Special Work Patents (Class 15/210.1)
  • Publication number: 20120017935
    Abstract: An embodiment of a magnetic tape head cleaner for a magnetic tape head, the head having at least one read/write surface, wherein the magnetic tape head is configured to read and write data with respect to a movable magnetic tape as the tape is moved in a longitudinal direction of the tape and across the read/write surface(s) of the head, employs a closed cellular polyurethane foam pad; and a support member configured to support the pad for movement of the pad across and in contact with the read/write surface(s) of the magnetic tape head. The closed cellular polyurethane foam pad may have a Shore hardness of substantially 55-60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DYLAN J. BODAY, WAYNE A. McKINLEY, LEE C. RANDALL, RICHARD A. WEST
  • Publication number: 20120017387
    Abstract: A biodegradable net-shaped article includes: a net structure made from a biodegradable plastic composition which includes a major component selected from polybutylene-1,4-succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and combinations thereof. A biodegradable filament-shaped article made from the biodegradable plastic composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chien-Ming Huang, Yu-Kai Huang
  • Patent number: 8099822
    Abstract: A grill oiler for applying oil to a grill comprising a handle attached to an applicator body. An applicator sleeve envelopes an applicator surface. The applicator surface is releasably attached to the applicator body such that the applicator sleeve may be easily replaced when worn or excessively soiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Douglas Dale, Theodore McBain
  • Patent number: 8087118
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8079111
    Abstract: A cleaning tool is provided wherein a head unit (4) that is equipped with a supporting portion main body (44), a circular arc-shaped tilt spring (41) that protrudes from this supporting portion main body (44), and a head component (23) that is supported on a protruding distal end (411) of the tilt spring (41) is incorporated into a distal end portion of a protruding portion that protrudes from a tool main body, and wherein the head component (23) is tilted such that the side thereof that protrudes from the protruding distal end (411) of the tilt spring (41) towards the curve apex portion (412) of the tilt spring (41) protrudes towards the rear side, and the head component (23) protrudes towards the front side as it moves towards the opposite side from the protruding distal end (411).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8074316
    Abstract: A wet to dry, single use fiber optic connector end face cleaning device. The device is comprised a of a first swab, the first swab having a cleaning head and a first grasping end, the cleaning head having a presaturated fabric attached thereto, and a second swab, the second swab having a drying head and a second grasping end, the drying head having a drying fabric attached thereto. In use, the cleaning head of the first swab is positioned adjacent to the drying head of the second swab, the cleaning head and the drying head at different elevations. Also disclosed is a method for using the fiber optic connector end face cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Blair
  • Publication number: 20110297184
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the removal of foreign matter, such as oil and dust, from the end faces of optical fiber and optical fiber connectors. Cleaning is effected by bringing carbon nanotube material into contact with an end face to create a differential adhesion in the proximity of the end face that more strongly attracts foreign matter residing on the end face to the carbon nanotube material than its attraction to the end face. The carbon nanotube material is applied with cleaning swabs or tapes that are used to clean end faces with swiping actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: AMARESH MAHAPATRA, STEPHEN M. O'RIORDEN
  • Publication number: 20110289713
    Abstract: A holster for a portable device is described that comprises a dispensing mechanism coupled to the housing comprising a reservoir defining an interior volume for holding a substance to be dispensed and an applicator for dispensing a portion of said substance from the interior volume of the reservoir to a portion of a surface of said portable device. The holster may be used to dispense a substance such as a disinfecting liquid or a cleaning gel onto a surface of the portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventor: Claudio Gil SA
  • Publication number: 20110284025
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Marc Lemchen
  • Patent number: 8060969
    Abstract: A cloth accessory includes a cover member of a soft and flexible material, which forms an enclosure having an opening therein. An insert is configured to fit within the cover member and hold the opening of the cover member in an open position with a substantially constant size and shape. A cloth is coupled to the cover member and has a first and second configuration. The cloth is retracted substantially into the cover member for storage in the first configuration. In the second configuration the cloth is extended through the insert and the opening of the cover member, and substantially out of the cover member for use while remaining coupled to the cover member. An associated method for cleaning or treating a device includes providing a cloth accessory, orienting the cloth into the second configuration and contacting a device with the cloth to clean or treat the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alpine Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Darren Jones
  • Publication number: 20110277788
