Patent ID: 12228269

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Odors caused by spillages and stains (e.g., food or drink stains, bodily fluid stains from pets, etc.) are a common household nuisance. These stains may also damage the underlying surfaces, especially if left unattended for extended periods of time. There are many methods of addressing such stains, such as cleaning of the stains using a cleaning apparatus, masking the odor of the stains by adding fragrance that overpowers the undesirable smell, purifying the air of odors, et cetera. Each of these methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, one cleaning method may be easier to employ than other methods, may be more cost effective, may provide for a longer lasting solution, and so on.

To effectively address these stains using any method, one must first find the location of said stain. In some cases, the stain may be visually detected with ease, such as when the stain causes a discoloration in the underlying surface. In other cases, the stain may not be readily evident, such as a stain that has dried upon a dark surface.

Many stains, such as those caused by bodily excretions (e.g., from pets), fluoresce under ultraviolet light. For example, ultraviolet light may cause proteins and phosphorus in bodily fluid stains to glow. Therefore, ultraviolet light, e.g., UV-A (315-400 nm), may aid in locating a stain that is not readily visible to the naked human eye. In embodiments of the present disclosure, to aid in the locating and cleanup of stains, a cleaning device (e.g., a spray bottle comprising cleaning fluid) may have an ultraviolet or other light integrated therewith. In other embodiments, a universal mount may be provided to removably or fixedly couple an ultraviolet or other light to a cleaning device. Stains may thus be more easily detected, and the cleanup thereof may be facilitated using the contents of the cleaning device.

In embodiments, an ultraviolet light within the UV-A spectrum of 315-400 nanometers may be operably joined to a cleaning device that disperses a fluid. The fluid may comprise one or more of a detergent, an enzyme, a fragrance, a solvent, or other substance(s) that are useful in countering stains or their byproducts (e.g., odors).

FIG.1shows an embodiment of a cleaning assembly100having a light110that is integrated with a cleaning device150. The components of the light110may be made part of or housed within a sprayer head housing152of the cleaning device150. In the embodiment depicted inFIG.1, the cleaning device150is a sprayer head that may be removably coupled to a spray bottle (e.g., bottle260ofFIG.4), and the light110is integrated with the sprayer head housing152. The sprayer head housing152comprises a spray nozzle154, a spray trigger156, and a mounting element158for mounting the sprayer head housing152to the spray bottle containing the cleaning fluid. In other embodiments, the cleaning device150may be a spray bottle with an integrated sprayer head, another appropriate cleaning device (e.g., a mop, a brush, etc.), or a suitable cleaning device component.

The light110of the cleaning assembly100may comprise a UV emitter112powered by a battery114. While only a single UV emitter112is depicted inFIG.1, any suitable number of emitters112may be used in the light110. A switch, button, or other actuating device116may be provided to enable a user to selectively power the UV emitter112with the battery114.

In some embodiments, the UV emitter112may be operable in a plurality of lighting modes. For instance, the user may use the switch or button116, or a different device, to change the number of lights that are illuminated, or to selectively alter the shape, type, or direction of the light pattern. Such flexibility may allow the user to select a lighting setting better suited to the cleaning job at hand.

The battery114may, in embodiments, be fixedly coupled to the housing152. In other embodiments, the battery114may be replaceable, rechargeable, or both. When the battery114is rechargeable, the cleaning assembly100may be coupled in a wired or wireless manner to an external power source, e.g., via a charging port. When the battery114is removable and replaceable (e.g., an alkali battery), the cleaning device100may include a port or door through which a user may selectively access the battery114for the replacement thereof.

Focus is directed now toFIG.2. In some embodiments, an ultraviolet light may be part of an emitter housing that is separate and distinct from the cleaning device (e.g., cleaning device150).FIG.2shows emitter housings118a-118ohaving ultraviolet lights110a-110o, respectively. Each emitter housing118a-118omay be directly coupled to the cleaning device (e.g., a sprayer head of a spray bottle). The coupling of the housings118a-118oto the cleaning device may be effectuated via mechanical methods (e.g., friction fitting, male/female interlocking parts, etc.), magnets, adhesives, et cetera. In this manner, the lights110a-110o(including the UV emitter and the power source thereof) may be selectively attached to a variety of cleaning devices as desired by a user, without having to modify the cleaning device itself. The artisan will understand that the emitter housings118a-118oshown inFIG.2are merely exemplary and that other emitter housings may likewise be employed, e.g., to account for cleaning devices of varying types, shapes, and sizes.

