Patent Publication Number: US-2015059804-A1

Title: Cleaning implement

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/959,611, filed on Aug. 28, 2013, and titled “Flexi scrubs.” This application further claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/966,846, filed on Mar. 5, 2014, and titled “Flexi scrubs.” The entire contents of said applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning implements. In particular, the present disclosure relates to multi-purpose composite cleaning implements. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A number of various types of cleaning implements currently exist. Current cleaning implements include sponges, cloth towels, netted sponges, nylon scrub brushes, nylon toilet brushes, scrub pads, stainless steel and copper pads, and composites of the foregoing materials. Various types of the foregoing cleaning implements may be utilized for cleaning selected objects and/or surfaces. 
     The aforementioned cleaning implements exhibit several shortcomings. Many of the implements wear out after a relatively short use. Many of the implements quickly become dirty and covered in grime. Many cleaning implements have an abrasive component that is too abrasive and tends to scratch delicate surfaces and objects. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment a cleaning implement is disclosed. The cleaning implement includes an abrasive component and an absorbent component. The abrasive component a crocheted piece comprising polyester yarn with abrasive particles embedded therein. 
     The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and any preferred or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and fully convey the full scope thereof to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a cleaning rag implement according embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cleaning implement having a handle and scraper according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a cleaning implement having a scrubbing patch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  depicts toothbrush according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a bottle scrubber according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a scrub glove according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a scrub mitten according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict a floor cleaning implement according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that modifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, and other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure include composite cleaning implements having an abrasive component and an absorbent component. Various embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, as will be illustrated in further detail below. Such variations may be selectively adapted for specific cleaning tasks, for cleaning specific surfaces, for cleaning specific objects, for cleaning specific messes, or according to other desired applications. 
     In particular, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a cleaning implement comprises an abrasive component crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles. In one embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise metallic fibers. According to various embodiments, the crocheted abrasive component comprises a single, double, or triple thickness. 
     A cleaning implement according to the present disclosure comprises an absorbent component comprising a microfiber material or like material. Herein, the term “microfiber” includes, but is not limited to, a fabric made from a fiber weighing less than 1.3 denier per filament. In some embodiments, the term “microfiber” includes a fabric made from a synthetic fiber weighing less than 1 denier per filament. In one embodiment, the microfiber absorbent component is bound to the abrasive component by a polymer yarn or other suitable binding material having sufficient strength. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a water-proof or water resistant material to line and/or provide backing to the abrasive and/or absorbent components. According to various embodiments, edges of the abrasive and/or absorbent components comprise scalloped, fluted, and/or straight edges. Various embodiments may be selectively made in one or more colors, shapes, and sizes as may best suit specific cleaning tasks or according to personal preference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a scrub  100  having an absorbent component  120  and an abrasive component  110 . In the embodiment depicted, scrub  100  comprises a rectangle shape. In other embodiments, the cloth may be made in other selected shapes as desired. Scrub  100  comprises an abrasive component  110  and absorbent component  120 . The abrasive component is crocheted from a polyester yarn having metallic fibers embedded therein. In embodiments, absorbent component  120  is lined/backed by a microfiber fabric. In other embodiments, abrasive component  110  backed by other types of material such as polyester or nylon. Absorbent component  120  comprises a microfiber fabric bound to abrasive component  110 . In an embodiment, a tab at  130  joins two or more ends of abrasive component  110  and/or absorbent component  120  together. In an embodiment, tab  130  is crocheted from a polyester yarn. In embodiments, tab  130  comprises a width between ½ inch and 4 inches. As such, tab  130  allows scrub  100  to be turned inside out if so desired. In embodiments of scrub, abrasive component  110  has a thickness of single, double, or triple layers. In one embodiment, two opposing edges of a scrub are joined together, thereby forming a loop. 
     In one embodiment, three edges of abrasive component  110  are joined to three corresponding edges of absorbent component  120 , leaving the fourth edges open, thereby forming a pocket. In an alternative embodiment, a drawstring is integrated into the open edges so the pocket can be drawn shut. According to embodiments, scrubs can have a variety of dimensions and shapes. For example, embodiments of scrubs are square or rectangle of 6 to 24 inches along each side. 
     One embodiment of a scrub is made into a rectangle pocket appropriately sized to function as an eye glass case. The eye glass case comprises an inner liner of microfiber or other nonabrasive material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , scrub  200  comprises a dish scrubber having an abrasive component  210  crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles affixed thereto, a scraper  220 , and a handle  230 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , scrub  300  comprises a microfiber absorbent component  320  with an abrasive patch  310  crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles affixed thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , embodiments comprise a bottle scrub  400 ,  500 . Embodiment  400  comprises scrub pads  410  and handle  430 . Embodiments of scrub pads  410  comprise crocheted abrasive component. Embodiment  500  comprises a square, round, or oval scrub pad  510 . Scrub pad  510  comprises an abrasive component crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles. According to embodiments, edges of scrub pad  510  may be straight or fluted. The scrub pad  510  is formed by rolling a crocheted abrasive component into a cylinder. Scrub pad  510  is secured to handle  530  with polyester thread. In various embodiments, handle  530  is constructed from plastic, wood, resin or any other suitable material. Handle  530  comprises holes (not depicted) may receive the polyester thread that secures scrub pad  510  to handle  530 . In embodiments, handle  530  has between 2 and 10 holes. In other embodiments, handle  530  has any number of holes as appropriate to secure scrub pad  510  to handle  530 . In embodiments, handle  530  has a length from 1 to 10 inches. In another embodiment, scrub pad  510  is secured to handle  530  by enmeshing scrub pad  510  into the base material of handle  530 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , embodiments of the present disclosure comprise scrub glove  600 . Scrub glove  600  has an outer layer of abrasive component  610  crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles. Embodiments of scrub glove  600  comprise an inner liner  620  of an absorbent material comprising a microfiber fabric. Pull strap  630  can allow the wearer to secure scrub glove  600  on the wearer&#39;s hand by tightening around the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , embodiments of the present disclosure comprise scrub mitten  700 . Scrub mitten  700  has an outer layer of abrasive component  710  crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles. Embodiments of scrub mitten  700  comprise an inner liner  720  of an absorbent material comprising a microfiber fabric. Pull strap  730  can allow the wearer to secure scrub mitten  700  on the wearer&#39;s hand by tightening around the wearer&#39;s wrist. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , floor scrubber  800  comprises a cleaning implement that can be secure to a long handle  820  to let a user clean a floor surface. Floor scrubber  800  comprises an underside abrasive pad  810  crocheted from a polyester yarn with embedded abrasive particles. According to embodiments, abrasive pad  810  may be interchangeable from floor scrubber  800  to allow for replacement. 
     According to the foregoing illustrative embodiments, examples of cleaning implements may be used to clean a wide variety of objects and/or surfaces. For example, cleaning implements of the present disclosure can be used to clean (but are not limited to): dishes, glasses, bottles, cups, pots, pans, countertops, floors, wood furniture, toilets, showers, bathtubs, upholstery (chairs, couches, and carpets), walls, window encasements, windows, minors, cars, boats, and swimming pools. 
     Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure, including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits and features set forth herein, which are also within the scope of this disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.