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Bobby E. Rogers, Paul Diperna
  • Patent number: 8046865
    Abstract: A flexible cleaning tool (22) is disclosed. The cleaning tool (22) includes a handle (24) connected to an elongated flexible support member (26) that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments (40). A cleaning pad (28) encloses the support rod (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy F. Knopow, David A. Hoadley, Chrissie M. Smits
  • Publication number: 20110258791
    Abstract: A foaming porous pad suitable for coupling to a hand-held device and for application to human skin includes a porous pad substrate and a foaming composition disposed on the porous pad substrate. The porous pad substrate includes a nonwoven pile fabric having a nonwoven backing layer and a pile comprising individual fibers extending from the backing layer. The nonwoven pile fabric has fibers having a denier of less than about 9. Other aspects of the disclosure include a kit including a foaming porous pad and a motorized handheld device, methods of making the foaming porous pad, and methods of using the foaming porous pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Nikoleta Batchvarova, David Gubernick, Mark Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110258795
    Abstract: A rotary work head assembly is provided suitable for connecting the drive hub of a rotary floor cleaning machine to a working head. The coupling comprises latching features associated with the hub and working head. The latching features engage to retain the working head on the hub in a coaxial arrangement suitable for operation of the machine. To remove the working head, the operator tilts the working head away from the coaxial position, which permits disengagement of the working head from the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Nicholas John Putt
  • Patent number: 8032972
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed providing a portable, multi-purpose golf apparatus. The apparatus includes a casing, a cleaning device, and an opening. The cleaning device may be extendable through the opening an effective distance to clean a golf ball. A carrier may be mounted to the cleaning device within the casing. The carrier may slide within the casing to transition the cleaning device from a stored position to an extended position. The golf apparatus may further include a positioning mechanism coupled to the carrier. The apparatus may include a second opening through which a divot tool or other supplemental device may be extendable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Janet Cherry
  • Patent number: 8032973
    Abstract: A coating applicator comprising a substrate removably mounted to a frame, where the frame includes an actuator repositionable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, where the engaging position is operative to maintain the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, where the disengaging position is operative to discontinue the substrate in mounting engagement with the frame, and where the substrate includes a receptor for retaining a coating composition for application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Newell Operating Company
    Inventors: Joseph Leon Lutgen, Robin E. Smith, Brandon Cory Hoover, Brandon Seth Cross, George Andrew Hartel, Matthew Shute
  • Patent number: 8032966
    Abstract: A hand-gripable presentation marker carrier is disclosed for holding and quickly accessing a plurality of different color presentation markers. The carrier includes a hand-gripable support element including a plurality of marker-tip receiving structures disposed along a surface of the hand-gripable support element, the surface of the hand-gripable support element supporting each of the marker-tip receiving structures. The carrier can also include an eraser housing for receiving an eraser assembly. The plurality of presentation markers are held perpendicularly with respect to the surface of the support element, and each marker-tip receiving structure is shaped so as to grip a marker at its tip-end and hold it to the common hand-gripable support element regardless of the orientation of the common hand-gripable support element. The eraser assembly is sized such that it fits snugly within the eraser housing, and can be inserted and removed from the eraser housing with convenient and comfortable force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Scott Keller
  • Patent number: 8032969
    Abstract: An attachable brush for footwear, particularly suited for an umpire to clean dirt from home plate during a baseball game is herein disclosed. The footwear comprises a bristle portion along one (1) side and sized approximately one (1) inch wide and four (4) inches long, with the bristle portions being approximately one (1) inch. The brush body is attached to the footwear by means of a flap made of leather or similar resilient material. The flap is attached to the top of the brush body and is removably attached to the footwear by use of eyelets that would be interlocked with the shoelaces on the footwear. This enables the umpire to slightly lift his foot, allowing the brush to hang down, and sweep it back and forth over the home plate area. Its positioning would not allow it to interfere with walking or other activities when not being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Dennis E. Connelly
  • Publication number: 20110240055
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to personal grooming apparatus that include coatings on the surface thereof that incorporate calcium carbonate derived from the shell of a mollusk and/or from a mollusk pearl. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for producing such apparatus, and methods of grooming the hair or skin of an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.
