Rubberized lint remover

Abstract

A system for removal of lint and other debris from fabric consisting of a small plastic wand covered at one end by a rubber sheath that is grooved to facilitate the adherence of targeted particles to the rubber sheath.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

None.

US Patent References Cited
U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,579
U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,337
U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,254
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,723
U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,741*
U.S. Pat. No. 7,039,982
U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,188
(*= closest prior art)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is an advancement in portable lint removal systems, and, more particularly, is a lint removal system that is compact and without the need for aqueous or adhesive components to effectuate the removal of lint from fabrics or other similar materials.

2. Description of Related Art

Many methods exist for the removal of lint from fabrics. One of the most common and well known is the roll apparatus. These most commonly consist of a mechanism to facilitate the rolling of adhesive material over the surface of a fabric. This adhesive is generally meant to be frequently replaced. While basically effective, these mechanisms present a number of difficulties. Firstly, they are often bulky and not easily transportable in a purse, pocket or small travel bag. More importantly, the adhesive attracts and adheres to any small object that comes into contact with it regardless of whether the user intended to target the object. Specifically, these mechanisms often pick up fuzz, lint, and dirt from the surrounding environment that the user did not intend. The result is that the adhesive becomes unusable and must be discarded. This requires the user to constantly replace the adhesive component of the mechanism. Variations of these mechanisms can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,234,188 and 7,039,982.

Other methods of lint removal utilize an aqueous material dispensed or otherwise delivered by the removal mechanism. These, like the adhesive mechanism described above, require the user to supply the aqueous material as the methods are unusable without said material. This complicates portability of the lint removal system. Additionally, the aqueous material may not be usable on all fabrics as it could cause staining or other damage to the material.

A more desirable system would be entirely self contained, utilize no additional materials to effectuate the removal of lint, be indefinitely reusable and be compact so as to be easily portable. The system would be effective at grabbing and containing lint from clothing with the need for adhesive or aqueous materials to effectuate the process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention represents advancement in the area of lint removal systems. The lint removal system in a contiguous unit consisting of a molded plastic rod with a molded rubber sheath covering one end. The end not covered with the rubber sheath serves as the handle for the apparatus. The rubber end is molded with a grooved pattern. The grooves facilitate the adhesion of lint particles to the rubber surface. The rod can be dragged across fabric picking up lint and other undesired particles on the fabric. After use the rod can be cleared of the debris and immediately reused.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a complete view of the lint removal system.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS

1 Plastic Handle

2 Rubber Sheath

3 Grooves

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Depicted in FIG. 1 is the embodiment of the lint removal system. This system consists of a plastic handles (1) extending the full length of the device, a rubber sheath (2) covering one end of the plastic handle (1) that is molded with grooves (3).

Claims

1. A device capable of removing lint particles from fabric consisting of:

a plastic handle, said plastic handle being made of molded plastic and being equal in length to the entire device,

a rubberized sheath, said rubberized sheath being made of molded rubber containing grooves and being of a length allowing a plastic handle at the opposite end.