| Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir -> Monitor Keywords |
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Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoirRelated Patent Categories: Brushing, Scrubbing, And General Cleaning, Implements, Fabric, Wiper, Dauber, Or Polisher, Special WorkFlexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070180640, Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Cross-Reference to Related Application [0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/045,204 filed Jan. 28, 2005, Ser. No. 11/106,960 filed Apr. 15, 2005, Ser. No. 11/124,527 filed May 6, 2005, Ser. No. 11/124,878 filed May 9, 2005, Ser. No. 11/238,866 filed Sep. 29, 2005, and PCT/US 2006/0139974 filed Apr. 13, 2006, the entireties of which are incorporated by reference herein. [0003] 2. Field of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to the field of cleaning devices such as hand held dusters and dust mops, bathroom cleaners, toilet cleaners and other cleaning devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible cleaning system for accommodating the cleaning or dusting of difficult to access surfaces. The system includes a handle defining a cradle for receiving a fluid reservoir attached to a flexible support arm for mounting a cleaning implement. The entire system is capable of either wet, damp, or dry dusting or cleaning. [0005] 3. Discussion of the Related Art [0006] For decades, hand held feather dusters, dust rags and other cleaning implements have been used as cleaning tools for the removal of dust adhering to furniture such as dressers and coffee tables, electrical appliances such as computers, lights, interior walls, lintels and the like. Thus, it is generally well known to remove dust or dirt from floors, furniture, and other household surfaces by rubbing a dust rag, cloth or other cleaning implement against the surface to be cleaned such that the dust or dirt adheres to the cleaning implement. [0007] Despite the existence of numerous dusting or cleaning implements, dusting or cleaning of surfaces in hard to reach and inaccessible areas remains a common problem. Currently, in order to clean behind a heavy appliance such as a television or stereo, a user must physically move the appliance to enable the user to adequately clean behind it. Certain fixtures, such as radiators and base board heaters in older homes are immovable and present a significant challenge for cleaning. Likewise, other odd shaped or difficult to reach surfaces such as the inner rim of a toilet seat or the spindle on a staircase provide further challenges to cleaning. [0008] While hand held dusters and other cleaning implements are generally well known in the art, numerous drawbacks exist with the current commercially available designs. For example, U.S. Application Pub. No. US 2004/0034956 A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,813,801, 5,953,784, and 6,550,092, disclose variations of hand held cleaning devices incorporating a disposable cleaning pad. These devices, while somewhat suitable for the desired application, exhibit notable limitations. For example, none of the above-cited references provide an elongated flexible support arm that allows a user to bend the duster or cleaning device into a variety of shapes. Instead, most prior art hand held dusters or cleaners utilize rigid supports that do not allow a user to shape the duster to dust or clean behind hard to reach places. While some prior art devices exhibit a movable joint to enable better storage or shipping, such devices are typically constructed to be flexible only in the one direction, and as such its cleaning capability is restricted by its maneuverability. The duster of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art since, inter alia, it is constructed of an elongated rod which is flexible in all directions. [0009] In general, the majority of improvements to hand held dusters and cleaners have been directed at improving the basic mechanical components of the cleaning device. These improvements have been directed at providing an inexpensive yet robust implement for dry dusting or cleaning. However, notably absent in the prior art is any attempt to provide a hand held cleaning implement that allows for rotational movement to allow for a flexible cleaning device. [0010] Likewise, the cleaning surface of the cleaning implement in many of these devices is relatively small, such that use of these cleaning devices on large surfaces requires considerable effort on the user's part. In addition, most prior art cleaning pads, only include a single cleaning surface. The duster of the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art since, inter alia, it is constructed of an elongated 360.degree. cleaning surface. [0011] The addition of water or other cleaning solution to most cleaning pads or systems has been known to increase the efficiency of the cleaning device in absorbing dust and other debris. Despite this knowledge, there are presently no known hand held cleaning systems, with flexible support members that include an attached water or cleaning fluid reservoir accessible on the cleaning implement to allow a user to single handedly alternate between wet, damp or dry dusting. To date, prior art dusting and cleaning devices require a user to obtain a separate spray bottle or other liquid application means if one desires wet dusting or cleaning. SUMMARY OF OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0012] Consistent with the foregoing, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a cleaning device, a cleaning system, and a method of cleaning are disclosed in suitable detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. [0013] In one embodiment, a cleaning device includes a handle and at least one elongated flexible support rod attached to the handle capable of being moved into a plurality of different shapes, a retaining means for retaining the elongated flexible support rod in a desired shape and a cleaning pad enclosing the support rod. The elongated support rod may be constructed from a plurality of interconnected segments. [0014] In another embodiment, the plurality of interconnected segments comprises a plurality of discrete rotatable interconnected segments having a male end and a female end for connecting to an adjacent discrete rotatably interconnected segment. Each of the discrete rotatable interconnected segments includes a central body portion, a male end portion at an end, and a female body portion at another end of the central body portion. Each of the discrete rotatable interconnected segments has a longitudinal axis, the male end portion of a first segment has an outer surface