Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This Application is a Continuation Application of the application Ser. No. 10/246,175, entitled “Squeegee Device and System”, filed Sep. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,688, which is a Divisional Application of application Ser. No. 09/906,230, entitled “Squeegee Device and System”, filed Jul. 17, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,463,619 B2 which is a Divisional Application of application Ser. No. 09/330,704 also entitled “Squeegee Device and System” filed Jun. 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,332, the contents of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,463,619, 6,319,332, and the application Ser. No. 10/246,175, entitled “Squeegee Device and System” are all hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to cleaning devices and cleaning systems. More specifically the invention relates to cleaning devices and cleaning systems that clean surfaces through contact. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cleaning a surface typically involves convection or contact of the surface with a cleaning medium, a mechanic device or a combination of the two. A cleaning medium may be a gas or a liquid that is sprayed or distributed over the surface to remove dirt and debris. There are also several known examples of chemical cleaning systems. For example, strong acids may be used to chemically break down residues on a surface, such as glass. Mechanical cleaning devices, like cleaning media, also involve contact with a surface. Typically, a mechanical cleaning device, such as a brush or a broom, is moved across a surface with a convection cleaning motion to remove, loosen or sweep dirt and debris off the surface. 
     Many common cleaning systems used for household, automobile and industrial applications either use air or water as a cleaning medium along with brushes or absorbent materials. For example, a vacuum system uses vacuum convention to suck dirt or debris from a surface while a brush, typically attached to an end of a vacuum hose, helps remove or loosen dirt from the surface and thus improving the efficiency and cleaning ability of the vacuum system. Floor cleaning systems commonly include a mechanical mopping device and a bucket of soapy water. Like a vacuum brush, the mechanical mopping device is used to loosen the dirt from the surface and the soapy water, like vacuum convection, provides a medium to remove dirt away or off from the surface. 
     There are many different cleaning systems, cleaning media and mechanical cleaning devices available for different cleaning applications. Each system, medium or device has specific cleaning characteristics tailored for their specific application. Ultimately, the characteristics of a cleaning system, cleaning medium or cleaning device are tailored to thoroughly clean a surface cheaply and efficiently without causing damage to the surface. 
     PRIOR ART 
     One of the most common mechanical cleaning devices is a brush cleaning device. A brush cleaning device, herein, refers to a device with a group or several groupings of bristles. A simple brush cleaning device has one set of bristles that is connected to a handle, such as a floor broom, is used to whisk dirt off a floor surface. Besides household cleaning devices, brushes also are used as applicators for applying liquids or powders to surfaces. Brush devices are also used for grooming hair and for cleaning dentition. Steel or metal brushes are often used for cleaning applications where very abrasive cleaning is required to remove a strongly adhered residue, as for example, when cleaning a barbecue grill. 
     A second common type of mechanical cleaning device is a sponge device. A sponge device is made of an absorbent material, such as naturally occurring sponge plants, or a porous synthetic material. In the broadest sense, a sponge cleaning device, herein, is also refers to wash clothes and other woven absorbent materials. Sponge devices are particularly well suited to be used in combination with soapy water to clean surfaces where low abrasion is required. 
     A third common cleaning device is a scouring pad cleaning device. A scouring pad cleaning device is particularly useful for cleaning surface that require a high degree of abrasion to remove a residue. Scouring pad cleaning devices, like sponge cleaning devices, are usually hand held devices but with rough or gritty surfaces. Several known cleaning devices combine the cleaning properties of a scouring pad and a sponge cleaning device. Scouring pad, herein, also refers to sanding paper, steel wool and other fibrous materials with abrasive surface properties. Caution is usual required when using scouring cleaning devices, because they are capable of damaging many common surfaces. Therefore, scouring pad cleaning devices are typically only used to clean very hard robust surfaces or where the intended result is to remove a surface layer in a polishing operation. 
     Yet another type of cleaning device is a squeegee cleaning device. A squeegee cleaning device is typically made of a soft malleable material that is held in a linear fashion and used for displacing water or cleaning solutions from hard smooth flat surface, such as glass. Squeegees have cleaning characteristics, which help prevent undesirable streaks during cleaning of reflective surfaces, such as glass. Thus, squeegee cleaning devices are particularly useful for cleaning windows and automobile windshields. 
     While there are clearly many options when choosing a cleaning system, medium or device for a particular cleaning task, many of the devices and systems described above fall short of an ideal cleaning device or system, even when they are used for their intended application. In particular none of the prior art cleaning devices are optimized for cleaning a surface where the surface is soiled with a soft residue which is strongly adhered to the surface. 
     A dish brush, when used in combination with soapy water, generally does not clean dishes, pots or pan efficiently if a food residue is strongly adhered to the surface of the dish, pot or pan. This situation arises, for example, when spaghetti sauce has either baked on or has dried on to the inside of a cooking pot. The spaghetti sauce residue, while not particularly hard, exhibits excellent adhesion to the walls of the pot. A dish brush, when used in combination with soapy water, relies on soap suds and the brush convection of the soapy water to provide a significant amount of the cleaning action. The brush itself does not provide for the high degree of surface contact required to remove the residue. In cases where soap suds and convection have little or no effect on a residue because of its excellent adhesion properties or low solubility in the soapy water, a brush device generally does not efficiently clean the surface, even if the residue is soft. 
