GB2318974A

GB2318974A - Reservoir applicator:cleaning fluid

Info

Publication number: GB2318974A
Application number: GB9700738A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Brennan Bones
Original assignee: Helix Ltd
Current assignee: Helix Ltd
Priority date: 1996-04-12
Filing date: 1997-01-15
Publication date: 1998-05-13
Also published as: GB9700738D0

Abstract

A pen-like applicator for applying cleaning fluid to, for example, office equipment keyboards, comprises: squeezable fluid reservoir 301 feeding application tip 302; reversible cleaning unit 304, with brush and pad, insertable in socket 303; and caps 305, 306. The tip may be of fibre, and the reservoir contain fibre.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CLEANING This invention relates to improvements in or relating to cleaning and is more particularly, but not exclusively concerned with a cleaning applicator for computer and office equipment.

A range of computer or office cleaning equipment is currently available which includes, for example, aerosol cleaning fluid applicators and cloths impregnated with cleaner solution as well as cotton buds for use with sprays and aerosols for cleaning narrow gaps (such as occur in between keys on a computer keyboard). However, despite the range of cleaning equipment available more particularly for computers and office equipment, it is believed that there still tend to be disadvantages in the use and/or cost of such equipment. What is needed is a cleaning fluid applicator which allows an easily controllable amount of fluid to be dispensed quickly and easily (even in small crevices) as well as a means for wiping an area that has become ingrained or soiled with dirt and to which the cleaning fluid is applied. It is believed that no self-.

contained cleaning applicator has been developed which is optimally suited to the task and which does not involve the cleaning hand necessarily coming into contact with the cleaning fluid.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning applicator which at least alleviates the aforementioned, or other, problem with cleaning equipment e.g. for computers or office equipment and/or which is improved in at least some respect.

According to the present invention there is provided a self-contained cleaning fluid applicator comprising a hand-held pen-like fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir in flow contact with a cleaning nib or pad that, in use, can be used to apply cleaning fluid supplied by the reservoir to a surface to be cleaned, by wiping the nib or pad over said surface.

One embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator has a form generally similar to a marking pen, being provided with a fibre nib which is preferably of open or wide weave and which may e.g. be a flat chisel point or fine chisel point.

Thus, advantageously, the chisel point may be used to clean in between keys of, for example, a computer keyboard, to delve into small crevices and the flat end can be used for cleaning the tops of the keys. The open weave fibre, where provided, of the nib can absorb dirt from in between the keys of the keyboard and controls the flow of the cleaning fluid. The fluid reservoir may be a fibre reservoir, to control release of the cleaning fluid and a suitable amount of cleaning fluid may be provided in the reservoir, for example 10 ml or S ml of fluid.

One embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator includes a brush (preferably located at an opposite end to the nib or pad end) that can be used on a computer keyboard to dislodge loose dirt therefrom before cleaning with the cleaning pad or nib. Alternatively or additionally, the pen-like applicator may be provided with a (sponge or foam) pad (preferably at an opposite end to the nib or pad) for final drying and polishing of the computer keys, by wiping the sponge or foam pad over the area that has been cleaned, which is still wet with cleaning fluid.

In one embodiment of the present invention, where the pen-like applicator is provided with a pad and a brush, the pad and brush may be incorporated as a removable (preferably reversible) unit on the end of the applicator opposite the nib. Thus, said end opposite the nib may be provided with a socket for receiving either the pad or brush depending upon a selection by the user. A cap may be provided to cover either the brush or pad end as the case may be. Preferably, the cap may be removed with said unit from the pen applicator whilst still engaged on the unit if desired. In this manner, the cap may be used as a handle for the brush or pad end of said unit enabling said unit to be used independently of the main pen applicator body including the nib.

Usually, the cap will be a push-fit friction engagement on said unit and said unit will be a push-fit friction engagement in said socket. A raised stop flange may be provided on the unit to limit the depth of insertion of the cap on the unit and of the unit in the socket.

The pen-like fluid applicator may be provided with a fluid reservoir having side walls that can be squeezed together to help dispense the fluid through the nib or cleaning pad.

