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 Cleaning implementUSPTO Application #: 20070220693Title: Cleaning implement Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed that provides multiple functions useful in cleaning windows and similar surfaces. There is a support head that has three sides, one being a cleaning liquid applicator side and two presenting an absorbent sheet. The liquid applicator side can apply a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned and optionally can provide scrubbing to the surface. The sheet can perform rough drying followed by finish drying, and/or other functions. Replacement liquid applicator cartridges and replacement sheets, or stacks of sheets, are also disclosed. (end of abstract)
Agent: S.c. Johnson & Son, Inc. - Racine, WI, US Inventors: Jason C. Billig, Stuart M. Leslie, Charles A. Curtiss, David Mallard USPTO Applicaton #: 20070220693 - Class: 1510494 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070220693. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application claims priority on U.S. provisional application 60/784,912, filed Mar. 22, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT [0002]Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]The present invention relates to devices for cleaning windows and other hard surfaces. More particularly, it relates to "all-in-one" type devices that deliver a cleaning fluid, work the fluid along the surface being cleaned, and remove the used liquid. [0004]Cleaning of windows and other hard surfaces typically requires several tools and is a multi-step process. One typically picks up a spray bottle and spray the window, then picks up a sponge or cloth and works the cleaning fluid along the window glass, then picks up a squeegee, rag or other device to remove the used cleaning fluid. Hence, several devices are required, and time is needed to shift from device to device. [0005]U.S. Pat. No. 1,376,195 disclosed an all-in-one type window cleaning device. The device had a reservoir containing cleaning liquid that impregnated a moistening element/sponge. The device collected the used liquid in an adjacent catch reservoir on the device. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,701 disclosed a device which supplied a cleaning liquid and collected at least some of it in an adjoining absorbent pad region. However, with these devices once the liquid was used up or the collection capacity of the device exceeded, it was difficult to adapt the device for continued use. Moreover, the devices were not compact and were unduly heavy. [0006]There have also been some attempts to provide a cleaning head with multiple cleaning sides rotatably connected to a handle. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,171,152 and 5,596,786. There were also a number of devices that contained cleaning surfaces having different cleaning characteristics, allowing a user to select an appropriate surface for a particular step in the cleaning or other surface treating process. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,461,749, 6,733,595, and 6,766,552. [0007]There were also a variety of cleaning devices where a cleaning sheet or pad, once used, could be replaced. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,461,749 and 6,202,250, and U.S. patent application publication 2004/0117935. [0008]There were yet other cleaning devices where multiple cleaning sheets were mounted in stacked fashion, with the external most sheet being removable after use to expose a fresh sheet. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,298,517, 6,405,403, and 6,810,554. [0009]While there have therefore been substantial activity in the area of developing cleaning implements with improved characteristics, further improvements are still desired, particularly with respect to developing improved all-in-one type, cleaning implements. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]In a first aspect the invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a surface. It has a handle and a support head mounted on the handle for rotation. The support head has at least two sides that can be selectively positioned adjacent the surface. There is also an absorbent sheet removably covering at least a first of the two sides of the support head, and a substrate forming another of the sides which is impregnated with a cleaning fluid and removably mountable to the support head. The substrate is suitable to deliver cleaning fluid to the surface. [0011]In preferred forms the support head has at least three sides that can be selectively positioned adjacent the surface, and the absorbent sheet removably covers at least two of them. The absorbent sheet can be part of a stack of such absorbent sheets, and the stack can be removably mountable to the support head along those two sides. Using such a structure a first sheet of the stack can be tom off from the stack after use to expose a fresh second sheet of the stack. If desired the first sheet of the stack can have weakenings and tabs to facilitate tearing off of the first sheet from the stack. [0012]When using such stacks it is important that the used liquid that reaches the outermost sheet of the stack not reach the underlying sheets. Thus, it is preferred that each absorbent sheet comprises an outer absorbent layer laminated or otherwise linked to an inner barrier layer. [0013]It is also desirable that the substrate be a porous material that readily releases impregnating liquid upon contacting a surface. This can be anything from a sponge-like material to a fibrous material. It is particularly preferred that the substrate be made of a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of polyester fiber, polypropylene fiber, cellulose acetate fiber, and bonded polyolefin fiber, and the substrate be impregnated with a window cleaning fluid. Also possible is using melamine foam materials. [0014]Such a substrate is configured to deliver cleaning fluid in a controlled manner. It also provides a scrubbing surface for working in the fluid along the window being cleaned. Further, the substrate can be selected to be suitable to reabsorb at least part of the used cleaning liquid, and filter it so as to be able to reuse it to some extent. [0015]It should be appreciated that if a stack of sheets is used it can be replaced as one unit separately from the substrate. Further, the substrate can be replaced independently of the sheets. Hence, the useful life of each can be optimized. [0016]With respect to some porous materials it is desirable that their size be controlled (e.g. typically to less than 8 cm in any direction). Longer structures in any direction may tend to drool due to the head pressure caused by gravity along the structure. [0017]In this regard, head pressure can be defined as the pressure of the liquid in the substrate material. Each type of substrate material can hold up to some maximum height of the liquid in a vertical direction (regardless of the thickness of the material) before the liquid begins to drool out of the material. Therefore, at greater than the maximum head pressure of the material, the force of gravity is greater than the ability of the material to hold the liquid. [0018]The maximum head pressure can be determined by loading various sizes of the substrate material to saturation with a liquid of interest and then placing the pieces of material on end to check which vertical heights leak and which vertical heights retain liquid. With the types of fibrous material we prefer to use we have found that once the pieces of material begin to exceed about 8 cm a drool problem can exist for typical window cleaners. [0019]With some cleaning liquids it is desirable to cover the substrate, or a cartridge containing the substrate, between uses to minimize evaporation from the substrate. This can be achieved with a removable cover. That cover will also limit evaporation prior to the first use, albeit prior to the first use a sealed packet may be the preferred way to protect the cartridge. [0020]In particularly preferred forms the support head is essentially triangular in cross section (most preferably isosceles triangular). This permits free rotation of the support on its axis for about 300 degrees of rotation. Additional rotation is prevented as the longer end of the triangle will contact a structure of the handle before further rotation can occur. This helps insure that the support head surfaces are optimally aligned with typical vertical surfaces being cleaned (e.g. a window). Continue reading... Full patent description for Cleaning implement Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cleaning implement patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080235888 - Microbial scrub brush - The microbial scrub brush employs an insert of foam material that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant that is housed within a housing of alcohol compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. 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