Hand-held glass cleaning device

Abstract

A hand-held glass cleaning device is provided. Packaging for the device provides a cleaning section including a cleaning compartment and a drying section including a drying compartment. A wet medium capable of retaining moisture and releasing moisture upon application of pressure is disposed within the cleaning compartment. A cleaning fluid is in contact with the moisture retaining medium. A dry medium capable of absorbing and removing moisture and drying a surface is disposed within the drying compartment. The cleaning section and preferably the drying section include an end portion openable to expose a portion of the respective medium. A mid section of the device between the cleaning compartment and the drying compartment may be bendable. The device is particularly suitable for cleaning awkward surfaces such as interior windshields of automobiles.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/179,563, filed Feb. 1, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A clean, glare-free automobile or truck windshield is important for the safety of the driver and any passengers in the vehicle. The interior of a vehicle windshield is, however, difficult to clean, because it requires awkward stretching to reach over the dashboard and into tight corners where the windshield meets the dashboard. Also, spray containers of cleaning fluid often deposit a mist of cleaning fluid on the dashboard and other surfaces rather than on the glass windshield. Additionally, cleaning products are usually not of a convenient size to be kept in the vehicle and are thus not readily available when they are needed. As a result, drivers often do not clean their windshields as frequently or thoroughly as they should.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a hand-held glass cleaning device for cleaning interior vehicle windshields and other glass surfaces, such as windows, glass tabletops, mirrors, electronic monitors, and similar glass surfaces. The device is operative to apply a cleaning fluid to the windshield or other glass surface to clean that surface and to then dry the cleaned surface. The device may be fabricated in a sufficiently inexpensive manner to be disposable, or the device may also be fabricated in a manner to be reusable and/or refillable.

[0004] More particularly, the device provides a packaging having a cleaning section including a cleaning compartment and a drying section including a drying compartment. A wet medium capable of retaining moisture and releasing moisture upon application of pressure is disposed within the cleaning compartment. A cleaning fluid is in contact with the moisture-retaining medium. A dry medium capable of absorbing moisture and/or removing moisture and drying a surface is disposed within the drying compartment. The cleaning section includes an end portion openable to expose a portion of the wet medium. The drying section may also include an end portion openable to expose a portion of the dry medium. A mid section or the device between the cleaning compartment and the drying compartment may be bendable and/or contoured for gripping. The device is particularly suitable for cleaning awkward surfaces such interior vehicle windshields.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a cleaning device according to the present invention;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a further embodiment of a cleaning device;

[0009] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of a cleaning device;

[0010] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of a cleaning device; and

[0011] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment of a cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a glass cleaning device 10 is provided having a packaging or housing 12. The packaging includes two sections, a cleaning section 14, and a drying section 16. Each section includes a respective compartment therein. One compartment, a cleaning compartment 18, stores a moisture retaining or wet medium 20 in contact with a cleaning solution, and the other compartment, a drying compartment 22, stores a dry medium 24. Each compartment can be opened to expose a portion of its respective medium, for example, by removing an end portion 26, 28 from each section 14, 16 with each medium protruding slightly from its respective compartment 18, 20. In use, the cleaning compartment is opened first and the exposed wet medium is wiped over the surface to be cleaned. Subsequently, the drying compartment is opened and the dry medium is wiped over the recently cleaned surface to remove the cleaning liquid and dry the surface. It will be appreciated, of course, that both compartments may be opened before the wet medium is used to clean the surface.

[0013] In the presently preferred embodiment, the packaging is fabricated from two pieces, a cover piece 30 and a cavity piece 32. The cover piece is generally flat in the region of the two compartments. The cavity piece is formed to provide cavities 34, 36 for each of the two compartments and is sealed to the cover piece around the edges 38, 40 of the compartments. The cavity piece 32 is fabricated from any suitable material, for example, a plastic such as PVC, which can be formed with the desired cavity shapes, for example, by a thermo-forming process. The cover piece 30 is also fabricated from any suitable material, for example, a plastic or a paperboard suitably coated or treated to withstand moisture. The cover piece and the cavity piece are sealed together around the perimeter of the two compartments in any suitable manner, such as by a heat-sealing process, with the respective wet and dry mediums disposed therein. An opening 41 for hanging the device may be provided.

