Lint removal device

Abstract

A lint removal device is provided. A first version provides a compactly designed, flexible and portable substrate having an adhesive disposed on an outer surface. The first version allows a user to insert one and up to four fingers into a channel and contact therein an inner surface of the substrate. A modification of the first version includes layers of protective sheeting interposed between layers of adhesives, whereby the first device provides consecutively available layers of adhesives for multiple use occasions. A second version allows the tips of the user's fingers to extend fully through and be exposed during use of the device, whereby the device may roll about the user's fingers as the user's fingers pass across and press against a fabric or textile sheet. A third version includes a thumb hole, where the substrate is shaped to substantially shaped to enclose the user's palm and four fingers when in use, and the user's thumb extends through the thumb hole.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and techniques for removing lint and particulates form textiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to providing a portable device useful for removing lint and particulates from cloth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The aesthetic appearance of clothing is a primary contributor to the value of clothing to many consumers. In addition, the immediate cleanliness of clothing can greatly affect the opinion that observers might form about the wearer. Yet clothing is often at least partly exposed to the environment surrounding the wearer, whereby lint and other particulate contaminants may fall onto, and remain visible upon, an outer surface of the clothing.

As used herein, the term “lint” is defined to include fibers or particulates comprising organic, natural or synthetic substances, including mammalian hair, dandruff and other natural and/or synthetic particles or particulate matter.

A desire to remove lint can easily occur when the wearer is away from home and has limited access to materials and devices to accomplish this goal. The prior art provides lint removal mitts configured for receiving some or all of a user's hand. Yet these prior art lint removal gloves are not designed to enable compact storage and efficient deployment from a storage position.

There is, therefore, a long felt need to provide a lint removal device that is compact, portable, reliable and convenient to use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lint removal device that can be manually applied by a user.

It is an additional optional object of the present invention to provide a portable lint removal device that may be folded and/or rolled for compactness and portability.

It is a further optional object of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a lint removal device that is low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects will be apparent in light of the prior art and this disclosure. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a lint removal device, the lint removal device comprising and adhesive layered upon one side of a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate configured to receive and enclose at least one human finger and having an inner surface and an outer surface. The adhesive may be generally disposed upon the outer surface of the substrate, the outer surface having less than 18 square inches of surface area. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive, or, alternatively, may comprise any other suitable adhesive known in the art that operates to adhere and hold lint thereto, and operates as described herein. The adhesive may have qualities that permit a surface of the invented devise having adhesive located thereon to be washed to remove the lint therefrom, permitting the instant surface of the invented device to be re-used to remove lint.

In certain alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outer surface may have more than six square inches of surface area. Alternately or additionally, the substrate may be elastic and be configured to be in tension against at least one human finger when in use.

In certain still alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention may further comprise a removable protective sheet disposed between the adhesive and configured for removal and disposal. In addition, the invented device may include a second adhesive disposed upon an outer layer of the removable protective sheet, whereby the second adhesive may be used to remove lint prior to the removal and disposal of the removable protective sheet.

In certain yet alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the device may by configured for storage in a folded state, and/or may be contained within a protective travel bag, and optionally with a ring. The optional ring may pass through an aperture of the travel bag. The travel bag may additionally present a visible logo, such as a corporate logo.

In certain other alternate preferred embodiments of the present invention, the invented device may include a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the user may extend at least one finger through the device and an element of a tip of the at least one finger may be exposed when using the device. An inner surface of the substrate is smooth, and the substrate is configured to roll about at least one finger of the user when the device is pressed against and pulled along a fabric. The device may be shaped for storage in a doughnut shape.

In certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments, the invented device is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the user's hand, and includes a thumb hole. The thumb hole allows the extension of the user's thumb through the device, whereby the device is stabilized by the user's thumb during use. The shape of the substrate and the position of the thumb hole may allow the user to effectively deploy the device on either a left hand or a right hand.

