CLEANING ARTICLE HOLDERS

Abstract

A cleaning article holder defines an upper wall that includes a first finger placement area that may include one or more slip-resisting elements. One or more cleaning article surrounds, sidewalls or bands depend from the upper wall. Together with the upper wall, the cleaning article surrounds, sidewalls or bands are adapted to embrace or engage the cleaning article, such as a sponge, during cleaning use.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates to holders for cleaning articles, and particularly holders for block-shaped cleaning articles.

2. Background

It takes continued effort to keep surfaces free from dirt. In many instances sponges, which may have absorptive and/or abrasive properties, are used to keep surfaces clean. Sponges may be formed with cellulose or with a cellular polymer, such as a hydrophilic polyurethane foam or a melamine foam, or with a combination of materials. Most sponges are shaped in block form, and sized to be held by hand. Holding a sponge directly by hand, however, may prevent use of all sponge surfaces, and may make gripping and positioning of the sponge during cleaning more challenging.

Traditionally, only the widest upper and lower surfaces of a sponge are used for cleaning. During use, the palm of the hand is positioned over the upper surface, while the fingers are positioned such that the bottom sponge surface may be used for cleaning. Positioning the fingers to use the side surfaces of a sponge, however, is awkward for most users. Sponge materials are generally too soft such that inadequate pressure may be applied to side surfaces during cleaning. Also, awkward positioning of fingers can mar finger polishes or can cause damage to fingernails and even development of calluses on fingers over time.

When increased effort is required to remove dirt and stains from surfaces, usually fingers are positioned to apply increased pressure. Unfortunately, due to the nature of some sponge materials and the types of cleaning products applied to the sponge, finger positioning cannot be optimized. Some sponge materials easily degrade and deform after use a few uses. In addition, some cleaning products cause sponge surfaces to become slippery. Degradation and slipperiness of sponge surfaces also interfere with the application of pressure for cleaning purposes. Although certain sponge materials have improved abrasion properties such that less application of pressure is required during cleaning, comfortable and less awkward positioning of fingers remains an issue.

Melamine foam has been widely recognized as a sponge material because of its ability to abrade surfaces without significant application of pressure. After wetting, melamine foam sponges are able to clean stained and encrusted surfaces without substantial effort. Melamine foam sponges are even able to remove stains and marks that were previously considered very difficult to remove. Marks that fall into this category include those resulting from crayons and “permanent” markers.

Although melamine foam has been widely recognized for its superior cleaning abilities, it does have drawbacks. After just a few uses, a melamine foam sponge will become visibly degraded. Compared to traditional cellulose sponges and other foam sponges, melamine foam sponges have excessive and non-uniform wear. While a melamine foam sponge can be re-positioned, once a corner or edge of the sponge degrades, the sponge becomes very difficult to grasp and position for cleaning.

For these reasons, among others, there is a clear need for holder for cleaning articles such as melamine foam sponges manufactured in block form. The present invention fulfills this need and provides further related advantages, as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

Various configurations of cleaning article holders are described herein. The cleaning article holder engages a cleaning article, such as a sponge or other block-shaped cleaning article, during cleaning use. The cleaning article holder includes at least an upper wall defining one or more finger placement areas. These finger placement areas include slip-resisting elements that allow a user to grip the holder and associated cleaning article during cleaning use. With the holder, a user may apply increased areas of pressure on surfaces to be cleaned. Preferably, the holder embraces the cleaning article securely enough to keep the cleaning article in place during cleaning use. Structure to embrace the cleaning article may comprise depending surrounds, sidewalls, or bands.

A more complete understanding of various configurations of holders for cleaning articles will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by consideration of the following detailed description. Reference will be made to the appended sheets which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to similar components:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first configuration of a cleaning article holder including a block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 2 is side view of the cleaning article and holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows gripping or positioning of a user's hand on the cleaning article holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows alternative gripping or positioning of a user's hand on the cleaning article holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right front perspective view of a second configuration of a cleaning article holder including a rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the cleaning article and holder of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows gripping or positioning of a user's hand on the cleaning article and holder of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows alternative gripping or positioning of a user's hand on the cleaning article and holder of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a right front perspective view of a third configuration of a cleaning article holder, including a rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the holder and cleaning article of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a right front perspective view of a fourth configuration of a cleaning article holder, including a rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 12 is a left front perspective view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 11 without the rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 13 is a left rear perspective view of a fifth configuration of a cleaning article holder;

