US20030164176A1

US20030164176A1 - Combined dustpan and residual dust collection device

Info

Publication number: US20030164176A1
Application number: US10/349,984
Authority: US
Inventors: Rod Arbon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-23
Filing date: 2003-01-23
Publication date: 2003-09-04

Abstract

The present invention features a combination dustpan and residual dust collection device and method for removing residual dust from a surface after sweeping initial debris into the dustpan collection bin. The combination dustpan and residual dust collection device comprises a unique dusting head strategically positioned preferably on the underside portion of a dustpan. The dusting head is equipped with a dust cloth or dust cover capable of collecting and retaining residual dust typically left on the floor. When dirty, the dusting head material/covering may be replaced and or cleaned.

Description

1. RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. [0001] 60/351,264, filed Jan. 23, 2002, and entitled, “Combined Dustpan and Residual Dust Collection Device.”

BACKGROUND

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and particularly to dustpans used to gather and remove swept material from a floor surface. Particularly, the present invention relates to an improved dustpan having a residual dust collection system or assembly attached to, coupled to, or integrally formed with the underside of a dustpan, for the purpose of cleaning or picking up any residual dust, dirt, or other debris remaining on the floor surface after the bulk of the material is swept into the collection bin of the dustpan.

3. Background of the Invention

Cleanup of debris, dirt, dust, and other material to be discarded often involves using a broom and a dustpan to finish off the job. As is well known however, current and prior art designs of dustpans perform a great job at receiving such materials into their collection bin via a broom where such material may be discarded, but these dustpans leave a small line of residual dust/material on the floor after sweeping the bulk of the dust into the dustpan. In efforts to sweep this last remaining residual dust/material into the dustpan, the user often resorts to multiple tries at moving the dustpan further back upon each stroke of the broom. This process is often repeated-two or three times with residual dust/material still remaining on the floor or other surface being cleaned. The inability of current designs of dustpans to retrieve this residual dust/material primarily results from the fact that the diameter of the dust/material particles being swept are smaller that the width of the proximate dustpan face. An additional factor contributing to the difficulty of the residual dust being retrieved or swept into the dustpan is the surface tension of the particles, which surface tension causes the particles to adhere to the surface. As a result, this residual dust/material is difficult to remove with a traditional dustpan and broom.

Although numerous patents describe a dustpan.(U.S. Pat. No. 452,358, 468,433, 637,908) and improvements (U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,9742 and 5,799,360-combined broom and dustpan) none of these patents disclose a dustpan and residual dust collection device that functions as the present invention to remove residual dust from the floor (or other surface being cleaned) subsequent to sweeping and making one or more attempts to clear the floor of the residual dust simply by sweeping it into the dustpan.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies in prior art dustpan and dust collection devices, namely, the removal of dust/material that is not readily swept into a traditional dustpan and that remains after sweeping the majority of the material into the collection bin of the dustpan. The present invention is a unique dustpan that employs a novel device that removes all residual dust/material from the floor after initial sweeping and clean-up.

As such, it is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection device capable of eliminating residual dust/material that often remains on the floor after sweeping.

It is another object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection device that has a unique dusting head, which, when pushed or pulled across, or otherwise allowed to come in contact with the residual dust/material, traps the dust/material, thus eliminating the frustration of attempting to remove fine dust by making numerous attempts to sweep it into the dustpan.

It is still another object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a dustpan and residual dust collection device that employs a disposable, washable, or reusable, material that is designed to cover the dusting head and facilitate the clean-up of all residual dust or material. Various cleaning solutions, water, ±charged elements, or other similar functioning applications may also be added to this material to help break the surface tension of the residual dust, provide an attraction source whereby to pull the dust from the floor/surface, clean the floor/surface, and/or further facilitate removal of the residual dust/material from the floor/surface.

The present invention features a dustpan and residual dust collection device capable of removing and/or picking up residual dust/material that is typically left on a floor after sweeping the floor and attempting to clean up the gathered material by sweeping it further into a dustpan. The device comprises means-for collecting and picking up or retrieving dust from a floor, wherein the means for collecting and retrieving is positioned on a dustpan in an integrally formed or coupled or adhered relationship. Means for collecting and retrieving may comprise many different devices and systems, such as one or more dusting heads having a dust cloth fixed or removable attached thereto, a liquid injector system, and any other device or system recognized by one ordinarily skilled in the art capable of performing the intended functions described herein.