    Inventor: Maciej Murzynski
  • Patent number: 8015653
    Abstract: An applicator device for applying a substance to an area of the body that is difficult to reach includes a collapsible handle and a head portion rotatably mounted on one end. The head portion includes an attachment means, which can comprise either a field of hooks or a field of loops. The attachment means receives a two-sided pad engagement member that preferably has fields of loops or hooks on one side to engage the respective hooks or loops of the attachment member, and a field of hooks on its opposite side. The hooks of the pad engagement member can securely retain a pad that carries the substance to be applied to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bargiel, Joshua J. Nelson, Glenn Walters, Frank Pollard
  • Publication number: 20110209728
    Abstract: A cleaning wipe with a plurality of stiff triangular or rectangular-cross-sectional projections rising from the surface of a non-woven cloth is designed to clean the nooks and crannies, various crevices and other hard to reach areas of cell phones or other electronic items with a myriad of buttons and/or camera lenses, charger outputs, mouthpieces, ear receivers and keypads which are designed in countless shapes and sizes. The projections, whether in the form of cones, pyramids, length-long ridges or other embodiments are specifically designed to clean the small crevices, the mouthpiece and earpiece and between small buttons such as keypads on a cell phone or other electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Nima Sharifi
  • Patent number: 8006343
    Abstract: There is provided a duster which is suitable for cleaning. To prevent a brush wound around a rod from slipping in the direction of the length and the direction of the axial rotation of the rod, the duster comprises: a number of sharp protrusions formed on a portion of the rod around which the brush is wound, so that a stitched portion of the brush is stuck to the sharp protrusions to semi-permanently prevent the slip of the brush, thereby maintaining the product to be like a first assembled state thereof, preventing the function of the duster from being deteriorated, and preventing the surface of an object to be cleaned from being scratched by the rod which is partially exposed. In addition, since the slip of the brush is prevented by using no adhesive agent, the product is easily assembled and the cost is greatly reduced accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Pil-Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20110203607
    Abstract: The appliance includes a two-piece elongated handle with first and second handle pieces rotatably hinged via a locking stop which locks the handle upon full extension. A head piece rotatably mounted on the second handle piece with a coupling rotatably linking the head to the handle. The head piece is biased to a set position with a spring or torsion loadable stem such that upon rotation, the head returns to the set position. The front face of the planar plate has spaced hook ended pins upon which is releaseably mounted a removable cream bearing pad. The bearing pad includes a sponge pad for the lotion, soap or cream and a thin interfacing cloth attached to the rear of the bearing pad. The interfacing cloth has a multiplicity of loops which cooperate with the hooked pins for removable attachment of the bearing pad on the head piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Kate R. Slavin
  • Patent number: 8001647
    Abstract: An improved flocked foam applicator has a cylindrically shaped hollow rigid shell configured to slide onto a rigid core coupled to a handle. A rigid planar surface extends from the bottom of the hollow rigid shell forward. Applicator flock extends downward from the rear cylindrical portion of the hollow rigid shell, around the bottom of the hollow rigid shell, and outward to the distal edge of the rigid planar surface. The distal edge of rigid planar surface extends further forward than the leading edge of the cylindrical hollow rigid shell. As a result of this design, the improved flocked foam applicator can apply a liquid applicant to a floor all the way up to a baseboard or wall, and will further prevent the leading edge of the cylindrical portion from coming into contact with a baseboard or wall and depositing fluid in an undesired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventor: James J. Felton
  • Patent number: 8001645
