Cleaning and surface preparation device

Abstract

A surface preparation device for cleaning and/or preparing a surface has a handle with a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle. The head piece has a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane covered foam and is capable of focusing pressure on specific locations across a variety of surface areas. A user grasps the handle and places the head piece on the surface area to be cleaned and/or prepared. By exerting pressure on the head piece, the head piece conforms to the shape of the rigid core which results in a significant amount of pressure being exerted on the surface area to be cleaned and/or prepared. The user then moves the head piece while it is still exerting pressure in order to clean and/or prepare the specific surface area.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/434,737, filed Dec. 18, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/489,232, filed Jul. 21, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the field of cleaning devices and, more particularly, to an improved cleaning and surface preparation device able to concentrate pressure on a specific surface area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is an unavoidable reality that everyday items in the home, office, car, or any other place accumulate dirt, mold, and other undesirable substances. For example, floors become scuffed, and walls, moldings, and ceilings accumulate dirt. These are just a few of the many items and places that can become dirty from normal activities. In addition, these places can become extremely dirty when exposed to pets, children, inclement weather, and activities that tend to spread debris (e.g., home improvement projects, parties, etc.).

When an item or place becomes dirty, one usually tries to clean it. Many cleaning solutions and devices are available to assist in cleaning. For example, a sponge can be used wherein the user of the sponge moistens the sponge with water or a cleaning solution and then presses the sponge forcefully against the area to be cleaned. Alternatively, a paper towel can be used in a similar fashion. The user may need to exert significant force, for example, while on his or her hands and knees, in an effort to remove dirt or scuffs from floors, moldings, shower stalls, etc. In any of these scenarios, sponges work only when wet and paper towels last for only a limited time.

Cleaning devices have also been developed to assist a user in cleaning a surface. For example, flexible moisture-absorbent swabs or sponges have been attached to plastic handles in order to provide more leverage (and resulting cleaning force). Some devices even have semi-rigid end caps to prevent the end of the handle from scratching the surface to be cleaned.

However, when exerting a substantial amount of force or pressure on a cleaning device to clean a surface area, either the force is exerted over the entire surface of the sponge or the pressure is exerted upon only a small area corresponding to the diameter or size of the end of the handle on which the sponge or swab is located. For example, when a user forcefully pushes the handle of a mop, the force applied causes the entire head of the mop to exert downward pressure on the area to be cleaned. If a user desires to use the mop on an area smaller than the size of the head of the mop, the user cannot easily concentrate the pressure only on a small dirty area. In addition, there has not been an efficient method or device to both spot clean flat surfaces and apply conforming pressure to irregular-shaped surfaces, such as window mullions, car rims, etc. There is, thus, a need for a more efficient way of cleaning by exerting pressure over a specific surface area and applying cleaning pressure to non-planar shapes without the use of multiple cleaning devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a surface preparation device has a handle with a lower end and an upper end, and a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle. The head piece has a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam and is capable of focusing a substantial amount of pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas. In one embodiment of the invention, the head piece is removable.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of cleaning or preparing a surface area using the surface preparation device comprises a user holding the handle at a comfortable location, placing the head piece on the surface area to be cleaned and/or prepared and applying pressure to the surface area via the head piece. The pressure causes the foam portion to conform to the shape of the core at the location to be cleaned or prepared. The user then moves the head piece of the device to clean or prepare the surface area.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the detailed description are exemplary, but not restrictive of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are discussed below, one or more preferred embodiments are illustrated, with the same reference numerals referring to the same pieces of the invention throughout the drawings. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments depicted in the drawings herein, but rather it is defined by the claims appended hereto and equivalent structures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the substantially rigid core in the head piece of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the core of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the core of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the head piece of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graphic representation of a partial cross-section of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as the invention, the invention will now be further described by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the above-described accompanying drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a form of a cleaning and surface preparation device in accordance with the present invention that is presently preferred. As used herein, “cleaning,” “surface preparation” and “preparing a surface” generally describe cleaning, sanding, polishing, scraping, stripping, drying and the like. Referring now to FIG. 1, the device 100 has a handle portion 102 that contains a lower portion 104, an extendable portion 106 and an adjustment piece 108. The handle 102 can be a telescopic handle that enables configurations of different lengths.

The lower portion 104 of the handle 102 houses or contains the extendable portion 106 held in place by the adjustment piece 108 when the handle 102 is not extended. When the handle is extended, the extendable portion 106 slides out from the lower portion 104 and is held in place by the adjustment piece 108 at a desired position or re-inserted into the lower portion 104. As shown, the handle 102 is tubular or cylindrical in design.