     Despite the shortcomings of a dish brush cleaning device, it is often preferred over a sponge cleaning device, for several reasons. Firstly, while a sponge cleaning device will provide for more efficient surface contact than the brush, a sponge does not always provide sufficient abrasion or surface contact pressure required to remove a residues. Secondly, a sponge cleaning device is typically hand-held and usually requires the operator&#39;s hands to become immersed in the soapy water, which can be an unpleasant experience in the case of cleaning spaghetti sauce residue from the surface of a pot. Lastly, a sponge cleaning device can become irreparably soiled and stained by residues, such as spaghetti sauce, making the sponge cleaning device a highly unattractive addition to the kitchen sink area. 
     A souring pad device will generally provide sufficient abrasion and surface contact to remove residues from a surface but suffers from all other shortcomings of a sponge cleaning device. Further, a scouring pad cleaning device may destroy or ruin the surface being cleaned, especially if the surface is a cooking pot with a non-stick surface coating. 
     A second example where known cleaning devices fail to provide efficient cleaning is in cleaning porcelain surfaces. Porcelain is used to fabricate sinks, tubs and deification receptacles, such as toilet bowls, urinals and the like. Stains and fecal material are not readily removed from porcelain surfaces with brush cleaning devices for the same reasons that a brush device does not efficiently remove spaghetti sauce from a pot. A sponge cleaning device also fails to be an ideal cleaning tool for cleaning porcelain surfaces for reasons already mentioned. A more severe limitation of brush and sponge cleaning devices for cleaning porcelain deification receptacles, is that after a single use the cleaning devices can become unsanitary, unsightly and smelly due to residual residue material that gets stuck and is retained between the bristle of the brush device or is strongly absorbed within the sponge material. 
     Yet another situation where currently available cleaning device fail is in providing for efficient cleaning of enamel surfaces such as teeth or dentition and the like. A toothbrush is the most common cleaning device used for cleaning surfaces of teeth and gum tissue. A tooth brush, unfortunately, is an inefficient device for removing plaque and stains from the enamel surfaces of teeth an is poorly suited for cleaning the surfaces of gum tissue. The inefficiency arises because plaque, while relatively soft, strongly adheres to enamel surfaces of the teeth. Further, plaque is not readily removed from the enamel surfaces by brush convection with water and toothpaste. Thus, in order to remove all the plaque from the enamel surfaces of the teeth, bristles must contact each point on surfaces of the teeth. Even where bristles of the toothbrush contact enamel surfaces of the teeth during a cleaning operation, the toothbrush generally fails to remove stains. A further shortcoming of a tooth brush is that bristle sections of the tooth brush have a propensity to retain water and material that is removed from the teeth after a cleaning operation. A toothbrush will usually remain moist between uses and thus provides an excellent place for the cultivation of bacteria, germs and the like. Yet another shortcoming of a toothbrush is that the toothbrush is too abrasive for cleaning or messaging the surfaces of gum tissue. Thus, dentists generally recommend that their patients use a soft bristled tooth brush. This advise is kindly ignored by most patients because they find that their teeth feel cleaner when a medium or firm bristled tooth brush is used to clean their teeth. Even if a soft bristled toothbrush is used regularly, after years of brushing, gum recession can result from toothbrush abrasion. Gum recession is a condition that exposes highly sensitive portions of the teeth and ultimately leads to temperature sensitivity of the teeth. Temperature sensitivity of the teeth can become so severe for people with gum recession that they can not enjoy warn and hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, or eat cold treats, such as ice cream. 
     There is a need, therefore, for a cleaning device and system that efficiently removes residues from surfaces of materials typically found in the household and in industry. A cleaning device and system preferably removes residues with strong adhesion to the surfaces with out causing a high degree of abrasion to the surface. More importantly, there is a need for a cleaning device and system that efficiently removes residues, such as plaque, from dentition without causing deleterious abrasion to surrounding gum tissue that can lead to gum recession. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee cleaning portion that provides for a plurality of primary squeegee action directions. The squeegee portion has squeegee segments made from soft malleable materials that efficiently remove residues from surfaces through low abrasion contact with the surface in several directions. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee cleaning portion that provides a plurality of squeegees and a plurality primary squeegee action directions. A squeegee cleaning portion with a plurality of squeegees and a plurality of primary squeegee action directions is particularly well suited for cleaning irregular or contoured surfaces. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee portion that provides for a plurality directionally dependent primary squeegee directions. The squeegee cleaning device is particularly useful for cleaning applications where directionally dependent cleaning action is required or preferred. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee cleaning portion that has contoured squeegee segments. Contoured squeegee segments alter the mechanical properties and cleaning characteristics of the squeegee cleaning portion. 