    Abstract: A scrub brush-sponge includes a base provided with a recessed peripheral lip, which has a plurality of attenuated regions configured to minimize the resistance of the base to external bending forces, and a sponge coupled to the base and made from polymeric material, which may have as low a PPI as 10. The sponge is configured so that it can effectively surround at least a substantial peripheral portion of instruments or portions to be treated with fluid, which is contained within the sponge, without applying substantial external forces to the base. A flexible layer made of woven or non-woven bonded polymeric fibers is on a scrubbing surface of the sponge and provides an enhanced scrubbing feature. An abrasive may be included on the flexible layer to further enhance the scrubbing feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Biomed Packaging Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jack W. Kaufman, Janet Kaufman, legal representative, James Brown
  • Patent number: 8001648
    Abstract: A skin cleanser device may include a cleanser member including a cleanser surface configured to be moved in contact with skin. The cleanser surface may be defined by an elastically deformable synthetic material other than a foam, and may include cavities that include undercuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Gueret
  • Publication number: 20110191973
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bath brush, which includes a handle and at least two ball-shaped elastic bath mesh materials. The handle is formed with at least two installation holes arranged along a length of the handle. Each of the bath mesh materials has two spongy semispherical bodies and a pass-through section connected the two semispherical bodies. The pass-through section of each of the bath mesh materials is directly positioned in one of the installation holes of the handle with the two semispherical bodies respectively positioned on a front face and a rear face of the handle. The elastic bath mesh materials are directly secured to the handle of themselves without using any fixing member. Therefore, the production rate of the bath brush can be increased and the manufacturing cost of the bath brush can be lowered without wasting resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Shu-Han CHEN
  • Publication number: 20110191972
    Abstract: A baseboard cleaning apparatus for cleaning a baseboard of a wall extending upright along the wall with respect to a floor includes a cleaning head and a block positioned in either side of a skid plate, and which are connected by a connector that extends through a slot formed in the skid plate. The skid plate has a lower extremity formed with a skid, and the connector is movable along the slot between lowered positions of the baseboard cleaning head and the fixture toward the skid formed in the lower extremity of the skid plate, and raised positions of the baseboard cleaning head and the fixture away from the skid formed in the lower extremity of the skid plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Michele I. Goodman, Isaias Luna
  • Patent number: 7971304
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector cleaner (1) comprises a housing (10), a winding means (32) and a delivery means (34) for a cleaning tape (T) which are disposed in the housing, a cleaning means (20) having a bar-like cleaning section (21) projecting outwardly of the housing, on the front-end of the cleaning section the cleaning tape delivered from the delivery means being movably mounted under tension in an exposed state, the front-end of the cleaning section being brought into contact with the end surface of an optical fiber connector to thereby clean the end surface, a cleaning section rotating means (23) coaxially connected to the cleaning section in the housing and rotatably supported with respect to the housing; and a transmission means (40) which rotates the winding means and the cleaning section rotating means substantially simultaneously in a predetermined direction through a predetermined angle and then reverses the cleaning section rotating means to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seikoh Giken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahisa Kida, Katsuhisa Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7971311
    Abstract: A travel kit for assisting a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body includes a hollow shaft provided with telescopically interfitted rectilinear first, second, and third sections respectively. The kit includes a rectilinear connector, and a plurality of attachments is connected directly to the connector and the distal tip of the third section. The travel kit further includes a mechanism for locking the hollow shaft between compressed and extended positions, a plurality of depressions, an arcuately shaped knob formed in the outer surface of the second and the third sections respectively, a plurality of cylindrical brackets directly attached to the outer surface of the first and second sections respectively, and a tab suitably shaped and sized to reside within an associated one of the outer depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert S Zielinski
  • Publication number: 20110154599
