Patent Publication Number: US-2017347856-A1

Title: Cleaning apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This Invention relates to a device for cleaning various surfaces and more particularly to a small, compact device having a cleaning element with an adhesive surface which is contained within a housing. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Cleaning devices which employ a cleaning element enclosed within a housing are known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,542,774; 2,658,217; 3,381,325; 4,979,257; 5,333,341; 7,213,291; D281,654; and D539,545. Typically, these cleaning devices are for lint and employ a cover that can act as a handle which extends from the housing in the open position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices used to clean various surfaces and remove contaminants and debris such as dust, lint, powder, ash, and grease marks are known. Many existing devices require the use of liquids, sticky tape, siloxane tacky elastomers, and wet brushes or cloths. Also, double rolling reverse wound adhesive tape rollers in combination with silicone rollers of limited tackiness have been used for cleaning various surfaces. However, adhesive tape rollers require tape replacement and can leave sticky residue on the surfaces which the roller is used to clean. Moreover, silicone rollers have a limited tackiness and a firm durometer of greater than 40. Yet another problem associated with existing cleaning devices is inconvenience. Often, when a person is in need of such a cleaning device, no appropriate cleaning device is readily available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system includes a base element, a cleaning element coupled to the base element, wherein a surface of the cleaning element includes an adhesive material, and a removable cover having a first position and a second position. In the first position, the removable cover covers the cleaning element and is engaged with a first end of the base element. In the second position, the removable cover does not cover the cleaning element and is engaged with a second end of the base element. 
     In one embodiment, the cleaning system further includes a stick element disposed between the base element and the cleaning element, wherein a first end of the stick element is attached to the base element and a second end of the stick element is attached to the cleaning element. 
     In one embodiment, the cleaning element is rotatably attached to the stick element. In another embodiment, the stick element is rotatably attached to the base element. 
     In another embodiment, the housing and the removable cover include a plastic material. 
     In another embodiment, the adhesive material includes an elastomeric material. 
     In another embodiment, a length of the cleaning system is between approximately 2 and 4 inches, when the removable cover is in the first position, measured from an end of the base element to an end of the removable cover. A width of the cleaning system is between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches. A length of the cleaning element is between approximately 1.0 to 2.0 inches. A width of the cleaning element is approximately 0.5 inches. 
     In another embodiment, the cleaning element has a shape of a truncated ellipsoid. 
     In another embodiment, the cleaning system includes a rod element attached to the stick element, the rod element having a cylindrical portion having a first width and an end portion having a second width greater than the first width. The cleaning element includes a channel having a first channel portion and a second channel portion, the second channel portion being wider than the first channel portion. The cylindrical portion of the rod element fits within the first channel portion, and the end portion fits within the second channel portion. 
     In another embodiment, the second channel portion further comprises a hollow space defining a hole at an end of the cleaning element. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a system for cleaning a surface is provided. The system includes a housing comprising an opening at an end and a slot on a side, a stick element disposed within the housing, a cleaning element rotatably attached to the stick element, a surface of the cleaning element comprising an adhesive material, and an actuator disposed on an exterior of the housing, the actuator joined to the stick element, the actuator adapted to move within the slot from a first position to a second position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes a portion of the cleaning element to exit from the housing, via the opening, and protrude from the opening. The cleaning element may then be rolled across a selected surface to remove contaminants from the surface. 
     In one embodiment, the system further includes a rotatable cap adapted to cover the opening when the actuator is in the first position, and to rotate away from the opening to allow the portion of the cleaning element to exit from the housing when the actuator is in the second position. 
     In another embodiment, the housing, the stick element, and the actuator include a plastic material. 
     In another embodiment, the adhesive material includes an elastomeric material. 
     In one embodiment, the cleaning element includes a truncated ellipsoid. 
     In another embodiment, a length of the cleaning system is between approximately 2 and 4 inches, measured from a first end to a second end of the housing. A width of the cleaning system is between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches. A length of the cleaning element is between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches. A width of the cleaning element is approximately 0.5 inches. 