     In is further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system that has a squeegee portion with squeegee segments that protrude from a flexible squeegee support. The flexible squeegee support helps to ensure even cleaning pressures of the squeegee segments across a surface. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional squeegee cleaning device and system that has a squeegee portion with a plurality of squeegee directions and a sponge, a scouring or a brush cleaning portion. The squeegee cleaning device with a squeegee cleaning portion and a sponge, scouring or brush cleaning portion can be used to clean a variety of surfaces. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee cleaning portion that has a plurality of primary squeegee action directions and bristles, wherein the bristles extend substantially farther than the squeegee member. In addition to the cleaning action of the squeegee cleaning portion, the squeegee cleaning portion serves as a contour guide to ensure that the surface being cleaned is not damaged by excessive or abrasive cleaning action of the bristles. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hand-held squeegee cleaning device with a squeegee cleaning portion and a template holding portion, wherein the squeegee cleaning portion is an extendible/retractable or removable squeegee portion. The squeegee cleaning portion can be retracted or removed for application where the squeegee portion is not preferred. Further, in the embodiment where the squeegee cleaning portion is detachable, alternative squeegee portions may be used. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum squeegee cleaning system with a squeegee cleaning portion, wherein the squeegee cleaning portion is attachable to a vacuum source and a vacuum is drawn through the squeegee cleaning portion. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide water squeegee cleaning system with a squeegee cleaning portion, wherein the squeegee cleaning portion is attachable to a water delivery source and water is delivered through the squeegee cleaning portion. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide rotary squeegee cleaning system with a squeegee cleaning portion, wherein the squeegee cleaning portion is attachable to a rotary device to provide a rotary squeegee cleaning action to a surface. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an extendible rotary cleaning system with a contoured rotary squeegee cleaning portion. The contoured rotary squeegee cleaning portion is capable of being extending into a vessel or cavity and delivers a rotary cleaning action to inner walls of the vessel or cavity. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a squeegee dentition cleaning system, wherein the system has a dentition squeegee cleaning section having a plurality of primary squeegee directions for removing plaque, stains and the like from the surfaces of teeth while also cleaning and massaging gum tissue without excessive abrasion. Further, the squeegee dentition cleaning system may be used with cleaning solutions that are delivered through pump device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The cleaning device and system of the current invention has a squeegee cleaning portion configured with one or more elongated squeegee protruding from a squeegee support and extending in a plurality of directions. Because the squeegee segments extend in a plurality of directions from the squeegee support, the squeegee cleans a surface in a plurality of cleaning directions, which correspond to directions substantially normal to squeegee elongation directions. Linear squeegee devices known in the art contact a surface and clean the surface with a single linear back and forth direction. Since the squeegee cleaning device and system, of the current invention contact a surface and clean the surface with several non-parallel back and forth directions, the invention is coined as an efficient squeegee cleaning device and system. 
     The squeegee cleaning portion of the current invention has several alternative squeegee configurations, which provide for a plurality of squeegee cleaning directions. Useful squeegee configurations include, but are not limited to linear squeegee segments, continuous spiraling squeegees, circular squeegees and combinations thereof. Elongated squeegees are preferably made of soft malleable materials such as rubber, silicone and urethane. The surfaces of the squeegees are contoured or modified to alter their cleaning properties according the intended cleaning application. 
     The squeegee cleaning portion preferably has a contoured squeegee support that is compressible and allows protruding squeegees to readily conform to irregular surfaces. The contoured squeegee support may also be attached to a cleaning head, thus forming a cushion cavity between the contoured squeegee support and the cleaning head. The rigidity of the cushion cavity can be altered by filling the cushion cavity with a variety of materials including air, gels and silicones. 
     In one embodiment of the current invention, the squeegee cleaning portion also has a sponge section, scouring pad section or a brush section, which protrudes from the squeegee support. Alternatively, a sponge portion, scouring pad portion or a brush portion is attached to the edge of the squeegee support or positioned at the back side of the squeegee support to provide a multi-functional cleaning device. 
     In yet another embodiment of the current invention the squeegee cleaning portion is attachable to a vacuum source, wherein a vacuum is drawn through the squeegee cleaning portion or the squeegee cleaning portion is attachable to a water delivery source and water is delivered through the squeegee cleaning portion. 
     In yet other embodiments of the current invention, squeegee cleaning portions are capable of being attached to rotary devices and are configured to provide rotary cleaning action. These embodiments are useful for cleaning walls of containers, cleaning out pipes or plumbing but may also be used to clean flat surfaces such as floors. Further, rotary squeegee cleaning portions can be miniaturized to have medial applications. 
     Particular embodiments of the squeegee cleaning device and system, described herein, have household and industrial cleaning applications such as for cleaning dishes, porcelain and other hard surface. The invention also is particularly useful for cleaning dentition without causing deleterious abrasion to the surrounding gum tissue. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIGS. 1 a-f  show several prior art cleaning devices. 
     FIG. 2 a  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated linear squeegee protruding from a support. 
     FIG. 2 b  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated curved squeegee member protruding from a support. 
     FIG. 2 c  compares the primary squeegee directions provided by the linear squeegee member of FIG. 2 a  and the curved squeegee member of FIG. 2 b.    
     FIGS. 3 a-m  show a top perspective views of several squeegee configurations. 
     FIGS. 4 a-d  show several squeegee configurations that exhibit directionally dependent primary squeegee directions. 
     FIGS. 5 a-d  show several squeegee configurations with squeegee sections and sponge, scouring pad or bristle sections. 
     FIG. 6 a  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a squeegee section with several circular squeegee members protruding from a squeegee support. 
     FIG. 6 b  illustrates a squeegee cleaning device with a detachable squeegee section. 
     FIGS. 7 a-d  show cross-sectional views of several squeegee portions with near circular concentric squeegees walls protruding from a single squeegee member and several variations thereof. 
     FIGS. 8 a-b  illustrate squeegee cleaning devices of the current invention with contoured squeegee support members attached to cleaning heads. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a cleaning device with a contoured squeegee support member and a front convex surface attached to a wire-like supporting device with a handle. 
     FIGS. 10 a-b  show two configurations of hand-held squeegee cleaning devices of the current invention with sponge portions attached. 
     FIGS. 11 a-f  show several squeegee segments with contoured protruding edges used in the cleaning device and system of the current invention. 
     FIGS. 12 a-d  show several squeegee segments with contoured squeegee walls used in the cleaning device and system of the current invention. 
     FIGS. 13 a-b  illustrate a perspective view and a top perspective view of a continuous squeegee member with contoured squeegee walls and a contoured protruding squeegee edge. 
     FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a squeegee cleaning portion that provides for rotary squeegee cleaning action. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a contoured squeegee cleaning portion that provides for rotary squeegee cleaning action and is attachable to a rotary devices or an extendable rotary device for cleaning inner walls of cavities and vessels. 
