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Sponge and cloth cleaning deviceRelated Patent Categories: Brushing, Scrubbing, And General Cleaning, Implements, Tool Coated Or Impregnated With Material SupplySponge and cloth cleaning device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050273958, Sponge and cloth cleaning device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] Sponges and cloths are each well-known tools for cleaning, drying, waxing, polishing and so forth, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Sponges can quickly absorb a significant quantity of liquid, and can dispense that liquid over a wide surface. Thus, in washing a car it is commonplace to use a sponge to bring soap and water from a bucket to the top or sides of a automobile. A problem, however, is that sponges tend to readily damaged when used on a surface having edges and corners, such as that often found on decorative wheels. In those instances a cloth is a better choice, because the cloth is physically stronger. Unfortunately, cloths do not generally hold liquids as readily as a sponge, and can be too abrasive when used on a glossy surface such as that of a highly finished car. [0002] There are combinations of sponges and cloths in the prior art. For example, a combination of absorbent sponge and machine washable cloth cover is known for use in a heating pad for medical use. That combination, however, would not be useful for automotive care because the sponge portion is intended to be quite thin for comfort reasons, and is too thin to hold sufficient liquid. In addition, the contemplated terry cloth or other towel-like cover can well be destructive to automotive finishes. [0003] Similarly, it is known to provide a loofah or other bath sponge with a terry cloth cover. Here the sponge can be considerably thicker, but the cover is still inappropriate for automotive and many other uses. Indeed, the cloth portion is intended to be somewhat abrasive to assist in cleaning the skin. A trail sponge, sometimes carries by horseback riders typically uses a terry cloth cover enclosing a natural sea sponge http://my.voyager.net/.about.desotosaddle/s01.htm. The same is true for sponge mops with cloth covers. The cloth is relatively rough, since it is intended to be used on hard wood, ceramic, or other floor coverings that are quite resistant to scratching. [0004] Still other cloth-covered sponges are known that are not intended to receive moisture at all, let alone be immersed in water or other liquid. For example, books and albums sometimes have cover comprising a cloth that encloses a sponge liner. Similarly, headphones sometimes have a sponge core with a cloth cover. None of those products would be at all useful for cleaning and polishing high glass surfaces such as automotive finishes. [0005] Thus, there is still a need for a sponge with a cloth cover that is particularly well adapted for automotive use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a relatively thick sponge has a washable microfiber cloth that removably covers at least a portion of the sponge. [0007] The sponge/cloth combination is preferably manufactured and sold as a combination product, with instructions for use, and marketing materials directing the user to automotive use. [0008] The sponge can have any suitable size or shape, and is especially contemplated to have a dog bone or other shape that has bulbous ends and a narrowed mid section. Preferred sponges have a length of at least 10 cm, a width of at least 6 cm, and a thickness of at least 2 cm. [0009] Preferred cloth coverings have microfibers with a length (pile height) of between 0.5 and 0.11 cm, and more preferably between 0.7 and 0.9 cm. Especially preferred microfibers have a denier value of between 0.3 and 0.5. All ranges described herein are deemed to be inclusive of their endpoints. The cloth can be advantageously made on a circular knitting machine with no backcoating, and can optionally include a shining agent, cleaner, surfactant, or other surface care agent. Although the cloth can cover only a portion of the sponge, it is preferred that the cloth be sized and dimensioned to completely enclose the sponge. [0010] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sponge and a removable cloth covering that encloses the sponge. [0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sponge and a non-removable cloth covering that encloses the sponge. [0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of packaging for the sponge/cloth combination of FIG. 1, showing suggested automotive use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] In FIG. 1 an article of manufacture 10 includes a sponge 12 and a cloth 14. [0015] The sponge 12 can comprise any suitable material, including natural sponges, but more preferably comprises a closed cell Ensolite.TM. urethane, rubber, latex, or other synthetic material for improved durability and liquid absorption. [0016] Sponge 12 can also have any suitable size and shape. For automotive use larger sponges are preferred, especially those large enough that they extend out both sides of a person's palm when the sponge is grasped arounds its mid-section. Such sponges are therefore at least 10 cm long, more preferably at least 15 cm long, and most preferably at least 18 cm long. The thickness should be at least 2 cm, but is advantageously much thicker, such as at least 4 cm, 6 cm, or even 8 cm. Preferred width is at least 6 cm, and more preferably at least 8 cm or 10 cm. [0017] In FIG. 1 the sponge 12 is dog bone shaped, with a narrowed mid section and bulbous ends. Other shapes are contemplated that have only a single bulbous end, or have rectangular, oblong, circular, or other horizontal cross-sectional shapes, as long as the size and shape are appropriate for a user to employ in conveniently washing a surface of an automobile. [0018] Preferred cloth coverings have microfibers that are "finish friendly", at least with respect to automotive finishes. Currently preferred cloths have microfibers with a length (pile height) of between 0.5 and 0.11 cm, and more preferably between 0.7 and 0.9 cm. Denier value is defined as the mass in grams per 9000 meters of yarn. Especially preferred microfibers have a denier value of between 0.3 and 0.5. The most preferred coverings have a pile height of 0.8 cm, and comprises a combination of (a) 50% 0.5 denier polyester and (b) 50% 0.3 denier polyester microfibers. On the other hand, suitable cloths could have microfibers manufactured from other materials, such as wool, cotton, and so forth--as long as the material is durable and sufficiently soft. [0019] The cloth cover can be made in any suitable manner. The presently preferred methods use a circular knitting machine, and the cloth has no backcoating. In contrast, most pile microfibers are manufactured on a tricot knitting machine, which is basically a loom that knits horizontally and vertically. That method requires a sewn-edge to keep the product "together". Meguiar's proprietary KPW-210 material is manufactured on a circular knitting machine, which uses a multi-dimensional knitting process. This process is the most effective way to make sure the edges do not fray or unravel during the production of the cover, and during use. [0020] Although not strictly necessary, it is considered highly desirable that the cloth cover substantially conforms to the overall shape of the sponge. Thus, the bone-shaped sponge 12 of FIG. 1 has a cover 14 with a bone-shaped cavity 16. A rhombohedral sponge should have a cover with a correspondingly rhombohedron shaped cavity. In cases of a closed-cavity cover, the cavity can be closed in any suitable manner. Preferred embodiments use a Velcro.TM. or other hook and loop fastener. It is also possible that the shape of the cover will automatically tend to close around the sponge, even without a fastener. Zippers are contemplated but not preferred, because of the potential for scratching the surface being cleaned. Continue reading about Sponge and cloth cleaning device... Full patent description for Sponge and cloth cleaning device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sponge and cloth cleaning device 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Sponge and cloth cleaning device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Cleaning apparatus Next Patent Application: Automobile duster with reversible handle Industry Class: Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sponge and cloth cleaning device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.12693 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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