Cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a cleaning system having a first member and a second member. The system is particularly suitable for cleaning glass and other surfaces particularly where both sides of the glass are to be cleaned together. The first and second member are preferably flexible and have a flexible magnetic member and a microfiber cleaning surface

Description

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/918,817, filed on Mar. 19, 2007 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of window cleaning and washing, more specifically devices useful for washing both sides of a window at the same time. The present invention uses a unique means including micro fiber based cleaning pads and sheets and magnets to clean both sides of a window at a single time.

BACKGROUND

Window cleaning is a difficult and challenging task. Cleaning the outside pane of a window is much more difficult then the inside, especially windows on the second floor or higher. Cleaning both sides of a window at the same time would make for an ideal situation. This would reduce the time required and the amount of effort. In particular, for windows above the first floor this would eliminate the need to use a ladder to reach higher floors.

Many of the household cleaners used today contain a variety of harmful toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenol, ammonia, ethanol, butane, propane to name a few, and these chemicals may have a large impact on our health and environment. It would be desirable to have a cleaning device where these chemicals were not required or their use was reduced.

Individuals that suffer from allergies or multiple chemical sensitivities are even more susceptible to the ill effects of these toxic chemicals. The user may opt for this choice for health reasons or whether the user just wants a chemical free way to clean. Recently people have started to turn again to the old tried and true cleaning solutions, such as baking soda, vinegar, etc. The only problem is that in our busy society, these cleaners aren't as convenient as off the shelf cleaning products.

The prior art shows several devices for cleaning both sides of a window simultaneously. In each instance the devices have rigid surfaces that contact the surface to be cleaned. As a result these typically have on piece that contains a magnetic member and a second piece that goes on the opposite side of the window which is also made from a magnet Cleaning simultaneously both sides of surfaces which are curved cannot be achieved with prior art magnetic cleaners. Other available cleaners consist of rigid magnets which will not curve with the curved surface. Using any source of magnetic attraction which does not constrict the flexibility of the housing will allow the user to clean surfaces in difficult to reach areas as well as curved surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Some of the related art which is available is U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,637, Demers, “magnetic window cleaning apparatus”, which although is a means for cleaning the inside and outside of a window at the same time by the use of magnets, neither does it use micro fiber cloths nor are the magnets flexible, making the device impractical for any curved surface. Another piece of related art is U.S. Pat No. 3,492,685, Curzon, entitled “Window washing device” discloses the use of horseshoe magnets in holding together two cleaning units to clean two sides of a window simultaneously. This device also does not employ the use of micro fiber cloths or flexible magnets. Horseshoe magnets would not allow the user to clean any curved surfaces ro small difficult to reach areas, as is possible with a flexible magnetic device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,609,793 Kaftan, “Magnetic window cleaning apparatus” is a device which uses a magnetic member to hold a cleaning sheet in position on each unit. Although the magnetic force of the device may allow the user to also clean both sides of the window at once, the magnets are not flexible and will not be able to adequately clean any curved surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant's invention is directed to a device that is useful in cleaning the inner and outer surfaces of a window pane simultaneously, thus saving time and effort, by means of a housing containing at least one ultra strong magnet. There is a second housing having a magnet or a material that is attracted to a magnet. The first housing is positioned on one side of a pane and the other housing is positioned on the other side of the pane. The magnet is preferably a flexible magnet that can bend as it goes over the surface to be cleaned. This permits the present invention to be used on curved surfaces.

The window cleaner of the present invention sticks to both sides of the glass window. The user simply needs to slide it back and forth in the desired pattern to thoroughly clean the glass. The invention maybe used on almost any glass surface that is thin enough for the magnetic forces present in the housings to pass through. The ultra strong magnets are also flexible. Using flexible magnets permits the invention to be used on any suitable surface including curved surfaces. This allows the user to use the invention for any shaped windows or glass. Windows which are curved can now easily be cleaned using the present invention. The preferred embodiment of applicant's invention would use a micro fiber cloth for cleaning thus providing superior cleaning without the use of harmful, toxic chemical cleaners.

Micro fiber cloths are typically a polyester/nylon blend. The polyester and nylon are alternatively forced through a nozzle that combines them through a heat weaving process. The fiber is then split a number of times to create the micro fibers that are then intertwined to create an ultra absorbent micro fiber material.

The term micro fiber is based on the size of a fiber measuring below 1.0 denier (the diameter or fineness of a continuous or filament fiber) The lower denier of a fiber, the finer the fiber, which in turn is more effective for cleaning surfaces.

The splitting of the fiber creates millions of edges that enable you to clean closer to surfaces and trap all the dust and dirt that bonds to the micro fiber material and this material is not released until the cloth is washed in hot water. Therefore the dirt is not transferred from surface to surface while cleaning. Also, micro fiber cloths work especially well on mirrors, windows, and glass because the surface will dry without any streaks.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide the user with a more efficient way of cleaning both sides of a window simultaneously.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide the user with an efficient method for cleaning both side of a curved glass, acrylic or other thin surface.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide the user with more healthy way of cleaning windows using a micro fiber cloth as opposed to chemical cleaners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention where the article is handled by a user with an optional hand pocket.

