the support head. This permits the substrate to be replaced more frequently than the squeegee blade, recognizing that cleaning liquid is typically used up from a substrate more quickly than a squeegee blade wears out. 
   The substrate can be stored for sale in a hermetically sealed pouch. Once the pouch is opened, the substrate structure is installed on the tool, and then may be covered until cleaning is to begin (or between uses). This inhibits the cleaning fluid from evaporating from the substrate structure. 
   Such devices are most suitable for cleaning building windows. However, they can also be used for cleaning automobile windows and other hard surfaces such as those found in bathing and showering areas or on counter tops. A variety of cleaning liquids can be used ranging from water to specialized window cleaners (e.g. Windex® brand window cleaner), to other hard surface cleaning fluids. 
   When the substrate structure is a single piece it can deliver the cleaning fluid to the window, and then also absorb the cleaning fluid back into itself. Surprisingly, this form of substrate structure can also act as a filter to reprocess the cleaning fluid so that it can to some extent then be used again. Hence, the amount of impregnating fluid, and thus the weight of the device, can be kept to a minimum. 
   Even when the substrate structure is a multiple piece structure (e.g. one material to absorb and another or more of the same material to deliver), windows can be cleaned without the need for a separate spray bottle, or other separate drying cloths or squeegees. 
   In addition to cleaning, the liquid impregnating the substrate structure could also treat the surface in other ways. For example, the liquid could contain polishes, antibacterial treatments and/or insecticides. 
   A handle can be elongated by flipping out a lower handle part relative to the upper handle part, preferably with an automatic latch that engages when this occurs. Either handle part may also have a hole through it to facilitate hanging of the device on a nail or other hanger between uses. 
   The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the following description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of non-limiting illustration preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a cleaning (or other surface treating) implement of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  is an enlarged frontal perspective view of a latching portion of the handle structure; 
       FIG. 2  is a frontal perspective view of the support head portion, and part of the handle structure, of the  FIG. 1  cleaning implement; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the  FIG. 2  structure; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a first refill of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the structure shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a left side elevational view of a portion of the  FIG. 1  assembly; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial vertical sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7 , but taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1 , and with the device being rubbed against a window; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative, more preferred, embodiment where a squeegee blade is in the process of being installed; and 
       FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the  FIG. 9  embodiment, but with the squeegee blade already installed, and with a substrate structure in the process of being installed. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4  there is shown a cleaning device  10  of the present invention having a handle  12  linked to a support head  14 . A replaceable cartridge  16  is mountable on the support head via a pivotable holder  18 . 
   The cartridge  16  has an outer rear shell  20 , a squeegee blade  22  positionable inside and at an upper end of the shell, and an absorbent substrate structure  24  positionable below the squeegee blade in the shell  20 . In a preferred embodiment the substrate structure is essentially a 215 cm×20 cm×13 cm block of Filtrona brand plastic fiber material. That substrate structure is then impregnated with 20 ml of a window cleaner such as Windex® brand window cleaner. 
   Preferably the handle  12  is formed of two segments  32  and  34  that are pivotally connected ( 36 ) near adjacent ends of the segments. Thus, the segment  34  can be flipped out following the direction of arrow  38  to obtain a longer effective handle. Alternatively, the segments can be pivoted into overlapping configuration for easy storage and transportation. 
     FIG. 1A  shows that the segment  32  may have a spring-biased latch  40  that has a spring  42  and a lever  44  operably connected to the spring. The segment  32  may also have a groove  46  and a cross plate  48 . The spring  42  sits in the groove  46  and is anchored to a back wall  50  and the cross plate  48  holds the lever  44  as well as the spring  42  in place. When the segment  34  is flipped out, the spring  42  pushes the lever  44  to sit on top a seat  52  of the segment  34 , locking the segments  32  and  34  in an unfolded, elongated position. A user can push the lever  44  in the opposite direction  51  to unseat the lever and the segment  34  can be flipped back towards the segment  32  and the two segments may then be locked in a folded position via a snap together connection (not shown). 
