Patent Publication Number: US-2022225855-A1

Title: Cleaning instrument

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS SECTION 
     This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. 63/139,632 filed on Jan. 20, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments generally relate to an improved cleaning instrument. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     A multitude of cleaning implements exist that may be used to dust, wipe, scrub, polish, clean, etc. a wide variety of surfaces. One such example, an artificial sponge, is made from various foamable plastics and has been on the market for many years. Typically, synthetic sponges are made of polyester, polyurethane, or vegetal cellulose. In particular, artificial sponges have been used as cleaning devices for cleaning dishes or tables. Moreover, another such device, a loofah, is a popular shower accessories used for cleaning and exfoliating ones skin. Natural loofahs are made of sea sponges or dried coral. Synthetic loofahs are typically made of nylon and have dense layers of mesh in a given pattern. 
     However, it has been found that kitchen sponges may have just as high of a concentration of bacteria as in a toilet. Similarly, shower loofahs have been well-documented as reservoirs of bacteria. Thus, what is needed is an improved cleaning instrument whose design eliminates the ability for bacteria to grow. Such is provided by Applicants invention. 
     REVIEW OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
     US20160213221A1 describes a scrubbing or scouring pad. The pad includes an artificial sponge made from a foam material that changes firmness or rigidity based on the temperature thereof. The foam sponge is then covered with a plastic mesh to increase the scouring power thereof. If desired, the foam may also include thermochromic additives therein that change the color of the foam based on the temperature. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,854 describes a reversible cleaning bonnet that has a unitary central body member with first and second face surfaces. The body is encompassed by a cover which has two cleaning surfaces, i.e. either two scrubbing, polishing, dusting, mopping, etc. surfaces, or any combination of these surfaces The cover also has an elastic band which permits the bonnet to be attached to the cleaning head of a cleaning implement. The elastic band also permits the cover to be changed from one position in which one of the cleaning surfaces is exposed for use, to a second position which permits the second cleaning surface of the cover to be exposed and used. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,053,960A describes an improved back scrubber device adapted to be removably secured to a wall. The scrubber includes a base portion including a plurality of suction devices adapted to removably secure the base portion to the wall and a cover adapted to enclose an opening on the base portion. The cover includes a porous portion which is adapted to permit the passage therethrough of a soap and water solution upon the introduction of external pressure against the cover in a direction toward the back of the base portion. An access opening is provided on one of the side walls for the introduction of a soap and water solution to the base portion. A drying element and means for securing the drying element to the base portion and cover are further provided. 
     US20070067934A1 describes a multi-use bathing implement for use in cleansing and exfoliating skin and as a toy, a holder of soap or like products, and a decoration. The bathing implement includes a toroidal sponge component and can also have a removable attachment component. The donut-shaped sponge component is preferably made of mesh sponge material and is concentrically disposed about an inner ring-shaped component defining a central opening in which the attachment component can be removably secured. The inner ring-shaped component provides a ready gripping area which can be held for manipulating the bathing implement. The attachment component can be, for instance, a toy, a solid soap product, a container of a bath/cosmetic product or the like, a mesh netting pocket, or a knob-shaped hanging device having a suction cup. In addition, the implement can have a drawstring for converting the toroid shape sponge into a ball shaped sponge. 
     WO2006025785A1 describes a system. The system comprises a sponge element and a first and a second care composition. The sponge element comprises a first portion comprising the first care composition, and a second portion comprising the second care composition, and a wrapping unit, such as a bag, extractably arranged in a cavity in the sponge unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention and its embodiments relate to an improved cleaning instrument. The improved cleaning instrument includes an inner component and an outer component. Optionally, the improved cleaning instrument may include a fixation means and/or a handle component. In particular, the inner component may be received by the outer component. The inner component may include a material, such as: silicone, nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), a biodegradable plastic, or a compostable plastic, among others not explicitly listed herein. In some embodiments, the material does not harbor bacteria. 
     The inner component may be reusable and may be configured for multiple uses. In some examples, the surface of the inner component comprises a raised pattern configured to provide coarseness. However, in other examples, the surface of the inner component fails to include any sort of raised pattern and the coarseness of the surface of the inner component is based on the material chosen for the inner component. Moreover in some examples, during use, the inner component is configured to receive water, soap, a cleaning solution, etc. therein. In other examples, the inner component is a solid component incapable of receiving any water, soap, or cleaning solution, etc. therein. 