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device which cleans a connecting terminal surface of a to-be-cleaned object protruding from an optical connector with a cleaning body, and includes: a main body; an extending part which extends from the main body; and a guiding part attached to a tip portion of the extending part, wherein the extending part includes an extending tube body and a tip extending part; the guiding part includes a fitting part and a tube-shaped guiding body, which is flexible and extends from the fitting part towards an extending direction; an insertion hole is formed; and the to-be-cleaned object is cleaned by inserting the to-be-cleaned object into the insertion hole, and by pressing the cleaning body against the connecting terminal surface of the to-be-cleaned object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi NAKANE, Kunihiko FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 7966687
    Abstract: An anti-smear cleaning swab for cleaning delicate surfaces, comprising a body defining an elongated shaft having two opposite ends. An enlarged blade is carried at one end of the handle. A number of bores are made through the blade, these bores enabling both fluid flow therethrough and also some retensive capture of fluid droplets. A fluid absorbing cloth sheet pocket generally encloses by folding same around the blade, and is sized to fit snugly therearound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: 1317442 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventor: Fariborz Rahbar-Dehghan
  • Publication number: 20110138565
    Abstract: Cleansing and scrubbing devices, and methods of their use and manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a body cleansing device for personal hygiene and methods for their manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Wayne K. Dunshee
  • Patent number: 7958591
    Abstract: A cleaning tool having a cleaning head disposed at the distal and of an elongated, extendable shaft. A handle at the proximal end contains a lever attached to a linkage. The cleaning head has an elbow joint and provides an attachment point for an upper support arm and a lower support arm movable with respect thereto. The elbow joint allows the cleaning head to be rotated with respect to the distal end of the elongated, extendable shaft. Two-sided pads may be attached to distal ends of both the upper arm and the lower arm. Each two-sided pad may have a different cleaning property on each of its two major faces. This allows up to four different cleaning surfaces to be present at the cleaning head of the cleaning tool of the present invention. A linkage is provided between the lever and the lower support arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: John L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7958590
    Abstract: A cleaning tool is disclosed for cleaning adjacent surfaces. In one embodiment, for instance, the cleaning tool may be used as a toilet bowl brush. The cleaning tool includes a handle comprised of a first handle member pivotally attached to a second handle member. Each handle member terminates in a clamping plate. The clamping plates move towards and away from each other as the handle members are likewise moved towards and away from each other. The handle can include a locking member that engages the first handle member with the second handle member in order to clamp or hold a cleaning pad in between the clamping plates. The clamping plates can include raised wave-like protrusions that further assist in gripping a cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan M. Trefethren, Craig M. Thoms, Brian James Ludka, Maggie VanderHeiden Berger, Christopher James Uecker, Carl Gerard Rippl, Peter Laurence
  • Publication number: 20110131742
    Abstract: A foldable cleaning pad sized for placement in a user's clothing or golf bag pocket includes a substantially fluid impermeable backing layer, and an inner cleaning layer having a fluid absorptive portion. The cleaning pad is configured to be folded in half about a mid-plane fold axis, so as to present outwardly only the backing layer. Peripheral edge portions of the cleaning pad are provided with pairs of magnets positioned in symmetrically spaced locations on each side of the fold axis. The opposing pairs of magnets are positioned with the opposite magnetic polarity so that when the pad is folded, the magnets are provided in juxtaposition such that the magnetic attraction therebetween substantially prevents the leakage or transmission of fluids, moisture or other debris therebetween from the interior of the folded pad. The inner cleaning layer of the pad is provided with both a fluid absorptive portion, as well as an abrasive scrubbing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Manfred Cheung
  • Patent number: 7954199