In certain yet other alternate preferred embodiments of the Method of the Present Invention, the invented device is constructed from any suitable material known in the art that is capable of being utilized as a lint collection device described herein. Frequently, the invented device will be constructed from a material comprising paper (untreated or treated in any manner), cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof. In one alternate preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention, the invented device is at least partially constructed from a polypropylene material. In another alternate preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention, the invented device is at least partially constructed from a polyethylene material.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which: These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, or first version;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a modification of the first version of FIG. 1 wherein a plurality of adhesive and protecting layers provide a plurality of adhesive layers made consecutively available for lint removal;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a second preferred alternate embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention wherein the first version of FIG. 1 is rolled and placed within a travel bag and in a compact travel position;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a third preferred alternate embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention wherein the first version of FIG. 1 is located within a travel bag and in a compact travel position;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a fourth alternate preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention, or fourth version, wherein the tips of the users fingers may extend through third version and be exposed during use of the third version;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a fifth preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention, or fifth version, wherein the fifth version substantially encloses a user's palm and four fingers, and while allowing an extension of the user's thumb through a thumb hole;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a second side of the fifth preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 in a folded position;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 with a reduced protective sheet; and

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the first version of FIG. 1 in a folded position and with a reduced protective sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In describing the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve a similar result.

Referring now to generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention 2, or first version 2, is a lint removal device 2 that includes an adhesive 4 layered upon of a flexible substrate 6. The flexible substrate 6 includes a back sheet 8 and an application sheet 10. The adhesive 4 is layered upon an application side 10A of the application sheet 10. FIGS. 1 and 2 present the first version 2 in an application configuration S1.

The back sheet 8 and application sheet 10 are adhered or, otherwise attached by a suitable method or means known in the art, along an edge 12 that is sized and shaped to define a pocket 14. The pocket 14 is sized and shaped to at least partially receive through an aperture 16 one or more human fingers 18. When inserted into the pocket 14, the finger(s) 18 are substantially in contact with an inner surface 10B of the application sheet 10 and a pocket surface 8A of the back sheet 8.

The adhesive 4 may be generally disposed upon the application surface 10A of the application sheet 10. The application surface 10A may present less than 18 square inches of surface area, or alternatively be sized to present less than 18 square inches of surface are but more than six square inches of surface area.

The back sheet 8 and the application sheet 10 of the flexible substrate 6 each comprise a sheet of flexible material that is (a.) three inches in a height dimension parallel to an A axis, (b.) three inches in a width dimension parallel to a B axis, and (c.) 0.1 to 20 mils in a thickness dimension parallel to a Z axis. The A, B and Z axes are each mutually orthogonal to each other.

In use, the user places one or more fingers 18 of a left hand or a right hand within the pocket 14 and then presses the application surface 10A of the flexible substrate 6 against a fabric 20. Upon this pressing, lint 22 is contacted by the adhesive 4 and sticks to the adhesive 4 as the first version 2 is removed from the fabric 20. The adhesive 4 may be a pressure sensitive adhesive, or, alternatively, may comprise any other suitable adhesive known in the art that operates to adhere and hold lint thereto, and operates as described herein. The adhesive 4 may have qualities which permit the application surface 10A of the first version 2 having adhesive 4 located thereon to be washed to remove the lint 22 therefrom, permitting the application surface 10A of the first version 2 to be re-used to remove lint 11 (as per FIG. 2).

The substrate 6 may be elastic and be configured to be in tension against at least one human finger 18 when in use. In lint removal use, the inner surface 10B of the application sheet 10 and the pocket surface 8A of the back sheet 8 may thereby press against one or more fingers 18 to create a snug fit of the first version 2 around the user's finger(s) 18.

The first version 2 may be folded into a travel position by folding along a first fold line F1, wherein the first fold line F1 is parallel to the A axis, and the fold line F1 substantively bisects the flexible substrate 6 along the width dimension of the flexible substrate 6. Alternatively or additionally, a the first version 2 may be folded into a travel position by folding along a second fold line F2, wherein the second fold line F2 is parallel to the B axis, and the fold line F1 substantively bisects the flexible substrate 6 along the height dimension of the flexible substrate 6.

