EP3618675A2

EP3618675A2 - Folding cleaning cloth

Info

Publication number: EP3618675A2
Application number: EP18720589.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulrich Pohlmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-30
Filing date: 2018-04-26
Publication date: 2020-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-26
Also published as: WO2018202526A3; EP3618675B1; WO2018202526A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Cleaning cloth (102) that can be folded flat to fit in a wallet. Essential for the invention is a structure tray (106) that is attached to the Cleaning cloth (102) or that is incorporated into the Cleaning cloth (102) or a similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.1,106.2) that functions as a structure tray is, wherein the Cleaning cloth (102) can be wrapped around the structure tray (106) or the similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.1,106.2) until the size of the cloth (102) is rigid enough to fit in the wallet.

Description

Folding Cleaning Cloth

S p e c i f i c a t i o n

The invention relates to a Cleaning cloth that can be folded flat to fit in a wallet according to the generic term of claim 1 and a system comprising the inventive cleaning cloth and a sleeve according to the generic term of claim 9.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to cleaning accessories. More specifically, a compact cleaning cloth that folds flat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Microfiber is a synthetic fiber which is ultra-fine, creating the strand count in a typical cloth of this material extremely high. The high strand count provides an extremely smooth surface, compared to cloths made out of thicker material. This allows a user to wipe smudges off of glass surfaces without damaging them.

As technology advances, glass surfaces increase in number in our lives. An example of this is touch screen phones. Having a touch screen phone requires the user to use the glass screen to navigate the interface. In turn, smudges from the fingers are left on the screen creating a less than shiny surface. This problem is so common, that users tend to use their shirts or other pieces of cloth to occasionally clean the screen. This is due to the fact that a microfiber cloth alone isn't always available.

l Many people tend to not always carry a microfiber cloth around due to the inconvenience of remembering to put in in their pocket every day.

Object of the invention is to create a cloth storing card which is rigid enough to fit in a wallet while being soft enough to wipe a glass screen.

This problem is solved according to the invention by all the features of the independent product claim 1 and according to the invention by all the features of the independent system claim 9. The dependent patent claims specify possible embodiments. Further features and details of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Features and details which are described in connection with the cleaning cloth according to the invention also apply in connection with the system according to the invention and vice versa, of course, so that with regard to disclosure, reference is or can always be made to the individual aspects of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT INVENTION

The inventive cleaning cloth that can be folded flat to fit in a wallet includes the technical teaching that a structure tray that is attached to the cleaning cloth or that is incorporated into the cleaning cloth or that a similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area that functions as a structure tray, wherein the cleaning cloth can be wrapped around the structure tray or the similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area until the size of the cloth is rigid enough to fit in the wallet.

The present invention is an easy to fold and store version of a microfiber cleaning cloth. This cloth itself does not specifically need to be made out of microfiber material.

The inventive system comprising a cleaning cloth, especially the inventive cleaning cloth, and a storage sleeve provides essential for the invention that the flat folded cleaning cloth that is wrapped around the structure tray can be placed inside of the storage sleeve. The cloth would be preferably stored and enclosed within a check card size envelope or case, which, for the purposes of this invention, is referred to as storage sleeve, and therefore could be easily stown in slim or tight carry environments such as briefcases, spectacle cases or tight pockets. This way the cleaning cloth is also protected from absorbing or collecting any further dirt like little stones when simply exposed and lying freely in a user's pocket in which dirt and other substances alike could potentially harm, scratch or destroy such surfaces when transferred via the cloth during cleaning.

In order to avoid repetition with respect to further advantages of the system according to the invention, reference is made to the description of the advantageous refinement of the cleaning cloth of the invention and it will be fully resorted to this.

Further measures to improve the invention are described in more detail below with the description of preferred examples of the invention using the figures. All of the claims, the description or the drawings previous features and/or advantages, including design details, spatial configurations and procedural steps, both for themselves, or in various combinations can be essential to the invention. It should be noted that the figures have only descriptive and is not intended to limit the invention in any way.