The cleaning fluid applicator will usually be provided with a push-on cap covering the nib or cleaning pad of said applicator while not in use (to prevent evaporation of the cleaning fluid) and similarly where a brush or sponge/foam pad is provided for dislodging loose dirt or for final drying and polishing as aforesaid, this brush or pad may also conveniently be covered by a protective cap (which may be a push-on cap) and such a cap is also, preferably, transparent or semi-transparent so that the user is aware of the additional brush or drying function that may be provided by the cleaning fluid applicator.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of cleaning, for example keys of a computer keyboard, said method comprising wiping cleaning fluid on an area to be cleaned with a nib or pad of a penlike cleaning applicator, said nib or pad being in flow communication with fluid in a reservoir of said applicator and absorbing dirt or dust from the area to be cleaned onto the nib or pad of the applicator.

The method may involve polishing and drying said area after being made wet with cleaning fluid by using an absorbing sponge or foam pad of the applicator, and/or using a brush of the applicator to remove loose particles from said area prior to application of said cleaning fluid.

Further according to the present invention there is provided an applicator or a kit of cleaning fluid applicators, the or each applicator comprising a selfcontained cleaning fluid dispenser having a cleaning fluid reservoir in f low contact with a cleaning nib or pad, said applicator/s including a selected combination of the following features:a) a brush for removing loose particle matter, b) a pad for polishing and drying an area made wet with cleaning fluid, c) a container that may be squeezed to enhance delivery of cleaning fluid to a cleaning pad rather than nib end.

Further advantageous features of the cleaning applicator and method of cleaning will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

Four embodiments of a cleaning fluid applicator in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows the first embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator with an enlarged detail of the applicator nib and with a protective cap removed; FIGURE 2 shows a second embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator with an enlarged detail of the nib and with a protective cap removed; FIGURE 3 shows a third embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator with a detail of an applicator pad and with a protective cap removed; FIGURE 4 shows a simplified, schematic or diagrammatic view of a fourth embodiment of the cleaning fluid applicator with protective cap removed from a cleaning nib end; FIGURE 5 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 4 with said protective cap for the cleaning nib, and FIGURE 6 shows a view of a cleaning pen developed along the lines of the schematic arrangement shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

FIGURE 1 shows a pen-like cleaning fluid applicator 1 which is hand-held in use and which comprises a cleaning fluid fibre reservoir 2 containing about 10 ml of generalpurpose cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid applicator 1 has a wide weave fibre nib 3 which is a chisel point and which is shown enlarged in the ringed detail view shown as part of FIGURE 1. The nib 3 is in flow contact with the fibre reservoir 2 which controls the release of the cleaning fluid (not shown) through the nib 3 to an area or surface to be cleaned. It should be obvious that the applicator 1 can be gripped and the chisel point utilised, for example, to wipe cleaning fluid in between crevices in a computer keyboard (not shown) with the open weave fibre nib 3 absorbing dirt from the keyboard surface and controlling cleaning fluid flow. The flat inclined end of the nib 3 is ideal for seating in between the keys of a computer keyboard (not shown) and can be used for wiping the tops of the keys. A protective cap 4 is shown released from the cleaning fluid applicator 1 but can be push-fit frictionally engaged on forwardly projecting portion 5 of the applicator 1 to protect the fibre nib 3 when not in use, in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 1. Cap 4 may be provided with vent holes to meet current legislation requirements. The applicator 1 has a transparent cap 6 engaging on rearwardly projecting portion 7 of the cleaning fluid applicator 1 by a push-fit friction engagement in a manner which should be generally evident.

Thus, the transparent cap 6 can be removed from the applicator 1 so that a hard bristle brush 8 (located at an opposite end of the applicator 1 to the nib 3) can be employed to brush away loose dirt on e.g. a computer keyboard before cleaning with the nib 3 end of the applicator.

Advantageously, therefore, the cleaning fluid applicator 1 is a self-contained cleaning item that can be utilised efficiently to clean, for example a computer keyboard, without the cleaning hand necessarily coming into contact with any cleaning fluid. Items such as electronic organisers, calculators, mobile phones and remote controls could be cleaned using the applicator 1.

FIGURE 2 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning fluid applicator 100 which is also of pen-like form and which has a chisel-point nib 103 of similar but not identical form to the nib 3. The overall shape of the cleaning fluid applicator 100 is somewhat slimmer than cleaning fluid applicator 1 and the fibre reservoir only contains 5 ml of general-purpose cleaning fluid. The chisel point nib 103 is somewhat finer than the chisel point 3 and can be used for very small crevices.

Rather than being provided with a brush 8 at an opposite end of the applicator to the nib end, the cleaning fluid applicator 100 is provided with a sponge or drycleaning foam pad 108 that can be used for final drying and polishing of an area of the key pad. Thus, the sponge or foam pad 108 can be wiped over an area which is still wet with cleaning fluid applied by the nib 103 of the applicator.