Referring now to generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, the first version 2 may further include one or more removable protective sheets 24 disposed upon the adhesive 4 and configured for removal from the substrate 6 and disposal. Each protective sheet 24 may have an outer layer 16 that presents a layer of adhesive 4. The first version 2 may thereby provide a plurality of adhesive protective sheets 24 that enable applications of each protective sheet 24 in separate and consecutive applications of lint removal.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, the first version 2 may be comprised within a second preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention, or second version 26. In the second version 26 the first version 2 is (a.) rolled into a first travel configuration S2 and about the height or width dimension, and (b.) encapsulated within a carrying case 28.

The flexible substrate 6, the protective sheet 24, the carrying case 28 are made of a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mils to about 20 mils. Preferably, the flexible substrate 6, the protective sheet 24, the carrying case 28 are made of a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils to about 15 mils.

The second version 2 is sized and shaped to fit within a height dimension parallel to the A axis of 1.6 inches and a width dimension parallel to the B axis of 0.3 inches. Additionally, the width dimension may be a radial dimension of 0.15 inches about the A axis of the height dimension.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, the first version 2 may be further included in a third preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present invention 30, or third version 30, wherein the first version 2 is configured for storage in a folded state S1, and/or may be contained when in state S3 when enclosed within a protective travel bag 32, and optionally with a ring 34. In the folded state S1 the first version is folded along both the first fold line F1 and the second fold line F2.

The optional ring 34 may pass through a ring aperture 36 of the travel bag 32. The ring 34 may be substantially circular and have an approximate radius of 0.5 inches and made of a metallic wire material having radius of 0.125 inches. The ring aperture 36 is configured to receive the ring 34, and may permit an opening of a radius of 0.150 inches.

The travel bag 32 may additionally present a visible logo L, such as a corporate logo L2. The term corporate logo is defined herein to include a visible image that may comprise a signage or a symbol associable with a person, a sports team or organization, a performing artist or artists, a non-governmental organization, a for profit corporation, an ethnic group, or other public or private association, entity or corporation.

The travel bag 32, the flexible substrate 6, and the protective sheet 24 are made of a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.1 mils to about 20 mils. Preferably, the flexible substrate 6, the protective sheet 24 and the travel bag 32 are made from a plastic sheet material having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 mils to about 15 mils.

Alternatively or additionally, the carrying case 28, travel bag 32, the flexible substrate 6, and the protective sheet 24 are made at least partially from of a sheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, to include paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention 38, or fourth version 38. In the fourth version 38 of the invented device may include a second flexible substrate 40 having a first aperture 42 and a second aperture 42. The user may extend at least one finger 18 through the fourth version 38 and an element 18A of a tip of the at least one finger 18 may be exposed when using the fourth version 38. An inner surface 40A of the second substrate 40 is smooth, and the second substrate 40 is configured to roll about at least one finger 18 of the user when the fourth version 38 is pressed against and pulled along the fabric 20. Adhesive 4 is layered upon an outer side 40B of the second substrate 40.

The second substrate 40 may be configured, sized and shaped to present a height dimension of 3.0 inches and presenting the first aperture 42 and the second aperture 44 with respective radii of 2.0 inches. In use, the first and second apertures 44 & 42 conform in shape in accordance with the nature of the material of the second substrate 40 and the shape and pressure of the user's finger(s) 18.

The fourth version 40 may be shaped for storage in a doughnut shape S4 when encapsulated in the travel bag 32.

The second flexible substrate 40 may be made at least partially from of a sheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, to include paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, FIG. 6 presents a view of a first side of a fifth alternate preferred embodiment of the Method of the Present Invention 44, or fifth version 44, that is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the user's palm 46 and four fingers 18. A third substrate 48 of the fifth version 44 includes a left thumb hole 50. The left thumb hole 50 is sized and shaped to allow an extension of a user's left thumb 52 through the third substrate 48 whereby the fourth version 44 is stabilized by the user's thumb 52 when the third substrate 48 is pressed against the fabric 18. The location of the left thumb hole 50 enables the user to effectively deploy the fifth version 44 on a left hand.

