Cleaning mitt

Abstract

A cleaning mitt with a main mitt and a cleaning overlay sleeve. The main mitt has an identical front and rear panels to allow for left handed or right handed use. The main mitt has one portion for four fingers to reside and one portion for the thumb to reside. The main mitt is constructed of flexible water resistant material and includes an inner layer of moisture absorbent fabric. The main mitt includes anti slip members adhered to both sides of the thumb portion. The cleaning overlay sleeve has an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for let handed or right handed use. The cleaning overlay sleeve has a cut away portion allowing the thumb portion of the main mitt to extend through the cleaning overlay sleeve. Cleaning sleeve is includes abrasive material bonded to it.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional patent application No. 61/463,565

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices and more specifically to a cleaning mitt having a plurality of cleaning sleeve overlays.

Mitts for covering a user's hands are well known. They generally include a main portion for holding four fingers and a second portion for retaining the user's thumb. Various mitts and gloves have been developed to be used for use in various cleaning activities.

However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that none of the prior designs allows the user to use a single mitt with a plurality of different cleaning overlay sleeves that slide over the main mitt and can be used by a left or right handed person. Additionally, none of the prior designs include a non slip member located on the thumb portion of the mitt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt that allows the user to quickly install a cleaning overlay sleeve onto a mitt member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt that includes an anti slip layer adhered to both sides of the thumb portion of the mitt.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt where the cleaning overlays have cleaning surfaces on both the front and rear sides making the mitt suitable for both left and right handed people.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt where the main mitt member is made of water resistant material.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning mitt where the main mitt includes an inner moisture absorbent layer.

Another object of the invention is to provide where the main cleaning overlay sleeve has abrasive material attached to it, and where other cleaning sleeves perform such functions as soap application, polishing and sanding.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a cleaning mitt comprising: a main mitt and a cleaning overlay sleeve, said main mitt having an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for left handed or right handed use, said front and rear main mitt panels joined at their perimeter on three sides leaving an opening at the bottom, said main mitt having one portion for four fingers to reside and one portion for the thumb to reside, said main mitt constructed of flexible water resistant material, said main mitt including an inner layer of moisture absorbent fabric, said main mitt including anti slip members adhered to both sides of said thumb portion, said cleaning overlay sleeve having an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for left handed or right handed use, and said cleaning overlay sleeve having a cut away portion allowing said thumb portion of said main mitt to extend through said cleaning overlay sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main mitt and an overlay sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of the main mitt and an overlay sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an abrasive overlay sleeve.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one version of an abrasive overlay sleeve.

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the abrasive overlay sleeve

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a front plan view of the invention. An overlay sleeve 8 is removably attached to a main mitt 2. The sleeve 8 has a cut out portion 22 that allows the thumb portion 4 of the main mitt 2 to extend through the cut out portion 22. The overlay sleeve 8 is made of a front panel 10 and a rear panel 20 as shown in FIG. 2. In this first embodiment of a cleaning sleeve, the front and rear panels 10, 20 are made of a sheet of cellulose sponge material. A panel 12 of flexible abrasive sheet material such as Scotchbrite made by 3M corporation. is fixedly adhered to the top portion of the overlay sleeve 8 so that the user can use the main portion of the sleeve 8 for applying soap to an object such as pot, pan, tray or dish. The present invention allows a person to more easily clean a large quantity of items without getting ones hands wet or stained, and also provides a larger cleaning surface area than can normally be held in ones hand when using a conventional sponge or abrasive cleaning pad. During use, the tip of the user's fingers can apply full pressure to the top area of the abrasive pad 12 for a more effective cleaning action than can be obtained by the standard act of physically holding a cleaning pad between one's thumb and forefinger. In the preferred embodiment, the top most portion of the overlay sleeve is flat to allow for easy folding of the abrasive pad 12 as it is attached to the front and rear sponge sheet material 10, 20. The thumb portion 4 of the main mitt 2 includes an anti slip member 6 that is made of a high sticktion flexible material such as a low durometer thermo-elastomeric plastic, and includes ridges or bumps to further increase its gripping power. A standard fastener such as a hook and loop fastener or a snap fastener, shown by dotted lines 26, removably attaches the overlay sleeve 8 to the main glove 2 and prevents it from sliding during use.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the rear sponge portion 20 and abrasive sheet portion 18 of the invention. The rear portion 20 and abrasive sheet version 18 is an identical mirror image of the front portion 10 and 12. Additionally, the thumb portion 4 includes non slip member 16, so that the user can use the present invention in a left handed or right handed manner. Main mitt panel 2A and oversleeve panel 20 also include a standard fastener as shown by dotted line 15.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mitt 2 and first oversleeve 8. The cutout area 22 oversleeve 8 can be clearly seen. An unobstructed view of the main mitt 2 can also be seen. The oversleeve 8 can be easily slipped onto main mitt 2 and the thumb portion 4 can be pulled through the cutout area 22 in the oversleeve 8.