   Referring primarily to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , the holder  18  is pivotally mounted to a pair of fingers  54  and  56  extended from the support head  14  by two spring-loaded pins  58  and  60  through two holes on the holder and two holes on the fingers. One end of each of pin springs  62  and  64  is held in the holder  18  and the other in an orifice in the fingers  54  and  56 . The holder  18 , and in consequence the cartridge  16  when mounted to the holder  18 , can rotate around axis  66  ( FIG. 5 ). The springs  62  and  64  provide resistance to rotation in the direction of  68  ( FIG. 5 ) to facilitate the pressing and downward dragging of the squeegee blade  22  and the substrate structure  24 . The holder  18  may have a pocket  70  on the inner side of wall  72  ( FIG. 3 ) and a similar pocket (not shown) on the inner side of wall  74  for forming snap connection in a removable fashion with the cartridge  16  via two prongs on the cartridge ( FIG. 4 , prong  76  and a similar prong (not shown) on the opposite side of the cartridge). 
   The cartridge  16  may also have a cover  78  to cover the substrate structure  24  when not in use to prevent the substrate structure from drying out. An old cartridge  16  can be replaced by a new one after the substrate structure  24  has run its useable life. 
   The squeegee blade  22  is in the shape of a “T” with a short, fat trunk  80 , two short arms  82  and  84 , and an edge  86  ( FIG. 3 ). The squeegee blade can be made of a conventional rubber. However, the specific squeegee material is not critical. 
   The porous, absorbent substrate structure  24  may have a fat trunk  88  and two short arms  90  and  92  ( FIG. 3 ). A top surface  25  of the substrate structure  24  may be uneven with a portion  28  elevated over inset  30  ( FIGS. 3 and 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the absorbent can have an L-shape in cross section wherein the blade can be generally slab-like with a tapered end. Still other cross sectional shapes are possible such as a cross shape. 
   The substrate structure  24  must have sufficient integrity so that when it is pressed and dragged against a window, the portion  28  remains outwardly extended relative to the adjacent inset portion. The substrate structure material be of sufficient abrasiveness or roughness for the purpose of scrubbing the surface being cleaned. 
   The shell  20  has an inside space tracking the general shape of the squeegee blade  22  and the substrate structure  24  so that the squeegee blade and the substrate structure can be fitted into the shell  20  and held therein (compare  FIGS. 3 and 8 ). The shell  20  also has two slots  94  and  96  on side walls  98  and  100  into which the squeegee blade arms  82  and  84  can extend so that the shell can accept a squeegee blade with longer arms than the substrate structure  24 . The longer arms on the squeegee blade can help reduce or eliminate drooling of the cleaning liquid delivered by the substrate structure  24 . 
   The substrate structure  24  and squeegee blade  22  may be dimensioned to fit tightly in the shell  20  so as to be securely held in the shell by frictional force. Alternatively, the squeegee blade and the substrate structure may be glued or bolted to the shell. When not in use, the cartridge  16  is removably capped by the cover  78  to prevent the surface treating liquid from evaporating from the substrate structure  24 . 
   On the outside, the shell  20  has a smaller bottom  102  for mounting the cartridge  16  to the holder  18  ( FIG. 4 ). Walls  104  and  106  of the shell  20  are thinner at the bottom  102  allowing the formation of the smaller bottom on these two sides without sacrificing the corresponding inside space. The smaller bottom allows the cartridge  16  to be mounted to a smaller holder  18 , making the cleaning implement more compact. 
   As will be apparent from  FIG. 8 , the substrate structure  24  is formed with an inset  30  at its upper end. When the substrate structure  24  and the squeegee blade  22  are pressed against a window/surface  26 , lower portion  28  of the substrate structure  24  delivers the cleaning liquid to the window being cleaned and also helps work in the liquid against dirt and other materials on the window. The squeegee will then drive the used cleaning liquid off the window into the gap formed between the window  26  and the inset  30 , followed by the used liquid being absorbed back into the substrate structure  24  adjacent inset  30 . When the absorbent is one piece, the used cleaning fluid may then at least partially be filtered by the substrate structure  24 , and then caused to move back to the applicator region by gravity and wicking. 