In one embodiment, the head piece 112 has a substantially rigid core 116 surrounded at least in part by foam 118. The foam 118 can be formed of resilient or semi-resilient flexible porous, nonporous or partially porous materials and/or combinations thereof. As shown, the core 116 has a lower portion 114 that is capable of connecting to an end of the handle 102 or other extension device. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the core may have differing degrees of rigidity and/or flexibility to permit the device to be used on a variety of different surfaces or for different types of cleaning or surface preparation applications. For example, the core can be more malleable in order to prepare more delicate surfaces, such as porcelain or glass. In still other embodiments, the lower portion 114 is not present and the core 116 connects directly to an end or other portion of the handle 102 (or other extension device) by, for example, having the end of the handle 102 connect to the base of the portion of the core 116 from which the lower portion 114 would have extended.

A sleeve 120, such as a cloth made of cotton, microfiber, mesh, paper towel or any other material suitable for cleaning or preparing one or more types of surfaces is placed over the foam 118 of the head piece 112. The sleeve 120 may include or be at least partially made of an abrasive material to facilitate cleaning of tough stains on surfaces that can resist such abrasion. In addition to cleaning surfaces, the sleeve 120 can be used to prepare surfaces with an abrasive material, such as sand paper. This includes polishing, scraping and sanding, e.g., a wood surface prior to painting. The sleeve 120 may have an opening made of and surrounded by any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, elastic, spandex, lycra or combinations thereof, so that, after the cleaning sleeve 120 is placed over the foam 118, the material secures the cleaning sleeve 120 to the foam 118.

An optional collar 110 is connected to the handle 102 to further secure the sleeve 120 over the foam 118. That is, when the sleeve 120 is placed over the foam 118 of the head piece 112 and the head piece 112 is connected to the handle 102, the collar 110 can be raised to secure the sleeve 120 at 122 (FIG. 2). This prevents the sleeve 120 from disengaging the foam 118.

In one embodiment, the sleeve 120 and/or foam 118 are at least partially porous and can be impregnated with liquid or foam to ease surface cleaning or preparation. The liquid or foam may be a cleaning solution, water, or other chemicals that facilitate surface cleaning and/or protection or conditioning of the surface to be cleaned or prepared. In other embodiments, foam 118 may be partially or completely imporous but nevertheless, sufficiently flexible to permit its intended function.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, one preferred embodiment of the core 116 comprises injection-molded plastic having rounded edges coming together at a tip or point. Alternatively, it can be blow-molded plastic. By having rounded edges, the core 116 is adaptable to being used on planar, non-planar, and a variety of alternative-shaped surfaces.

The head of the core 116 is at least partially ovoid or teardrop shaped. In a preferred embodiment described herein and as shown in the figures, the entire head of the core 116 is ovoid or teardrop shaped. Alternatively, it could also be at least a partially rounded triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal shape or any other shape that can be utilized on a variety of different-shaped surfaces. In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the core is a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon or any other suitable shape without rounded edges to facilitate cleaning of edges of corners or the like.

When the core 116 is made of injection-molded plastic or like material, voids 124 are uniformly spaced throughout the body of the rounded head. Indentations 134 are found substantially near the tip or end of the top of the core 116. Although voids 124 and indentations 134 may be the result of the injection-molded process, they also have the effect of increasing the adhesion of the core 116 to the foam 118. In addition, the voids 124 can be used to store liquid or foam cleaning solutions, or other chemicals or water for ease of cleaning. When an injection-molded plastic, solid material or non-injection molded process is used to produce the core 116, any suitable adhesive, such as, but not limited to, glue, epoxy, contact cement, or tape, can be used to adhere the foam 118 to the core 116.

The base of the lower portion 114 of the core 116 is tubular and substantially hollow. As shown in FIG. 6, the lower portion 114 has a suitable structure that allows it to connect to handle 102 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown, striations 126 are present. When striations 126, threads, indentations, slots, etc. are implemented in the lower portion 114, the end of the handle 102 that connects to the core 114 also has complementary striations or the like so that the two pieces can be attached securely to each other. Other attachment mechanisms, such as a bayonet, compressed ball, complementary tongue and groove, friction fit and the like are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The head of core 116 is surrounded at least in part by foam 118, as depicted in FIG. 6. The foam may have a membrane or skin 128 so that the foam 118 will not absorb liquids or otherwise be used as a sponge. Preferably, the foam 118 is at least partially round or hemispherical in shape; however, any suitable shape(s) can be used. For example, a portion of the foam can be round or hemispherical and another portion of the foam can be substantially planar. The combination of the foam 118 on the core 116 enables use of the present invention to clean or otherwise prepare uneven surfaces, e.g., non-planar, grooved and irregular surface shapes. Additionally, this combination permits the user to create a considerable amount of direct and focused pressure on a specific surface area because the foam 118 conforms to the shape of the core 116 at the location where the head piece 112 is pressed against the surface area, as shown in FIG. 9 and described below.