FIG. 14 is a left side elevational view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 13 showing gripping or positioning of a user's hand;

FIG. 15 is a right front perspective view of a sixth configuration of a cleaning article holder, including a rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a right bottom perspective view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 15 without the rectangular block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 18 is a right front perspective view of a seventh configuration of a cleaning article holder, including a block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 19 is a left rear perspective view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 18 without the block-shaped cleaning article;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the cleaning article holder of FIGS. 18; and

FIG. 21 is a right perspective view of the cleaning article holder of FIG. 18 showing gripping or positioning of a user's hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-21 show various configurations of cleaning article holders 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. The cleaning article holders shown and described herein are particularly suited for block-shaped cleaning articles and rectangular block-shaped cleaning articles. However, the application and use of each respective holder shown and described herein is not limited to use with block-shaped cleaning articles.

By “block-shaped cleaning articles” and “rectangular block-shaped cleaning articles” is meant absorbent or abrasive materials customarily used for residential and industrial cleaning, such as but not limited to sponges. The cleaning articles described herein may be manufactured from conformable materials known in the art as suitable for sponges. Other types of cleaning materials, however, may be suitable for use with the cleaning article holder. These materials include, but are not limited to, fabrics, foams, cellulose materials, steel wool, and nonwoven materials. It should be understood, however, that after subsequent uses, all the cleaning articles shown and described herein will degrade over time. When degradation occurs, a cleaning article may become difficult to hold. Significant degradation occurs particularly with melamine-based foam sponges, such as but not limited to, those sold under the trademark MAGIC ERASER®,

FIGS. 1-4 show a first configuration of a cleaning article holder 100. This holder configuration is assembled with a cleaning article 2a, which upon first use has a substantially square and block-like shape.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the holder 100 includes an upper wall 112a, having a first finger placement area 114a and a first indicator element 116a, and a lower wall 112b, having a second finger placement area 114b and second indicator element 116b. A theoretical boundary 115a for the first finger placement area 114a is also shown in FIG. 1, which generally indicates the range of the first finger placement area 114a. A similar theoretical boundary 115b may apply to the second finger placement area 114b on the lower wall 112b. These boundaries, however, are for representative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting.

Separately or together, the finger placement areas 114a, 114b and indicator elements 116a, 116b may be used to indicate where a user 6 (FIGS. 3 and 4) may place one or more fingers 8 (including the thumb 8a), during use of the cleaning article 2a. The indicator elements shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprise portions extending from the upper and lower walls 112a, 112b to form semi-circular shapes at the outer edges 118a, 118b of the upper and lower walls 112a, 112b. However, other geometric edge formations (not shown) may alternatively be used to form indicator elements. For example, one or more indicator sections form a triangular shape.

At least one finger placement area may include one or more slip-resistant regions that prevent slippage of fingers 8, during use of the cleaning article 2a, and particularly regions where application of increased pressure by the user 6 may be helpful during cleaning. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the holder 100, including a first slip-resistant region 120a on the upper wall 112a and a second slip-resistant region 120b on the lower wall 112b. Each slip-resistant region includes one or more slip-resistant elements such as or protrusions 122a, 122b shown in FIGS. 1-4 extending outwardly from the upper wall and lower wall and onto which a user may place his or her fingers 8 during use of the holder and application of the cleaning article. The slip-resistant elements 122a, 122b limit, retard or prevent slippage of the user's fingers 8.

For all holder configurations shown and described herein, slip-resistant elements may include one or more of a variety of shaped surfaces, including protrusions, depressions, formed surfaces, roughened surfaces, and surfaces including adhered urethanes, silicones, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and other types of thermoplastic materials. These and other elements may be used to provide frictional resistance when a finger is placed on one or more slip-resistant regions. In addition, slip-resistant elements may or may not form a pattern in a slip-resistant region. FIGS. 1-4 show slip-resistant elements as nub-like protrusions positioned at least partially in a finger-placement area. As used herein the term, “nub-like” should be construed as raised protrusions which generally have a curved geometrically-shaped outer periphery.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show just two examples of the alternative manners in which a user's fingers 8 may be positioned on the holder 100 when using the cleaning article holder 100 together with the cleaning article 2a to clean a surface. FIG. 3, for example, shows how the user's fingers 8 may be positioned when causing a corner 3 of the cleaning article 2a to contact a surface to be cleaned (surface to be cleaned not shown in FIG. 3). In this example, the user's thumb 8a is positioned substantially on the slip-resistant region 120a. FIG. 4 shows another example of how the user's fingers 8 may be positioned when pressing the bottom surface 5 of the cleaning article 2a against a surface to be cleaned (surface to be cleaned not shown in FIG. 4).

Depending from or coupled to the upper wall 112a and the lower wall 112b are cleaning article surrounds 124, 126 or sidewalls. These surrounds or sidewalls, in combination with the upper and lower walls 112a, 112b, are configured to embrace the cleaning article 2a. As used herein, the term “embrace” is defined as holding at least a portion 4 of a cleaning article such that the cleaning article stably fits within the holder 100 for cleaning use. The portion 4 is a section of the cleaning article 2a that is fully or partially embraced. To assure that the portion 4 is embraced by the holder 100, the surrounds are adjacent and preferably integral with the upper and lower walls 112a, 112b. To further embrace a cleaning article 2a, each surround may include a curved surround section 128, 130 to envelop a respective corner of the cleaning article 100 by curving inwardly toward a central area 132 of the holder 100.

FIGS. 5-8 show a second configuration of a cleaning article holder 200. This holder configuration 200 includes a cleaning article 2b. Upon initial use, the cleaning article has a substantially elongated and rectangular block-like shape. The holder 200 includes an upper wall 212a, having a first finger placement area 214a and first indicator element 216a, and a lower wall 212b, having a second finger placement area 214b and indicator element 216b. FIG. 5 shows a theoretical boundary 215a, which generally indicates the range of the first finger placement area 214a. As in the first holder configuration, a similar theoretical boundary 215b (not shown) may apply to the second finger placement area 214b. Neither boundary 215a, 215a should be construed as limiting.

The upper and lower walls 212a, 212b also include indicator sections 216a, 216b, which separately or together with the finger placement areas 214a, 214b indicate where a user 6 (FIGS. 7 and 8) may position one or more fingers 8. These indicator sections 216a, 216b are particularly helpful in indicating areas where increased pressure facilitates cleaning. The indicator sections 216a, 216b shown in FIGS. 5-8 comprise extended portions of the upper and lower walls 212a, 212b to form semi-circular shapes at outer edges 218a, 218b of the upper and lower walls 212a, 212b. However, as in the first holder configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4, these indicator sections shown in FIGS. 5-8 may form other geometric shapes.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the holder 200, including a first slip-resistant region 220a of the upper wall 212a and a second slip-resistant region 220b of the lower wall 112b. Each slip-resistant region includes one or more slip-resistant elements 222a, 222b that limit or retard or prevent slippage of fingers 8 contacting such elements during use of the holder and application of the cleaning article. FIGS. 5-8 also show slip-resistant elements as nub-like protrusions extending outwardly from each of the upper wall and lower wall and positioned at least partially in respective finger-placement areas of such upper wall and lower wall.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show how a user's fingers 8 may be positioned on the holder 200, during application of the cleaning article 2b. FIG. 7, for example, shows how the user's fingers 8 may be positioned when using a side 7 of the cleaning article 2a to clean a surface (surface to be cleaned not shown in FIG. 7). In this example cleaning position, the user's thumb 8a is positioned substantially on the slip-resistant region 120a for gripping purposes. FIG. 8 shows another exemplary cleaning position showing the user's fingers 8 positioned when pressing the bottom of the cleaning article 2b against a surface to be cleaned (surface to be cleaned is not shown in FIG. 8).

Depending from or coupled to the upper wall 212a and the lower wall 212b are cleaning article surrounds 224, 226 or sidewalls. These surrounds or sidewalls, in combination with the upper and lower walls 112a, 112b, are configured to embrace the cleaning article such that the cleaning article stably fits within the holder 200 for cleaning use. To assure that the portion 4 is embraced by the holder 200, the surrounds or sidewalls preferably are adjacent and integral with the upper and lower walls 212a, 212b.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a third configuration of a cleaning article holder 300. This holder configuration is assembled with a cleaning article 2b, which upon first use has a substantially elongated and rectangular block-like shape. The holder 300 includes an upper wall 312 with a central section 313 and two finger placement areas 314a, 314b, and two indicator elements 316a, 316b that extend from or protrude outwardly from the central section 313 of the upper wall. Indicator elements 316a, 316b may be used to indicate where a user may place his/her fingers (not shown) during use of the cleaning article.