FIG. 4 is a side section view of the invention as defined by the section line 50 shown in FIG. 1. The main mitt 2 includes a flexible water resistant outer layer 2, 2A and inner, moisture absorbing inner layer 2B, 2C such as terrycloth. Both layers are joined at the perimeter seam 24. The first oversleeve embodiment is shown where sponge panels 10, 20 form the outer layer and an abrasive pad members 12, 18 are formed of one panel and cover the top most portion of the invention so that the user can get efficiency and cleaning power from the abrasive pad members 12, 16. Standard fasteners 14, 15, such as a snap fastener or a hook and loop fastener, can be clearly seen.

FIG. 5 shows a second and preferred embodiment of an overlay sleeve 60. This embodiment includes a surface of stainless steel filament panels 68, 70, 72. and a mirror image set of panels 62, 64, 66 on the opposite side, so that the sleeve 60 can be used in either a left handed or right handed manner. Flexible panel 90 joins the stainless steel filament panels 68, 70, 72 so that the user can flex his or her hand while using the mitt assembly of the present invention. Of course, a version of the over sleeve 60 can be envisioned where the stainless steel completely covers the front and rear surfaces and are sewn or otherwise adhered to a flexible underlayer sheet material.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the oversleeve 60 as described above. The oversleeve 60 is comprised of mirror image two sides, 60A, 60B. Referring to side 60A, stainless steel members 68, 70, 72 are adhered by adhesive or by rivets to shell members 76, 78, 80 which are made of thin rigid molded plastic such as ABS. Plastic shell members 76, 78, 80 are adhered to flexible fabric member 90. The same construction holds true for the opposite side 60B. This configuration allows the user to apply full pressure to the stainless covered rigid panels while maintaining flexibility because of he flexible joints provided by flexible panels 90, 92.

FIG. 7 shows a side section view of the second preferred embodiment oversleeve 60 as defined by section line 40 in FIG. 5. As explained above, the stainless steel filament panels are adhered to rigid shell members. A the shell members are adhered to flexible panels 90, 91.

A third embodiment of an overlay sleeve, not shown, is constructed of soft cotton or poly blend material and can be used when polishing or buffing metal or wood.

A fourth embodiment of an overlay sleeve, not shown, is constructed of solid scotcbrite type material, without use of that sponge material as described in embodiment two.

A fifth embodiment, not shown of an overlay sleeve is constructed of a flexible fabric covered by a layer of sandpaper type material for use in sanding wood, plastic or other rigid surface.

Although five specific embodiments have been described, it is understood that there may be other oversleeve member designs that fall within the scope of the present invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a cleaning mitt system comprising:

a main mitt;

a plurality of cleaning overlay sleeves;

said main mitt having an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for left handed or right handed use;

said front and rear main mitt panels joined at their perimeter on three sides leaving an opening at the bottom;

said main mitt one portion fingers to reside and one portion thumb to reside;

said main mitt constructed of flexible water resistant material;

said main mitt including an inner layer of moisture absorbent fabric;

said main mitt including anti slip members adhered to both sides of said thumb portion;

said cleaning overlay sleeves each having an identical front panel and rear panel to allow for let handed or right handed use; and

said cleaning overlay sleeves each having a cut away portion allowing said thumb portion of said main mitt to extend through said cleaning overlay sleeves.

2. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first said cleaning overlay sleeve includes a front and rear sponge panel and a secondary scrubbing panel fixedly attached to the top front and rear portion of said first cleaning overlay sleeve.

3. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a second said cleaning overlay sleeve includes a front and rear abrasive scrubbing panel

4. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a third said cleaning overlay sleeve includes a front and rear buffing and polishing panel

5. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fourth said cleaning overlay sleeve includes at least one portion having a rigid substrait to support said abrasive scrubbing panel

6. A cleaning mitt system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a fifth said cleaning overlay sleeve includes a front and rear sanding panel