AU2021221716A1

AU2021221716A1 - Cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2021221716A1
Application number: AU2021221716A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brendan MCPHEE
Original assignee: Clean Screens Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Clean Screens Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-14
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2022-03-31

Abstract

There is disclosed a cleaning apparatus and a method of using the cleaning apparatus to clean smooth surfaces such as glass screens and windows. The cleaning apparatus has a support body to which a cleaning sponge is attached. The cleaning sponge 5 defines a hole being configured to receive and retain a pellet in a manner so that a part of the pellet extends proud of an outer face of the cleaning sponge. In using the apparatus, the pellet contacts against the surface while the pellet dissolves into a paste that is applied and spread across the surface, during which the pellet maintains the cleaning sponge spaced away from the surface. Once the pellet has dissolved 10 sufficiently the cleaning sponge contacts the surface to perform further cleaning. 1/3 Figure 1 10 22 20 16 12 14 18 24 26

Description

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Cleaning apparatus

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning apparatus.

More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning smooth surfaces, such as glass screens, windowpanes, and bench tops.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous known wipes and scrubbing brushes used for cleaning smooth surfaces, such as glass screens, windowpanes, and bench tops. Often these are cleaned simply by spraying a cleaning chemical thereon and then wiping down the surfaces with a cloth or paper towel. More stubborn grime that is packed onto the surfaces may require scrubbing with an abrasive pad.

It is also known to provide cleaning pads that are joined to spray bottles so that the cleaning chemical can be sprayed into and through the cleaning pad. An example of such a cleaning implement is disclosed in US 6,742,951. As it may be cumbersome to handle such a cleaning implement and difficult to manoeuvre these into close corners, it is also known to impregnate smaller cleaning pads with a cleaning chemicals so that the chemicals are dissolved and dissipate through the cleaning pad for application to the surface being cleaned - see for example the foam scrubbing device of US 4,240,760. A problem with the latter type of cleaning implement is that the cleaning chemicals can dissipate throughout the sponge and will typically also contact a user's hand, therefore necessitating that the user should wear gloves. It is also difficult to apply even pressure throughout the cleaning device.

A further example of a cleaning apparatus is disclosed in US 2018/0206692, in which a cleaning wipe that is impregnated with cleaning chemicals is attached to a support device. The support device has a scouring pad to which is attached a handle, whereby the cleaning wipe can be wrapped around the scouring pad and secured to the handle.

A problem sometimes encountered with the above types of 'integral" cleaning devices it that they do not really allow the cleaning chemicals to react with dirt / contamination on the surface being cleaned prior to the wipe/abrasive pad effecting a wiping action over the surface. Thus, the cleaning wipe / abrasive pad initially merely smears the dirt around on the surface before the cleaning chemical dissipates and effective cleaning can occur. In some instances, it may even be that abrasive pad damages the surface through scratching thereof before the cleaning chemical can provide its requisite lubricating effect. This is clearly undesirable.

In other cases, it is often desirable to allow a certain amount of chemical interaction to take place between the cleaning chemicals and the dirt on the surface before any scrubbing action is performed. For example, sometimes glass panes have calcium based deposits thereon from application of surrounding grout applied during installation. Similar calcium-based deposits can be found on glass panes used in shower screens and also in swimming pool fencing. These calcium-based deposits are normally difficult to remove and require relatively hard scrubbing. In such cases, it is desirable that the cleaning chemical first be applied so that chemical reaction can take place and only thereafter does the abrasive pad contact the surface for scrubbing.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a cleaning apparatus comprising a support body; a cleaning sponge attached to the support body, the cleaning sponge having an outer face on a side thereof opposed to the support body; and a pellet comprising a mixture of cleaning chemicals, the pellet being supported by the cleaning sponge so that at least a part of the pellet extends proud of the outer face.

The cleaning sponge may include a diamond impregnated resin.

The pellet may be located substantially centrally on the outer face. Alternatively, the cleaning apparatus may include two or more pellets supported by the cleaning sponge with the pellets being spaced apart from each other on the outer face. The or each pellet may have a spherical dome, spherical segment, disc, brick or platelike shape. The cleaning sponge may define one or more holes, wherein each hole is configured to receive and retain a pellet therein.