It shows in a schematic illustration:

Fig. 1 a line drawn depiction of the compact cleaning cloth inside of a storage sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 2 a line drawn depiction of the process of unfolding after taking the compact cleaning cloth out of the storage sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 a line drawn depiction of the folding process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 4 a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth end in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 6 a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth card attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 7 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the storage sleeve of the cleaning cloth in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 8 a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments of the compact cleaning cloth card attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 9 a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments of the compact cleaning cloth in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 10 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style, size of the cleaning cloth and of the card attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 1 1 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style, size of the cleaning cloth and the card attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 12 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 13 a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment of the cleaning cloth with two structure trays in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 14 a line drawn depiction of the folding process in accordance with the embodiment of the cleaning cloth shown in figure 13. Fig. 1 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of a compact cleaning cloth inside 102 of a storage sleeve 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The material may vary when manufactured but in a preferred embodiment the cloth 102 material will be microfiber. This depiction provides a representation of the microfiber cleaning cloth 102 inside of the storage sleeve 100 (see Fig.1 A) as well as the microfiber cleaning cloth 102 slightly protruding out of the storage sleeve 100 (see Fig.1 B). The cloth 102 features a pull tab 104 in this embodiment. The pull tab 104 allows a user to pull out the cloth 102 from the sleeve 100. The sleeve 100 may be made out of materials such as but not limited to plastic, paper/cardboard, and metal. The sleeve 100 may be printed on for use in advertisement, branding, and information. Figure 2 will provide a process of unfolding the cloth 102 after removing it from the sleeve 100.

Fig. 2 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of the process of unfolding after taking the compact cleaning cloth 102 out of the storage sleeve 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides a representation of the microfiber cleaning cloth 102 after it has been removed out of the sleeve 102 and prepared for use. After a user 204 has removed the folded cloth 102 out of the sleeve 100 (see Fig. 2A), the user 204 is then able to unfold the cloth 102 to its original length by unraveling (see Fig. 2B) it from a structure tray 106. The cleaning cloth 102 is attached to the structure tray 106 through methods of but not limited to being glued, sewn, welded on, clipped on or through other fastening methods. In this embodiment, once fully unraveled, the user 204 may separate the double sided cloth 102 (see Fig. 2C) but may not fully open it as shown in the embodiment in Figure 5. The structure tray 106 may be made out of materials such as but not limited to plastic, paper/cardboard, and metal. The structure tray 106 may be printed, imprinted or embossed on all kind of information for use in advertisement, branding, and all kind of communications.

Fig. 3 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of the folding process in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides a view of folding the cleaning cloth 102 back to its compact size. The user wraps 306 the microfiber cleaning cloth 102 around the structure tray 106 until the size of the cloth 102 is flat and small enough to fit into the storage sleeve 100. Once the cleaning cloth 102 is placed inside of the sleeve 100, the sleeve 100 is compact enough to fit into tight spaces such as wallet pockets, jeans pockets or eyeglass cases.

Fig. 4 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth end 104, 104.1 und 104.2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction features two additional embodiments of the cleaning cloth endings 104.1 und 104.2. The views of the unfolded structure and the folded structure inside of the storage sleeve 100 are provided for comparison. The depiction shows the embodiment of the compact cleaning cloth end (see Fig. 4A) as a pull tab 104 attached to the cloth 102. The method of attachment is by a sewn on pull tab 104 on the cleaning cloth 102 but may be attached to the cleaning cloth 102 through other methods but not limited to being glued, welded on, clipped on or through other fastening methods. The pull tab 104 is seen protruding from the sleeve 100 when not in use. Another embodiment (see Fig. 4B) of the pull tab 104.1 is that the pull tab 104.1 is connected to the cloth through an alternative method. The pull tab 104.1 is built into the structure of the cleaning cloth 102. The pull tab 104.1 is seen protruding from the sleeve 100 when not in use. The last embodiment (see Fig. 4C) of the cloth ending 104.2 is the lack of pull tab altogether. The lack of pull tab provides a sleeker design when the cloth 102 is stored in the storage sleeve 100. The storage sleeve 100 instead features a cutout section 1 10, allowing the user to grip the end 104.2 of the cleaning cloth 102 instead of a pull tab.

Fig. 5 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a view of the cleaning cloth 102 if the structure tray 106 was foldable. This embodiment increases the thickness of the folded cloth 102 altogether due to two layers of the structure tray 106 instead of one. The cleaning cloth 102 may be fully unfolded and used for larger sized glass such as laptops and televisions. The pull tab 104 is only on one side of the cloth 102 when fully unfolded.