     The outer component may comprise a mesh material, a solid viscose material, a natural fiber material, a cotton material, a steel wool material, a fabric material, a woven material, a non-woven material, or an elasticized nylon material, among other materials not explicitly listed herein. In some examples, the mesh material is a nylon material. In other examples, the outer component comprises layers of mesh in a circular (or another) pattern. The outer component is disposable after one or a few uses. Further, in some examples, the outer component is eco-friendly and biodegradable or recyclable. 
     In some examples, once the inner component is filled with water, soap, the cleaning solution, etc., the inner component is received by the outer component. In other examples where the inner component is solid, the inner component is received by the outer component. In examples utilizing the fixation means, the fixation means is configured to secure the inner component within the outer component. The fixation means may include a string or a thread that may use one or more attachment means, such as Velcro, securing ties, snaps, hooks, clasps, etc. to secure the inner component within the outer component. In other examples that do not require use of the fixation means, the outer component comprises a material elastic enough to receive and stay on the inner component. 
     A handle component is also affixed to the cleaning instrument. The cleaning instrument may then be hung on a faucet or other object. In some examples, the cleaning instrument may be held from afar to complete a cleaning job. In examples, a length of the cleaning instrument is approximately 5 inches, a width of the cleaning instrument is approximately 3 inches, and a height of the cleaning instrument is approximately 1 inch. The cleaning instrument is also dishwasher safe in some examples. In other examples, the cleaning instrument may also withstand use of cleaning chemicals. Further, the cleaning instrument includes a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a nonagonal shape, or a decagonal shape. In other examples, the cleaning instrument comprises a composite shape made from at least two of the aforementioned shapes. The composite shape may include a star shape, a letter shape, a number shape, a heart shape, a sun shape, a moon shape, a baseball shape, a basketball shape, etc., among other shapes not explicitly listed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts an inner component of an improved cleaning instrument, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an inner component received by an outer component of an improved cleaning instrument, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  depicts an inner component received by an outer component of an improved cleaning instrument, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an inner component received by an outer component of an improved cleaning instrument, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a large outer component of an improved cleaning instrument prior to cutting the large outer component into smaller outer components, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cleaning product used with an improved cleaning instrument, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an improved cleaning instrument that does not receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein and an improved cleaning instrument that is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a side view of an improved cleaning instrument that does not receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein and an improved cleaning instrument that is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an improved cleaning instrument that is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein, the improved cleaning instrument comprising a fine woven outer material, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 10  depicts another image of an improved cleaning instrument that is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein, the improved cleaning instrument comprising a fine woven outer material, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 11  depicts a further image of an improved cleaning instrument that is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution therein, the improved cleaning instrument comprising a fine woven outer material, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
     An improved cleaning instrument  110  is described and depicted herein. The improved cleaning instrument  110  includes at least an inner component  102  (of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 ) and an outer component  106  (of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 ). The inner component  102  does not harbor bacteria and may be reusable in some examples. The outer component  106  may be disposable and may comprise different materials and/or coarseness to complete different cleaning tasks. In some examples, the improved cleaning instrument  110  additionally includes a fixation means  114  (of  FIG. 3 ) and/or a handle component  108 . In particular, the inner component  102  of the improved cleaning instrument  110  may be received by the outer component  106 . 
     In some examples, the inner component  102  may include a material, such as: silicone, nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), a biodegradable plastic, and/or a compostable plastic, among others. In some embodiments, the inner component  102  may include a material that does not harbor bacteria. A silicone or polysiloxane are polymers made up of siloxane and are typically colorless, oils or rubber-like substances. NBR is a synthetic rubber derived from acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene. Moreover, SBR is a family of synthetic rubbers derived from styrene and butadiene. 
     The inner component  102  may be reusable and may be configured for multiple uses. In some examples, a surface of the inner component  102  comprises a raised pattern  104  configured to provide coarseness, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The raised pattern  104  may include a randomized pattern or may be an ordered pattern. However, in other examples, the surface of the inner component  102  fails to include any sort of raised pattern and the coarseness of the surface of the inner component  102  is based on the material chosen for the inner component  102 . 
     Moreover, the shape of each component of the raised pattern  104  may be a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a nonagonal shape, or a decagonal shape. In some examples, each component of the raised pattern  104  may share the same shape. In other examples, one or more components of the raised pattern  104  may differ in shape. Furthermore, a height and configuration of the raised pattern  104  is not limited to any particular configuration. It should be appreciated that the raised pattern  104  of the inner component  102  is not limited to the examples provided herein. 
