JP4729618B2 - Equipment for caring for footwear - Google Patents

Description

  The invention finds application in the industrial sector relating to the manufacture of products for the treatment or care of shoes.

  The invention described below relates to an apparatus for caring for footwear, which is constructed on the basis of an applicator for shoe conditioning material, which applicator holds a cleaning substance, a dehumidifying substance or a polishing substance It can be installed in a cover containing the container. Moreover, the said substance is directly distributed on the surface of an applicator through the fixed supply means assumed in the same cover. With this applicator, when the apparatus is opened, the appropriate substance is administered and the shoe is polished.

  An object of the present invention is to allow careful cleaning of shoes without excessive application of the substance when transferred to the surface of footwear.

  In addition, the present invention applies the ergonomics corresponding to the handling of the device by the user and adopts a structure suitable for any shoe in order to comfortably clean all areas of the shoe surface. It aims at simplifying.

  At the present time, a number of devices are known for cleaning and polishing shoes, and these devices basically comprise a container of footwear conditioning material, usually made of silicone or polish. The conditioning material is applied to the inside of a sponge used by the user to polish the shoe surface.

  The sponge of the applicator, usually made of polyurethane, can be incorporated into a cover included in the shoe cleaning device and directly infused with shoe polish and dehumidifying substances. This is the same as the container employed for this function, particularly that described in US Pat.

  In addition, as described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, a sponge for applying a liquid substance is present in a mouthpiece of a shoe cleaning container. Silicon and the polishing agent reach the sponge through a valve that functions as a quantitative supply means. However, it does not provide an effective application amount of the substance to the sponge. The allocation of the liquid is usually performed inside the sponge during the shoe cleaning operation performed by the user, because this is because pressure is applied to the sponge itself, This is because the area of the container of the polishing substance or dehumidifying substance is actually pushed by hand.

  This mechanism of applying liquid to the shoe surface is relatively inaccurate with respect to the amount of silicon and polish that is released from the container to the sponge. Since the user has no knowledge about the amount of substance to be administered, it is actually necessary until the fluid reaches the sponge surface and is sprayed on the shoe, despite being over-applied. In many cases, the amount is not noticed. At this point, the user notices that a large amount of liquid has been soaked into the sponge due to the delay between the appearance of the substance from the container and the observation of the substance on the shoe surface. As a result, the shoes become wet, and the user is forced to wipe off the surplus with a dry cloth.

  Simply put, this type of device generally results in very dirty results in its application. Another issue that stems from this feature is that such devices must be equipped with a cover that prevents liquids from leaking or spilling during storage, and the device itself should be placed in a stable location. There is a problem that is required.

  In the search for a solution to such a problem, as a liquid or cream applicator for cleaning footwear, a ball that functions in a roll-on manner to completely and uniformly infiltrate the substance in the applicator and the shoe There are applicators that incorporate shaped sponge parts. This type of shoe cleaner also includes a sealing means that can control whether or not the liquid comes out regardless of tilting the container toward the shoe, and is devised in Patent Document 4 of the invention.

  For liquid applicator parts made as sponges or foams, it is configured to easily reach all areas of the surface of the footwear to be cleaned in the currently available applicator cleaning equipment market The existence has not been known yet. Thus, depending on the shoe design, the corners and pleats of the shoe may remain uncleaned / dehumidified / glazed.

  Many shoe cleaners employ poor ergonomics for handling when cleaning and polishing footwear, which leaves the disadvantages mentioned above: the amount of material to be applied and the amount left unapplied. This is associated with the disadvantage that there is no indicator on the device to inform the user of the amount being consumed. The last feature mentioned above is clearly unavoidable in classic shoe shine products where the user has to apply the cream and polish on his / her own using a cloth, but has been mentioned so far This is not the case with current devices that apply instantly with impregnated sponges or foams, such as types.

  Nevertheless, there are some products that indicate whether the container for conditioning material is empty, but some material still remains outside the container, in the metering valve or in the impregnated applicator sponge. This “end-of-use” indicator is artificial.

Spanish Patent Application No. 1038111 Spanish Patent No. 0134686 Spanish Patent Application No. 1006298 Spanish Patent No. 2165273

  The present invention seeks to solve the problems in all the different aspects described in the background, in particular the problems described above.

  Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for caring or treating footwear, a shoe cleaner, a polisher, a dryer, and a conditioner. The apparatus receives a conditioning material and applies it to the surface of the shoe. And an applicator made of a material suitable for doing so, and equipped with a cover, the cover being configured in a shape and dimension that allows the outer contour of the applicator to be adapted to the cover. As an optional feature, the apparatus can further include a handle coupled to the applicator by a base.