     FIG. 16 is a hand-held cleaning device of the current invention for cleaning surfaces. 
     FIG. 17 is dentition squeegee cleaning device made in accordance with the current invention for cleaning teeth without deleterious abrasion to surrounding gum tissue. 
     FIGS. 18 a-c  are preferred squeegee cleaning portions used in a dentition squeegee cleaning device in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
     FIGS. 1 a-f  show several prior art cleaning devices. Many typical cleaning devices employ a brush portion or brush sections that are attached to a supporting structure with a handle. Examples include: a toothbrush  10  with a brush portion  11  supported by handle structure  13 , as shown in FIG. 1 a;  a dish brush  20  with a brush portion  21  and a handle supporting structure  23 , as shown in FIG. 1 b;  and a toilet brush  30  with a multi-directional brush portion  31  connected to a handle support structure  33 , as shown in FIG. 1 c.  A sponge  40 , illustrated in FIG. 1 d,  is typically made from a porous absorbent material. The sponge  40 , as shown, is a rectangular sponge  40 , be can be any shape. A sponge  40 , like the brush devices described above, is often attached to a support structure with a handle (not shown). Sponge, herein refers to any absorbent material for cleaning surfaces, including woven cloths and the like. A scouring pad  50 , as shown in FIG. 1 e,  is typically made from steel wool or other abrasive materials. Scouring pads are often attached to a surface of a sponge or connected to a brush device to provide for a multi-functional cleaning device (not shown). A typical squeegee device  60 , is shown in FIG. 1 f.  The squeegee cleaning device  60  has a linear elongated squeegee member  61  that is held in a linear fashion by a supporting structure  65  equipped with a handle  63 . 
     The linear elongated squeegee  61  is generally made of a soft rubber material that provides for a squeegee cleaning action when the device  60  is dragged across a flat smooth surface. The squeegee device  60 , illustrated herein, is generally used to clean windows. 
     FIG. 2 a  shows a perspective view of a squeegee structure  99  with a squeegee member  98  that protrudes from a support member  100  in a protruding direction  108 . The squeegee member  98  has a protruding edge  101  that contacts a surface during a cleaning operation. The squeegee member  98  is elongated in an elongation direction  107  with two elongated squeegee walls  103 / 104 . At any point on the surface of the squeegee walls  103 / 104 , the squeegee member  98  has a squeegee wall thickness  105 . The primary squeegee direction  109  is defined, herein, as a direction that is normal to the elongation direction  107 . Thus, the linear elongated squeegee  98  provides for one primary squeegee direction, regardless of the protruding angle  97  or curvature of the squeegee wall in the protruding direction  108 . For clarity and descriptive purpose, squeegee members and squeegee supports are usually described as separated elements. However, it is clear that squeegee members and squeegee supports may be a singular element and made of the same material. Further, the shapes of supports are not limited to circles or squares generally used, herein, for descriptive purposes; a squeegee support may take any shape or form that is reasonable for the application at hand. 
     Preferred embodiments of the current invention provides for a squeegee cleaning device and system with a squeegee cleaning portion that provides for at least two primary squeegee directions. Preferably the two primary squeegee directions are orthogonal and substantially normal to squeegee elongation directions. More preferably, the squeegee cleaning portion of the current invention provides for primary squeegee directions in all directions that are substantially normal to squeegee elongation directions. Most preferably, the squeegee cleaning portion of the current invention provides for a plurality of primary squeegee directions in all directions that are substantially normal to squeegee elongation directions. The squeegee configurations employed in the squeegee cleaning portion of the present invention do not need to protrude from a squeegee support member in a direction that is normal to the surface of the support member. In fact, for many cleaning applications it is preferred that the squeegee configurations have squeegee members that protrude in off normal directions from a squeegee support. Further, the squeegee cleaning action, referring to the number of squeegees or cleaning characteristics of squeegees, does not need to be equal in all primary squeegee directions. Several squeegee configurations used in the squeegee cleaning portion of the current invention provide for a plurality of primary squeegee directions where there are more or less squeegee protruding edges that contact a surface in one direction than in another. Also, the squeegee cleaning action can be modified in any direction by providing a squeegee configuration that has directionally varied squeegee thicknesses as described below. 
     FIG. 2 b  illustrates a squeegee structure  110  with a curved squeegee member  121  that is curved in the elongation directions  127 . Curved squeegee members, such as  121  are particularly useful in the current invention. Geometric considerations will reveal that each point on the curved squeegee wall  122 / 123  corresponds to a primary squeegee direction in the direction that is normal to a tangent line of the squeegee curvature. For example points  131 ,  133  and  135  have tangent lines of curvature  151 ,  153  and  155 , respectively, and the corresponding primary squeegee directions  141 ,  143  and  145 . 
     FIG. 2 b  compares the primary squeegee directions provided by the linear squeegee member of FIG. 2 a  and the curved squeegee member of FIG. 2 b.  It can be seen from FIG. 2 c,  that the curved squeegee member  168  can be moved in a set of directions  173  to contact a single point  163  with a primary squeegee action. While the linear squeegee  169  can only be moved in one direction  171  to contact a point  161  in a primary squeegee direction. 