[0014] The packaging 10 preferably includes tear strips 42, 44 embedded in the cover piece and the cavity piece near the ends of each compartment. One end of the tear strip is free so that the user can grasp it and pull the tear strip around the periphery of the packaging, thereby ripping through the cover piece and the cavity piece to separate the end portions 26, 28 thereof from the rest of the packaging. The invention contemplates other ways of opening the packaging, such as with perforations in the cover piece and the cavity piece. The user grasps the end of the package and tears the packaging along the perforations to remove the end piece and expose the medium.

[0015] The packaging 10 also preferably includes at least one score line or bend line 46, and preferably two such lines, in a mid region 48 of the packaging to allow the packaging to be bent to provide flexibility to the package. In this way, the user can maximize contact with curved surfaces and tight corners when applying pressure to the glass surface. Preferably, two score lines or bend lines are provided, as indicated in FIGS. 1-2. The packaging may also be folded in half along a bend line to provide a more compact package for storage, for example, in a glove compartment or handbag.

[0016] The wet or moisture-retaining medium 20 comprises a sponge foam, cloth, paper toweling, a nonwoven material, or other suitable material that is capable of retaining moisture and releasing moisture upon the application of pressure. A cleaning fluid is introduced into the wet medium in any suitable manner. For example, the medium may be presoaked with the cleaning fluid before installation into the packaging. Also, the medium may be maintained in a moist condition by replenishment of the cleaning fluid from a source, such as a pad or roll, contained within the packaging. Additionally, the cleaning fluid may be contained within the medium initially in a sealed container that is subsequently broken by pressure on the medium during initial use, thereby causing the cleaning fluid to permeate the medium.

[0017] In a reusable embodiment of the device, the wet or moisture-retaining medium may also be in the form of a stack of wet sheets that are retained in the cleaning compartment of the packaging. After use, a soiled outer sheet in removed and discarded, exposing a fresh sheet for subsequent use. The stack of wet sheets may include barrier layers between the wet sheets in the stack to prevent migration of dirt to underlying sheets.

[0018] The cleaning fluid may be any fluid suitable for cleaning glass, such as an ammonia-based solution. If another type of surface is intended to be cleaned, a cleaning fluid appropriate for that surface may be used. Water may be used, although other fluids suitable for cleaning glass or another intended surface are often preferable to remove soil from the surface and prevent streaks and residue.

[0019] The dry medium 24 comprises a cloth, absorbent paper, nonwoven, foam, or other suitable material that is capable of absorbing moisture and drying a surface. The dry medium may also be in the form of a stack of sheets that are retained in the drying compartment of the packaging.

[0020] The packaging is of a size to be conveniently held in the user's hand. In use, the user grasps the packing between the thumb on one side and the two outer fingers on the other side. The index and middle fingers are used to apply pressure to the surface to be cleaned and dried. The housing may be sufficiently small to fit into the user's pocket or handbag or into the glove compartment of a car or truck. Alternatively, the packaging may be attached to a handle, which may be extendible to provide access to tall windows and other surfaces that are difficult to reach. The device may be fabricated to be disposable after a single use or to be used multiple times.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning section may include a cover that fits over the exposed end of the wet medium, so that moisture and cleaning fluid may be retained in the wet medium when the device is stored. The cover also prevents dirt and other material from contaminating the exposed end of the wet medium when the device is stored. The cover may be attached to the packaging to be movable between an open position and a closed position by a suitable mechanism, such as hinge pins or an integral plastic hinge formed in the cover piece or the cavity piece. Alternatively, the cover may be a separate element attachable to the wet end of the packaging.