  The main feature that distinguishes the present invention from the known precedents basically belongs to the aforementioned cover. The material used for shoe care is contained in a container provided in the actual cover of the device. Further, the cover accommodates a substance quantitative supply means therein, and the quantitative supply means impregnates the substance and applies it directly to the surface of the applicator in contact with the surface of the footwear to be cleaned. .

  The container of conditioning material incorporated in the cover is at least partially transparent, but this allows for identification at the end of use, i.e. the amount of conditioning material remaining in the container is visible. It is to make it. This instruction at the end of use is realistic because there is no trace of material in the applicator when the material in the container is used up. That is, the applicator is impregnated only when the applicator operates directly on the quantitative supply means incorporated in the container and nothing is present therein, so that the substance to be applied remains. Obviously not.

  The device can be used on a one-time basis. That is, when the substance is used up, the apparatus can be discarded. However, the container may be configured so that it can be filled with additional conditioning material. Material replenishers, containers, and covers may be purchased by the consumer separately from the device itself for refilling.

  Applying the substance to the applicator of the apparatus is performed simultaneously in an open movement performed by pulling out the applicator in the longitudinal direction of the cover using a handle to take out the applicator from the inside. . The handle can be formed in an ergonomic design that facilitates handling of the envisaged device, such as when the device is opened and closed and when a footwear cleaning operation is performed. In the upper part of the side surface, the cover has a plurality of guides that are connected to the outer peripheral end of the base of the handle to realize the longitudinal movement of the applicator. With this guide, the applicator slides on the inner surface of the cover. Move while.

  Due to the frictional force and compression force between the outer surface of the applicator and the inner surface of the cover, which will later polish the surface of the footwear to be cleaned, the metering means is optimal for the aforementioned surface of the applicator. Operates to apply a dose of substance.

  Such a quantitative supply means of the substance can be rotated within a plane intersecting the aforementioned opening operation by simply rubbing the applicator against the quantitative supply means using a guide inside the cover, so that an appropriate amount of the conditioning substance is supplied. Can be passed to the outer surface of the applicator.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the metering means can be constituted by a roll-on type ball connected to a spout, and the spout is preferably made of plastic, on a container of the substance arranged in a cover. And disposed on the inner surface of the cover. Inside the container, any expansion / contraction means, for example, a spring or the like, is assumed as an independent part or a part integrated with the bottom. This telescopic means presses the aforementioned ball against the spout of the closed cover to ensure a seal while the device is kept open or closed, i.e. when no lateral movement to open the device is performed. .

  The metering of the conditioning substance can be carried out in the same way by using rollers instead of balls. As the roller rotates, the substance leaves the container, moves to the applicator, and is transferred to the outer surface of the applicator so as to be reliably applied to the surface of the shoe.

  Thus, an advantage of the disclosed device is that the user always receives just the right amount of material in the applicator to successfully clean the same amount of material, a pair of shoes. When a larger amount is required, the user needs to re-supply the material to the applicator using the cover quantitative supply means. For this purpose, the user can slide the applicator on the inner surface of the cover and The device must be opened and closed again by the following procedure.

  From the standpoint of not wasting conditioning material, in one optional configuration, the device closing operation is not performed in the same direction as the sliding direction to open the device, but the applicator is connected to the cover transversely. Run with. When the apparatus is closed in this way, the applicator does not move with respect to the inside of the cover accompanying the rotation of the quantitative supply means, so that no substance comes out of the container. This prevents the applicator from drying before being used next time. The cover has an outer contour that is convenient for a closing operation by a transverse coupling of the applicator and the cover. Assuming appropriate holding means, when it is necessary to reopen the device, cover it in the longitudinal direction while pulling the applicator parallel to the surface with the container of the substance so as to soak up the substance. This prevents the transverse movement of the cover as described above from taking place when it has to be removed.

  In an embodiment of the present apparatus that utilizes roll-on-ball, another optional configuration that can be used to prevent material from being wasted on the applicator when not in use is only when it is pulled by the applicator in the longitudinal direction of the opening motion. The ball is configured to be rotatable only in one direction. The one direction is a direction in which the applicator is pulled inside the cover in order to open the apparatus. Similarly, in the present embodiment of the device utilizing a roller, the waste of material prevents movement and causes rotation of the roller in a single direction, i.e., withdrawing the applicator longitudinally relative to the cover. This can be prevented by assuming a means to regulate.

  When the apparatus remains closed, the metering means is in contact with the foam, but since the operation that produces rotation is not performed, the metering means does not operate. For this reason, the device can be stored and stored in any position without fear of losing material or unnecessarily filling the applicator until it is opened to use the applicator. Can be used. In contrast to what occurs with other known cleaners, the device does not require the device to be vertical when applying material or storing the device so that leakage to the applicator does not occur.