     FIGS. 3 a-m  illustrate top perspective views of several alternative squeegee configurations that provide for a plurality of primary squeegee directions. FIG. 3 a  shows a squeegee configuration  200  with two elongated squeegee members  199 / 201  that protrude from a support member  12 . Because the squeegee members  199 / 201  are positioned in an angled fashion, the squeegee configuration  200  provides for two primary squeegee directions that are substantially normal to the two corresponding elongation directions of the squeegee members  199  and  201 . FIG. 3 b  shows a squeegee configurations  202  with a plurality of linear squeegee segment members  203 / 205  positioned at alternating angles and protruding from several positions of a support member  14 . FIG. 3 c  illustrates a squeegee configuration  204  with a curved elongated squeegee member  207  that protrudes from a support member  16 . The curved or cupped squeegee configuration  204  provides for primary squeegee directions in all directions of a plane substantially parallel to the squeegee member  207  elongation directions. However, the squeegee configuration  204  does not provide for equal squeegee actions in all directions, because the squeegee member  207  will squeegee a surface twice each time the squeegee member  207  is moved with a sideways cleaning motion, but will squeegee a surface once for each up or down cleaning motion. Thus, the squeegee configuration  204  provides for a plurality of directionally dependent primary squeegee directions. FIG. 3 d  illustrates a squeegee configurations  206  with several cupped squeegee members  209 / 211  that protrude from a support member  18  with the squeegee members  209  and  211  cupped in opposite directions. FIG. 3 e  shows a squeegee configuration  208  with a continuous circular squeegee member  213  protruding from a support member  22 . The continuous circular squeegee member  213  forms an inner squeegee region  232  and an outer squeegee region  234 . Like the cupped squeegee configuration  204 , the squeegee configuration  208  provides for primary squeegee directions in all directions of a plane substantially parallel to the elongation directions of the circular squeegee member  213 . However, the circular squeegee configuration  208  provides for a plurality directionally independent primary squeegee directions. FIG. 3 f  illustrates a squeegee configuration  210  with several continuous circular squeegee members  215 ,  217  and  219  protruding from a support member  24  that form a concentric set of squeegees with circular channels  236  and  236 ′. The set of concentric continuous circular squeegee members provide for a plurality of primary squeegee directions in all directions of a plane substantially normal to the squeegee elongation directions. FIG. 3 g  shows a squeegee configuration  212  with a spiraling squeegee member  221  protruding from a squeegee support member  26 . The spiraling squeegee member  221  forms a spiraling squeegee channel  238  and provides for a plurality of primary squeegee directions in all directions of a plane substantially normal to the squeegee elongation directions. FIG. 3 h  shows a squeegee configuration  214  with a plurality of spiraling squeegee members  223  and  225  protruding from a squeegee support member  28  to provide a plurality of primary squeegee directions in all directions of a plane substantially normal to the squeegee elongation directions. FIG. 3 i  also shows a squeegee configuration  216  with a spiraling squeegee member  227  protruding from a squeegee support member  32 . The squeegee member  227  spirals in a substantially rectangular fashion and forms a rectangular-like squeegee channel  240 . The squeegee configuration  216  provides for directionally dependent squeegee action, wherein a diagonal cleaning motion will give a different squeegee action than a sideways or up and down cleaning motion. FIG. 3 j  and FIG. 3 k  illustrated squeegee configurations  218  and  220  that have squeegee segments protruding from a squeegee support members  34  and  36 , respectively, where the squeegee segments are positioned at alternating angles on the squeegee support members  34 / 36 . FIG. 3 j  shows linear squeegee segments  229  and  231  positioned at near to right angles relative to each other and forming a rectangular segmented squeegee configuration  218 . FIG. 3 k  shows squeegee configuration  220  comprising curved squeegee segments  235  that are positioned to from the circular segmented squeegee configurations  220 , wherein the squeegee segments  235  are positioned within a inner squeegee region of a larger circular continuous squeegee member  233 . FIG. 3 l  and FIG. 3 m  illustrate yet other squeegee configurations  222  and  224  that have squeegee members protruding from a squeegee support members  38  and  42 . In FIG. 31 the squeegee configuration  222  has cross-type of squeegee segments  237 . The configuration  222  also has squeegee member  239  with a major squeegee segment  243  crossed with smaller intersecting squeegee segments  241  that are positioned at near to right angles relative to the major squeegee segment  243 . In FIG. 3 m  the squeegee configuration  224  has squiggling squeegee members  245  protruding from a squeegee support member  42  to provide several primary squeegee directions. 
     FIGS. 4 a-d  illustrate several squeegee configurations that, in addition to providing for primary squeegee action directions in all directions of a plane substantially normal to protruding directions of squeegee members, also provide for directionally dependent primary squeegee actions. FIG. 4 a  shows a squeegee configuration  300  with several circular squeegee members  303 ,  303 ′ and  303 ″ protruding from a circular squeegee support member  301 . Within, the inner squeegee region of the circular squeegee members  303 ,  303 ′ and  303 ″ there are linear squeegee segments  305 ,  305 ′ and  305 ″, respectively. The linear squeegee segments  305 ,  305 ″ and  305 ″ only provide for primary squeegee actions when the squeegee configuration  300  is moved on a surface with an upward or a downward cleaning motion. The linear squeegee segments  305 ,  305 ′ and  305 ″ do not, however, provide primary squeegee actions when the squeegee configuration  300  is moved on a surface with a sideways cleaning motion. FIG. 4 b  illustrates an alternative squeegee configuration  302  that provides for directionally dependent primary squeegee action. Linear squeegee segments  311  are positioned in the squeegee channel  308  of a spiraling rectangular squeegee member  309  that protrudes from a squeegee support member  307 . In this example, the linear segments  311  only provide for additional primary squeegee actions when the squeegee configuration  302  is moved on a surface with a sideways cleaning motion. FIG. 4 c  shows a squeegee configuration  304  with two non-concentrically positioned circular squeegee members  315  and  317  protruding from a circular squeegee support member  304 . In the squeegee configurations  304 , it is the non-concentric channel spacing  314  between the squeegee members  315  and  317  that provides for directionally dependent primary squeegee actions. FIG. 4 d  shows a different squeegee configuration  306  that provides for directionally dependent squeegee action. The squeegee configuration  306  comprises two rectangular squeegee members  320  and  322 . The longer squeegee walls  321  and  323  of the rectangular squeegees,  320  and  322 , are thin while the shorter squeegee walls,  319  and  325 , are thick. In this way the primary squeegee action is made to be different when the squeegee configuration  306  is moved on a surface with a sideways cleaning motion rather than when it is moved on a surface with an upward or a downward cleaning motion. It is clear that there are many alternative squeegee configuration that can provide for directionally dependent squeegee actions by variations of squeegee geometries, squeegee configurations, squeegee thicknesses, squeegee materials and combinations thereof. 