The or each pellet may comprise a mixture of cerium oxide, hydrochloric acid, boric acid powder and xanthum gum. The mixture of cleaning chemicals may further comprise surfactant cleaning compounds. In one embodiment the mixture of cleaning chemicals comprises (% by mass) cerium oxide 90%- 95% boric acid powder 1.2%- 3% citric acid powder 1.5%- 4% hydrochloric acid 1.5%- 3% xanthum gum 0.5%- 1%

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a mixture of cleaning chemicals provided as a pellet on a cleaning apparatus, the mixture of cleaning chemicals comprising (% by mass) cerium oxide 90%- 95% boric acid powder 1.2%- 3% citric acid powder 1.5%- 4% hydrochloric acid 1.5%- 3% xanthum gum 0.5%-1%

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of cleaning a smooth surface, which method includes the steps of: providing a cleaning sponge attached to a support body, wherein the cleaning sponge has an outer face on a side thereof opposed to the support body, and wherein the cleaning sponge further has a pellet supported by the cleaning sponge so that at least a part of the pellet extends proud of the outer face; wetting the pellet thereby enabling it to gradually dissolve and form a paste; contacting the pellet against the surface while the pellet dissolves, whereby the pellet initially maintains the cleaning sponge spaced away from the surface; moving the cleaning sponge across the surface to thereby apply and spread the paste across the surface; and after the pellet has dissolved sufficiently, contacting the cleaning sponge against the surface to perform further cleaning.

The pellet may be configured to dissolve sufficiently and allow contact between the cleaning sponge and the surface within about 1 - 2 minutes after being wetted. The pellet may be configured to further dissolve and form a paste able to permeate through the cleaning sponge. The pellet may be configured to dissolve fully within about 3 - 5 minutes after being wetted.

The method may be performed using an apparatus as described in the first aspect of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other features will become more apparent from the following description io and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings. In the drawings, which are given for purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting: Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a cleaning apparatus; Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the cleaning apparatus tray of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an exploded lower perspective view of the cleaning apparatus as shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning apparatus 10 for use in cleaning smooth surfaces such as glass screens, windowpanes, and bench tops. The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a support body 12 that is made of a relatively rigid material and has a planar face 14 on one side thereof and a handle 16 on an opposed side thereof. A cleaning sponge 18 is attached to and extends full across the planar face 14. The cleaning sponge 18 can be an abrasive pad.

In the exemplary embodiment the support body 12 and the cleaning sponge 18 are substantially rectangular in shape when seen in top view. It is considered that such a shape is most convenient in cleaning most windows / glass screens because they are normally also rectangular in shape. However, it will be appreciated that the support body 12 and the cleaning sponge 18 can have other shapes as required, for example the support body 12 and the cleaning sponge 18 may have a trapezium, rhomboid or triangular shape in top view so that the cleaning apparatus has at least one corner being <90° to allow easier insertion into tight corners.

The support body 12 can be made of PET plastics material by extrusion moulding but it should be appreciated that there are numerous other methods of making the support body 12.

As shown in the drawings, the handle 16 can be integral with and extend fully across the support body 12. Alternatively, the handle 16 can be a separate part that is attached to the support body 12. The handle 16 is sized and shaped so that, during use, pressure applied by a user's hand is substantially evenly distributed across the support body 12 and therefore also by the cleaning sponge 18 onto a surface being cleaned. For example, the handle 16 may be ergonomically T-shaped having a central leg 20 extending from the support body 12 and with a rounded crossbar 22 extending along its distal edge.

Optionally the support body 12 can have a recess 24 extending along one side thereof, which recess 24 is configured to receive and locate a flexible rubber scraper, e.g. a squeegee rubber strip 26.

The cleaning sponge 18 comprises a diamond impregnated resin. Liquid resin is mixed with filaments containing synthetic or natural diamonds and poured into a shaped mould where the resin is pressed and heated for a period. The cleaning sponge 18 is then removed from the mould and joined to the support body 12. In one embodiment the cleaning sponge 18 is glued to the support body 12 using adhesives. In another embodiment the cleaning sponge may be joined to the support body 12 by commercially known Velcro strips that are adhered to the support body 12 and to the cleaning sponge 18. In yet another embodiment the cleaning sponge may be joined to the support body 12 by heat or sonic welding. In one embodiment the cleaning sponge 18 has a thickness (seen in side-view) of about 10 - 15mm, preferably being about 12 mm.

As can be more clearly seen in Figure 2 and 3, a pellet 28 is supported by the cleaning sponge 18. The pellet 28 is located in a hole 30 in the cleaning sponge 18 and held therein by a friction fit so that the pellet 28 extends proud of an outer face 32 of the cleaning sponge 18. In the exemplary embodiment only one pellet 28 is provided being located substantially centrally on the outer face 32. However, other embodiments of the cleaning apparatus 10 can comprise two or more pellets that are distributed and spaced apart across the outerface 32.

The pellet 28 can have a cylindrical, spherical dome, spherical segment, disc, brick or platelike shape. The pellet 28 has a thickness of about 15 mm - 20 mm of which about 5 mm extends proud of the outer face 32. The pellet 28 is configured to dissolve at a rate of about 4 mm/min so that during use the pellet 28 will normally dissolve down to the outer face 32 within about 1 - 2 minutes. Optionally, and as is more clearly seen in Figure 3, the pellet 28 can have a bevelled or chamfered edge - during use, this edge assists in avoiding the pellet 28 catching on any dirt / calcium deposits on the surface being cleaned and promotes smooth movement of the cleaning apparatus 10 across the surface being cleaned.

The pellet 28 is a compressed powder pellet that includes a mixture of cleaning chemicals comprising, amongst others, cerium oxide, boric acid powder, citric acid powder, hydrochloric acid and xanthum gum. Typically, the pellet 28 will comprise (% by mass) cerium oxide 90%- 95% boric acid powder 1.2%- 3% citric acid powder 1.5%- 4% hydrochloric acid 1.5%- 3% xanthum gum 0.5%- 1%

In some embodiments the pellet 28 comprises (% by mass) cerium oxide 92%- 94% boric acid powder 1.2%- 1.3% citric acid powder 3.6%- 3.7% hydrochloric acid about 2.5% xanthum gum 0.5%- 1%

In one embodiment the pellet 28 comprises: cerium oxide 40g boric acid powder 1g citric acid powder 1g hydrochloric acid 1g xanthum gum 0.3g

In some embodiments the mixture of cleaning chemicals can also include surfactant cleaning compounds.

The pellet 28 is formed by compressing the above cleaning chemical mixture in a press under a pressure of about 6 ton.

During use, when cleaning a glass surface of a glass screen / window, the glass surface and/or the pellet 28 is first wetted, typically with water, and then the cleaning apparatus 10 is brought into contact with the glass surface and manipulated so that only the pellet 28 contacts the glass surface. When only a single pellet 28 is provided (and particularly if the pellet is spherically dome shaped) the user will need to apply some basic dexterity to ensure that only the pellet 28 contacts the glass surface. However, when the pellet 28 has a flat shape then the pellet 28 will normally automatically orientate itself so that the cleaning sponge 18 initially remains spaced apart from the glass surface - the same spaced relationship will occur when three or more discrete pellets 28 are provided on the outer face 32 of the cleaning sponge 18.

Due to the pellet 28 standing proud of the outer face 32, initial movement of the cleaning apparatus 10 across the glass surface will cause the pellet 28 to gradually dissolve and form a paste that is applied and spread across the glass surface. The exemplary embodiment of the pellet 28 is configured to dissolve in about 1 - 2 minutes, whereafter also the outer face 32 of the cleaning sponge 18 will contact the glass surface. It is envisaged that in normal use the paste will be applied across the entire glass surface before the pellet 28 becomes sufficiently dissolved to allow the cleaning sponge 18 to also contact the glass surface. In some instances this application of the paste allows the cleaning chemicals to react with any dirt / calcium build-up present on the glass surface before the cleaning sponge 18 contacts the glass surface. Furthermore, the application of the paste assists in lubricating the glass surface before the cleaning sponge 18 contacts the glass surface, which may reduce and/or avoid any potential scratching of the glass surface by the cleaning sponge 18.

Subsequently the cleaning sponge 18 contacts the glass surface and then further gentle abrading cleaning is performed by the diamond impregnated resin. During this gentle abrading cleaning, the remaining portion of the pellet 28, i.e. that part located within the cleaning sponge 18 between the outer face 32 and the support body 12, continuously further dissolves and forms a paste that is able to permeate through the cleaning sponge 18. It is envisaged that the pellet 28 will fully dissolve after about 3 - 5 minutes and that this will normally allow the cleaning of a glass surface having an area of about 6 M2 . The resin is slowly removed from the cleaning sponge 18, either through dissolving in the water/paste present on the glass surface or within the cleaning sponge 18 or by frictionally contacting any dirt / calcium deposits and disintegrating, thereby further exposing the diamond filaments that assist in io removing the dirt / calcium deposits.

At various intervals during the cleaning process, a user can wipe clean a part of the glass surface using the squeegee rubber strip 26 so that the user can determine if the glass surface is sufficiently clean or if further cleaning is required. Once the cleaning is finished, the user can wipe clean the entire glass surface using the squeegee rubber strip 26.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the cleaning apparatus as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in a non-limiting and an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in the various embodiments. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Reference numerals

cleaning apparatus 12 support body 14 planar face 16 handle 18 cleaning sponge central leg 22 crossbar 24 recess 26 squeegee rubber strip 28 pellet hole 32 outer face

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising a support body; a cleaning sponge attached to the support body, the cleaning sponge having an outer face on a side thereof opposed to the support body; and a pellet comprising a mixture of cleaning chemicals, the pellet being supported by the cleaning sponge so that at least a part of the pellet extends proud of the outer face.

2. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning sponge io comprises a diamond impregnated resin.

3. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the pellet is located substantially centrally on the outer face.

4. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein two or more pellets are supported by the cleaning sponge with the pellets being spaced apart on the outer face.

5. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the or each pellet has a spherical dome, spherical segment, disc, brick or platelike shape.

6. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cleaning sponge defines one or more holes, wherein each hole is configured to receive and retain a pellet therein.

7. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the or each pellet comprises a mixture of cerium oxide, hydrochloric acid, boric acid powder and xanthum gum.

8. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mixture of cleaning chemicals comprises (% by mass) cerium oxide 90%- 95% boric acid powder 1.2%- 3% citric acid powder 1.5%- 4% hydrochloric acid 1.5%- 3% xanthum gum 0.5%- 1%

9. A cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mixture of cleaning chemicals further comprises surfactant cleaning compounds.

10. A mixture of cleaning chemicals provided as a pellet on a cleaning apparatus, the mixture of cleaning chemicals comprising (% by mass) cerium oxide 90%- 95% boric acid powder 1.2%- 3% citric acid powder 1.5%- 4% io hydrochloric acid 1.5%- 3% xanthum gum 0.5%- 1%

11. A method of cleaning a smooth surface, which method includes the steps of: providing a cleaning sponge attached to a support body, wherein the cleaning sponge has an outer face on a side thereof opposed to the support body, and wherein the cleaning sponge further has a pellet supported by the cleaning sponge so that at least a part of the pellet extends proud of the outer face; wetting the pellet thereby enabling it to gradually dissolve and form a paste; contacting the pellet against the surface while the pellet dissolves, whereby the pellet initially maintains the cleaning sponge spaced away from the surface; moving the cleaning sponge across the surface to thereby apply and spread the paste across the surface; and after the pellet has dissolved sufficiently, contacting the cleaning sponge against the surface to perform further cleaning.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pellet is configured to dissolve sufficiently and allow contact between the cleaning sponge and the surface within about 1 - 2 minutes after being wetted.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the pellet is configured to further dissolve and form a paste able to permeate through the cleaning sponge.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the pellet is configured to dissolve fully within about 3 - 5 minutes after being wetted.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, which is performed using an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.