Preferably, the unique dustpan and residual dustpan collection device of the present invention comprises a dusting head, having a dust cover capable of collecting and retrieving dust. The dusting head is designed to be strategically positioned on the dustpan so as to be able to collect and retrieve dust and other debris from the floor. Preferably the dusting head is positioned underneath the dustpan, but one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize other potential locations for the dusting head, such as on the sides to remove residual dust from walls, baseboards, or other surfaces. In addition, the dusting head may comprise any size and shape. Still further, the dustpan and residual dust collection device may comprise a plurality of dusting heads, each strategically positioned on the dustpan so as to perform the intended cleanup. These several dusting heads may be positioned along the bottom, sides, or a combination of these, of the dustpan.

After the bulk of the gathered material is swept into the dustpan the dustpan, and particularly the dust collection device, is then brought into contact with the residual dust, such as by pushing or pulling the dusting head across the residual dust, wherein the dust head cleans/removes from the floor all of the residual material by trapping or adhering the residual dust/material on or to the dusting head cover.

The present invention may be embodied in any number of different styles and makes of dustpans, including conventional and upright dustpans. In addition, the dusting head may be made from various materials, such as metal, plastic, hook and loop fastening material (e.g. Velcro®), etc, with the hook and loop fastening material-type dusting head comprising the preferred embodiment. The dust cover may be comprised of any material typically used in the facilitation of dust removal (lambs wool, muslin, dust rag, cloth, etc.) or any other material that is attachable to the dusting head and that is capable of picking up residual dust or otherwise facilitating removal of the residual dust from the floor or other surface. The dust cover material may or may not be disposable, or it may be reusable by washing, shaking out existing dust, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015]
FIGS. [0016] 1-A and 1-B are an exploded side view of the dustpan and residual dust collection device equipped with a dusting head;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the dustpan and residual dust collection device showing it equipped with a dusting head on its bottom surface; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dusting head with the dust cover material installed thereon; [0018]
FIG. 4 illustrates the dustpan and residual dust collection device ready to receive gathered material and dust; [0019]
FIG. 5 illustrates the residual dust that is left on the floor subsequent to sweeping the gathered material into the dustpan; [0020]
FIG. 6 illustrates the removal of the residual dust and how it collects on the dust cover of the dusting head to thoroughly clean the floor and remove all residual dust; therefrom; [0021]
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention employing a hook and loop fastener-type dusting head; and [0022]
FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the embodiment described in FIG. 7.[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, and represented in FIGS. 1 through 8, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. [0024]
The presently preferred embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. [0025]
The present invention describes a method and system for collecting and removing residual dust from a floor subsequent to sweeping, thus more thoroughly cleaning the floor. [0026]
Specifically, the present invention features a dustpan and residual dust collection device comprising a dustpan, a dusting head attached, coupled to, or integrally formed with the dustpan and projecting a sufficient distance from the bottom (or side) surface of the dustpan, and a dust cover capable of fitting over the dusting head for the purpose of collecting residual dust left on a floor following initial sweeping of larger material and amounts of dust into the collection bin of the dustpan. [0027]
With reference to FIG. 1-A, shown is an exploded view of dustpan and residual [0028] dust collection device 10 comprising a dustpan 14 having attached thereto, or protruding therefrom in an integrally formed and/or unitary manner, a dusting head 20 having dust cover 24 attached thereto.
Dustpan [0029] 14 is shown as a conventional dustpan having a collection bin and a handle attached thereto. However, one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be embodied in various sized, shaped, and styled dustpans. For example, the present invention may be embodied in an upright dustpan, which is essentially a dustpan attached to a handle via a pin mechanism or configuration that extends through the dustpan. The dustpan pivots on the pin allowing the user to sweep up material, then pick-up the dustpan, which then pivots allowing the material to fall into the collection bin of the dustpan. The user does not have to bend over to pick up the material. As another example, the present invention may be embodied in a combination dustpan/broom or snap-on brush/dustpan.
Dusting [0030] head 20 is designed to substantially run the width of dustpan 14 and is preferably placed on a frontward or forward location on the underneath surface 16 of dustpan 14, and directly juxtaposed to or adjacent to or proximate the back surface of ramp 18. However, dusting head 20 may be any size or shape and may be placed at any location on dustpan 14 allowing dusting head 20 to function as intended. Thus, various locations or positions about surface 16, or even the sides of dustpan 14, or a combination of these, is intended and contemplated herein for the positioning of dusting head 20.