In another preferred embodiment, a liquid dispensing device is removably or fixedly connected to the device 100. The voids 124 in core 116 may be used to deliver cleaning liquids or foams from a canister or container associated with the handle portion 102. The canister or container may be located within or outside of the handle portion 102. In such embodiments, at least a portion of the voids 124 are in fluid communication with the canister or other liquid dispensing device. Alternatively, when the voids 124 are not used to deliver cleaning liquids and a liquid dispensing device is present, a mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a nozzle, valve or hole, for dispensing the liquid is located on the device 100 or is part of the liquid dispensing device itself.

A liquid dispensing device suitable for the purposes described herein is shown as 150 in FIG. 7. A container 136 is located within the handle 102 for storing the cleaning liquid. To fill the container 136 with the cleaning liquid, the cap 138 is removed from the handle 102 and the liquid is inserted into the container 136. After the container 136 is filled with liquid to a predetermined amount, the cap 138 is inserted into the handle 102 to prevent the liquid from inadvertently spilling or leaking from the handle 102.

The container 136 is in fluid communication with a tube 140 so that the liquid can be dispensed from the container 136 when the liquid is to be applied to the surface to be cleaned. If the core 116 is separable from the handle 102, the tube 140 is connected or coupled to a tube 142 so that the core 116 can be removed from the handle 102 without damaging either of the tubes 140, 142. The voids 124 are in fluid communication with the canister 136 through use of the tube 142. Alternatively, if the core 116 is fixedly attached to the handle 102, a coupling or connecting device is not needed and one tube that extends from the handle 102 through the voids 124 of the core 116 will suffice.

To dispense liquid, the liquid dispensing device 150 may be activated via a mechanical pump 144, pressure valve apparatus, deformable seal or the like as may be known in the dispenser art. When a deformable seal is utilized, the liquid dispenses when pressure is applied to the head piece 112, which is similar to the dispensing technique used for dispensing liquid shoe polish from a liquid shoe polish dispenser. Alternatively, the liquid may be dispensed when pressure is applied internally to the head piece 112, e.g., when the liquid exerts pressure on the inside of the core 116 as a result of the liquid dispensing device being activated. If a deformable seal is not present, the tubing 142 may be porous so that the liquid can travel and be dispensed throughout the tube 142. Then again, the tube 142 may be connected to at least one nozzle that dispenses the liquid when the liquid dispensing device is activated.

A hand-held embodiment 200 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8. A user 204 holds a handle 202 which is significantly shorter than the handle 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hand-held embodiment 200 is used in the same way and has the same head piece 112 configuration as the embodiments described above.

Although now described in reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the following description also applies to the hand-held embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, the description below relates to cleaning and/or preparing surfaces, and a user or one skilled in the art will readily adapt the method described to perform tasks other than cleaning and/or preparing surfaces.

For example, to utilize the present invention for cleaning surfaces, a user grips the handle 102 at a comfortable position on the lower portion 104 of the handle 102. If the user desires to lengthen the reach of the device 100, the user adjusts the telescoping portion 106 of the handle to the desired length. The user may have to turn the adjustment piece 108 to access or move the telescoping portion 106. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user then turns adjustment piece 108 to lock the telescoping portion 106 in place. Alternatively, any suitable locking mechanism can be used to maintain the telescoping portion 106 at the desired length. For example, a slide-and-lock or twist-and-lock mechanism can be used for the adjustment piece 108.