Fig. 6 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth 102 structure tray 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides additional designs to the embodiment of the structure tray 106. These embodiments feature a perforated structure tray 106 instead of a solid one as shown for example in Fig. 2. The designs may be but are not limited to cut/die-casted paper, plastic, cardboard and metal sheet. The first embodiment (see Fig. 6A) features a solid frame with an empty center. The second embodiment (see Fig. 6B) features a solid frame with a middle frame connector and empty centers. The third embodiment (see Fig. 6C) features a spider webbed design with perforated triangles. The fourth embodiment (see Fig. 6D) features a concaved rectangle frame. Two additional embodiments of the structure tray 106 may be made out of steel rod using a rectangular shape (see Fig. 6E) or concaved rectangular shape (see Fig. 6F). The designs featured in this depiction are not limited to the ones provided and may feature additional shapes based on manufacturer preference.

Fig. 7 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment of the storage sleeve 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction features three views of an additional embodiment of the storage sleeve 100, one where the folded cloth 102 is protruded out of the sleeve 100 (see Fig. 7A) and a view of the folded cloth 102 fully stored in the sleeve 100 (see Fig. 7B). In this embodiment, the storage sleeve 100 is made from a flat material such as but not limited to cardboard, wood, veneer, sheet metal, textile material, like cotton, wood or synthetic fabric material or a combination of cotton or wood with at least on synthetic fabric material, or plastic and incorporates multiple creases that can fold whereas three longer creases 700 on each side are slightly offset inwards from the outer three closed edges of the sleeve 100 and would flow parallely along these outer edges. Together with the two small creases 702 in the corners on each side of the sleeve 100 all creases 700 and 702 would fold and thereby create a more rigid construction of the sleeve 100 with an almost flat front and back side without the bulging as shown for example in the version of the storage sleevel 00 in Fig. 4 especially when the wrapped-up, folded cleaning cloth 102 is placed inside the storage sleeve 100. There may be also an alternative design of the storage sleeve 100 like in the embodiment of Fig. 4C where the cloth ending 104.2 lacks a pull tab altogether. As seen in Fig. 4C the lack of pull tab provides a sleeker design when the cloth 102 is stored in the storage sleeve 100. The storage sleevel 00 in this embodiment may as well instead feature a cutout section 1 10, allowing the user to grip the end 104.2 of the cleaning cloth 102 instead of a pull tab. To better understand the construction of the sleeve 100 in Fig. 7 there is also shown a view of the unfolded storage sleeve 100 (see Fig. 7C). The dashed lines 704 and 706 represent the folding creases 700 and 702 that would fold into the final shape of the storage sleeve 100. Both sides would fold along the crease at the centerline 706. A method of creating the final storage sleeve 100 may vary but is shown here by being held together via two flaps 708 that are attached to one side of the storage sleeve 100 and where each folds along one crease and would be attached to the corresponding side by fastening methods but not limited to such as gluing or welding. The overall final shape of the storage sleeve 100 as shown in Fig. 7 could also be created from one contiguous single piece created of but not limited to materials like plastic, metal or wood and manufacturing methods like but not limited to injection molding.

Fig. 8 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth ending and structure tray 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides two additional embodiments to the original embodiment of the structure tray 106.1 , 106.2 and cloth ending. These embodiments feature a structure tray 106.1 , 106.2 that is incorporated into the cloth 102 instead of a solid one that is attached to the cloth 102 as shown in Fig. 2B. The embodiments may be but are not limited to constructions creating a structure tray 106.1 incorporated directly into the cleaning cloth 102 based on the manufacturer's preference such as but not limited to the cleaning cloth 102 being either soaked or laminated with binding materials such as but not limited to resins or hardeners. Likewise it is possible to use hardening adhesives or methods on the cloth 102 that create a similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area 104.1 such as but not limited to welding or highfrequency welding to achieve a hard compound that functions as a structure tray 106 as shown in Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B. Additionally as shown in Fig. 8C the same effect to create a hardened area 106.2 to simulate the function of the structure tray seen in Fig. 2B could be achieved but is not limited to a sandwich construction 802 combining the cleaning cloth 102 and attached flat materials 202 such as but not limited to cut/diecasted paper, plastic, cardboard and metal sheet. The embodiments featured in this depiction are not limited to the ones provided and may feature different compound layering based on manufacturer's preference.

