US20210137344A1

US20210137344A1 - Dust pan with removable adhesive sheet

Info

Publication number: US20210137344A1
Application number: US16/492,096
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Hochberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-06
Filing date: 2018-03-06
Publication date: 2021-05-13
Also published as: CA180895S; WO2018161161A1

Abstract

An adhesive dustpan sheet and dustpan assembly for collecting dust and debris is disclosed. The dustpan sheet has a layer of adhesion on at least a side of the dustpan sheet and a tab on at least a side of the dustpan sheet configured to be received in a tab receptacle on a dustpan. The dustpan sheet may further have a plurality of stackable dustpan sheets that can be removed for disposal as dust and debris is collected in the dustpan.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/467,356 filed Mar. 6, 2017 and entitled Dust Pan with Removable Adhesive Sheet.

FIELD

The present specification relates generally to dustpans and more specifically relates to at least one removable adhesive sheet securable to a dustpan for retaining dust and debris swept into the dustpan.

BACKGROUND

Dustpans are a conventional cleaning tool in households across the world and used in industrial and commercial settings. Dustpans are used to collect common household debris, such as dust, dirt, food debris, and pet dander, hair and down feathers. Dustpans are typically used in combination with a broom or a brush, whereby the broom or the brush sweep debris into the dustpan. Debris collected in a dustpan may then be disposed. Dustpans are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and either in a handheld configuration or with a long handle.
Manually sweeping debris with a broom or a brush into a traditional dustpan frequently results in a portion of the debris being scattered in the air and back onto the recently cleaned surface rather than in the dustpan. Debris in the air causes poor indoor air quality and a resoiled surface needing to be cleaned again. Individuals with respiratory health conditions or sensitivities to allergens may be negatively affected by the reduced indoor air quality caused by traditional dustpans.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art.

SUMMARY

In example embodiments, a dustpan sheet has an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, and the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a dustpan.
In some examples, a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the tab has a plurality of tabs extending from one or more side edges thereof, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In some examples, the dustpan sheets are arranged in an aligned stack with each of the dustpan sheets being removably secured to the adhesive layer of a next one of the dustpan sheets in the aligned stack.
In some examples, there is a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, and the final sheet layer has an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a further adhesive layer for removably sticking to the surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a fastener securing mechanism for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets includes an adhesion prophylactic layer.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.
In example embodiments, a method of manufacturing sheets for use in a dustpan includes: providing an adhesive layer on at a least a portion of an upper surface of a plurality of sheets; arranging the plurality of sheets in an aligned stack with the adhesive layer of each sheet other than a top sheet releasably securing an adjacent one of the sheets in the aligned stack; and cutting the aligned stack to comprise a stack of dustpan sheets configured to be received in a dustpan.
In some examples, the cutting includes cutting a protruding tab on a side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the cutting includes cutting a plurality of protruding tabs extending from one or more side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs has at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the method further includes an adhesive layer that has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In example embodiments, the method includes assembling a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, the final sheet layer having an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the method further includes attaching a fastener securing mechanism to the lower surface for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the method further includes attaching an adhesion prophylactic layer to a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.
In examples embodiments, a dustpan assembly has a dustpan comprising a base, the base having an open face for collecting dust and debris; and a dustpan pad comprising at least one dustpan sheet comprising an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, configured to be received in the dustpan.
In some examples, a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, a plurality of tabs extend from one or more side edges of the dustpan sheet, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.
In some examples, the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.
In some examples, the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.
In some examples, the dustpan sheet has a plurality of the dustpan sheets, the dustpan sheets being arranged in an aligned stack with each of the dustpan sheets being removably secured to the adhesive layer of a next one of the dustpan sheets in the aligned stack.
In some examples, there is a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, the final sheet layer having an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a further adhesive layer for removably sticking to the surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a fastener securing mechanism for securing to a surface of the dustpan.
In some examples, a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets includes an adhesion prophylactic layer.
In some examples, the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiments of the present application, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top of an example dustpan;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bottom on the example dustpan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of example dustpan of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of example dustpan of FIGS. 1-3 with an inserted example dustpan pad;

FIG. 5 is a back view of example dustpan of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of example dustpan of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of example dustpan of FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example dustpan pad;

FIG. 9 is a top view of example dustpan pad of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top view of example dustpan pad of FIGS. 8-9 with a dustpan sheet partially removed; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of example dustpan pad of FIGS. 8-10 with a dustpan sheet further partially removed.

FIG. 12 is an example alternative embodiment of a top view of a dustpan with an edge protector lever;

FIG. 13 is an example embodiment of a top view of the dustpan of FIG. 12 with the edge protector lever depressed;

FIG. 14 is an example alternative embodiment of a top view of a dustpan with compression elements affixed to a removable base;

FIG. 15 is an example embodiment of a top view of the dustpan of FIG. 14 with an example dustpan sheet partially removed;

FIG. 16 is an example embodiment of a bottom side of the dustpan of FIGS. 14-15 with the dustpan base partially removed;

FIG. 17 is an example of at least one dustpan sheet on the removable dustpan base of FIGS. 14-16;

FIG. 18 is an example of an alternative embodiment of a top view of a dustpan with attached pad;

FIG. 19 are top views of example varying shapes of example dustpans with at least one adhesive sheet removably attached;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a dustpan having a removable adhesive sheet for collecting dust and debris according to an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a dustpan having at least one removable adhesive sheet for collecting dust and debris according to an alternative embodiment.

Similar reference numerals may have been used in different figures to denote similar components.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An example dustpan 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-7. Dustpan 100 may be used with a broom or a brush to collect dust and debris from a surface such as a floor or countertop. Dustpan 100 may comprise a base 102 with an open front face 107 for collecting dust and debris. Dustpan 100 may comprise at least one sidewall for retaining dust and debris swept into the dustpan 100. The at least one sidewall may include a rear-side wall 106, a right-side wall 104 and a left-side wall 108 that collectively extend around three sides of the base 102.
Dustpan 100 may comprise handle 116 for ease of gripping or handling dustpan 100 by a user of dustpan 100. Handle 116 may further define a hole 122 for hanging dustpan 100 on, for example, a hanging rack in a store or a rack in a home.
Dustpan 100 may comprise incline 118 and element 120 that extend along a bottom edge of the open front face 107 of the base 102, which may be inclined with respect to base 102. Element 120, which functions as an interface between the incline 118 and the surface that is being cleaned, may be made of a rubber or another suitable material. Incline 118 and/or element 120 may allow for dustpan 100 to be substantially flush with a surface for ease of collecting dust and debris. Element 120 may be removable. Incline 118 and element 120 may facilitate sweeping of dust and debris with a broom or brush from the surface into the dustpan 100.
In an example embodiment, the bottom portions of rear-side wall 106, right-side wall 104 and left-side wall 108 collectively form a peripheral lip or flange 105 around the rear, right and left sides of an upper surface 103 of the base 102 of dustpan 100. Dustpan 100 may comprise tab receptacles 110, 112, and 114 formed in the flange 105 at the edges of the base 102. