EP2823381A1

EP2823381A1 - Manual device for cleaning surfaces, with integrated spraying unit

Info

Publication number: EP2823381A1
Application number: EP13707313.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Meinrad Flury
Original assignee: Joker AG
Current assignee: Joker AG
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2013-02-20
Publication date: 2015-01-14
Also published as: WO2013131747A1; US20150047139A1; CH706207A1

Abstract

A manual device for cleaning surfaces that can be operated with one hand has an integrated spraying unit, a reservoir for a cleaning fluid that can be sprayed using the spraying device, and a cleaning element that is suitable for wiping the surfaces to be cleaned. The manual device has a pen-like or flat rectangular shape, and the cleaning element is a hydrophilic microfibre cloth (4), comprising a flat cleaning surface, which is connected to the manual device and arranged longitudinally thereupon. The manual device is also advantageously multi-functional and has, in addition to its cleaning function, at least one additional function in the form of a pen tip (5) for operating temperature-sensitive display devices and/or a laser diode (6) for use as a laser pointer.

Description

Hand-held device for cleaning surfaces with integrated spray unit

The invention relates to a hand-held device for cleaning surfaces with integrated spray unit according to claim 1.

Smooth surfaces such as window glasses or lenses are traditionally cleaned in heavy soiling in a manner that first sprayed on a suitable liquid detergent and then the dirt dissolved by the detergent is wiped with a soft and absorbent material and brushed away. This proven method has only the disadvantage that there are two different and separate

Items must be used. Newer methods preferably also use so-called microfiber cloths, in which, especially with relatively little contamination, the use of a liquid cleaning agent can even be completely avoided. The surfaces of certain objects will in some cases, of course, still benefit from the additional use of a liquid detergent, especially if it also has a tailored to the surface to be cleaned care and protective effect.

With the flat screens and especially with today's ubiquitous touch-sensitive screens (touch screens) for smartphones, etc., there is of course a great need for cleaning

especially the latter because of welding debris and others

Impurities from the fingers of the user very fast

pollute.

In the touch screens it is known that the touch sensitivity can be generated by different technical means. For example, there are resistive, capacitive and also various other types of touch screens. Because of the diversity of the applied

Functional principles, the touch screens have a variety Layer structure and usually also use different materials for the surfaces that are exposed to the touch contact. That is why the correct and coordinated care of the touch screens naturally has a special significance.

Probably the most commonly used touch screens today are resistive. They are generally considered to be relatively insensitive to dust, moisture, water droplets and even the most common chemicals in the world

Detergents, but are usually scratch sensitive. Preference is also given to resistive touch screens, above all because they can generally be operated both with the fingers, styluses and gloves.

Cleaning recommendations for touch screens usually assume that cleaning agents containing ingredients such as alcohol or ammonia and especially abrasive additives should not be used.

Ideally, a detergent should be used for flat screens and

Of course, touch-sensitive screens can be used for as many types and materials as possible, or at least for the above-mentioned resistive-type touch screens that are frequently used. suitable

Detergents are known per se.

Overall, it can be stated that there is clearly an increased demand for suitable and also easily transportable cleaning devices. Although there are already cleaning application sets for touch screens and LCD displays that can be taken in containers or bags. As a rule, however, these sets comprise separate means for each individual function, e.g. a cleaning agent, a microfiber cleaning cloth and the actual operating stick (stylus). Another state of the art, although in a slightly different area of application, is shown in US-2005/0063764. These

Publication shows a hand-held device for cleaning surfaces integrated spray unit. It is the combination of a brush or a brush-like device with a spray can, this handset is designed specifically for hair care. However, it can of course also be used to care for other objects such as, for example, rock surfaces. In this case, the brush-type device may have peelable wipes or the like, and the wipes may serve to provide the hair with active ingredients

feed or remove substances while the brush-like

Device is pulled through or over the hair. In particular, the wipe sheets can also be pretreated with cleaning agents and they can be used to remove dirt, hair and dander.

Obviously, however, the device of US-2005/0063764 is neither particularly suitable nor specifically intended to clean smooth and even surfaces. In addition, the device requires a relatively complicated handling in the application, because the design method requires that it must be taken exactly the other way around for the functions 'spraying' and 'brushes' in the hand.

Furthermore, for example, from DE-20300992-U1 a case for writing, drawing or painting equipment with additional functional elements is known which has a one-sided fixedly mounted cleaning element in the form of a wipe. Although this single-handed device is specifically designed for cleaning smooth and flat surfaces such as whiteboards or flipcharts, there is no integrated spray unit.

Finally, US-5924153 describes a device for removing dust suitable for cleaning screens. Although this is also a brush-like, one-hand operable device, the Wirkbzw. Wiping surface is equipped with an artificial fleece material. An integrated spray unit is also missing. Finally, US-2003/014301 6, WO-2006/1 21802 and US-201 1/0052307 also show combination devices having an integrated spray unit and means for wiping. The latter are in the case of US-2003/014301 6 a pull-out cloth and in the case of WO-2006/1 21 802 a fold-out brush. In the case of US-201 1/0052307, the means for wiping up is either a removable rolled-up cloth, a removable wiping element or a wiping element captively attachable to the spraying unit. However, none of these disclosures show a pen-like device and the intended applications are limited to cleaning functions.

It is therefore the object to provide a versatile and one-handed hand-held device for cleaning surfaces with integrated spray unit, which is particularly suitable for smooth and even surfaces.

Another object is that the hand-held device for cleaning surfaces with integrated spray unit should be particularly suitable for cleaning electronic devices with touch-sensitive screens, that is to say with so-called touch screens.

These objects are achieved by the combination of features of claim 1.

The solution is that a generic and versatile

usable and one-hand operated handheld device with integrated

Spray unit and cleaning element is designed so that it is of a pin-like or flat rectangular shape, and that the cleaning element is connected to the handset and arranged longitudinally hydrophilic microfiber cloth with a flat cleaning surface.

The pen-like or flat rectangular shape allows the device to be easily transportable because it is light and space saving in jacket or coat pockets or the like can be accommodated. This is true even if it is housed in a suitable conformal protective container. The pen-like or flat rectangular shape also makes it suitable for additional functions, which are of course especially useful in connection with devices with touch screens and especially with small devices such as smartphones. One of these additional functions is a pen tip (stylus) for the operation of touch-sensitive displays (touch screens). Another additional feature is, for example, the integration of a laser pointer for use in presentations and lectures.

Advantageously, the planar cleaning surface on the longitudinal side of the device of elongate rectangular shape. This allows rectangular smooth and even surfaces to be fully and thoroughly cleaned even in the outermost corners.

Furthermore, in the case of a hand-held device according to the invention of a pin-like shape, the spray head of the spray unit can be mounted pivotably about one longitudinal axis at one end of the pin-like mold for the purpose of easy and reliable closing of the spray unit. In this way it is possible to combine elegant and functional design.

If a multi-functional hand-held device suitable for presentations is envisaged, then in a hand-held device of a pen-like shape, the pen tip (stylus) can advantageously be used to operate touch-sensitive

Display devices (touch screens) and the laser pointer

be arranged opposite ends of the handset. Again, this is very well compatible with elegant and functional design. For easy operation of the laser pointer, a touch-sensitive contact surface for triggering the laser pointer function can also be present in a side area of the pen. If a hand-held device according to the invention of a pen-like shape with stylus function is to be suitable for use with today's very widespread resistive touch screens, the pen tip (stylus point) can be used to operate touch-sensitive display devices (touch screens) with electrically conductive pigmentation have an electrical resistance> 200 Ω.

The actual cleaning element, however, as mentioned, one with the

Handpiece connected and arranged in the longitudinal direction (on a side surface) hydrophilic microfiber cloth with a flat cleaning surface. The hydrophilicity of the microfibre cloth is of particular importance in screens of electronic devices, because so excess cleaning fluid can be quickly and reliably removed again from the surface to be cleaned. This is important, for example, if any

Leakage of the device to be cleaned could lead to the fact that the electronics inside the device by the ingress of

Excess cleaning fluid or moisture suffers damage. To improve the hydrophilic properties, therefore, the microfiber cloth advantageously contains a hydrophilic substance with a boron content in order to absorb or crosslink a larger proportion of cleaning fluid or water. Of course, it is also possible to use other substances, for example those with a silver ion content or with a proportion of nanoparticles, for absorption or crosslinking of the cleaning fluid. Furthermore, the microfiber cloth can also be constructed in multiple layers.

The cleaning fluid used in the spray unit is advantageously free of alcohol to protect the touch-sensitive screens, but may also contain perfumes or disinfectants. When

Disinfectants may be provided, for example, silver nitrate-containing substances. Especially the screens of smartphones and

Tablet computer because of the frequency of use and operability with bare fingers pose a significant hygiene risk comes Of course, the regular cleaning and disinfection of these touch screens is very important. Of course, this will also be particularly conducive to the health of the users, especially if a touch-screen device is used by several people.

Furthermore, the inventive cleaning device is advantageously also designed so that the microfiber cloth is easily replaceable. The latter, so the easy substitution, of course, is also provided for the other consumables of the cleaning device, namely a cartridge for the

Cleaning fluid, for any existing batteries and for the actual stylus head (if any). Because of the latter

Property, so the replaceability of the stylus head, the

If required, the multifunctionality of the cleaning device can also be optimally adapted to other touch screen types.

To further improve the usability of the cleaning device according to the invention also holding magnets can be installed so that the device is captively fastened to the metallic housing, for example, a tablet computer. Of course, the handset can also be provided with another holding device, with which it is releasably attachable to another object or to a garment. For example, it can also be equipped with loops, hook-and-loop fastener components or clips. Furthermore, the handset may be provided for use with a socket on which the handset is deployable or insertable in a manner that it is not in use such that the hydrophilic microfiber cloth is exposed and thus may dry out faster after a cleaning operation. In the following, an embodiment of the invention, namely a pen-like device is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. It shows the 1 is a 3D view of the handset from two sides,

2 shows a 3D longitudinal section of the hand-held device,

3 is a 3D exploded view of the handset,

Fig. 4 shows the application of the hand-held device for spraying the

Cleaning fluid

5a the application of the hand-held device for cleaning a smooth and even surface,

Fig. 5b, the preparation of the handset to facilitate the

Cleaning corners of a rectangular surface,

6 shows the use of the handheld device as a laser pointer,

7 shows the interchangeability of a cleaning fluid cartridge,

Fig. 8 shows the interchangeability of the microfiber cloth, and

Fig. 9, the interchangeability of the stylus tip.

FIG. 1 shows a 3D view of a hand-held device for cleaning

Surfaces from two sides, namely from the side-back and from the side-front. The hand-held device is of elongated, pin-like shape with a body 1 and an integrated spray unit with a spray head 2. The spray head 2 is rotatably mounted on the body 1 about a longitudinal axis and has a spray nozzle 3 for spraying cleaning liquid. On a side surface of the body 1, a cleaning element is connected to the handset. The cleaning element consists of a arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pin-like shape hydrophilic microfiber cloth 4 with a flat cleaning surface. The microfiber cloth 4 is replaceable, of elongated rectangular shape and extends almost the entire length of the body. 1 Furthermore, at the end of the pen-like mold opposite the spray head 2, the hand-held device has a pen tip 5 for use as a stylus for a touch-sensitive screen (touch screen). In the spray head 2, a laser diode 6 may also be mounted for a laser pointer. Not shown is a touch-sensitive contact surface 7, which in a side region of the pin-like shape for triggering the

Laser pointer function may be present. The individual components of the hand-held device for cleaning surfaces will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows a 3D longitudinal section of the hand-held device, again from the side-back. Here it can already be seen that the hand-held device for cleaning surfaces is equipped with a cartridge 8 with cleaning liquid. The cartridge 8 is replaceable, as will be shown in more detail below.

FIG. 3 shows a 3D exploded view of the hand-held device, in which the individual components can be seen more clearly.

The cartridge 8 with the cleaning liquid has a cartridge cover 9. In the cartridge 8 is a pump unit 10 can be used. On the pump unit 10, a closure unit 1 1 with a cover 12 can be placed. On the

Closure unit 1 1 and on the cover 12 is finally the spray head 2 can be placed, which in turn contains the spray nozzle 3 and the laser diode 6 for the laser pointer and is covered by a separate head cover 13.

The cartridge 8 with the cartridge cover 9, the pump unit 10, the

Locking unit 1 1 and the cover 12 are in the body 1 of the pin-like Form can be used. Held and covered in a lid 14. Finally, the whole of a separate and on the body. 1

latched body cover 15 covered, in turn, the

Pen tip 5 can be used. The pen tip 5 is preferably chosen to have an electrically conductive pigmentation with an electrical resistance> 200 Ω and is especially suitable for resistive-type touch screens.

Of course, other pen tips can be used.

On or in the body cover 15, the microfiber cloth 4 is attached or inserted. The microfiber cloth 4 has hydrophilic properties and contains a hydrophilic substance such as boron to a greater extent

To be able to absorb or crosslink cleaning liquid. As mentioned above, but other substances or additives can be used for this purpose.

Furthermore, in Fig. 3 are still magnets and batteries 16 which are inserted into matching recesses in the body 1.

FIG. 4 shows the application of the hand-held device for spraying the

Cleaning fluid. Shown here is the spray head 2 in a rotational position in which the closure unit 1 1 is open and the spraying of the

Cleaning liquid can be triggered by pressing on the spray head 2. In this way, for example, the touch screen 20 of a

Electronic device 21 sprayed and prepared for cleaning.

FIG. 5a shows the application of the hand-held device for cleaning a smooth and flat surface, in this case for cleaning the touch screen 20. For this purpose, the surface of the microfiber cloth 4 is placed on the surface of the touch screen 20 wetted with cleaning liquid and cleaned by rubbing.

FIG. 5b shows the preparation of the hand-held device for facilitating the cleaning of corners of a rectangular surface because the present invention Design way with the rotatable spray head 2, of course, allows this is temporarily rotated away for better accessibility of the corners of the touch screen 20. FIG. 6 shows the use of the hand-held device as a laser pointer, here only indicated during operation thereof. The activation takes place, as mentioned earlier, with the touch-sensitive contact surface 7 on the longitudinal side of the pin-like shape. Figure 7 shows schematically the interchangeability of the cartridge 8 for the cleaning liquid. For this purpose, the unit with the empty cartridge 8, the pump unit 10 and the spray head 2 is pulled out of the body 1 of the handset, then the empty cartridge 8 is removed from the pump unit 10 and finally replaced.

FIG. 8 shows in a schematic way the interchangeability of the

Microfiber cloth 4. Not shown here is that, depending on

Design, possibly first the body cover 15 must be solved.

FIG. 9 schematically shows the interchangeability of the pen tip 5. It is not shown here that the body cover 15 first has to be loosened for this purpose. The embodiment of the handset described above is of a pen-like shape. However, it is also envisaged that the hand-held device according to the invention can also be of flat, rectangular shape, in its outward form thus approximately comparable to that of today's popular smartphones. In size, it can of course be either matched to the size of the touch screens to be cleaned by smartphones, or it can also be designed slightly larger, so it is better suited for larger touch screens. While the pen-like shape is obviously better suited for Additional functions such as pencils, this is less the case with flat, rectangular shapes. However, for other additional functions, such as the mentioned laser pointer function, both embodiments appear equally suitable.

Bezuqsziffernliste:

1 body

2 spray heads

3 spray nozzle

4 microfibre cloth

5 pen tip

6 laser diode

7 contact surface

8 cartridge

9 cartridge lids

10 pump unit

1 1 locking unit

12 cover

13 head cover

14 lids

15 body cover

16 magnets and / or batteries

17-19 not used

20 touch screen

21 electronic device

Claims

claims:

1 . Hand-held device for cleaning surfaces with integrated spray unit, the hand-held device

- can be operated with one hand,

- Having a reservoir for a cleaning liquid which is sprayed with the spray unit, and

a cleaning element in the form of a microfiber cloth suitable for wiping the surfaces to be cleaned,

characterized in that

the hand-held device is of a pen-like or flat rectangular shape, the microfibre cloth is hydrophilic, connected to the handset and immovably longitudinally disposed therewithin and has a flat cleaning surface, and the handheld is multifunctional and has at least one additional function besides the cleaning function Having means for their realization.

2. Hand tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one further function and means for the realization of an exchangeable pen tip (5) for the operation of touch-sensitive display devices (touch screens) and / or a laser pointer for the

Use in presentations and lectures.

3. Hand tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flat cleaning surface is of elongated rectangular shape and that the

Microfiber cloth (4) is interchangeable.

4. hand tool of pin-like shape according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a spray head (2) of the spray unit is attached to its closability about a longitudinal axis pivotally mounted at one end of the pin-like shape and that an interchangeable cartridge (8) for the Cleaning fluid is present.

5. Hand tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the pen tip (5) for the operation of touch-sensitive

Display devices (touch screens) and the laser pointer

attached to opposite ends of the handset.

6. Hand tool according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized

characterized in that the hydrophilic microfiber cloth (4) is a hydrophilic

Contains substance with a boron content, a silver ion content or a proportion of nanoparticles to absorb or crosslink a greater proportion of cleaning fluid.

7. Hand tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the pen tip (5) for the operation of touch-sensitive

Display devices (touch screens) has an electrically conductive pigmentation with an electrical resistance> 200 Ω.

8. Hand tool according to claim 2, characterized in that in a side region of the pin-like form a touch-sensitive

Contact surface (7) for triggering the laser pointer function is present.

9. Hand tool according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized

characterized in that a holding device is provided, with which the

Handset is releasably attachable to another object or to a garment.