Fig. 9 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of alternative embodiments to the compact cleaning cloth 102 and the structure tray 106 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides additional designs to embodiments of the cleaning cloth 102 and the corresponding structure tray 106. The first embodiment (see Fig. 9A) features but is not limited to two separate cloth sheets 900 that are attached to the structure tray or card 106 by but not limited to fastening methods such as sewing, welding, or gluing. The pull tab 104 is only on one cloth sheet 900 when fully unfolded. The second embodiment (see Fig. 9B) features a bag created but not limited to sewn seams 904 and incorporated into to folded cloth 102 at one of its ends, allowing to house a structure card 106 that would enable the same functionality of wrapping the cloth 102 to a flat, space-saving, and compact size as with the structure tray or card 106 shown in Fig. 2B. The third embodiment (see Fig. 9C) features an additional embodiment of the cleaning cloth 102 that would have the structure tray or card 106 attached to the lengthwise folded cleaning cloth 102 by one single seam 908 with attachment methods but not limited to sewing, gluing or welding and thereby realizing the full functionality of the structure card as shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2. The fourth embodiment (see Fig. 9D) features an additional embodiment of an incorporated bag for the structure card 106 created by two seams 912 through attachment methods but not limited to sewing, welding or gluing thereby realizing the full functionality of the structure card 106 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2B.

Fig. 10 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a view of the cleaning cloth in a fully folded state (see Fig. 10A) and a front view (see Fig. 10B) featuring a structure card 106 attached to the cloth 102 as well as a back view featuring a seam 1002 as a possible attachment method of the structure card 106 which is not limited to fastening methods such as being sewn, welded or glued. The user can unfold the cloth 102 to its original size by unraveling it from the structure card 106 in two different directions thereby providing and storing a much larger cloth 102 size. The cleaning cloth 102 may be fully unfolded and used for larger sized glass such as laptops, televisions or car glass and may also have one or multiple pull tabs and additionally a corresponding sleeve 100 for storage as in previous embodiments. The structure card 106 may be printed, imprinted, or embossed on all kind of information for use in advertisement, branding, and all kind of communication.

Fig. 1 1 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment provides a view of the cleaning cloth 102 as shown in Fig. 10 whereas showing an additional design of the structure card 106.3 compared to the one featured in Fig. 10B. In this embodiment, the structure card 106 is incorporating the functions of an ice scraper with one separate function on each side as followed; a sharp edge for fine ice scraping 1 102 a corrugated edge for rougher ice scraping 1004 and a squeegee 1 106. The structure card 106.3 may be printed, imprinted or embossed on all kind of information for use in advertisement, branding, and all kind of communications.

Fig. 12 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides a representation of for example a microfiber cleaning cloth 102 after it has been removed out of the sleeve 102 and prepared for use. After a user 204 has removed the folded cloth 102 out of the sleeve 100 (see Fig. 2A), the user 204 is then able to unfold the cloth 102 to its original length by unraveling (see Fig. 2B) it from a structure tray 106. The cleaning cloth 102 is attached to the structure tray 106 through methods of but not limited to being glued, sewn, welded on, clipped on or through other fastening methods. In this embodiment, once fully unraveled, the user 204 may fully unfold it as shown in the embodiment in Figure 5 with the foldable structure tray. The structure tray 106 may be made out of materials such as but not limited to plastic, paper/cardboard, and metal. The structure tray 106 may be printed, imprinted or embossed on all kind of information for use in advertisement, branding, and all kind of communications. Thus the cleaning cloth 102 shown in Fig. 1 1 may also be fully unfolded and used for larger sized glass such as laptops and televisions. The pull tab 104 is only on one side of the cloth 102 when fully unfolded.