     In other examples, the inner component  102  is a solid component incapable of receiving any water, soap, or cleaning solution, etc. therein. Such cleaning instrument is depicted as a cleaning instrument  110 A in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . Moreover in some examples and during use, the inner component  102  is configured to receive water, soap, or a cleaning solution, etc. therein. Such cleaning instrument is depicted as a cleaning instrument  110 B in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . It should be appreciated that the water, the soap, or the cleaning solution may be received in a cavity (not shown) in the inner component  102  of the cleaning instrument  110 B of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . The cavity may be any shape and comprise any dimensions. Also,  FIG. 9  depicts the cleaning instrument  110 B comprising a fine woven outer material (e.g., the outer component  106 ). 
     The outer component  106  of the improved cleaning instrument  110  comprises a mesh material, a solid viscose material, a natural fiber material, a cotton material, a steel wool material, a fabric material, a woven material, a non-woven material, and/or an elasticized nylon material, among other materials not explicitly listed herein. In some examples, the mesh material is a nylon material. In other examples, the outer component  106  comprises layers of mesh in a circular (or another) pattern. The outer component  106  is disposable after one or a few uses to avoid build-up of bacteria. Further, in some examples, the outer component  106  is eco-friendly and biodegradable or recyclable. 
     In some examples, once the inner component  102  is filled with the water, the soap, or the cleaning solution, the inner component  102  is received by the outer component  106 . In other examples where the inner component  102  is solid, the inner component  102  is received by the outer component  106 . Then, in some examples, the fixation means  114  is configured to secure the inner component  102  within the outer component  106 . The fixation means  114  may include a string or a thread and may be adjustable in size. The material comprising the fixation means  114  may be any material. Moreover, the fixation means  114  may additionally use one or more attachment means, such as Velcro, securing ties, snaps, hooks, clasps, etc. to secure the inner component  102  within the outer component  106 . In other examples that do not require use of the fixation means  114 , the outer component  106  comprises a material elastic enough to receive and stay on the inner component  102 . 
     A handle component  108  is also affixed to the cleaning instrument  110 , as depicted in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9 . In some examples, the handle component  108  may comprise an elastic material. In other examples, the handle component  108  is adjustable in size. The cleaning instrument  110  may be hung on a faucet or other object. In some examples, the cleaning instrument  110  may be held from afar to complete a cleaning job. In examples, a length of the cleaning instrument  110  is approximately 5 inches, a width of the cleaning instrument  110  is approximately 3 inches, and a height of the cleaning instrument  110  is approximately 1 inch. It should be appreciated that the dimension of the cleaning instrument  110  are provided for illustrative purposes only and other dimensions are contemplated. 
     In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the outer component  106  of the improved cleaning instrument  110  may be configured as a sack, satchel, or bag that houses the inner component  102 . In this embodiment, the outer component  106  of the improved cleaning instrument  110  may have a body portion disposed between an opening  116  and a secured portion  118 . The secured portion  118  may be affixed closed by any means or method known to those having ordinary skill in the art, such as an adhesive, stitching, fasteners, etc. The opening  116  is configured to receive the inner component  102  of the improved cleaning instrument  110  therein or allows the user to remove the inner component  102  of the improved cleaning instrument  110 . The opening  116  may be secured by any fastening system known to those having ordinary skill in the art (such as the fixation means  114 ). As shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the fixation means  114  comprises a drawstring system. 
     The cleaning instrument  110  is also dishwasher safe in some examples. In other examples, the cleaning instrument may also withstand use of cleaning chemicals. Further, the cleaning instrument  110  is circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, nonagonal, or decagonal in shape. In other examples, the cleaning instrument comprises a composite shape made from two or more of the aforementioned shapes. The composite shape may include a star shape, a letter shape, a number shape, a heart shape, a sun shape, a moon shape, a baseball shape, a basketball shape, etc., among other shapes not explicitly listed herein. It should be appreciated that the shape of the cleaning instrument  110  is fluid and changes frequently, such that the cleaning instrument  110  may be used to clean various surfaces. In an example where the cleaning instrument  110  is square in shape, when the user squeezes the cleaning instrument  110  while cleaning dishes, the shape of the cleaning instrument  110  may become oblong. 
     The cleaning instrument  110  described herein may be used as a kitchen sponge or may be used in the shower as an exfoliant (e.g., in the place of a loofah, shower glove, or wash cloth). Once assembled as depicted in  FIG. 6 , a cleaning product  112 , such as a dishwasher soap or a shower gel, may be applied to the cleaning instrument  110 . The cleaning instrument  110  described herein eliminates the accumulation of and the spread of bacteria found in traditional sponges and loofahs. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.