In some embodiments, the emitter housing (e.g., any of emitter housings118a-118o) may be adjustable. That is, a user may manipulate a portion, dimension, or both of the UV emitter housing118a-118oto cause it to fit a given cleaning device. In embodiments, the emitter housings118a-118omay be coupled to a cleaning device such that the emitter housing and the cleaning device to which it is coupled appear to be of unitary construction.

FIGS.3A,3B,3C and4depict an embodiment200of a universal mounting bracket for enabling a UV light source to be indirectly coupled to a cleaning device. For example, as shown inFIG.3B, a UV or other light source240may be removably or permanently coupled to the universal mounting bracket200, and as shown inFIG.4, the mounting bracket200, together with the light source240, may be removably or permanently coupled to a cleaning device250(e.g., a sprayer head of a spray bottle260). In some embodiments, the bracket (or mount)200may first be coupled to the cleaning device250and the light source240may thereafter be coupled to the bracket200. In the illustrated embodiment, and as discussed in more detail herein, the light source240is mechanically coupled to the mount200and the mount200is adhesively coupled to the cleaning device250. The cleaning device250may be the sprayer head of the spray bottle260as shown inFIG.4, or other cleaning devices as discussed above.

The light source240(FIG.3B), akin to the light source110, may include one or more UV emitters242, a power source compartment244, and an actuator246(FIG.3C). The light source240may, in embodiments, be a generally cylindrical ultraviolet flashlight or another flashlight. The light source240may take on other suitable shapes (e.g., the light source may have a cylindrical compartment for housing batteries and a conical compartment for housing UV emitters). The light source240may be powered using DC power (e.g., batteries), AC power, or both. Where the light source240is powered via batteries, the batteries may be replaceable. Alternately or in addition, where the power source powering the light source240is rechargeable, a charging device may be provided to allow the power source to be charged in a wired or wireless manner.

As shown inFIG.3A, the mount200may, in embodiments, have a body212. The body212may comprise plastic, wood, metal, or other desirable materials. In embodiments, the body212may have a light source coupling portion213aand a cleaning device coupling portion213b. The light source coupling portion213amay allow for a light source, e.g., light source240, to be coupled to the mount200and be retained thereby. The cleaning device coupling portion213bmay allow for the mount200to be coupled to a cleaning device, e.g., cleaning device250.

In embodiments, the light source coupling portion213acomprises arms212aand212band a retention piece218.

Arms212aand212bmay be generally identical. Arm212amay have an inner surface215aand arm212bmay have an inner surface215bthat faces the inner surface215a. The inner surface215aof the arm212amay originate at one end of the retention piece218and the inner surface215bof the arm212bmay originate at the opposite end of the retention piece218. Each inner surface215aand215bmay be arced or have at least one generally concave section. In embodiments, each of the arms212aand212b(and the inner surfaces215a,215bthereof) and the retention piece218may extend generally along the entire length of the body212. The arm inner surfaces215a,215band the retention piece218may therefore collectively form a generally U-shaped or frustocylindrical socket215cor receptacle for the retention of the light source240within the mount200.

In embodiments, the arms212aand212bmay elastically deform temporarily to allow the flashlight240to be pushed into the socket and be retained therein. Thus, when the light source240is pushed down into the socket215c, the arms212aand212bmay temporarily move away from the retention piece218to allow the light source240to be accommodated within the socket215c. Once the light source240is retained within the socket215c, the arms212a,212bmay snap back and return to their original position (or rest proximate their original position) such that the inner surfaces215a,215bof the arms212a,212bcontact and grip the light source240.

A slot216that extends along the length of the mount200may be provided in the body212between the arm inner surfaces215aand215b. The retention piece218may be disposed within the slot216. The retention piece218may assist in retaining the light source240within the slot215c. In embodiments, the retention piece218is a piece of rubber that provides resistance to movement of the light source240while the light source240is retained within the light source coupling portion213a. In other embodiments, the retention piece218may magnetically or adhesively attach to the light source240and help ensure the light source240does not fall out of the light source coupling portion213a.