comprising a frustum of a sphere and the female end portion of a second segment that is rotatably interconnected to the first segment has an inner surface comprising a frustum of a sphere. It is dimensioned to receive the male end portion of the first segment to permit relative movement between the rotatably interconnected first and second segments so that the longitudinal axes of the first segment and the second segment are either in or out of alignment and to permit rotational movement therebetween. [0015] In yet another embodiment, the retaining means is the frictional force between the outer surfaces when the male end portion of the first segment is within the female end portion of the second segment to retain interconnected segments in the shape to which they have been moved. In still another embodiment, the handle and the elongated flexible support rod define a fluid passageway therebetween. [0016] In another embodiment, the cleaning pad defines an elastic sleeve configured to receive the cleaning pad support member and secure the cleaning pad to the cleaning pad support member. In one embodiment, the cleaning surface of the cleaning pad extends about 360.degree. around the cleaning pad support member. In another embodiment, the portion of the flexible support member nearest the handle is tighter than the portion of the flexible support member nearest the end. [0017] In yet another embodiment, the discrete rotatable interconnected segments comprises a central body portion, a male end portion at an end, and a female body portion at another end of the central body portion and each of the discrete rotatable interconnected segments has a longitudinal axis. The male end portion of a first segment has an outer surface comprising a frustum of a sphere and the female end portion of a second segment that is rotatably interconnected to the first segment has an inner surface comprising a frustum of a sphere. It is dimensioned to receive the male end portion of the first segment to permit relative movement between the rotatably interconnected first and second segments so that the longitudinal axes of the first segment and the second segment are either in or out of alignment and to permit rotational movement therebetween. In one embodiment, the retaining means comprise the frictional force between the outer surfaces when the male end portion of the first segment is within the female end portion of the second segment to retain interconnected segments in the shape to which they have been moved. [0018] In another embodiment, a method of cleaning includes providing a cleaning tool comprising an elongated flexible support member constructed from a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments and a cleaning pad enclosing the support rod, bending the flexible support member to a desired cleaning position and moving the cleaning pad across a surface to be cleaned. In another embodiment, the cleaning pad defines an elastic sleeve configured to receive the cleaning pad support member and secure the cleaning pad to the cleaning pad support member. In still another embodiment, the cleaning surface of the cleaning pad extends about 360.degree. around the cleaning pad support member. In another embodiment, the portion of the flexible support member nearest the handle is tighter than the portion of the flexible support member nearest the end. [0019] In one embodiment, the cleaning implement is a duster. In another embodiment, a cleaning device includes a handle portion having an opening configured to allow access to a cradle, a cleaning pad support moveably attached to the handle portion and a retaining means for retaining the cleaning pad support in a desired shape. The cleaning device may include a cleaning pad enclosing the support. In one embodiment, the cleaning pad support is comprised of a plurality of interconnected segments. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning pad support is comprised of a piece of wire insert-molded into a polymer. The polymer may be in the form of a plurality of polymer vertabrae. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of interconnected segments is in the form of a plurality of discrete rotatable interconnected segments having a male end and a female end for connecting to an adjacent discrete rotatably interconnected segment. This may be referred to as a ball and socket arrangement. [0020] In one embodiment, a cleaning pad support is moveable between a first cleaning position and a second cleaning pad liquid application position and a cleaning fluid dispenser is housed within the cradle. The cleaning fluid dispenser may be a pump spray bottle. In still another embodiment, the cleaning pad support member is comprised of a two part support head comprising a semi-rigid first part pivotally attached to the handle portion and a flexible second part attached to the first part. The cleaning pad support member includes a circular pivot member at one end, configured to fit within a pivot member-receiving cavity in the handle portion. The circular pivot member may include a plurality of notches and the handle may include a semi-flexible engagement tab projecting downward into the pivot member-receiving cavity to fit within the notches for selective pivoting of the cleaning pad support. [0021] In yet another embodiment, a cleaning system includes a cleaning tool including a handle defining an interior recess for receiving a fluid reservoir and a cleaning media support pivotally attached to the handle. The support is capable of pivoting rearwardly from a cleaning position and includes a portion moveable into a plurality of desired shapes. A cleaning media is attached to the cleaning media support and a fluid reservoir is attached to the handle in the cradle. The reservoir is capable of applying fluid to a surface to be cleaned and to the surface of the cleaning media. [0022] In one embodiment, a cleaning media support is comprised of a two part support head comprising a semi-rigid first part pivotally attached to the handle portion and a flexible second part attached to the first part. The flexible second part may be comprised of a plurality of interconnected segments or a piece of wire or other flexible material preferably insert-molded into a polymer. In one embodiment, the piece of wire is insert-molded into a plurality of polymer vertabrae like members. Continue reading about Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir... Full patent description for Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Flexible cleaning tool with replaceable non-woven pad and cleaning fluid reservoir patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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