The indicator elements as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 form polygonal-shapes and include slip-resistant regions 320a, 320b. Each slip-resistant region includes one or more elements that limit, retard or prevent slipping of fingers during use of the holder 300 and application of the cleaning article 2b. FIGS. 9 and 10 show outer slip-resistant elements 322a, 322b formed around the perimeter of the slip-resistant regions 320a, 320b. In a central area of each region, an inner slip-resistant element 323a, 323b is formed. Other types of slip resistant elements, including depressions, formed surfaces, and slip-resistant materials may be included in slip-resistant regions 320a, 320b.

Positioned on the sides of the cleaning article 2b and depending from the upper wall 312 are cleaning article surrounds 224, 226 or sidewalls. These surrounds, in combination with the upper wall 312, are configured to embrace the cleaning article 2b. The surrounds are bent towards the cleaning article 2b at an angle a such that the cleaning article fits stably within the holder. This positioning of the surrounds assures that a portion 4 of the cleaning article is embraced by the holder 300. Preferably, the angle a is in the range of about 15 degrees to about 90 degrees.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, a fourth configuration of a holder 400 for a cleaning article is shown assembled with a cleaning article 2b. The holder 400 includes an upper wall 412 with a finger placement area 414 and indicator elements 416, 417. In this holder configuration, the material forming the upper wall 412 includes bends to form indicator elements 416, 417 such that each element protrudes upwardly or outwardly from sections of the upper wall 412. These indicator elements serve the functions of limiting, retarding or preventing movement of fingers and aiding in positioning of fingers (not shown), when the holder 400 is used to as a gripping means to enable a user to apply the cleaning article 2b against a surface to be cleaned. The holder 400 may include additional elements that limit, retard or prevent movement and slippage of fingers during use of a holder and cleaning article combination. Such additional elements include, but are not limited to, depressions, formed surfaces, and slip-resistant materials positioned on the upper wall. The cleaning article holder 400 of FIGS. 11 and 12 includes a surround 424, which in combination with the upper wall 412, allows the holder to embrace the cleaning article 2b. In this configuration, the surround is shaped to form a band around the cleaning article 2b. Side portions 428 of the surround 424 may extend from the upper wall at an angle β, as shown in FIG. 11. Preferably, the angle β is in the range of 80 to 110 degrees.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fifth configuration of a cleaning article holder 500 assembled with a cleaning article 2b. The holder 500 includes an upper wall 512, sidewalls 534, and a handle 536 coupled to the upper wall. The upper wall 512 and the sidewalls 534 form a surround 524 such that a portion 4 of the cleaning article 2b fits within the surround. During use of a cleaning article and holder, the cleaning article is embraced by or held by the surround such that it stably fits therein without substantial movement between the cleaning article and the holder. In addition, the cleaning article may be bonded to the surround or the holder may include a separate bonding agent. The handle may be integrally formed with the surround or may be attached to the surround using a suitable bonding method. In this holder configuration, the handle 536 includes at least one finger placement area 514 and indicator elements 516, 517. In the embodiment shown, each indicator element 516, 517 protrudes upwardly or outwardly from the handle 536. These indicator elements limit, retard or prevent movement and aid in positioning of fingers 8, including the thumb 8a, during use of the holder 500 and application of the cleaning article 2b against surfaces. The handle 536 also may have at least one curved side 538 against which a user's thumb may rest during use.

FIGS. 15-17 show a sixth configuration of a cleaning article holder 600 assembled with a cleaning article 2b. The holder 600 includes an upper wall 612, sidewalls 634, and a handle 636 coupled to the upper wall. Together, the upper wall 612 and the sidewalls 634 form a surround 624, as particularly shown in FIG. 17. A portion 4 of the cleaning article 2b fits within the surround when the cleaning article is applied to surfaces. The fit is such that a portion 4 of the cleaning article 2b is embraced by the holder 600. In this configuration, the handle 636 is shown integrally formed with the surround. However, the handle may be attached to the surround using suitable bonding methods. In this holder configuration, the handle 536 has a curved shape such that a user's fingers (not shown) can grasp the handle during use of the holder/cleaning article assembly.