   The substrate structure portion  28  and the blade edge  86  of the squeegee blade  22  are pressed against a window  26  and dragged downward in the direction of arrow  108 . Impregnated window cleaning liquid is delivered from the substrate structure portion  28  to the window  26  (see arrow  110 ). As the substrate structure portion  28  and the blade edge  86  are dragged down while being pressed against the window  26  in a single stroke, the substrate structure portion  28  scrubs the window surface to help remove stains and other deposits, and the blade edge  86  scrapes the soiled/used liquid off the window, which is in turn collected and absorbed by the substrate structure adjacent the inset  30  of the substrate structure  24  (see arrow  112 ). 
   As the edge  86  of the squeegee blade extends beyond the length of the substrate structure  24  (see  FIGS. 2 and 5 ), leaving streaks on the window is avoided. After the substrate structure  24  has run its useable life, a new cartridge  16  is installed to replace the old one. 
   A window can be cleaned and dried without needing any other tool or element. The device provides its own supply of cleaning liquid, provides scrubbing, provides a way to squeegee the used fluid off the window to dry it, and provides a way to collect the fluid that is being squeegeed off. The implement is designed so that saturation of an absorbent with used cleaning fluid is unlikely to be the critical limiting factor for the useful life. In this regard, the refreshed previously used liquid can be re-used. 
   It is highly desirable to control the positioning of the blade relative to the surface being cleaned, the pressure distribution across the cleaning head, and the interrelationship between the blade, absorbent and step. For example, there is disclosed another embodiment in  FIGS. 9 and 10  where there is provided a spring  181  to control the position of the pivoting member  182 . This embodiment provides a head that pivots relative to the handle so that more pressure is placed on the blade than the substrate. This helps insure that the substrate almost floats across the glass surface. The pivot point  183  is closer to the blade  184  than the center point of the pivoting member  182 . 
   The blade  184  is mounted on an anchor  185  whose feet wedge into slots  186 . The substrate  120  can be separately replaced without changing the blade  184 . In this embodiment there is no extra casing or shell like that of shell  20  in  FIG. 3 . 
   The step/inset should be deep enough to create a pool into which squeegeed liquid can be channeled while awaiting re-absorption. Too deep a step permits too much liquid to collect, and hence results in residual liquid on the glass as the liquid waiting to re-absorb will contact the glass. Too shallow a step won&#39;t allow a sufficient temporary “home” for the liquid, and thus also result in residual liquid on the glass. 
   While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and otherwise disclosed herein, still other alternative embodiments are also intended to be within the scope of the claims. For example, while a single block substrate structure is preferred, the substrate structure could instead be a two-part structure, divided by a wall. In that configuration the portion of the substrate structure adjacent the blade could be a collector, and the portion in the other part of the structure could be an applicator. In this structure the reprocessing function would not be taken advantage of. 
   Other contemplated modifications are: 
   (a) the  FIG. 10  holes at the back of pivoting member  182  could be covered by living hinge controlled panels. Thus, instead of a consumer directly pushing a finger through those holes to pop out the substrate  120 , the finger would push against a living hinge panel which would then pivot to push against the substrate  120 , to pop it out when the substrate needs to be replaced. This would avoid having a consumer directly contact the used substrate during this replacement process; 
   (b) the packaging for replacement substrates  120  could be configured to also act as a cover between uses after the substrate has been installed on pivoting member  182 ; 
   (c) the refill substrate  120  can be provided with vertical grooves along its peripheral sides which align with projections on the pivoting member  182  for greater stability; 
   (d) the refill substrate  120  can be provided with a horizontal groove along its long sides to receive a projection from the squeegee blade to facilitate aligning the two relative to each other; 
   (e) the anchors  185  can be made with projections so as to snap fit into holes  186 , rather than just being frictionally engaged; 
   (f) the blade and anchor subassembly can be made non-symmetrical forward-to-back, to insure proper positioning of the pointed end of the squeegee relative to the substrate  120 ; and/or 
   (g) the back of the pivoting member  182  can have multiple rearwardly projecting legs that run along spaced support platforms on the support head so that forces transmitted along the device as it is pressed against a window or the like don&#39;t cause the substrate to buckle. 
   Still other modifications are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. Thus, claims should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention. 
   INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
   The present invention provides all-in-one cleaning devices for cleaning windows and other surfaces, as well as refill kits for use therewith, and methods for using such devices.