    Abstract: A drain cleaner which is superior in portability and which makes it possible for a small number of people to perform drain cleaning operation on a broad floor. A drain cleaner (1) comprises a strip body (2), and a reel body (3) for winging or unwinding the strip body (2). The strip body (2) has a handle (4) at its front end (2a), the opposite edges (2b, 2b) thereof having attached thereto flexible members (20, 20) made of rubber having high adhesion to a floor or the like. Surrounding a puddle on a floor by the strip body (2) unwound from the reel body (3), one of two operators holds the handle (4) of the strip body (2) and the other holds the reel body (3). By pulling the strip body (2), the water in the puddle can be swept by the strip body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Hideki Kurata
  • Publication number: 20110126371
    Abstract: A swab with two ends, one end being composed of a light or soft textile and the other end being composed of a heavier or coarser textile or a denser weave of the first textile. The swab may be used for personal care, nail polish removal, cosmetics, and medical uses, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: KOEHL ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Roberta Koehl
  • Publication number: 20110125112
    Abstract: The invention provides a device adapted to assist the sterilisation of a limb surface, comprising a flexible tubular sleeve, closed at one end, shaped and sized so as to loosely fit, in use, around the limb of a patient whose limb surface is to be sterilised. The sleeve bas limb-sealing means, located close to or at each end of the sleeve, and each capable of forming, in use, a seal between the sleeve and the limb of a patient. The device is particularly suitable to assist in de-contamination of limbs prior to surgery thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: DERBY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
    Inventor: Lionel Christopher Bainbridge
  • Publication number: 20110113578
    Abstract: A cleaning card comprises a rectangular plate-shaped card and a tubular fabric member into which a card can be inserted. Two surfaces of the card are overlapped by an inner surface of the fabric member. The fabric member is formed from a nonwoven fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate. Two adhered portions formed by overlapping and adhering a part of the nonwoven fabric are provided on an outer surface of the fabric member so as to extend in a width direction of the card. The adhered portions are positioned on the both surfaces of the card respectively. Wiping portions formed so as to project from the adhered portions are provided respectively on the adhered portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Masami Akai, Fumiyasu Kato
  • Patent number: 7941889
    Abstract: A cleaning tool is for removing foreign matter from a surface of a photographic device. The cleaning tool includes an adhesive member and a body. The adhesive member has an adhesive surface for the foreign matter to adhere to. The body has a first end to which the adhesive member is attached, and has an end surface located at a second end being opposite to the first end. The outline of the adhesive surface includes a linear section, and the shape and orientation of the adhesive surface are represented on the end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Terao
  • Publication number: 20110099736
    Abstract: A method and device for cleaning golf equipment while on the golf course, the device being mounted to, and rotating in conjunction with, a golf cart wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: CRAIG ARLEDGE
  • Publication number: 20110094048
    Abstract: A self-cleaning device comprises a main body with a to-be cleaned member, a lid capable of sliding with respect to the main body, and a cleaning member fixed on the lid. The cleaning member is located between the lid and the to-be-cleaned member. The cleaning member moves with the lid to slide against and clean the to-be cleaned member when the lid is slid with respect to the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lung DAI
  • Patent number: 7921500
    Abstract: A surface treatment tool formed from a thin sheet of flexible material, typically a polymer, shaped to store and dispense fluid, scrub, abrade, scrape off and retain debris, including particulates from treated surfaces, and including an array of closely spaced hollow mushroom-shaped protrusions that store (after a bottom sheet which is not shown is added), and then release fluids during rubbing via perforated faces, and upstanding mushroom shapes carrying soft rubbing faces which have harder scraper edges constituting operable faces with gaps between faces leading into a sunken labyrinth into which loosened debris is scraped up and retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ball Burnishing Machine Tools Ltd.