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

FIG. 3 is a top view of the slave member of the cleaning device.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the master member of FIG. 1 and the slave member of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment showing a handle for the master housing.

FIG. 6 is one embodiment using a micro fiber with loops in the micro fiber that surround the outer edge of the device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the layer structure of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant's invention can clean the inside and outside window at the same time, save time and work, by means of ultra strong magnets. In a preferred embodiment there is a first housing 10 with at least one magnet and a second housing 30 with a material that is attracted to a magnet or a magnetic member.

In a preferred embodiment as seen in FIG. 7 there is a base layer 11 which is comprised of an outer surface 12 and an inner surface 13. The outer surface 12 contacts a glass or other material to be cleaned. The base layer is preferably a micro fiber material. A second layer is made up of a flexible magnetic sheet 14. The flexible magnetic sheet may be of any suitable magnetic strength. Preferably, the magnetic sheet should be as strong as possible. One preferred magnetic sheet is a magnetic sheet sold by Rochester Magnet of East Rochester, N.Y. This flexible magnet withstands cracking at 68° F. while wrapped around a 0.5″ diameter rod. Other flexible magnets are also suitable. The flexible magnet can range in thickness from about 0.015″ to about 0.060″ or more. The magnetic sheet may be a single layer or, if desired, a multilayer sheet where additional layers are laminated or extruded onto the magnetic sheet. In one embodiment a layer of PVC 15 is laminated onto the thin, magnetic sheet on the side opposite the base layer 11. It is usually not advisable to have a layer between the micro fiber and the magnetic surface as it may reduce the strength of the magnetic field.

In another embodiment, there may be an optional adhesive layer on the magnetic sheet 17. The adhesive could be of the type used in Post-It notes sold by 3M and others. This adhesive does not dry and is reusable. This would permit the magnetic layer to be removably secured to a portion of the housing 10 if desired. Alternatively, the magnetic material may be secured directly to the housing. The means of securing the magnetic member to the housing and/or the microfiber layer can be by any suitable means.

The micro fiber base layer may be removably secured to the flexible magnetic sheet. In another embodiment, the base layer might be a micro fiber material with an outer surface 12. On the inner surface 13, there may be a suitable adhesive layer 16. Such an arrangement would permit a user to remove the base layer for cleaning or disposal after use. The adhesive layer 16 on the inner surface 13 can contact the magnetic surface to removably secure the base layer 11 to the flexible magnetic layer.

On the side of the flexible, magnetic sheet opposite the base layer there can be one or more additional layers, if desired. The flexible magnetic sheet can also be secured to the housing 10. The flexible, magnetic sheet can be removably secured to the housing 10 for replacement, if necessary. The housing 10 may be any suitable shape. As seen in FIG. 1, the housing has a front end 17 and a rear end 18. The front end 17 and the rear end 18 are joined by sidewalls 19 and 20. The housing preferably have a narrower front end than the rear end to facilitate movement of the device into hard to reach areas such as corners. The housing 16 of FIG. 1 is shown with an optional hand hold 21. The hand hold is secured to the upper surface 22 of the housing and it provides a user the ability to more easily manipulate the device of the present invention.

The first housing 10 is the master, the second housing is the slave. The slave member 30 can have a similar structure as the master housing. There can be a base layer and a flexible magnetic sheet.

In operation, the master is positioned on a surface to be cleaned. The slave is positioned on the opposite surface of the article to be cleaned. As the master moves, the magnetic forces of the magnets are such that the slave moves along with the master.

The window cleaner of the present invention sticks to both sides of the glass window. The user simply needs to slide it back and forth to thoroughly clean the glass The invention maybe used in almost any glass. The ultra strong magnets are also flexible, this allows the user to use the invention for any shaped windows or glass. Windows which are curved can now easily be cleaned.

The housing may be made of any suitable material. For example, the housing may be made from rubber, foam, nylon, silicone or other soft thin material. One or more flexible magnetic strips or sheets that may be secured to the housing 10, or 30, or a combination magnetic powder or protruding magnets may be used instead of a flexible magnetic sheet. A preferred embodiment may also have attached to the thin material housing rare earth magnets embedded in the housing or attached to it. Any magnet used will preferably be very thin and still allow the overall housing to remain flexible. In an alternative embodiment, one of the members can have a material that is attracted to a magnet and the other can be a magnet or both members can be magnetic. The master and slave housing can each contain magnets of a different polarity so that they will be attracted to one another.

When a magnetic powder is used, the magnetic powder may be applied to a substrate or to the housing directly. There may be an adhesive on the substrate or the housing to secure the magnetic powder thereto.