     These and other aspects of the present Invention may be more readily understood by reference to one or more of the following drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  show a cleaning system of the present Invention in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  show a cleaning system of the present Invention in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  show a cleaning system of the present Invention in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows components of a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  show a cleaning system of the present Invention in accordance with another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a compact, convenient, easy-to-use cleaning system is provided. The cleaning system may be used to remove contaminants from any surface. For example, the cleaning system may be used to clean the surface of a cell phone, a lens of a pair of glasses, etc. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  shows a cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment. Dotted lines represent hidden edges and surfaces. Cleaning system  100  includes a housing  8  having a rotatable cap  18  on one end of housing  18 . Housing  8  holds a movable stick element and cleaning element  15 ; cleaning element  15  is rotatably attached to one end of movable stick  12 . Housing  8  includes a slot  21  in which is disposed a movable actuator  23 . A portion of movable actuator  23  is disposed on the exterior of housing  8 ; however, movable actuator is further disposed within slot  21  such that movable actuator  23  may move back and forth within slot  21  from a first position (A) at a first end of slot  21  to a second position (B) at a second end of slot  21 , and back. 
     Movable stick  12  is attached to movable actuator  23  such that when movable actuator  23  moves within slot  21 , movable stick  12  also moves in a corresponding manner. For example, movable stick  12  and movable actuator  23  may be joined by an element (such as, e.g., a pin, a molded plastic element, etc.) that fits in, and slides within, slot  21 . The portion of movable actuator  23  disposed on the exterior of housing  8  is adapted to move in response to pressure applied by a human finger. For example, movable actuator may include an outer surface with ridges, grooves, or bumps to enable a human finger to grip and apply pressure to the actuator. 
     In  FIG. 1A , rotatable cap  18  is in a closed position. In accordance with an embodiment, rotatable cap  18  may be rotated into an open position, as shown in  FIG. 1B . After cap  18  is opened, an opening  33  is exposed at one end of housing  8 , allowing cleaning element  15  to exit from housing  8 . Movable actuator  23  may be moved within slot toward opening  33 . As movable actuator  23  moves toward opening  33  (e.g. from position (A) toward position (B)), movable stick  12  and cleaning element  15  also move in the same direction, causing at least a portion of cleaning element  15  to exit from housing  8 , via opening  33 , and to protrude from opening  33 . In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B , a substantial portion of cleaning element  15  protrudes from housing  8  when movable actuator  23  is in position (B). 
     Thus,  FIG. 1A  illustrates cleaning system  100  when cleaning element  15  is in a stowed state (stored in housing  8 );  FIG. 1B  illustrates cleaning system  100  when cleaning element  15  is in an exposed state (protruding from housing  8 ). 
     In one embodiment, cleaning element is a truncated ellipsoid. At least a portion of the surface of cleaning element  15  includes an adhesive material, such as, for example, an elastomeric material. Other components, including housing  8 , movable stick  12 , and movable actuator  23 , may include a hard plastic material, for example. 
     Cleaning element  15  of cleaning system  100  may be used to clean contaminants from any object. For example, cleaning element  15  may be used to clean the lenses of a pair of glasses, the surface of a cell phone screen, etc. Because cleaning element  15  is rotatably attached to one end of movable stick  12 , when a user moves cleaning system  100  at a close distance above a selected surface, cleaning element  15  contacts and rolls along the selected surface, and the adhesive exterior of cleaning element  15  picks up contaminants from the surface. 
     Advantageously, cleaning system  100  is compact and may be stored conveniently in a pocket, purse, etc., to ensure that cleaning system  100  is readily available when the user has a need for it. 
     For example, suppose that a particular user regularly keeps cleaning system  100  in her purse. Suppose further that the user is walking along a street and finds that one of the lenses of her glasses is smudged, interfering with her vision. The user accordingly retrieves cleaning system  100  from her purse and opens cap  18 . The user pushes movable actuator  23  from position (A) toward position (B) (e.g., toward opening  33 ), causing at least a portion of cleaning element  15  to exit via opening  33  of housing  8 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . The user now moves cleaning element  15  back and forth on the lens of her glasses to remove the smudge and clean the lens. After cleaning the lens, the user pushes movable actuator  23  back toward position (A) (away from opening  33 ), causing cleaning element  15  to move back into housing  8 . The user then closes cap  18  and places cleaning system  100  back into her purse. 
     In an embodiment, cleaning system  100  is between approximately 2 and 4 inches long (measured from one end of housing  8  to the opposite end of housing  8 , with cap  18  in a closed position), and between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide. Cleaning element  15  is between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches long and approximately 0.5 inches wide. Other sizes may be used. 