FIGS. 18-21 show a seventh configuration of a cleaning article holder 700, that is particularly suited for use with cleaning articles 2a having at least one flat surface. The holder 700 includes an upper wall 712a, a lower wall 712b, and a sidewall 734. This holder configuration also includes a slip-resistant elements 722 formed around the perimeter of holder. These elements are raised relative to walls 712a, 712b, 734 such that the slip-resistant elements limit, retard or prevent a user's fingers from slipping off of the walls during use of the cleaning article/holder assembly. FIG. 21 shows how a user's fingers 8, including the thumb 8a, may be positioned on the holder 700 during application of the cleaning article 2a. In this example, a user's thumb 8a is positioned adjacent to the slip-resistant element 722 to facilitate gripping of the holder.

The cleaning article holders according to the invention may be molded or thermoformed from polymeric materials, preferably materials with sufficient hardness to withstand compressive forces without significant bending. Examples of such polymeric materials, including resins, include, but are not limited to, ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) copolymers, acrylics, high density polyethylenes (HDPE), styrenics (IMPS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, poly(methylmethacrylates) (IM-PMMA), polypropylene, polycarbonate, polycaprolactam, polycaprolactone, polyurethanes, polyesters, polypropylene-ethylene propylene diene monomer (PP/EPDM), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), acrylic rubber TPV, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) TPV, low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinylchoride (PVC), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) elastomer compounds, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) linear block copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) linear block copolymers, styrene-butadiene (SB)n branched copolymers, styrene-co-ethylene-butene-styrene (SEBS) linear block copolymers, styrene-co-ethylene-propylene (SEP) diblock copolymers, styrene-co-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS) copolymers, mineral reinforced thermoplastic ethylene-styrene (TES/SEBS), polyethersulfone (PES), glass reinforced polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), acrylic-styrene-methylmethacrylate coploymers (NAS), polydimethylsilicone (PDMS), polyurea, silicone-polyurea, segmented polyurethane (SPU), perfluoroelastomer (FFKM), perfluoroelastomer (FEPM), chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber, fluoroelastomer, silicone room temperature vulcanizate (RTV), cast polyurethane, chloroprene rubber, hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR), nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, perfuoroelastomer compounds (FFKT), and mixtures thereof.

Thus, various configurations of cleaning article holders are disclosed. While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning article holder, comprising:

an upper wall including a first finger placement area;

a first slip-resisting element on a surface of the upper wall; and

one or more cleaning article surrounds depending from the upper wall, wherein said cleaning article surround(s) are adapted to embrace a cleaning article.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element is positioned in the first finger placement area.

3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element comprises a plurality of raised protrusions.

4. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element comprises a plurality of raised elements.

5. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element comprises at least one elongated protrusion.

6. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element comprises a handle.

7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the handle includes a plurality of finger-conforming surfaces.

8. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first slip-resisting element is positioned on a semi-circular or curved section of the upper wall.

9. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a bottom wall including a second finger placement area.

10. The holder of claim 1, wherein the one or more cleaning article surround(s) comprises a corner surround section.

11. The holder of claim 10, wherein each corner surround section curves inwardly toward a central area of the holder.

12. The holder of claim 1, wherein the cleaning article comprises a sponge.

13. A holder for a cleaning article, comprising:

an upper wall defining a finger placement area;

a first sidewall depending from the upper wall;

a second sidewall depending from the upper wall; and

one or more slip-resisting elements in or on the upper wall;

wherein the upper wall, first sidewall and second sidewall are adapted to engage the cleaning article.

14. The holder of claim 13, wherein the one or more slip-resisting elements is a plurality of slip-resisting elements that protrude from a top surface of the finger placement area of the upper wall.

15. The holder of claim 13, wherein the one or more slip-resisting elements is selected from the group consisting of: a protrusion, a plurality of protrusions, an elongated protrusion, a plurality of elongate protrusions, and a handle.

16. The holder of claim 13, further comprising a bottom wall connected to or unitary with the first sidewall and the second sidewall so that when the holder is engaged to the cleaning article the cleaning article is enveloped by or banded by the upper wall, first sidewall, second sidewall and bottom wall,

17. The holder of claim 13, wherein the holder is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene and polypropylene.