In a preferred embodiment the soft thin cloth maybe micro fiber, although any other cloth suitable for cleaning maybe substituted. The micro fiber may also have many loops 51 in the material to achieve more affective cleaning as shown in FIG. 5. The cloth can be permanently affixed using a glue or be removable and attached via a Velcro product, snap clip or other such fastening device. In a preferred embodiment the housing maybe in a triangular shape with one of the angles being rounded, so that it can easily fit into tight corners. It may also be of any other shape, the master and slave housing do not need to be of the same shape. It may also have attached to it a handle 52 either in a knob like shape or one which the user can curl his or her fingers around. The housing may also have a hand pocket as seen in FIG. 2 attached for the user to put his hand in, or the user can simply grip the housing.

The invention is constructed in such a way so that when a piece of glass, acrylic or other thin surface is placed between the master and slave components each half of the system is attracted to the other so that both sides of the surface are cleaned simultaneously. The flexibility of both the slave and master housing will allow the user to clean any surface including a curved surface, it will also allow the housing to easily reach corners or awkwardly shaped areas of the window. This will save the user time and the use of a micro fiber cloth will also extinguish the need for the user to use force or exert pressure in order to clean the surface. The use of a micro fiber cloth also makes the device environmentally friendly due to the lack of chemical agents used as well the reusability of the clothes, thereby creating less waste. In a preferred embodiment the master and slave housing units may have a means to attach to some other cleaning device such as 3M's magic eraser or other such product.

Another embodiment of the invention may also include a means for attaching a pole so that the user may clean surfaces which are not in arms reach. This would allow the user to clean high windows without from the inner and outer pane without the need of a ladder, thus eliminating the danger of an unstable ladder as well as making the task less time consuming. The slave and master unit may be connected via an elastic cord 41 as shown in FIG. 3 so that if the magnetic force is temporarily lost the other unit is not lost if it falls. FIG. 3 shows a loop made of plastic or any other suitable material for attach a plastic cord.

The housing can range in size from a width as small as six inches to as wide as 2 feet or larger as needed for larger surfaces. A larger embodiment maybe used to clean large storefront windows, large delicatessen refrigerator cases, or jewelry display cases. The larger embodiment may also be useful in cleaning large shower doors or skylights. Yet another embodiment of the proposed device would have a layer of memory foam underneath the micro fiber between the housing and the magnet for improved flexibility.

The present invention will save the user a great amount of time, it is also more economical due to the reusable cloth and the lack of a need for cleaning agents. The use of micro fiber cloth would also eliminate the need for using a separate squeegee. The flexible nature of the housing along with the slimness of the master and slave component will allow the device to fit into very small spaces such as between storm windows or the rear windshield of a car, the device may also fit between a truck cab and slide on rear camper. The flexible nature of the device may also be used to clean the curved windows or windshields on airplanes, helicopters, boats, buses or other transportation vehicles.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for thin substrates, said substrates having a first surface and a second surface on opposite sides of said substrate, said system comprising:

a first housing made from a flexible material, a first magnetic member on a surface of said housing, said magnetic members conforming to the shape of said first surface of said substrate when said housing is positioned on said first surface of said substrate, said magnetic member having a micro fiber material for cleaning said surface on a surface of said magnetic member opposite said housing; and

a second housing made from a flexible material, a second magnetic member on a surface of said second housing, said magnetic members conforming to the shape of said second surface when said second housing is positioned on said substrate, said magnetic member having a micro fiber material on the surface of said magnetic member opposite said housing; and

wherein one of said magnetic members is a magnet and the other of said magnetic members is a magnet or a material attracted to said magnet such that when said first housing is moved on said substrate by a user said second housing moves simultaneously therewith.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least on of said magnetic members is comprised of a plurality of magnets.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein one of said magnetic members is a flexible magnetic sheet.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said substrate is curved glass.

5. The system according to claim 4 wherein flexible magnetic sheet flexible magnet withstands cracking while wrapped around a 0.5″ diameter rod.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the flexible magnet sheet has a thickness from about 0.015″ to about 0.060.″

7. The system according to claim 4 wherein one of said magnetic members is a magnetic powder.

8. The system according to claim 6 wherein said microfiber is a sheet removably secured to said magnetic member.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said magnetic member is removably secured to said housing.

10. The system according to claim wherein said housing has a hand hold for holding said housing during use.

11. The system according to claim 10 wherein said hand hold is a knob.

12. The system according to claim 10 wherein said hand hold extends from a top surface of said housing and forms an opening for receiving a hand of a user.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein said hand hold comprises a sheet secured to a surface of said housing at at least two points on said housing thereby forming an opening with said housing for receiving a hand.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein said sheet is flexible.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the housings are secured together by means of a string.

16. The system according to claim 1 wherein said housings are flexible and the surface of the housings that contact the substrate to be cleaned conform to the shape of the substrate's surface