CLEANING IMPLEMENT

Abstract

A cleaning implement includes a body made of a porous material, with the body including a top surface and a bottom surface on opposite sides of the body, a first side surface and a second side surface on opposite sides of the body, and a first end surface and a second end surface on opposite sides of the body. The body also includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces, with each of the one or more lengthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the length direction from the first end surface to the second end surface.

Description

BACKGROUND

In order to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of modern life, there is an equally increasing need for more efficient solutions to everyday tasks such as household cleaning. As a result, the devices used for household cleaning need to be more efficient and effective at what they do.

Some of the more useful tools in household cleaning are those which can be used to clean surfaces with or without the use of a cleaning liquid, as well as to pick up debris and absorb and remove spilled liquids. Tools which classically fit this description include mops, sponges, and sponge mops.

However, tools like sponges and sponge mops are limited in their usefulness because they typically involve using a single, generally flat cleaning surface to remove liquid or debris from another single, flat surface such as a countertop or floor. Such sponges and sponge mops are not designed to clean multiple complex surfaces simultaneously or to pick up larger pieces of debris, and due to their dimensions are not able to fit into small spaces between surfaces, and thus such tools fail to clean both completely and efficiently.

SUMMARY

The above problems are addressed by the current disclosure by providing a cleaning implement which includes a body made of a porous material, and in which the body has segments which, in various embodiments, are defined by lengthwise cuts (or lengthwise and widthwise cuts) that impart significantly increased flexibility to the body. As a result of the high flexibility of the body, the body can be manipulated such that the segments open up and pull apart from each other so as to be able to pick up large pieces of debris. Further, the segments effectively increase the number of available cleaning surfaces such that, in conjunction with the associated high flexibility, the cleaning implement is very effective at cleaning multiple complex surfaces simultaneously. In addition, the increased flexibility makes it easier to manipulate the body (or one or more of the segments of the body) into small spaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 1D is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a top view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2E is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 2D.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3D is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4D is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 4C.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5E is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 5D.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6D is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7 is a view of a cleaning implement in a semi-flexed state, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view of a cleaning implement in use, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a view of a cleaning implement in a semi-flexed state, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 9A in use.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mop according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mop according to one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mop according to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mop according to one embodiment.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures, which depict one or more exemplary embodiments. Embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, shown in the figures, and/or described below. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to allow a complete disclosure that conveys the principles of the invention, as set forth in the claims, to those of skill in the art.

FIGS. 1A through 1D show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the cleaning implement includes a body 100 made of a porous material. In one exemplary embodiment, the body 100 is a sponge made of a foam material, such as double cell foam. The body 100 includes a top surface 101 and a bottom surface 102 on opposite sides of the body 100.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, the body 100 includes a first side surface 103 and a second side surface 104 on opposite sides of the body 100, with the first and second side surfaces 103, 104 extending along a length direction of the body 100 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1B). FIG. 1C is a lower side view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1C, the first side surface 103 extends from the top surface 101 to the bottom surface 102 in a thickness direction of the body 100 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1C). In the same manner, the second side surface 104 also extends from the top surface 101 to the bottom surface 102 in the thickness direction of the body 100.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the body 100 also includes a first end surface 105 and a second end surface 106 on opposite sides of the body, with the first and second end surfaces 105, 106 extending along a width direction of the body 100 (the vertical direction in FIG. 1B). FIG. 1D is a right end view of the cleaning implement shown in FIG. 1C. As shown in FIG. 1D, the second end surface 106 extends from the top surface 101 to the bottom surface 102 in the thickness direction. In the same manner, the first end surface 105 also extends from the top surface 101 to the bottom surface 102 in the thickness direction of the body 100.

The body of the cleaning implement also includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, for example as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D, the body 100 includes segments 110 defined by three lengthwise cuts 111 formed in the bottom surface 102. As shown in FIG. 1D, each of the lengthwise cuts 111 extends only partially into the body 100 in the thickness direction. In one embodiment, each of the lengthwise cuts extends, for example, halfway into the body in the thickness direction.

As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the lengthwise cuts 111 extends in the length direction from the first end surface 105 to the second end surface 106. As also shown in FIG. 1B, the lengthwise cuts 111 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and are parallel to each other.

FIGS. 2A through 2E show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2E, the cleaning implement includes a body 200 which is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 1A-D, in that the body 200 includes a top surface 201, a bottom surface 202, a first side surface 203, a second side surface 204, a first end surface 205 and a second end surface 206. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces, and a layer made of a scouring material is provided on the other of the top and bottom surfaces. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the body 200 includes segments 210 defined by lengthwise cuts 211 formed in the bottom surface 202, and a layer 212 made of a scouring material is attached to the top surface 201. The layer 212 can be made of any scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

FIGS. 3A through 3D show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the cleaning implement includes a body 300 which is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 1A-D, in that the body 300 includes a top surface 301, a bottom surface 302, a first side surface 303, a second side surface 304, a first end surface 305 and a second end surface 306, as well as segments 310 defined by lengthwise cuts 311 formed in the bottom surface 302. Further, the body 300 is made entirely of a scouring material. In particular, the body 300 can be made of any porous scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

FIGS. 4A through 4D show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the cleaning implement includes a body 400 which is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 1A-D, in that the body 400 includes a top surface 401, a bottom surface 402, a first side surface 403, a second side surface 404, a first end surface 405 and a second end surface 406.

The body of the cleaning implement also includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces. In one embodiment, for example as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4D, the body 400 includes segments 410 defined by three lengthwise cuts 411 formed in the bottom surface 402. As shown in FIG. 4D, each of the lengthwise cuts 411 extends only partially into the body 400 in the thickness direction. In one embodiment, each of the lengthwise cuts extends, for example, halfway into the body in the thickness direction.

As shown in FIG. 4B, each of the lengthwise cuts 411 extends in the length direction from the first end surface 405 to the second end surface 406. As also shown in FIG. 4B, the lengthwise cuts 411 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction and are parallel to each other.

In one embodiment, the segments are further defined by one or more widthwise cuts formed in the same surface as the lengthwise cuts. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the segments 410 are further defined by five widthwise cuts 421 formed in the bottom surface 402. As shown in FIG. 4C, each of the widthwise cuts 421 extends only partially into the body 400 in the thickness direction. In one embodiment, each of the widthwise cuts extends, for example, halfway into the body in the thickness direction.

As shown in FIG. 4B, each of the widthwise cuts 421 extends in the width direction from the first side surface 403 to the second side surface 404. As also shown in FIG. 4B, the widthwise cuts 421 are spaced apart from each other in the length direction and are parallel to each other.

FIGS. 5A through 5E show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, the cleaning implement includes a body 500 which is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 4A-D, in that the body 500 includes a top surface 501, a bottom surface 502, a first side surface 503, a second side surface 504, a first end surface 505 and a second end surface 506. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts and one or more widthwise cuts formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces, and a layer made of a scouring material is provided on the other of the top and bottom surfaces. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the body 500 includes segments 510 defined by lengthwise cuts 511 and widthwise cuts 521 formed in the bottom surface 502, and a layer 512 made of a scouring material is attached to the top surface 501. The layer 512 can be made of any scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

FIGS. 6A through 6D show a cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the cleaning implement includes a body 600 which is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 4A-D, in that the body 600 includes a top surface 601, a bottom surface 602, a first side surface 603, a second side surface 604, a first end surface 605 and a second end surface 606, as well as segments 610 defined by lengthwise cuts 611 and widthwise cuts 621 formed in the bottom surface 602. Further, the body 600 is made entirely of a scouring material. In particular, the body 600 can be made of any porous scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

FIG. 7 shows a sponge as the cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the sponge includes a body 700 which is similar to the bodies shown in FIGS. 1A-3D in that the body 700 includes segments 710 defined by lengthwise cuts 711. FIG. 7 also shows the sponge in a flexed state in which the body has been manipulated such that the segments 710 open up and pull apart from each other, thereby allowing the sponge to pick up large pieces of debris. FIG. 7 also illustrates the flexibility of the sponge and how the segments 710 increase the number of available cleaning surfaces.

FIG. 8 shows a sponge as the cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the sponge includes a body 800 which is similar to the bodies shown in FIGS. 1A-3D and 7 in that the body 800 includes segments 810 defined by lengthwise cuts 811. FIG. 8 shows the sponge in use, in which both sides of a utensil are being simultaneously cleaned by the surfaces of adjacent segments 810. While only one utensil is shown in FIG. 8, it is of course possible for multiple utensils to be simultaneously cleaned between the various segments 810 shown in FIG. 8. As such, because the lengthwise cuts 811 increase the flexibility of the sponge and define segments 810 which effectively increase the number of available cleaning surfaces, the sponge is very effective at cleaning several surfaces simultaneously.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a sponge as the cleaning implement in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9A, the sponge includes a body 900 which is similar to the bodies shown in FIGS. 4A-6D in that the body 900 includes segments 910 defined by lengthwise cuts 911 and widthwise cuts 921. FIG. 9A also shows the sponge in a flexed state in which the body has been manipulated such that the segments 910 open up and pull apart from each other, thereby allowing the sponge to pick up large pieces of debris. FIG. 9A also illustrates the flexibility of the sponge and how the segments 910 increase the number of available cleaning surfaces.

FIG. 9B shows the sponge in use, in which both sides of a utensil are being simultaneously cleaned by the surfaces of adjacent segments 910. While only one utensil is shown in FIG. 9B, it is of course possible for multiple utensils to be simultaneously cleaned between the various segments 910 shown in FIG. 9B. As such, because the lengthwise cuts 911 and widthwise cuts 921 increase the flexibility of the sponge and define segments 910 which effectively increase the number of available cleaning surfaces, the sponge is very effective at cleaning several surfaces simultaneously. Further, due to the number and small size of the segments 910, the sponge is also very effective at cleaning complex surfaces and cleaning within small openings.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the mop includes a handle 1030, a mop head 1040 attached to the handle 1030, and a cleaning implement having a body 1000 supported by the mop head 1040. The body 1000 is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 1A-D in that the body 1000 includes a top surface (not shown) supported by the mop head 1040, a bottom surface 1002, a first side surface 1003 and a second side surface (not shown) on opposite sides, and a first end surface 1005 and a second end surface (not shown) on opposite sides. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in the bottom surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the body 1000 includes segments 1010 defined by five lengthwise cuts 1011 formed in the bottom surface 1002.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the mop includes a handle 1130, a mop head 1140 attached to the handle 1130, and a cleaning implement having a body 1100 supported by the mop head 1140. The body 1100 is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 3A-D in that the body 1100 includes a top surface (not shown) supported by the mop head 1140, a bottom surface 1102, a first side surface 1103 and a second side surface (not shown) on opposite sides, and a first end surface 1105 and a second end surface (not shown) on opposite sides. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts formed in the bottom surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the body 1100 includes segments 1110 defined by five lengthwise cuts 1111 formed in the bottom surface 1102. Further, the body 1100 is made entirely of a scouring material. In particular, the body 1100 can be made of any porous scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the mop includes a handle 1230, a mop head 1240 attached to the handle 1230, and a cleaning implement having a body 1200 supported by the mop head 1240. The body 1200 is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 4A-D in that the body 1200 includes a top surface (not shown) supported by the mop head 1240, a bottom surface 1202, a first side surface 1203 and a second side surface (not shown) on opposite sides, and a first end surface 1205 and a second end surface (not shown) on opposite sides. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts and one or more widthwise cuts formed in the bottom surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the body 1200 includes segments 1210 defined by lengthwise cuts 1211 and widthwise cuts 1221 formed in the bottom surface 1202.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the mop includes a handle 1330, a mop head 1340 attached to the handle 1330, and a cleaning implement having a body 1300 supported by the mop head 1340. The body 1300 is similar to the body shown in FIGS. 6A-D in that the body 1300 includes a top surface (not shown) supported by the mop head 1340, a bottom surface 1302, a first side surface 1303 and a second side surface (not shown) on opposite sides, and a first end surface 1305 and a second end surface (not shown) on opposite sides. In one embodiment, the body of the cleaning implement includes segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts and one or more widthwise cuts formed in the bottom surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the body 1300 includes segments 1310 defined by lengthwise cuts 1311 and widthwise cuts 1321 formed in the bottom surface 1302. Further, the body 1300 is made entirely of a scouring material. In particular, the body 1300 can be made of any porous scouring material suitable for cleaning, and in one embodiment can be made of, for example, a polymer mesh.

In the discussion above, certain features of various embodiments are described and shown in the figures for illustrative purposes as having particular shapes, sizes, orientations and quantities. However, the particular shapes, sizes, orientations and quantities shown and discussed herein are illustrative only and not limiting. Rather, there is considerable flexibility, adaptability, and opportunity for customization regarding the various embodiments to meet the specific needs of various parties under numerous circumstances.

For example, the cleaning implement is shown in the drawings as mainly having a rectangular shape. However, the features of the embodiments described above are applicable to cleaning implements of virtually any shape and size. As another example, the cleaning implement is described above and shown in the figures as having lengthwise cuts in quantities such as one or more, three and five. However, the features of the embodiments described above are applicable to cleaning implements having lengthwise (and widthwise) cuts in other quantities, such as two, four, and six or more, as well as cuts provided in different orientations (such as diagonally oriented cuts).