     FIGS. 5 a-d  show top perspective views of several cleaning portions configured with squeegee sections and brush sections, sponge sections scouring pad sections, medium ports or combination thereof. FIG. 5 a  shows a cleaning portion  400  with a spiraling rectangular squeegee  403  protruding from a rectangular support member  407 . In the rectangular-like squeegee channel  404  there are several brush sections  405 ,  405 ′ and  405 ″ protruding from the support member. Around the outside of the spiraling rectangular squeegee member  403  there is a sponge section  402  attached to the support member. The cleaning section configuration  400  provides for the cleaning characteristics of a squeegee, a brush and a sponge. FIG. 5 b  illustrates a cleaning portion configuration  401  with squeegee members  409 ,  409 ′ and  409 ″ protruding from a circular support member  413 . Within the inner squeegee region of the circular squeegee members  409 ,  409 ′ and  409 ″ there are bristles sections  411 ,  411 ′ and  411 ″. Attached to the support member  413  and positioned at the outer squeegee regions of the circular members  409 ,  409 ′ and  409 ″ there is a scouring material  414 . The cleaning section configuration  401  provides for the cleaning characteristics of a squeegee, a brush and a scouring pad. FIG. 5 c  shows a cleaning portion configuration  404  comprising of squeegee segments  416  and  417  protruding from a rectangular support member  415  and forming a segmented rectangular squeegee configuration. Within the segmented rectangular squeegee configuration, there is a substantially rectangular brush section  419  protruding from the support member  415 . This cleaning portion configuration is useful for cleaning applications where brush and squeegee cleaning characteristics are required. FIG. 5 d  illustrates a cleaning portion configuration  406  with a spiraling squeegee member  423  protruding from a circular support member  421  and forming a spiral channel  422 . There are several medium ports  425 ,  425 ′ and  425 ″ positioned at the parameter of the spiraling squeegee  423  and within the spiraling channel  422 . The medium ports  425 ,  425 ′ and  425 ″ provide a means for directing a medium to a surface during a cleaning operation or for drawing a vacuum near a surface during a vacuum cleaning operation of the surface. The cleaning portion configuration  406  further includes a brush section  427  attached substantially central to the support member  421 . The cleaning portion configuration  406  is particularly useful where a cleaning medium such water is required or where vacuum convection is needed. The cleaning portion configuration  406  also may be attached to a rotary device to provide a rotary cleaning action to a surface during a cleaning operation. It is clear that there are several variations of cleaning portion configurations that will provide for multiple cleaning characteristics that are within the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 a  illustrates a cross sectional view of a squeegee support  501  with curved sectional squeegee members  503 ,  505  and  507 . FIG. 6 b  shows a cleaning device  500  with a detachable squeegee portion  510  and a template portion  512 . The detachable squeegee portion  510  has a handle  509  for inserting squeegee portion  510  in and removing the squeegee portion  508  from the template portion  512 . The template portion has a receiving section  511 , with channeled slots  506 ,  504  and  508 . With the squeegee portion in an inserted position and engaged, the squeegee members  503 ,  505  and  507  protrude through the channeled slots  506 ,  504  and  508 , respectively. On the surface  514  of the template receiving section  511 , there are bristle sections  502 ,  502 ′ and  502 ″. Preferably the template section  512  has a handle  513  for providing extended cleaning capabilities. The cleaning device  500  shown, and its obvious variants, have several advantages. The squeegee portion  510  and the template section  512  can be used for cleaning surfaces independently. Several squeegee sections (not shown) with similar squeegee configurations, but with different cleaning properties, can be used in place of the squeegee portion  510  shown. Additionally, the squeegee portion  510  is self-cleaned when it is removed from the template portion  512 . 