In one embodiment, the user applies a solvent, such as a cleaning solution or water, to the sleeve 120 either before or after extending the handle 102 and/or placing the sleeve 120 on the head piece 112. Preferably, the solvent need not be applied to the entire surface of the material 120. Preferably still, at least a portion of the material 120 does not contain the solvent and is substantially dry so that it can be used to absorb liquid or foam (i.e., dry the surface) from the surface being cleaned.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 9, the user then places the head piece 112, having the sleeve 120 and solvent, on the surface area 130 to be cleaned. The user exerts pressure on the head piece 112 of the device 100, 200 by pushing the handle 102, 202 towards the surface to be cleaned. The pressure causes the foam 118 to conform to the shape of the core 116 at the location to be cleaned 132. This conforming of the foam 118 results in a significant amount of direct and focused pressure being applied to a specific area 132 instead of having the pressure spread throughout the entire portion of the foam 118 that is in contact with the surface 130. In other words, more friction is applied directly to a specific surface area 132 so that it can be “spot cleaned.” The user then moves the head piece 112 of the device 100, 200 on the surface 132 in order to clean that surface. Once the surface 132 is cleaned satisfactorily, the user can rotate the head piece 112 by rotating the handle 102 and dry the surface 132 by using the dry portion of the sleeve 120. In one embodiment, after cleaning the surface 132, the user rotates the handle 102 approximately 180° to dry the surface 132 with the dry portion of the sleeve 120. Alternatively, the user can rotate the handle 102 any amount which causes the dry portion of the sleeve 120 to come into contact with the surface 132.

Although the surface areas 130, 132 are flat, the device 100, 200 can be used on any shaped surface because of the shape of the core 116. The rounded core 116 is capable of cleaning corners, grooves, curved surfaces and other non-flat, textured or undulating surfaces.

The device 100, 200 can be made of any suitable material(s) sufficient to serve the purposes described herein. For example, the handle 102, 202, collar 110, core 116 (including the lower portion 114 thereof) and the adjustment piece 108 can be made of plastic, metal, rubber, wood, combinations thereof or any other suitable material. Preferably, the head piece 112 is made of foam. However, any material that is comparable to or will serve the same purpose as foam can be utilized. By having a resilient, foam (or like material) headpiece, grooves, ridges, and other types of non-flat surfaces can be cleaned or prepared with little or no difficulty.

The structure of the present invention permits force to be applied to specific surface areas so that spot cleaning and/or preparing can be performed. In other words, localized pressure is easily achieved when using the invention which is different from use of a mop or sponge.

The components of the invention are also reusable and generally will last longer than sponges, paper towels and mops. After a user prepares a surface using the device 100, 200 and the sleeve 120 becomes dirty, the user can remove the sleeve 120 from the head piece 112 and wash it if the sleeve 120 is a cloth or cloth-like material. Furthermore, the head piece 112 is removable, so that if a user decides to replace it, the remainder of the device 100, 200 does not have to be replaced.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A surface preparation device comprising:

a handle having a lower end and an upper end; and

a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the head piece is removable.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the core is injection-molded or blow-molded plastic.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the core is at least partially rounded in shape.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the core is at least partially ovoid in shape.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle is extendable.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a collar located between the upper end of the handle and the head piece.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the collar is removable.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve placed over the head piece.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein a surface of the sleeve is abrasive.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a liquid.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the sleeve is capable of having a liquid- or foam-containing portion and a dry portion.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a liquid or foam dispensing device attached to the handle or the head piece.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a cleaning device.

16. A cleaning device comprising:

a handle having a lower end and an upper end; and

a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the head piece is removable.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the core is injection-molded or blow-molded plastic.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the core is at least partially rounded in shape.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the core is at least partially ovoid in shape.

21. The device of claim 16, further comprising a collar located between the upper end of the handle and the head piece.

22. The device of claim 16, further comprising a sleeve placed over the head piece.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a liquid.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the sleeve is capable of having a liquid- or foam-containing portion and a dry portion.

26. The device of claim 16, further comprising a liquid or foam dispensing device attached to the handle or the head piece.

27. A method of preparing or cleaning a surface area using a surface preparation device, the device comprising a handle having a lower end and an upper end, and a head piece attached to the upper end of the handle, the head piece comprising a substantially rigid core surrounded at least in part by a membrane-covered foam, the core capable of focusing pressure on a specific location across a variety of surface areas, comprising:

holding the handle at a location comfortable for a user;

placing the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared;

exerting pressure on the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared, wherein the pressure causes the foam to conform to the shape of the core at the location to be cleaned or prepared; and

moving the head piece of the device on the surface area to be cleaned or prepared to clean or prepare the surface area.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing a sleeve on the head piece.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the sleeve is sponge-like.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the sleeve is capable of being abrasive.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a solvent on at least a portion of the sleeve, further comprising impregnating the sleeve with a solvent.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the sleeve is capable of holding a solvent on at least a portion of the sleeve, further comprising twisting or rotating the handle after preparing or cleaning the surface area to dry the surface area prepared or cleaned.