     In accordance with another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B , a cleaning system  200  includes a base element  205 , a stick element  212 , a cleaning element  215 , and a removable cover  207 . Cleaning element  215  is coupled to base element  205  by stick  212 . Specifically, an end of base element  205  is joined to a first end of stick  212 . A second end of stick  212  is joined to cleaning element  215 . In other embodiments, cleaning element  215  may be coupled to base element  205  in a different manner. 
     In one embodiment, cleaning element  215  is a truncated ellipsoid. 
     In one embodiment, cleaning element  215  is rotatably attached to stick element  212 . In another embodiment, stick element  212  is rotatably attached to base element  205 . Accordingly, when a user moves cleaning system  200  at a distance close to a selected surface, cleaning element  215  rolls along the selected surface and removes contaminants from the surface. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a cleaning system  200  in a closed state with removable cover  207  in a first position. In the first position, removable cover  207  encloses and protects cleaning element  215 . In the first position, removable cover  207  is engaged with a first end of base element  205  closest to cleaning element  215 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , removable cover  207  may be removed, inverted, and placed on a second end of base element  205  opposite cleaning element  215 . Thus,  FIG. 2B  shows cleaning system  200  in an open state with removable cover  207  in the second position. In the second position, removable cover  207  is engaged with the second end of base element  205 . 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of cleaning element  215  includes an adhesive material, such as, for example, an elastomeric material. Other components, including base element  205 , stick  212 , and removable cover  207 , may include a hard plastic material, for example. 
     In an embodiment, cleaning system  200  is between approximately 2 and 4 inches long when in the first (closed) position, measured from an end of base element  205  to an end of removable cover  207 , and between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide. Cleaning element  215  is between approximately 1.0 to 2.0 inches long and approximately 0.5 inches wide. Other sizes may be used. 
     Advantageously, cleaning system  200  may be stored conveniently and used when needed. Suppose that a user keeps cleaning system  200  in his pocket while riding on a train. Suppose further that the user finds that his cell phone screen is dirty and wishes to clean the screen. The user retrieves cleaning system  200  from his pocket. Because cleaning system  200  is in the closed state, the user removes cover  207  from its first position (covering cleaning element  215 ) and places it in its second position on the opposite end of base element  205 . The user then employs cleaning element  215  to clean his cell phone screen. When the user is finished cleaning the cell phone screen, the user once again places cover  207  in its first position (covering cleaning element  215 ). 
     In accordance with another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3C , a cleaning system  300  includes a first base element  301 , a second base element  303 , and a third base element  305 . Second base element  303  is wider in diameter than first and third base elements  301 ,  305 . Cleaning system  300  also includes a stick element  312 , a cleaning element  315  coupled to stick element  312 , and a removable cover  307 . Cleaning element  315  is coupled to first base element  301  by stick element  312 . Specifically, an end of first base element  301  is joined to a first end of stick element  312 . A second end of stick element  312  is joined to cleaning element  315 . In other embodiments, cleaning element  315  may be coupled to first base element  301  in a different manner. 
     In one embodiment, cleaning element  315  is a truncated ellipsoid. 
     In one embodiment, cleaning element  315  is rotatably attached to stick element  312 . In another embodiment, stick element  312  is rotatably attached to first base element  301 . Accordingly, when a user moves cleaning system  300  at a distance close to a selected surface, cleaning element  315  rolls along the selected surface and removes contaminants from the surface. 
       FIG. 3A  shows cleaning system  300  in a closed state with removable cover  307  in a first position. In the first position, removable cover  307  encloses and protects cleaning element  315 . In the first position, removable cover  307  is engaged with and covers first base element  301 . Because second base element  303  is wider in diameter than first base element  301 , removable cover  307  fits over and covers first base element  301  but stops at second base element  303 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , removable cover  307  may be removed and separated from first base element  301  and cleaning element  315 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3C , after removable cover  307  has been removed, removable cover  307  may be inverted, and placed in a second position in which it is fitted onto third base element  305  opposite cleaning element  315 . Thus,  FIG. 3C  shows cleaning system  300  in an open state with removable cover  307  in the second position. In the second position, removable cover  307  is engaged with third base element  305 . Because second base element  303  is wider in diameter than third base element  305 , removable cover  307  fits over and covers third base element  305  but stops at second base element  303 . 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of cleaning element  315  includes an adhesive material, such as, for example, an elastomeric material. Other components, including first, second, and third base elements  301 ,  303 ,  305 , stick element  312 , and removable cover  307 , may include a hard plastic material, for example. 