As stated, dusting [0031] head 20 may be coupled to the underneath of dustpan 14 using any known means in the art, such as adhesives, attachment means (screws, rivets, etc.), tongue and groove system, snaps, etc. As such, dusting head 20 may either be rigidly fixed to dustpan 14 or may even be removably coupled to dustpan 14 in order to allow the user to remove dusting head if desired or necessary. Moreover, dusting head 20 may be integrally formed with the body of dustpan 14 during manufacture, such that dusting head 20 is an integrally formed and unitary part of dustpan 14. Still further, dusting head 20 may be manufactured in various sizes, shapes, and dimensions to accommodate existing dustpans, wherein dusting head 20 may be retrofit onto any existing dustpan using any known means for attachment. In addition, dusting device 10 may include a plurality of dusting heads strategically positioned along dustpan 14. Dusting head 20 preferably extends the entire width of dustpan 14, and is wide enough, approximately 2.0 inches, to ensure collection of all of the majority of residual dust after sweeping debris into dustpan 14, while also allowing dusting head 20 to be in contact with and out of contact with the surface of floor 2, as desired.
It is advantageous that dusting head be allowed to clear the floor while the dustpan is being used to receive dust and debris into its collection bin. For example, [0032] dustpan 14 is typically positioned at an angle such that face or ramp 18 is at the optimal position for accepting dust and debris. During this time, dusting head 20 is elevated and out of contact with floor 2. Dusting head 20 is intended to be positioned on dustpan 14 so that it comes in contact with the floor only when the user intends it to do so.
FIGS. [0033] 1-A and 1-B demonstrate the position of dustpan 14 as it sits on floor 2 during sweeping, as well as the relative position of dusting head 20. It should be noted that dusting head 20 preferably does not contact floor 2 during initial or regular pick up of material, debris, and/or dust. Dusting head 20 is preferably designed to contact the floor only when intended instead of inadvertently, thus allowing the user to determine the time and point of contact by rotating dustpan 14 downward, or pushing downward on the handle portion of dustpan 14, thus bringing dusting head 14 into a ready position as indicated by the arc of motion and associated arrows shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B. Rotating the handle down and bringing dusting head 20 in contact with the floor subsequently causes ramp 18 to rotate upward and out of the way so that its contact with floor 2 is terminated. Once in a ready position so that dusting head 20 is in contact with floor 2, dustpan 14 may be pushed forward or pulled backward to contact residual dust and material 30 remaining on floor 2 as shown by the horizontal bi-directional arrows. As dusting head 20 comes in contact or is brought into contact with residual material and dust 30, dust cloth or dust cover 24 serves to attract and collect or lift residual dust/material 30 from the floor. Further forward movement of dusting head 14 over residual dust/material 30 causes dusting head 20, and particularly dust cover 24 to collect all of the remaining dust and material, thus leaving the floor more thoroughly cleaned.
Dusting [0034] head 20 may be made of any material, such as cloth, plastic, metal, or wood, or others capable of being attached to, adhered to, integrally formed with, or otherwise associated with dustpan 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B, dusting head 20 comprises a rigid plastic material that is coupled to or attached to the underside of dustpan 14, and spans substantially the width of dustpan 14. In this particular embodiment, dusting head 20 is designed to accept or receive a dust cover 24 thereon. FIGS. 7 and 8, described below, illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a hook and loop fastener-type material (e.g., Velcro®) functions as the dusting head and is adhered to the underside of dustpan 14 using an adhesive. In this embodiment, a dust cover may be attached to the dusting head using the hook and loop fastening system.
Dust cover or [0035] cloth 24 comprises any dust collecting and attracting material that is capable of collecting dust, dirt, and other small debris particles on its surface and drawing it away from its present location. In this sense, the normal adhesion to floor 2 experienced by residual dust 30 and other material particles is overcome by the strong attraction to dust cover 24, thus allowing dustpan and residual dust collection device 10 of the present invention to perform the function of more thoroughly cleaning floor 2. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-A and 1-B, dust cover 24 is attached or adhered to dusting head 20. However, one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that dust cover 24 may attach or adhere directly to dustpan 14, thus foregoing the use of a dusting head altogether. The primary function of the present invention is to retrieve residual dust 30, using any embodiment described herein, or obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. As such, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the combination of a dusting head and accompanying dust cover.
[0036] Dust cover 24 may also be combined with various cleaning solutions, water, ±charged elements, or other similar functioning applications to further attract residual dust 30 and trap it to dust cover 24 and dusting head 20. Dust cover 24 is preferably made of lambs wool, muslin, dust rag, cloth, etc., basically any type of material capable of collecting and removing dust and other debris from floor 2. In addition, dust cover 24 may be comprised of a disposable material, such as disposable cloths, towels, etc. that the user may discard once its ability to collect and pick up residual dust no longer exists. Of course, cleaning or washing of some materials is also possible, thus allowing them to be utilized repeatedly. Dusting cover 24 is intended to cover the entire or a substantial part of the surface of dusting head 20, thus providing sufficient surface area to clean and collect residual dust/material. In an alternative embodiment, the combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device 10, and particularly dust cover 24, may comprise a plurality of removable layers. These layers may be removed either for cleaning, or they may be removed and disposed of, thus exposing the next sheet or layer for cleaning, depending upon their particular makeup.
[0037] Dust cover 24 and/or dusting head 20 may also be protected by some type of a covering device or shroud to protect dusting head 20 and/or dust cover 24 from inadvertent or unwanted exposure when not in use or just until use. In this embodiment, the covering device may be actuated using mechanical or manual means to allow dusting head 20 and/or dust cover 24 to be exposed and protected as desired. In one exemplary embodiment, the covering device comprises a snap or slide on plastic shroud.