  In order to suppress the leakage of the substance when closing the device as much as possible, the applicator is provided with a gap corresponding to the quantitative supply means. When the device is closed and the outer surface of the applicator is covered with a cover, the air gap of the applicator can receive the metering supply means during the coupling with the cover, and the pressure of the applicator against the metering supply means can be substantially suppressed. Configured as follows. This prevents the supply of substances even when the device is completely closed.

  Therefore, another essential advantage of the device is that cleanness is ensured in normal use, apart from the assumed simple and convenient use.

  In addition, in the actual structure of the applicator that is aesthetically pleasing, its outer surface forms a wide surface that can easily polish shoes, and its tip ends in a tapered shape, so any footwear you want to clean You can easily reach the area.

  For the purpose of assisting in a further understanding of the properties of the present invention, in order to complete the description so far described, a series of drawings are attached as part of the present invention in accordance with the preferred examples of practical embodiments of the present invention. To explain. These drawings are intended to be illustrative and not limiting.

  An apparatus for caring for footwear will be described as an available embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The device comprises an ergonomic handle (1) designed to be comfortable for the user to handle the device, and a flexible applicator (2) built into the base of the ergonomic handle (1). Is done. The applicator (2) is preferably made of polyurethane foam. This allows any area of the footwear surface to be cleaned, polished or dehumidified while handling the device with only one hand.

  The sponge or foam applicator (2) is preferably heat welded to the base of the handle (1) on one side made of plastic. The applicator (2) also has an outer surface (3) intended to be filled with an appropriate conditioning material, which seals and closes the device as shown in FIGS. It is accommodated in the container (4) provided in the cover (5) assumed in this way.

  According to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) is in contact with the surface of the footwear when cleaning, so that a wide flat area of the shoe can be cared for. Has a wide range. Also, the outer surface (3) converges on a tip (6) formed in an appropriate tapered shape so that it can be adapted to any design of footwear. This makes it easier to clean the hardest to reach places that may be present on the shoe.

  The cover (5) of the device shown in FIG. 4 has a configuration that matches the shape and size that can be coupled to the applicator (2), and in addition to the side, side and top openings, the inner surface (9). Composed as a body with. The inner surface (9) incorporates a constant quantity supply means (10) for the conditioning substance. A guide (8) that is fitted to the outer peripheral edge of the base of the handle (1) is assumed on the upper side of the cover (5). The guide (8) facilitates the connection with the unit formed by the handle (1) in which the applicator (2) is incorporated, and on the inner surface (9) of the cover (5). ) So that the outer surface (3) can be moved.

  The cover (5) accommodates a container for a conditioning substance, and a constant quantity supply means (10) for the substance is incorporated in the container. According to one optional configuration of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the metering means (10) consists of a plastic or rubber spout with a roll-on ball coupled for sealing. When opening the apparatus by simply moving the applicator (2) in the longitudinal direction of the cover (5), the user grasps the handle (1) and guides the cover (5) as shown in FIG. (8) The outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) is slid on the inner surface (9) of the cover (5) from the outside.

  As described above, when the assembly of the handle (1) and the applicator (2) is performed inside the cover (5), the applicator (2) is supplied in a fixed amount supplied in the cover (9). The means (10) is rotated by friction to conveniently cause a metered dose of conditioning material to the applicator (2). That is, when the applicator (2) moves, the roll-on ball is pushed downward, so that the substance comes out of the container (4) by the rotation of the ball, and the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2). ) Directly applied.

  When the applicator (2) moves over the entire inner surface (9) of the cover (5) and the assembly of the handle (1) and the applicator (2) is detached from the cover (5), the springs, elastic parts, etc. Means are envisioned. This telescopic means emerges from the bottom of the container (4) and pushes the ball again but upwards to close the spout provided on the inner surface (9) of the cover (5) and securely seal it.

  On the other hand, on the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2), an appropriate amount necessary for cleaning or polishing a pair of shoes is applied by the constant supply means (10). In one arbitrary configuration of the embodiment corresponding to the contents shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface (3) is provided with a recess (7) corresponding to the arrangement of the quantitative supply means (10) of the present apparatus. As a result, when the apparatus is closed, the pressure of the applicator (2) to the quantitative supply means (10) is minimized, and the footwear is conceivable when this depression (7) is not adopted. The possibility of running out of conditioning material is reduced.