It is to be noted that the sponge pad 108 is also protected by a transparent protective cap 106 which once again can be engaged or disengaged from projecting end 107 by push-fit friction engagement.

FIGURE 3 shows a third embodiment of a cleaning fluid applicator 200 which contains 75 ml of hard surface cleaning fluid designed for cleaning large surface areas or machine cases. The fluid applicator 200 includes a fluid reservoir 201 having walls that can be squeezed together (hence the provision of transverse ribs 202 to hold or grip the container whilst squeezing) in order to control release of cleaning fluid to a square sponge fluid applicator pad 203 in a manner which should be generally self-evident. The applicator 200 is provided with a clear protective cap 204 that can be engaged on the applicator 200 by a push-fit friction engagement in a manner which, once again, should be generally evident from FIGURE 3.

The cleaning pad itself is 20 mm by 25 mm since this is believed to be a suitable size.

FIGURE 4 shows a view of a cleaning fluid applicator 300 which is hand-held in use and as in the previous embodiments includes a cleaning fluid. fibre reservoir 301 and a fibre nib 302 in flow contact with the fibre reservoir. As shown in FIGURE 5, the end of the cleaning pen 300 opposing the nib 302 has a socket 303 for receiving a reversible bush/pad unit 304 on which may be mounted a protective cap 305, opposing cap 306 which protects the nib 302 at the other end of the cleaning pen 300. Thus, unit 304 may be engaged into the socket 303 in the orientation as shown in FIGURE 5 so that the pad 304a remains concealed in the socket 303 when cap 305 is removed from the pen exposing the brush 304b that can be used with the pen 300.

Alternatively, the unit 304 may be assembled into the socket 303 in reverse manner so that the brush 304b is introduced into the socket 303 with the pad 304 being covered by the protective cap 305. This would enable use of the cleaning pad 304 for final drying and polishing an area by using the pen 303. Thus, the user is able to selectively assemble the cleaning pad 303 with the unit 304 in a position as shown in FIGURE 5 or in a reverse position with the pad 304a projecting outwardly. In addition, the end cap 305 could be removed from the cleaning pen body containing the reservoir 301 with the unit 304 attached thereto (in the position, for example, as shown in FIGURE 4) and the cap 305 and unit 304 could be used as a separate shorter cleaning or polishing implement. Thus, the cap 305 and unit 304 could be used with either the brush end 304b or pad end 304a being exposed for use.

It is envisaged that the unit 304 will frictionally engage the socket 303 and be a push-fit therein and that the cap 305 will be a similar push-friction fit onto either the brush or pad end of unit 304. Similarly, the cap 306 will be a push-friction engagement on the cleaning pen 300.

FIGURE 6 shows a view of a cleaning pen 400 developed along the lines of the schematic arrangement shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. Here the unit 401 is shown attached to the cap 402 with the brush end 401a exposed. In this example, the unit 401 is provided with a raised central transverse stop flange 401b extending all the way around the unit which flange limits the depth to which the cap 402 can be inserted on the unit. The cap 402 engages opposed grip ribs (not shown) above the stop flange stop 401b symmetrically disposed on either side of the stop flange, and similar grip ribs g are engageable with the socket 403.

The depth to which the unit 401 can be inserted into the socket 403 is limited by the stop flange 401b in a similar manner as the depth to which the unit can be inserted into the cap 402, in a manner which should be evident from FIGURE 6. It is to be appreciated that the unit 401 could be disengaged from the cap 402 and the brush end 401a inserted into the cap until the cap contacts the stop flange 401b.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by an equivalent or generic term where sensible.

For example, the term "pad" or "nib" could be replaced by "end", "tip" or "brush". Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the cleaning fluid applicator might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa.

Claims

1. A self-contained cleaning fluid applicator comprising a hand-held pen-like fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir in flow contact with a cleaning nib or pad that, in use, can be used to apply cleaning fluid supplied by the reservoir to a surface to be cleaned, by wiping the nib or pad over said surface.

2. An applicator as claimed in Claim 1 of a form generally similar to a marking pen, being provided with a fibre nib.

3. An applicator as claimed in Claim 2 in which the fibre nib is of open or wide weave.

4. An applicator as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the nib is a flat chisel point or fine chisel point.

5. An applicator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the fluid reservoir is a fibre reservoir, to control release of the cleaning fluid.