The present invention also may feature a liquid injection or dispensing system that may be implemented into the dustpan device and system, which would allow liquid to be injected either onto the dusting head/dust cover or dispensed onto the floor, thus facilitating the cleaning and collection of residual dust. The liquid injection or dispensing system may be mechanically operated, such as via a pneumatic pump, or electrically operated, such as via a battery operated switch that activates an electric pump or dispenser. [0038]
FIGS. 2 and 3 show the overall placement of dusting [0039] head 20 on the bottom surface 16 of dustpan 14. FIG. 2 serves to illustrate the preferred placement of dusting head 20 on a dustpan, namely directly adjacent to, juxtaposed to, or proximate the back of ramp 18. FIG. 3 serves to illustrate dust cover 24 as placed upon dusting head 20.
FIG. 3 [0040] shows dusting head 20 with dust cover 24 installed thereon. In this particular figure, dust cover 24 is shown as a disposable dust cover that may be removed and discarded once its usefulness has expired. Of course, as mentioned, dust cover 24 may comprise a reusable dust cover that can be washed, shaken out, or otherwise freed of the residual dust collected thereon.
FIG. 4 illustrates [0041] dustpan 14 in a ready position to receive initial dust and other debris or material gathered from sweeping floor 2. In this position, the user attempts to sweep as much of the debris and dirt into the collection bin of dustpan 14 as possible, shown in FIG. 5. However, as explained above, this procedure almost always results in residual dust and material 30 being deposited on the floor or left behind, as the particle diameter of the residual dust or debris 30 being swept is smaller that the width and height of ramp 18 of dustpan 14. This combined with existing surface tensions in residual dust 30 binding it to the floor results in the particles adhering to the floor. This residual dust and material 30 that is left behind and subsequently picked up by the present invention device and system is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively.
FIG. 6 illustrates [0042] floor 2 after dustpan device 10, and particularly dusting head 20 and dust cover 24, has been utilized to collect the residual dust and material 30 from floor 2. As can be seen, residual dust 30 is removed from floor 2 and adheres to dust cover 24, thus serving to more thoroughly clean floor 2 than would be possible using conventional methods and devices.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the present invention combination dustpan and residual [0043] dust collection device 10, wherein dustpan 14 comprises a dusting head and dust cover assembly, and wherein dusting head 20 comprises one configuration of a hook and loop fastening system on one side, and an adhesive backing that allows dusting head 20 to be adhered to dustpan 14, particularly along the underside of dustpan 14, on its other opposite side. The configuration of the hook and loop fastening system on dusting head 20 is shown in greater detail in the blown-up section in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, the hook and loop fastening system-type dusting head 20 is preferably made of flexible material so that it can conform to the shape and contour of dustpan 14, and can be applied to existing or conventional dustpans. Moreover, it is intended that dusting head 20 in this particular embodiment can be cut to fit as desired on existing dustpans. Dusting head 20 comprises an adhesive layer that allows dusting head 20 to be attached to one or more areas of dustpan 14. Once applied, dust cover 24 may be removably attached to dusting head 20 using the hook or loop configuration of the hook and loop-style fastening system opposite that utilized by dusting head 20. This embodiment provides many advantages, including allowing for quick and easy interchanging of dust cover 24, customized fitting to conventional or existing dustpans, low profile design, and others that will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Also, in this particular exemplary embodiment, dusting head 20 and associated dusting cover 24 are positioned or located toward the rear on the underside or dustpan 14 on a substantially horizontal surface of dustpan 14, thus illustrating the concept that dusting head 20 and dust cover 24 may be placed at various locations along dustpan 14. To sweep larger debris into the collection bin of dustpan 14, the handle is rotated upward, as illustrated by the direction arrows, and dustpan 14 positioned, such that that ramp 18 is in contact with the surface to be cleaned. In this position, dusting head 20 and dust cover 24 are out of contact with the surface to be cleaned. Once the larger debris is gathered, dustpan 14 may be rotated downward so that dusting head 20 and dust cover 24 come in contact, and are parallel or substantially parallel, with the surface to be cleaned. In this position, dustpan 14 may be properly manipulated so that dust cover 24 is caused to lift or remove any residual dust or debris remaining on the surface, thus more thoroughly cleaning the surface.
The present invention further features a method for removing residual dust from a surface, such as a floor, to achieve a more thorough cleaning of the surface. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a dustpan having a dust collection bin and one or more means for removing residual dust; sweeping material and other debris from a surface into the dust collection bin of the dustpan; and bringing the means for removing residual dust into contact with any residual dust remaining after sweeping occurs and manipulating the means for removing residual dust across the surface and the residual dust in order to lift and retain, thus sufficiently remove, the residual dust from the surface. This step of bringing the means for removing residual dust into contact with the residual dust may be repeated as often as necessary. The method further comprises providing either a reusable or a disposable means for removing residual dust in the form of a removable dust cover. [0044]
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, such as combination with a broom etc., without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specifications as indicating the scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the present invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the present invention.[0045]