The third flexible substrate 48 may be made at least partially from of a sheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, to include paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

FIG. 7 presents a view of a second side of the fifth version 44 and shows a right thumb hole 54. The location of the right thumb hole 54 enables the user to effectively deploy the fifth version 44 on a right hand.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, FIG. 8 is a side view of the first version 2 in a position S5 wherein the first version 2 is folded about axis B and along the second fold line F2.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 9 presents the first version with a reduced protective sheet 56. The reduced protective sheet 56 is sized and shaped to cover approximately slightly more one half of the surface area of the adhesive 4. As shown in FIG. 10, when the flexible substrate 6 is folded over the second fold line F2, the reduced protective sheet is sized and shaped to substantively reduce contact between adhesive 4.

For example, where (a.) the application surface 10A is sized as a 3.0 inch by 3.0 inch square and (b.) the adhesive 4 is layered upon the application surface 10A in a 2.8 inch by 2.8 inch square that is bisected by the second fold line F2, then the reduced 10 protective sheet 56 may be sized as a square of 1.45 inches by 1.45 inches. The reduced protective sheet 56 thereby may contact substantively the entire adhesive 4 when the first version is in position S5 and folded over the second fold line F2.

The reduced protective sheet 56 may be made at least partially from of a sheet material comprising a suitable material known in the art, to include paper (untreated or treated in any manner), polyethylene, polypropylene, cellophane, foil, polymer film, fabric (woven or nonwoven or synthetic or natural), or combinations thereof.

The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible embodiments of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the Present Invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.

Claims

1. A lint removal device, the lint removal device comprising:

a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the flexible substrate configured to receive and partially enclose at least one human finger within the inner surface;

an adhesive, the adhesive generally disposed upon the outer surface;

a removable protective sheet, the protective sheet removably covering the adhesive, and the flexible substrate configured for positioning into a size of less than two inches by two inches by 0.25 inches.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is reusable after washing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface has more than six square inches of surface area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is elastic, and the substrate is configured to be in tension against at least one human finger when in use.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second adhesive disposed upon an outer layer of the removable protective sheet, whereby the second adhesive may be used to remove lint prior to the removal and disposal of the removable protective sheet.

6. The device of claim 1, the device further comprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantively enclosing the substrate.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the wherein the device is configured for storage in a folded state when substantively enclosed by the travel bag.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is configured into a rolled travel position, wherein the flexible substrate is positioned into a cylinder of less than two inches in length and 0.25 inches diameter.

9. The device of claim 8, the device further comprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantively enclosing the substrate.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the travel bag presents a visible logo.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device presents a corporate logo.

12. A lint removal device, the lint removal device comprising:

a flexible substrate, the flexible substrate having an inner surface and an outer surface, and the flexible substrate configured to receive and partially enclose at least one human finger within the inner surface, and wherein the substrate includes a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the user may extend at least one finger through the first and second apertures of the substrate and an element of a tip of the at least one finger is exposed when using the device;

an adhesive, the adhesive generally disposed upon the outer surface;

a removable protective sheet, the protective sheet removably covering the adhesive, and the flexible substrate configured for positioning into a size of less than two inches by two inches by 0.25 inches.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the adhesive is reusable after washing.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the substrate is elastic, and the substrate is configured to be in tension against the at least one human finger when in use.

15. The device of claim 12, further comprising a second adhesive disposed upon an outer layer of the removable protective sheet, whereby the second adhesive may be used to remove lint prior to the removal and disposal of the removable protective sheet.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the inner surface of the substrate is smooth, and the substrate is configured to roll about at least one finger when the device is pressed against and pulled along a fabric.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is configured for storage in a doughnut shape.

18. The device of claim 12, the device further comprising a travel bag, the travel bag substantively enclosing the substrate.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the device is configured for storage in a doughnut shape when substantively enclosed by the travel bag.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein the travel bag presents a visible logo.