  The user then needs to close the device again when the footwear care is complete, or when additional supplies of the material are required to take care of other shoes. The applicator (2) is pushed into the cover (5) so as to be filled with the additional substance to be metered from the container (4) by the metering means (10). However, the closing operation of the apparatus is not performed in the same direction as the opening operation, but is performed across the cover (5) as shown in FIG. This prevents the applicator (2) from rotating the quantitative supply means (10) when closing the device, and prevents the conditioning material from being supplied before the device is opened next time. To prevent waste. When this closing operation is performed in the transverse direction, the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) faces the inner surface (9) of the cover (5), so that the outer shape of the side surface of the cover (5) is the cover (5). The applicator (2) is inserted through the upper opening of the handle and formed into a contour that is convenient for engaging the handle (1) and the cover (5). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of tabs (11) are added to the outer contour of the cover (5). These tabs (11) are combined with a plurality of grooves (12) assumed on the outer periphery of the handle (1) to hold the handle (1) and the cover (5), thereby guaranteeing the closed state of the device. To do.

  This same operation is also realized in the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the shoe cleaning and polishing substance dispensing means (10) includes a roller. As described above, the roller can be applied from an arbitrary position, which is upright, lying down, or inclined, except that when the apparatus is opened in the longitudinal direction regulated by the guide (8) of the cover (5), The substance is applied to 2).

  The container (4) incorporated in the cover (5) is made of at least partly transparent plastic and is used for the substance remaining in the container (4) even when the device is closed. The amount is checked by the user so that the time when the substance is used up can be grasped.

  Initially, the device is assumed to be discarded after the conditioning material is exhausted after use, but it can also be assumed that the device is provided for reusability. In this case, a new cartridge of liquid or cream suitable for footwear treatment is inserted into the container (4) and placed under the ball or roller functioning as the metering means (10). For this reason, the container (4) is provided with an external cover configured so that the user can easily exchange the substance as required.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus, in which the apparatus for cleaning the disclosed footwear is arranged in a horizontal posture so that the applicator component can be observed. FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the device showing the substance container housed in a cover with the device for care of footwear arranged in a vertical position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the applicator showing the outer surface of the applicator configured to contact the surface for footwear treatment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cover of the apparatus according to an available embodiment having a roll-on ball with the footwear conditioning substance metering means visible on the inner surface thereof. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that opening operation of the said apparatus and fixed_quantity | quantitative_supply supply of a conditioning substance which are the objectives of this invention are advancing about the assembly of the applicator and cover which form this apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that it is going to perform the closing operation after use about the assembly of the applicator and cover which form this apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover of the apparatus according to another alternative embodiment having a roller with the conditioning substance dispensing means visible on the inner surface of the cover.

Claims (16)

An apparatus for caring for footwear comprising an applicator (2) and a cover (5) configured to fit the applicator (2),
The cover (5) applies the substance to at least one outer surface (3) of a container (4) containing a footwear conditioning substance and the applicator (2) provided for cleaning the footwear. and dispensing means (10) which can accommodates a
When the outer surface (3) slides inside the cover (5), the quantitative supply means (10) is injected with the substance and puts the substance on the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2). A device characterized by being suitable for application . An apparatus for caring for footwear according to claim 1, comprising:
It said dispenser means (10), it the outer surface of the front Symbol cover inside front Symbol sprayer (5) (2) (3) are rotatable in the slide, and wherein the. An apparatus for caring for the footwear according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The quantitative supply means (10) includes a roller capable of injecting the substance contained in the container (4), and the roller is an outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) inside the cover (5). A device characterized by being capable of rotating when sliding. An apparatus for caring for the footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
The quantitative supply means (10) includes a ball into which the substance contained in the container (4) can be injected, and the ball is an outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) inside the cover (5). A device characterized by being capable of rotating when sliding . Device for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims , characterized in that the metering means (10) are suitable for rotating in only one direction . An apparatus for the care of footwear, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (2) is configured to be connected to the transversely said cover (5) Rukoto A device characterized by. An apparatus for the care of footwear, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (2) The device according to claim Rukoto, such a flexible material. An apparatus for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) is used to clean all areas of the surface of the footwear. Converging on a suitable tapered surface (6) . An apparatus for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface (3) of the applicator (2) has a recess (7) corresponding to the metering means (10). ) and wherein Rukoto, a to have a. A device for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a handle (1) is incorporated in the device, the handle (1) being mounted on the applicator (by means of its base). 2) it is connected to the Rukoto, and wherein the. An apparatus for the care of footwear, according to claim 10, wherein the handle (1) is and wherein ergonomic der Rukoto, the. An apparatus for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (5) is connected to the upper part of its side surface at the outer periphery of the handle (1). has 8), by the guide, said applicator (2) until the applicator (2) is retrieved by device opens, Rukoto can slide longitudinally inside the cover (5), the Features device. An apparatus for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (5) has a tab (11) at the upper part of its side, the tab (11) being , Rukoto coupled to the groove (12) envisaged at the outer peripheral edge of the base of the handle (1), and wherein the. Device for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (4) is at least partly transparent . A device for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (4) has a connection that allows the conditioning material to be replaced. . Device for caring for footwear according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (4) is removable from the cover (5).

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