     FIGS. 7 a-d  show cross-sectional views of several squeegee cleaning portion configurations with squeegee sections having substantially circular squeegee edges that protrude from squeegee support members. For example, FIG. 7 a  shows a cross-sectional view of a squeegee cleaning portion  602  with a squeegee member  622  attached to a support member  62 . The squeegee member has four substantially circular protruding squeegee edges  619 ,  621 ,  622  and  625 . Positioned substantially in the center of, and attached to the squeegee member  622 , is a brush section  620 . FIG. 7 b  shows cross-sectional view of a squeegee cleaning portion  604  with a squeegee member  632  attached to a support member  64 . The squeegee member  632  has four substantially circular protruding squeegee edges  631 ,  633 ,  635  and  637 . The protruding squeegee edges protrude in an alternating fashion with squeegee edges  633  and  637  protruding farther than squeegee edges  631  and  635 . Positioned substantially in the center of the squeegee member  632 , and attached to the squeegee member  632  is a brush section  630 , FIG. 7 c  shows cross-sectional view of a squeegee cleaning portion  606  with a squeegee member  642  attached to a support member  66 . The squeegee member  642  has four substantially circular protruding squeegee edges  641 ,  643 ,  645  and  647 . The protruding squeegee edges protrude in a cascade fashion with the squeegee edge  641  protruding farthest and the squeegee edge  647  protruding the least. Positioned substantially in the center of the squeegee member  642 , and attached to the squeegee member  642  is a brush section  640 . FIG. 7 d  shows cross-sectional view of a squeegee cleaning portion  608  with a squeegee member  652  attached to a support member  68 . The squeegee member  652  has three substantially circular protruding squeegee edges  651 ,  653 , and  655 . The protruding squeegee edges are spatially displaced such that the distance between protruding squeegee edges  651  and  653  is greater than the distance between protruding squeegee edges  653  and  655 . In this configuration there are two brush section  650  and  660 . The brush section  650  is positioned substantially in the center squeegee member  652  while the brush section  660  is a continuous circular brush section that positioned in the circular channel defined by the protruding squeegee edges  651  and  653 . 
     FIGS. 8 a-b  illustrate cross sectional views of cleaning devices with circular squeegee members protruding from curved contoured squeegee support members. FIG. 8 a  shows a cross sectional view of a cleaning device  700  with circular squeegee members  701 ,  703  and  705  protruding from a curved contoured squeegee support  707  to form a convex contact surface with the protruding edges of the squeegee members  701 ,  703  and  705 . The edge  710  of the squeegee support  707  is attached to a cleaning head  713  such that the concave back surface of the squeegee support  708  and a top surface of the cleaning head  706  form a cushion cavity  711 . The cushion cavity  711  allows the convex contact surface to conform to an irregular surfaces during cleaning operations. In a preferred embodiment, the cushion cavity  711  is filled with air that is allowed to escape through an orifice  704  in the cleaning head  713  when pressure is applied to the squeegee members  701 ,  703  and  705 . FIG. 8 b  shows a cleaning device  720  with circular squeegee members  721 ,  723  and  725  protruding from a curved contoured squeegee support  727  to form a convex contact surface with the protruding edges of the squeegee members  721 ,  723  and  725 . The edge  730  of the squeegee support  727  is attached to a cleaning head  733  such that the concave back surface of the squeegee support  728  and a top surface of the cleaning head  726  form a cushion cavity  731 . Filling the cushion cavity  731  with a liquid or a gel, such as silicone gel can modify the rigidity of the cushion cavity  731 . The cleaning device  720  has a brush section  724  attached substantially in the center of the contoured squeegee support  727  and a brush portion  722  attached to the back surface of the cleaning head  729 . While it is preferred that the squeegee members are circular, any of the numerous squeegee configurations described, herein, can be attached to a contoured squeegee support. Squeegee cleaning devices such as those described in FIG. 8 a-b,  and variations thereof, are especially useful for cleaning irregular surfaces and surfaces where excessive pressure of a cleaning device can cause damage to the surface. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a squeegee cleaning device  800  with three substantially circular squeegee members  803 ,  805  and  807  protruding from a flexible contoured squeegee support member  801 . An edge of the squeegee support member  801  is attached to a wire like support  809  that is equipped with a handle  813 . The convex back surface of the contoured squeegee member  811  is capable of being deformed when pressure is applied to the squeegee members  803 ,  805  and  807 . Thus the squeegee cleaning device  800  readily conforms to the contoured or irregular surfaces during a cleaning operation. 
     FIGS. 10 a-b  illustrate two hand held squeegee cleaning devices with circular squeegees protruding from contoured squeegee support members and with sponge portions attached. FIG. 10 a  shows a cleaning device  900  with substantially circular squeegees members  901 ,  903  and  905  protruding in an angular fashion from a convex surface of a contoured squeegee support  907  to form a convex cleaning contact surface with the protruding edges of the squeegee members  901 ,  903  and  905 . On a back surface of the squeegee support  907  a sponge portion  909  is attached. The cleaning device  900  is particularly useful for cleaning dishes or for other applications where a compact hand held cleaning device is preferred. FIG. 10 b  shows a squeegee cleaning device  920  with substantially circular squeegees members  921 ,  923  and  925  protruding from a convex surface of a contoured squeegee support  927  to form a substantially planar cleaning contact surface with the protruding edges of the squeegee members  921 ,  923  and  925 . On a back surface of the squeegee support  927  a sponge portion  929  is attached. The planar cleaning contact surface of the squeegee cleaning device  920  formed by the circular squeegee members  921 ,  923  and  925  serves as a squeegee cleaning portion and as a convenient draining platform for resting and drying the sponge portion  929  after use. While several specific embodiments of the current invention illustrate cleaning devices with circular, spiraling and other continuous or elongated squeegee members, squeegee cleaning devices with several elongated linear squeegee segment members are preferred for many cleaning applications. 
     FIG. 11 a  shows a squeegee segment  75  with a planar protruding edge  76 . FIGS. 11 b-f  illustrate several squeegee segments with contoured protruding squeegee edges. FIG. 11 b  illustrates a squeegee segment  77  with a V-shaped indented protruding edge  78 ; FIG. 11 c  illustrates a squeegee segment  79  with a curve convex contoured protruding edge  80 ; FIG. 11 d  shows a squeegee segment  81  with a concave contoured protruding squeegee edge  82 ; FIG. 11 e  shows a squeegee segment  83  with a diagonally contoured protruding squeegee edge  84 ; and FIG. 11 f  shows a squeegee segment  85  with a pointed protruding edge  86 . Squeegee cleaning devices that have squeegee members with contoured segments, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 11 b-f,  provide a harsher cleaning action than a similar squeegee cleaning devices with squeegee members with planar squeegee segments, such as illustrated in FIG. 11 a.    