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device comprising:

a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle;

means for removing residual dust from a surface during sweeping, wherein said means for removing residual dust is associated with said dustpan.

2. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1, wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dusting head and removable dust cover assembly, said dusting head designed to receive said dust cover thereon, and said dust cover designed to facilitate the removal of said residual dust from said surface.

3. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2, wherein said dusting head and dust cover assembly comprises a hook and loop fastening system, wherein said dusting head is comprised of one configuration of said hook and loop fastening system and has an adhesive backing that allows it to be attached to said dustpan, said dust cover comprising the opposite configuration of said hook and loop fastening system, thus being removably attachable to said dusting head.

4. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2, wherein said dusting head comprises a rigid member that attaches to said dustpan at an identified location and is designed to receive a removable dust cover thereon.

5. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 2, wherein said dusting head is integrally formed with said dustpan during its manufacture, and is designed to receive a removable dust cover thereon.

6. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1, wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dust cover that removably attaches directly to said dustpan.

7. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 1, wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a plurality of dusting heads and associated dust covers.

8. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device comprising:

a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle;

one or more dusting heads strategically positioned on said dustpan;

a dust cover removably attached to said dusting head, said dust cover capable of collecting and retaining residual dust and material debris from a surface as said dusting head and said dusting cover is brought into contact with said residual dust and material debris.

9. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dusting head is strategically positioned on the dustpan, said dusting head comprising an integral component of said dustpan.

10. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dusting head is strategically positioned on the dustpan, said dusting head comprising a removably coupled component of said dustpan.

11. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dusting head extends substantially the width of said underside of said dustpan.

12. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dusting head is covered with a removable dust cover designed to facilitate the removal of said residual dust.

13. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 12, wherein said dust cover comprises an application thereon to further facilitate removal of said residual dust.

14. The combined dustpan residual dust collecting device of claim 13, wherein said application is selected from the group consisting of water, dusting compounds and solutions, charged materials, and others that allow said residual dust to be more easily removed from said surface.

15. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dustpan and said dusting head may be modified to include a liquid injection system for injecting liquid onto the dusting head and the floor to facilitate the cleaning and collection of residual dust.

16. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dust cover comprises a plurality of removable layers, wherein said layers may be selected from reusable and disposable.

17. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, wherein said dustpan comprises an upright dustpan design.

18. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 8, further comprising a protection cover that covers said dusting head and said dust cover until just prior to use.

19. A combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device comprising:

a dustpan having a collection bin and a handle; and

one or more dusting heads strategically positioned on said dustpan, said dusting head capable of collecting and retaining residual dust and material debris from a surface as said dusting head is brought into contact with said residual dust and material debris.

20. The combined dustpan and residual dust collecting device of claim 19, further comprising a dust cover removably attached to said dusting head, said dust cover capable of collecting and retaining residual dust and material debris from said surface.

21. A method for removing residual dust from a surface to achieve more thorough cleaning of said surface, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a dustpan having a dust collection bin and one or more means for removing residual dust;

sweeping material and other debris from a surface into said dust collection bin;

bringing said means for removing residual dust into contact with any residual dust remaining after said step of sweeping, and manipulating said means for removing residual dust across said surface and said residual dust in order to lift and retain, thus sufficiently removing, said residual dust from said surface.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dusting head and dust cover assembly.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said means for removing residual dust comprises a dust cover that is removably attachable directly to said dustpan.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of providing a reusable means for removing residual dust.

25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of providing a disposable means for removing residual dust.