FR2541886A1 - Universal manual cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning device allowing the maintenance of all solid and plane washable surfaces. According to the invention the device is composed of a sponge 1 coated on one of its faces with an abrasive material 2; the four edges are chamfered 3. The sponge is accommodated in a rigid support 4 comprising at its ends a felt strip 5 and a rubber tongue 6. An inner system of the support helps to hold the sponge 7. The apparatus may be closed at its ends by two sides matching the profile of the device 8. The device is used for domestic and industrial purposes.

Description

 The present invention relates to cleaning type instruments, allowing the maintenance of all washable, flat and solid surfaces or surfaces of materials of flexible consistency bearing on a flat and solid support.

 Generally there are between two and four phases to perform the surface cleaning operation - The first phase consists of removing surface deposits (dust, crumbs, detritus, liquids).

- The second phase consists in dissolving rebel deposits (washing).

- The third phase consists in recovering the used liquid from washing and drying (wiping).

- The fourth phase consists in removing tarnishes due to washing.

(make it shine) would be only by rubbing a little more vigorously with the wiping cloth using a dry side.

 By this operation, we will have devoted time and effort to cleaning.

 Although essential and necessary, cleaning is often understood as tedious and tedious.

 In addition, direct contact of the hand with the wet and often soiled sponge or cloth, further adds to the unpopularity of the operation.

 The object of the device according to the invention is to avoid these drawbacks in that it makes it possible to work with the hands dry and to accomplish the four phases described above in one.

 In this spirit, the invention therefore relates to a manual cleaning device characterized in that it essentially consists of a sponge coated on one of its faces with an abrasive material.

 This sponge is housed partly in a rigid support comprising complementary cleaning function elements located on either side of the lateral sides of said sponge, namely - A felt bar having the double role of "sweeping" deposits superficial in front of the system and secondly to prevent the sponge from getting dirty.

 A rubber tongue having the function of recovering the used washing water left by the sponge while proceeding to a thorough scraping of the rebel deposits thus leaving the passage of the device a clean, dry and radiant groove.

 The sponge can be introduced into the support, presenting either the abrasive side or the sponge side according to the cleaning difficulties.

 The accompanying drawings will allow a better understanding and the details will appear better in the light of the explanatory description which follows - Figure 1 is a sectional and perspective view according to a currently preferred embodiment of the device of the invention.

- Figure 2 is a sectional representation of the cleaning function elements of the device which is simply placed on a plane.

- Figure 3 is a sectional representation of the cleaning function elements of the device in operation.

 The device shown essentially consists of a sponge substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped l coated on one of its faces with an abrasive material 2. The four edges are chamfered in order to cause no discomfort to the proper functioning of the system 3.

 Said sponge is housed partly in a rigid support 4 which, comprises in each of its lower lateral ends - A felt bar inserted partly of its width in one of its ends 5.

- A rubber tongue also inserted in part of its width in the other parallel end 6.

 The sponge is immobilized inside the support by an internal holding system 7.

 The device can be closed at both ends by two sides matching profile 8.

 The device placed on a plane must allow the sponge to rest on its entire base surface 9.

 The rubber tongue is parallel to a few millimeters above the surface of plane 10.

 The felt bar has a gap equal to or greater than that of the rubber tongue 11.

 The operation of the apparatus is ensured by simply pressing the device and moving it from the felt side forward once the cleaning function elements adhere to the surface of the plan.

 The felt bar "will sweep" the surface deposits in front of the device thus preventing the sponge from becoming soiled 12.

 The sponge slightly crushed at its base will perform its ordinary washing functions 13.

 The rubber tab will ultimately provide a clean, shiny finish by thoroughly scraping the wastewater from the sponge and stubborn deposits 14.

 In the high position (without pressing the system) the device can act as a dampener. Just as the high position allows difficult cleaning to be carried out using the abrasive side of the sponge. It is possible to finish by pressing the system without changing the face of the sponge.

 The sponge should be moderately wetted with a little water added with a detergent and should not ooze when operating on a vertical surface.

 The felt bar can also be wetted for better work.

 The device thus prepared has the power to clean or renovate a large surface.

 To the concepts of saving time and effort is added that of product economy.

The device is said to be UNIVERSAL in the sense that on the one hand it makes it possible to carry out in a single phase, the four phases of a cleaning operation, on the other hand it has a versatile character for cleaning a wide range of materials : (wood, metal, glass, plastic, synthetic materials, lacquers, paints, etc.)
This brings us to consider the range of potential users of the invention which can extend from the domestic to the industrial field.

 Currently, it is unfortunately only possible to provide a non-exhaustive nomenclature of the possibilities of use in these fields. Let us quote for the domestic maintenance: the large electrical household appliances, the furniture in formica, the windows, the dining table etc ... Without omitting the car from the garage.

 In Commerce and Industry: the displays, the interior layout of the stores, the counters, will be easily maintained in a state of cleanliness and "brand new".

 Bars, restaurants, canteens will find in this device a practical and effective tool.

 Communities, Crèches, Hospitals will find daily use of the invention.

 Cleaning companies can adopt the device for the daily maintenance of offices, premises, factories.

 The device can be larger with additives such as handles or accessories, or added to # mechanized devices for work to be performed on large areas.

 Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment or to the preceding descriptions, but includes all the technical equivalents brought into play if these are in the context of the following claims.

Claims (5)

 1 - Manual cleaning device characterized in that it essentially consists of a sponge (1) partly housed in a rigid support comprising complementary cleaning function elements (5) and (6).  2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said sponge is immobilized in the support by an internal holding system (7).  3 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said support comprises at its lower lateral ends, complementary cleaning function elements such as a felt bar (5) and a rubber tongue (6).  4 - Device according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the sponge substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped whose four edges are chamfered (3) is coated on one of its faces with an abrasive material (2).  5 - Device according to claims 1-3 and 4 characterized in that an apparatus placed on a plane, the sponge must rest on its entire base surface (9) - the rubber tongue lying parallel to a few millimeters above of the surface of the plane (10). The felt bar having a gap equal to or greater than that of the rubber tongue (11).