6. An applicator as claimed in Claim 5 in which about 5 ml to 10 ml of fluid is provided in the reservoir.

7. An applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a brush.

8. An applicator as claimed in Claim 7 in which the brush is located at an opposite end to the nib or pad end.

9. An application as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the pen-like applicator is provided with a second pad for final drying and polishing.

10. An applicator as claimed in Claim 9 in which the second pad is of sponge or foam.

11. An applicator as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 in which the second pad is at an opposite end to the nib or firstmentioned pad.

12. An applicator as claimed in Claim 7 or any claim dependent therefrom, said pad and brush being incorporated as a removable unit on the end of the applicator opposite the nib.

13. An applicator as claimed in Claim 12 in which said unit is reversible.

14. An applicator as claimed in Claim 13 in which said end opposite the nib is provided with a socket for receiving either the pad or brush.

15. An applicator as claimed in Claim 13 or 14 in which a cap is provided to cover either the brush or pad end as the case may be.

16. An applicator as claimed in Claim 15 in which the cap can be removed with said unit from the pen applicator whilst still engaged on the unit.

17. An applicator as claimed in Claim 16 in which the cap is a handle for the brush or pad end of the unit.

18. An applicator as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17 in which the cap is a push-fit friction engagement on said unit and said unit is a push-fit friction engagement in said socket.

19. An applicator as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18 in which a raised stop flange is provided on the unit to limit the depth of insertion of the cap on the unit and of the unit in the socket.

20. An applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which is provided with a fluid reservoir having side walls that can be squeezed together to help dispense the fluid through the nib or cleaning pad.

21. An applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims having a push-on cap covering the nib or cleaning pad of said applicator while not in use.

22. An applicator as claimed in Claim lO or any claim dependent therefrom in which said second pad is also coverable by a protective cap.

23. An applicator as claimed in Claim 22 in which said protective cap is transparent or semi-transparent.

24. A self-contained cleaning fluid applicator substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 1, or FIGURE 2, or FIGURE 3, or FIGURES 4 and 5, or FIGURE 6 of the accompanying drawings.

25. A method of cleaning, for example keys of a computer keyboard, said method comprising wiping cleaning fluid on an area to be cleaned with a nib or pad of a pen-like cleaning applicator, said nib or pad being in flow communication with fluid in a reservoir of said applicator and absorbing dirt or dust from the area to be cleaned onto the nib or pad of the applicator.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 including polishing and drying said area after being made wet with cleaning fluid by using an absorbing sponge or foam pad of the applicator, and/or using a brush of the applicator to remove loose particles from said area prior to application of said cleaning fluid.

27. A method as claimed in Claim 25 and substantially as herein described.

28. An applicator or a kit of cleaning fluid applicators, the or each applicator comprising a selfcontained cleaning fluid dispenser having a cleaning fluid reservoir in flow contact with a cleaning nib or pad, said applicator/s including a selected combination of the following features:a) a brush for removing loose particle matter, b) a pad for polishing and drying an area made wet with cleaning fluid, c) a container that may be squeezed to enhance delivery of cleaning fluid to a cleaning pad rather than nib end.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A self-contained cleaning fluid applicator comprising a hand-held pen-like fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir in flow contact with a cleaning nib or pad that, in use, can be used to apply cleaning fluid supplied by the reservoir to a surface to be cleaned, by wiping the nib or pad over said surface.

5. An applicator as caimed tn any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the fluid reservoir is a fibre reservoir, to control release of the cleaning fluid.

e 13. An applicator as claimed in Claim 12 in which said unit is reversible.

22. An applicator as claimed in Claim 10 or any claim dependent therefrom in which said second pad is also coverable by a protective cap.

26. A method as claimed in Claim 25 including polishing and drying said area after being made wet with cleaning fluid by using an absorbing sponge or foam pad of the applicator, and/or usiflg a brush of the applicator to remove loose particles from said area prior to application of said cleaning fluid.

27. A method as claimed in Claim 25 and substantially as herein described.

29. A self-contained cleaning fluid applicator comprising a hand-held pen-like fluid dispenser having a fluid reservoir in flow contact with a cleaning nib or pad that, in use, can be used to apply cleaning fluid supplied by the reservoir to a surface to be cleaned, by wiping the nib or pad over said surface, said applicator including a brush and a second pad being incorporated as a removable unit on the end of the applicator opposite the nib and in which applicator said unit is reversible.