Fig. 13 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of an alternative embodiment to the folding style and size of the cleaning cloth 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This depiction provides a representation of for example a microfiber cleaning cloth 102 after it has been removed out of the sleeve 102 and prepared for use. After a user 204 has removed the folded cloth 102 out of the sleeve 100 (see Fig. 2A), the user 204 is then able to unfold the cloth 102 to its original length by unraveling (see Fig. 2B) it from the structure tray 106. In this embodiment, once fully unraveled, the user 204 may fully unfold it as shown in the embodiment in figure 5 with the foldable structure tray. In difference to the embodiment of the cleaning cloth 102 shown in figure 12 in this embodiment as shown in figure 13 the pull tab is replaced with a second structure tray 106.3 that functions as a pull tab. The structure tray 106.3 may be made out of materials such as but not limited to plastic, paper/cardboard, and metal. The structure tray 106.3 may be printed, imprinted or embossed on all kind of information for use in advertisement, branding, and all kind of communications. Thus the cleaning cloth 102 shown in Fig. 13 may also be fully unfolded and used for larger sized glass such as laptops and televisions. In this embodiment either the first structure tray 106 or the second structure tray 106.3 functions as a pull tab or to wrap the cleaning cloth 102 around it and vice-versa.

Fig. 14 is an illustrative representation showing a line drawn depiction of the folding process in accordance with the embodiment of the cleaning cloth 102 shown in figure 13. This depiction provides a view of folding the cleaning cloth 102 back to its compact size. The user wraps 306 the cleaning cloth 102 around the structure tray 106 until the size of the cloth 102 is flat and small enough to fit into the storage sleeve 100. After the cleaning cloth 102 is wrapped to its full length around the structure tray 106 the second structure tray 106.2 may cover the cleaning cloth that is wrapped around the first structure tray 106 like a book cover. This embodiment increases the thickness of the folded cloth 102 altogether due to two layers of two structure trays 106 and 106.3 instead of one.

Claims

1. Cleaning cloth (102) that can be folded flat to fit in a wallet characterized by a structure tray (106) that is attached to the Cleaning cloth (102) or that is incorporated into the Cleaning cloth (102) or by a similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.1 ,106.2) that functions as a structure tray, wherein the Cleaning cloth (102) can be wrapped around the structure tray (106) or the similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.1 ,106.2) until the size of the cloth (102) is rigid enough to fit in the wallet.

2. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.1 ) is created with hardening adhesives or welding method on the cloth (102) to achieve a hard compound that functions as a structure tray.

3. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the similar partially laminar attachment and hardened area (106.2) is created with a sandwich construction (802) combining the Cleaning cloth (102) and attached flat materials (202)

4. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in one of the claims 1 or 3, characterized by at least one pull (104) that is attached to the Cleaning cloth (102) or by one pull tab (104.1 ) that is built into the structure of the cleaning cloth (102) or by a cloth ending (104.2) without a pull tab.

5. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the structure tray (106) is solid or perforated.

6. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the structure tray (106) is foldable.

7. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the structure tray (106) comprising two layers attached to the Cleaning cloth (102) whereby the Cleaning cloth (102) may be fully unfolded and used for larger sized glass.

8. Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the structure tray (106) is printed, imprinted or embossed on all kind of information.

9. System (200) comprising a Cleaning cloth (102), especially the Cleaning cloth (102) as claimed in one of the previous claims, and a storage sleeve (100), characterized in that the flat folded Cleaning cloth (102) that is wrapped around the structure tray (106) can be placed inside of the storage sleeve (100).

10. System (200) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the storage sleeve (100) is compact enough to fit into tight spaces such as wallet pockets, jeans pockets or eyeglass cases.

1 1 . System (200) as claimed in one of the claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the storage sleeve (100) is made from a flat material such as cardboard, wood, veneer, sheet metal, textile material or plastic.

12. System (200) as claimed in one of the claims 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that the storage sleeve (100) incorporates multiple creases (700) that can fold, whereas three longer creases (700) on each side are slightly offset inwards from the outer three closed edges of the sleeve (100) and would flow parallelly along these outer edges.

13. System (200) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the storage sleeve (100) additionally incorporates two small creases (702) in the corners on each side of the sleeve (100) to create with the creases (700) according to claim 12 a more rigid construction of the sleeve (100) with an almost flat front and back side without any bulging.

14. System (200) as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 , characterized in that the storage sleeve (100) is created from one contiguous single piece.

15. System (200) as claimed in one of the claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the storage sleeve with the flat folded Cleaning cloth (102) placed inside the sleeve (100) is still compact enough to fit into tight spaces such as wallet pockets, jeans pockets or eyeglass cases.