     In an embodiment, cleaning system  300  is between approximately 2 and 4 inches long when in the first (closed) position, measured from an end of third base element  305  to an end of removable cover  307 , and between approximately 0.5 to 1.5 inches wide. Cleaning element  315  is between approximately 1.0 to 2.0 inches long and approximately 0.5 inches wide. Other sizes may be used. 
     Cleaning element  315  of cleaning system  300  may be used to clean contaminants from any object. For example, cleaning element  315  may be used to clean the lenses of a pair of glasses, the surface of a cell phone screen, etc. Because cleaning element  315  is rotatably attached to one end of movable stick  312 , when a user moves cleaning system  300  at a close distance above a selected surface, cleaning element  315  contacts and rolls along the selected surface, and the adhesive exterior of cleaning element  315  picks up contaminants from the surface. 
     Advantageously, cleaning system  300  is compact and may be stored conveniently in a pocket, purse, etc., to ensure that cleaning system  300  is readily available when the user has a need for it. 
     In accordance with an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , cleaning element  315  is disposed on and rotates on a rod element  340  that extends from stick element  312 . Rod element  340  has a cylindrical body portion  343  and an end portion  345 . Body portion  343  extends from stick element  312  and has a first width. End portion  345  has a second width that is greater than the first width. 
     A hollow channel extends through cleaning element  315 , from one end to the other end of cleaning element  315 . The hollow channel includes a first channel portion  330  and a second channel portion  335 . The first channel portion  330  fits around the cylindrical body portion  343  of rod element  340 . The second channel portion  335  is wider than first channel portion  330  and fits around end portion  345  of rod element  340 . End portion  345  is larger in width than first channel portion  330 ; as a result, cleaning element  315  is secured onto rod element  340 . Furthermore, cleaning element  315  rotates on rod element  340 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, end portion  345  of rod element  340  does not fill the entire volume of the second channel portion  335 ; as a result, a hollow space  332  and a hole  324  are defined at the end of cleaning element  315 . Advantageously, the edges of hole  324  facilitate the cleaning of a desired object. In one embodiment, hole  324  has a diameter equal to the diameter of channel portion  335 ; in another embodiment, hole  324  has a diameter smaller than the diameter of channel portion  335 . Other diameters are possible. 
     In accordance with another embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , a cleaning system  500  includes a first base element  501 , a second base element  503 , and a third base element  505 . Cleaning system  500  also includes a stick element  512 , a cleaning element  515  coupled to stick element  512 , and a removable cover  507 . 
       FIG. 5A  shows cleaning system  500  in an open state with removable cover  507  engaged with third base element  505 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5B , cleaning element  515  is disposed on and rotates on a rod element  540  that extends from stick element  512 . Rod element  540  has a cylindrical body portion  543  and an end portion  545 . Body portion  543  extends from stick element  512  and has a first width. End portion  545  has a second width that is greater than the first width. 
     A hollow channel extends through cleaning element  515 , from one end to the other end of cleaning element  515 . The hollow channel includes a first channel portion  530  and a second channel portion  535 . The first channel portion  530  fits around the cylindrical body portion  543  of rod element  540 . The second channel portion  535  is wider than first channel portion  530  and fits around end portion  545  of rod element  540 . End portion  545  is larger in width than first channel portion  530 ; as a result, cleaning element  515  is secured onto rod element  540 . Furthermore, cleaning element  515  rotates on rod element  540 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment, end portion  545  of rod element  540  fills most or substantially all of the volume of the second channel portion  535 . A hole  524  is defined at the end of cleaning element  515 . Hole  524  is smaller in diameter than the diameter of channel portion  535 . 
     In various embodiments, the surface of removable cover (e.g., removable cover  207 ,  307  or  507 ) may be of any color. Furthermore, the surface of the removable cover may be opaque, clear, transparent, or translucent, and/or have any desired design or pattern of colors. 
     In order to clean cleaning element  15  (shown in  FIGS. 1A-1   b ), cleaning element  215  (shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B ), cleaning element  315  (shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ), or cleaning element  515  (shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B ), the cleaning element may be washed with water. There is no need for chemicals to clean the cleaning element. Thus, the cleaning element can be placed under tap water to clean and is then reusable. The tacky surface is then ready for further use. 
     The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present invention and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.