    Inventor: Geoffrey R. Linzell
  • Patent number: 7921501
    Abstract: An eraser includes a housing (20) having a receiving chamber (21), a collection zone (23) and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (26), a mounting board (30) mounted on the housing, a cleaning member (40) mounted on the mounting board, a support bracket (50) mounted on the housing, a door (60) removably mounted on the housing to cover the collection zone, a hollow separation member (70) mounted in the housing to separate the receiving chamber from the collection zone, and a control valve (80) movable to open the separation member so as to connect the receiving chamber with the collection zone or to close the separation member so as to interrupt a connection between the receiving chamber and the collection zone, and two decorative covers mounted on the housing and each abutting the reinforcing ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 7917988
    Abstract: An apparatus (60) for applying a dry film lubricant comprises a tool (62) and a pad (64). The tool (62) includes a handle (66), a cranked member (68) and a supporting member (70). The pad (64) is removably locatable on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) is oval in cross-section and the pad (64) includes an oval cross-section hollow member removably locatable on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) comprises locking means (78) to lock the pad (64) on the supporting member (70). The supporting member (70) comprises positioning means (80) to position the pad (64) on the supporting member (70). The tool (62) also has a shielding member (72) spaced from and arranged parallel to the supporting member (70). The handle (66) is arranged in a plane (A) substantially parallel to a plane (B) containing the supporting member (70) and to a plane (C) containing the shielding member (72). The pad (64) is substantially dovetail shape in cross-section to correspond to a rotor slot (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Shaun Gillott, William A Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20110067195
    Abstract: A foot care apparatus for efficiently cleaning, applying substances, and inspecting an individual's foot including the toes. The foot care apparatus generally includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, an attachment assembly extending from the shaft opposite the handle, wherein the attachment assembly is comprised of a threadable structure and an implement attachment for cleaning the foot of an individual and extending from the attachment assembly. The implement attachment is threadably connected to the shaft via the attachment assembly. The implement attachment may be comprised of various configurations, such as an inter digital absorbent member, a filing structure for corns and calluses, a louffa foot scrub, a sulcus cleaner, or a magnifying mirror. An extension may also be used with the shaft or the shaft may be comprised of a short structure and integral with the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: Terry L. Oehler
  • Patent number: 7904987
    Abstract: A cleaning device including an elongate wand, a cleaning cartridge with an attachment portion, and means for releasably attaching and detaching the cleaning cartridge to the opposite end of the wand. The attachment and detachment means has an ejector collar slidably fixed to the second end of the wand and movable between extended and retracted positions. The collar includes a pair of collar jaws. The attachment and detachment means also has a pair of clamp jaws on the second end of the wand lying within the ejector collar. The clamp jaws are in near abutment with an inside surface of the collar when the collar is in the retracted position. The cartridge is attached to the wand by inserting the attachment portion between the clamp jaws and clamping the clamp jaws on the attachment portion. The cartridge is detached from the wand by pushing the ejector collar along the wand body away from the second end of the wand and against the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: MagnaWand, Inc.
    Inventors: F. Antonio Bayon, Jess W. Roche, Albert Esing, Jr., Vince Juniana
  • Patent number: 7904986
    Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a golf club cleaning device that includes a cleaning portion including an upper and lower or concentrically-arranged cleaning surfaces; a flag portion disposed at a top end of the cleaning portion, the flag portion including a gripping means; and a spike portion disposed at a bottom end of the cleaning portion substantially opposite the top end of the cleaning portion, the spike portion including a support means for supporting the device in an upright manner when depressed into the ground. By grasping the flag portion, the spike portion is selectively disposed in the ground at a predetermined location associated with a golf course, practice range, or the like, thereby allowing a player to clean a golf club by selectively running the front face and/or rear face of the golf club horizontally and/or vertically across the one or more cleaning surfaces/materials of the cleaning portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Exsite Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher W. Cieri
  • Publication number: 20110056038
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wall mounted scrubbing tool which is configured to thoroughly clean hard to reach areas of the body. The Bathing Buddy comprises a rigid, lightweight rubber framework, on the surface of which a specially designed wash cloth or scrubbing tool configured for use with the unit is easily attached. The Bathing Buddy framework is secured to the existing bathroom wall via durable 2.5 inch diameter suction cups spaced evenly about the underside of the unit. The actual scrubbing cloth can be produced in a variety of textures to accommodate individual needs and is secured to the surface of the Bathing Buddy via corresponding self affixing hook and loop or snap fasteners positioned on the underside of the cloth and top of the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Cooper