The mount200, via its arms212a,212band retention piece218, may hold the flashlight240in a desirable orientation relative to the cleaning device250, such that the UV emitter242(FIG.3B) is generally parallel to the spraying direction of the cleaning device250. As described, the arms212a,212bmay hold the flashlight240mechanically (e.g., by gripping the sides of the flashlight240) and the retention piece218may hold the flashlight240mechanically, adhesively, magnetically, or using other techniques. While not required, a length of the flashlight240may be greater than a length of the mount200. It will be appreciated that the flashlight240may be removable from the mount200and may be replaced, e.g., when the light(s)242thereof have depleted.

In embodiments, the outer surface of arm212amay comprise ridges or protrusions214aand the outer surface of arm212bmay comprise ridges or protrusions214b(FIG.3A). The ridges214aand214bmay extend along the length of the body212. The ridges214amay face away from the inner surface215aof the arm212aand the ridges214bmay face away from the ridges214aand the inner surface215bof the arm212b. The ridges214aand214bmay allow a user to grip the mount200with ease (e.g., while the user is coupling the mount200to the cleaning device250).

As noted, the cleaning device coupling portion213bmay allow for the mount200to be coupled to the cleaning device250. This coupling may be permanent or temporary.

In embodiments, the cleaning device coupling portion213bmay comprise a lower portion220of the mount200(FIG.3C). The mount lower portion220may comprise alignment ridges217aand217bthat face generally in a downward direction and an attachment surface222that extends therebetween. The alignment ridges217a,217band the attachment surface222between the alignment ridges217a,217bmay extend along the length of the body212.

The attachment surface222may, in embodiments, be recessed, and may be attached to the cleaning device250. For example, the attachment surface222may comprise a layer of adhesive that allows the mount200to be adhesively coupled to the top (or the left or right side) of the cleaning device250(seeFIG.4). Alternately, or in addition, different attachment means may be provided (e.g., hook and loop fasteners, pins, snap-fit devices, et cetera) to effectuate the coupling of the mount200to the cleaning device250. Where the attachment surface222comprises adhesive, a removable release liner may be provided to prevent the mount200from undesirably attaching to surfaces other than the desired surface of the cleaning device250.

The alignment ridge217amay be associated with arm212aand the alignment ridge217bmay be associated with arm212b. The alignment ridges217a,217bmay collectively assist the user in securing (e.g., adhesively) the mount200to the cleaning device250such that the light242is pointed in a direction generally parallel to the spraying direction of the cleaning device250. When the mount200is being coupled to the cleaning device250, the user may employ the alignment ridges217a,217bto ensure that the distance between the alignment ridges217a,217band the surface of the cleaning device250to which the mount200is being secured is generally the same for the entire length of the alignment ridges217aand217b; such may ensure proper alignment between the mount200and the spraying direction of the cleaning device250.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.3A-3C and4, once the mount200is coupled to the cleaning device250, the user may activate the light source240and spray the cleaning fluid via the cleaning device250using one hand, leaving the other hand free to wipe the stain or engage in other cleaning activity. For example, the user may use a thumb of the user to power on the light source240via the actuator246(FIG.3C) and use the fingers of the same hand to spray the cleaning fluid at locations where stains are found via the spray trigger. The mount200may thus allow the user to locate and clean the stains in an efficient manner.

As shown inFIG.3B, the light source240is cylindrical. Therefore, the illustrated socket215(FIG.3A) is generally U-shaped so as to accommodate and retain the cylindrical light source240. In other embodiments, a light source having a different shape may be used, and the shape of the socket215may be correspondingly altered to allow this light source to be retained within the socket215. For example, the light source240may be in the shape of a cuboid, and the socket215may be squared to retain the cuboid-shaped flashlight.

Thus, as has been described, a light source240may be coupled to the light source coupling portion213aof the mount200, and the mount200(together with the light source240) may in-turn be coupled to the cleaning device250via the cleaning device coupling portion213bof the mount200. The user may activate the light source240(e.g., a UV or other light source) to identify the location of stain(s) and use the cleaning device250to disperse cleaning fluid to this targeted location. The light source240may be activated and the cleaning fluid may be dispensed using one hand, and the mount200may maintain proper alignment between the light source240and the cleaning device250thereby ensuring the cleaning fluid is sprayed at the general location illuminated by the light source240.

Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.