[0022] The drying section of the packaging may also include a cover that fits over the exposed end of the dry medium to prevent dirt and other material from contaminating the exposed end of the dry medium when the device is stored. The cover may also be attached to the packaging to be movable between an open position and a closed position by a suitable mechanism, such as hinge pins or an integral plastic hinge formed in the cover piece or the cavity piece. Alternatively, the cover may be a separate element attachable to the dry and of the packaging.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the device incorporating a replaceable cover for the cleaning section. The device comprises a one-piece housing 112 fabricated from, for example, a plastic material. A wet medium 120 and a dry medium 124 are disposed in their respective cleaning and drying compartments 118, 122 with a portion exposed. A cover 125, also formed of a plastic material, fits over the end of the cleaning section, covering the exposed end of the wet medium.

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the cleaning device showing a further configuration of a packaging 212 and providing two bend lines 246 in a mid section 248. FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of a packaging 312 showing a single bend line 346. FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a packaging 412 with contoured portions 449 in the mid section 448 to provide a better grip for the user.

[0025] Although the present glass cleaning device is particularly suitable for cleaning the inner surface of vehicle windshields, the device may be used to clean other glass surfaces, such as the outer surface of windshields, windows, glass tabletops, mirrors, electronic monitors, and similar glass surfaces. The device may also be adapted to clean other types of surfaces, for example, laminate or solid surface countertops.

[0026] The invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described except as indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

a packaging comprising a cleaning section including a cleaning compartment and a drying section including a drying compartment;

a wet medium capable of retaining moisture and releasing moisture upon application of pressure disposed within the cleaning compartment, a cleaning fluid in contact with the moisture retaining medium;

a dry medium capable of absorbing moisture and removing moisture and cleaning liquid and drying a surface disposed within the drying compartment; and

the cleaning section further includes a portion openable to expose a portion of the wet medium.

2. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the openable portion of the cleaning section comprises an end portion removable from a remainder of the packaging.

3. The cleaning device of

claim 2, wherein the end portion of the cleaning section is replacable over the exposed portion of the wet medium.

4. The cleaning device of

claim 2, wherein the end portion of the cleaning section is removable by a tear strip embedded in the cleaning section.

5. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the openable portion of the cleaning section is hinged to a remainder of the packaging.

6. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the drying section further includes an end portion openable to expose a portion of the dry medium.

7. The cleaning device of

claim 6, wherein the end portion of the drying section is removable from a remainder of the packaging.

8. The cleaning device of

claim 7, wherein the end portion of the drying section is replacable over the exposed portion of the dry medium.

9. The cleaning device of

claim 6, wherein the end portion of the drying section is removable by a tear strip embedded in the cleaning section.

10. The cleaning device of

claim 6, wherein the end portion of the drying section is hinged to a remainder of the packaging.

11. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the packaging comprises a cover piece and a cavity piece, the cover piece and the cavity piece sealed together about peripheries defining the cleaning section and the drying section.

12. The cleaning device of

claim 11, wherein the cavity piece is configured to provide a first cavity to house the wet medium and a second cavity to house the dry medium.

13. The cleaning device of

claim 11, wherein the cover piece comprises a paperboard material, and the cavity piece comprises a plastic material.

14. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the packaging comprises a plastic material or a paperboard material, or a plastic material and a paperboard material.

15. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the packaging is sized to be held by a user's hand.

16. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the packaging further comprises a midsection between the cleaning compartment and the drying compartment.

17. The cleaning device of

claim 16, wherein the midsection includes at least one bend line therein.

18. The cleaning device of

claim 16, wherein the midsection is contoured to fit a user's hand.

19. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the wet medium comprises a sponge, foam, cloth, paper, or a nonwoven material.

20. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the wet medium includes a stack of wet sheets.

21. The cleaning device of

claim 20, wherein the wet medium further includes barrier layers between respective sheets in the stack of wet sheets.

22. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the dry medium comprises cloth, foam, absorbent paper, or a nonwoven material.

23. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the dry medium includes a stack of dry sheets.

24. The cleaning device of

claim 23, wherein the dry medium further includes barrier layers between respective sheets in the stack of dry sheets.

25. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid comprises a glass cleaning fluid.

26. The cleaning device of

claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid comprises an ammonia-based cleaning fluid or water.