     FIGS. 12 a-d  illustrate several squeegee segments with contoured squeegee walls. FIG. 12 a  illustrates a squeegee segment  170  with a planar protruding edge  171  and a concave squeegee wall  173 ; FIG. 12 b  illustrates a squeegee segment  180  with a planar pointed protruding edge  181  and tapered squeegee walls  183 / 184 ; FIG. 12 c  illustrates a squeegee segment  190  with a planar protruding edge  191  and concave V-shaped squeegee walls  193 / 194 ; and FIG. 12 d  illustrates a squeegee segment  195  with a jagged protruding edge  196  a grooved squeegee wall  197  that is grooved in the squeegee protruding direction. 
     The squeegee segments in FIGS. 11 a-f  and FIGS. 12 a-d  show segments of contoured squeegee protruding edges and contoured squeegee walls, respectively. These squeegee segments are segments of linear squeegees members, circular squeegee members, spiraling squeegee members and other continuous or elongated squeegee members. FIG. 13 a  shows a perspective view  250  of a substantially circular squeegee member  251  with a contoured protruding squeegee edge  252  and a contoured squeegee walls  253 / 254 . The protruding squeegee edged  252  and the squeegee walls  253 / 254  are contoured in a wave-like fashion. FIG. 13 b  is a top perspective view  260  of the squeegee member  251  to clearly show the wave-like contouring of the squeegee member walls  253 / 254 . 
     Embodiments of the present invention have many application in hand-held and hand operated squeegee cleaning devices, wherein the cleaning action is generated by moving the cleaning device across a surface. However, several of squeegee configurations also have application in rotary cleaning systems where a substantial portion of the squeegee action arises from rotational motion of a squeegee cleaning portion. FIG. 14 shows a top perspective view  350  of a squeegee cleaning portion  351  having several substantially circular squeegee members  352 ,  354  and  356 . Positioned between circular squeegee channels, there are several radially positioned squeegee segment members  358 ,  360  and  362 . The radially positioned squeegee segment members,  358 ,  360  and  362 , provide rotary squeegee cleaning action when the squeegee cleaning portion  351  is attached to a rotary device (not shown) and is rotated in a rotary direction  353 . Squeegee cleaning sections, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 14, have applications in rotary cleaning systems for cleaning floors and polishing surfaces. 
     FIG. 15 shows a perspective view  450  of a rotary squeegee cleaning portion  451  that is particularly useful for cleaning inner surfaces of vessels and cavities. The rotary squeegee cleaning portion  451  has substantially circular squeegee members  458 ,  460  and  462  protruding from the sides of an elongated tubular squeegee support member  452 . Several linear squeegee segments  468 ,  466  and  464  also protrude from the sides of the elongated tubular squeegee support  452  and extend in an elongated direction  455 . The linear squeegee segments  468 ,  466  and  464  are preferably connected to the squeegee walls of the substantially circular squeegee members  458 ,  460  and  462 . Substantially circular squeegee members  454  and  456  and linear squeegee segments  464  and  470  also protrude from the curved top portion  452  of the elongated squeegee support. The rotary squeegee cleaning portion  451  has an attachment portion  474  for attaching the rotary squeegee cleaning portion  451  to a rotary device (not shown) in order to provide squeegee cleaning action in the rotary direction  453 . A rotary squeegee cleaning portion, such as that shown in FIG. 15, can be made in a variety of sizes and shapes. A larger rotary squeegee portions may be attached to an extendable rotary device and used to clean inside surfaces of glass containers or pipes. Micro-rotary squeegee portions maybe attached to catheter devices and used to clear arteries or remove tissue from the inner walls of vessels or cavities during medical procedures. 
     FIG. 16 shows a perspective view  500  of a cleaning device  551  that employs a preferred squeegee configuration. Several continuous squeegee members  554 ,  556 ,  558  and  560  protrude from a cleaning head  553 . Several squeegee segments  562 ,  564  and  566  with curve contoured protruding squeegee edges are positioned in the squeegee channels formed by the continuous squeegee members  554 ,  556 ,  558  and  560 . The cleaning head is preferably attached to a handle portion  552 . The cleaning device  551  is particularly useful for cleaning dishes and the like. 
     FIG. 17 shows a perspective view  750  of a dentition cleaning device  751  that has a handle portion  754  and a dentition squeegee cleaning portion  752  in accordance with the present invention. The dentition cleaning device  751  preferably has a dentition squeegee cleaning portion  752  with squeegee members configured according to FIG. 18 a-c.  FIG. 18 a  shows a top perspective view  850  of a dentition squeegee cleaning portion  851  with a plurality of linear squeegee segment members  854  and  856  protruding from a support member  852  and that are positioned at alternating angles. FIG. 18 b  shows a top perspective view  860  of the most preferred dentition squeegee cleaning portion  861 . The dentition squeegee cleaning portion  861  has a spiraling squeegee section  864  protruding from a support  862 . Preferably, the spiraling squeegee channel  866  is sufficiently narrow such that water can readily enter the channel but also has retention within the channel. FIG. 18 c  shows top perspective view  870  of an alternative dentition squeegee cleaning portion  871 . A continuous squeegee member  874  and several squeegee segments  876  and  876 ′ protrude from a support member  872 . Within the inner region of the continuous squeegee member  874 , and the between the squeegee segments  876  and  876 ′, there are several bristle sections  878  protruding from the support member  872 . 
     It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the above embodiment may be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Technology Category: a