Consequently, the particular shapes, sizes, orientations and quantities of the features shown and discussed herein do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed below.

The present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to specific possible embodiments. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments. For example, the nomenclature used for components, capitalization of component designations and terms, the attributes, or any other structural aspect is not significant, mandatory, or limiting, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features can have various different names, formats, or protocols.

In addition, the features shown in the figures, or as discussed herein, are identified using a particular nomenclature for ease of description and understanding, but other nomenclature is often used in the art to identify equivalent features.

Therefore, numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification or not, may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A cleaning implement, comprising:

a body made of a porous material, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface on opposite sides of the body, a first side surface and a second side surface on opposite sides of the body, the first and second side surfaces extending along a length direction of the body, and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface in a thickness direction of the body, a first end surface and a second end surface on opposite sides of the body, the first and second end surfaces extending along a width direction of the body, and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface in the thickness direction, and segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts, the one or more lengthwise cuts being formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces, each of the one or more lengthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the length direction from the first end surface to the second end surface.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1, wherein the one or more lengthwise cuts comprises at least two lengthwise cuts, the at least two lengthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the width direction and being parallel to each other.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 2, wherein the segments are further defined by one or more widthwise cuts, the one or more widthwise cuts being formed in the one of the top and bottom surfaces, each of the one or more widthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction from the first side surface to the second side surface.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 3, wherein the one or more widthwise cuts comprises at least two widthwise cuts, the at least two widthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the length direction and being parallel to each other.

5. The cleaning implement of claim 4, wherein the at least two lengthwise cuts comprises at least three to five lengthwise cuts.

6. The cleaning implement of claim 1, wherein the segments are further defined by one or more widthwise cuts, the one or more widthwise cuts being formed in the one of the top and bottom surfaces, each of the one or more widthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction from the first side surface to the second side surface.

7. The cleaning implement of claim 6, wherein the one or more widthwise cuts comprises at least two widthwise cuts, the at least two widthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the length direction and being parallel to each other.

8. The cleaning implement of claim 1, wherein the body is made of double cell foam.

9. The cleaning implement of claim 8, wherein the one or more lengthwise cuts are formed in one of the top and bottom surfaces and a layer made of a scouring material is provided on the other of the top and bottom surfaces.

10. The cleaning implement of claim 1, wherein the body is made of a polymer mesh.

11. A mop, comprising:

a handle;

a mop head attached to the handle; and

a cleaning implement supported by the mop head, the cleaning implement comprising a body made of a porous material, wherein the body includes a top surface and a bottom surface on opposite sides of the body, the top surface being supported by the mop head, a first side surface and a second side surface on opposite sides of the body, the first and second side surfaces extending along a length direction of the body, and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface in a thickness direction of the body, a first end surface and a second end surface on opposite sides of the body, the first and second end surfaces extending along a width direction of the body, and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface in the thickness direction, and segments defined by one or more lengthwise cuts, the one or more lengthwise cuts being formed in the bottom surface, each of the one or more lengthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the length direction from the first end surface to the second end surface.

12. The mop of claim 11, wherein the one or more lengthwise cuts comprises at least two lengthwise cuts, the at least two lengthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the width direction and being parallel to each other.

13. The mop of claim 12, wherein the segments are further defined by one or more widthwise cuts, the one or more widthwise cuts being formed in the bottom surface, each of the one or more widthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction from the first side surface to the second side surface.

14. The mop of claim 13, wherein the one or more widthwise cuts comprises at least two widthwise cuts, the at least two widthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the length direction and being parallel to each other.

15. The mop of claim 14, wherein the at least two lengthwise cuts comprises at least three to five lengthwise cuts.

16. The mop of claim 15, wherein the body is made of double cell foam or a polymer mesh.

17. The mop of claim 11, wherein the segments are further defined by one or more widthwise cuts, the one or more widthwise cuts being formed in the bottom surface, each of the one or more widthwise cuts extending only partially into the body in the thickness direction, and extending in the width direction from the first side surface to the second side surface.

18. The mop of claim 17, wherein the one or more widthwise cuts comprises at least two widthwise cuts, the at least two widthwise cuts being spaced apart from each other in the length direction and being parallel to each other.

19. The mop of claim 11, wherein the body is made of double cell foam or a polymer mesh.

20. The mop of claim 11, wherein each of the one or more lengthwise cuts extends halfway into the body in the thickness direction.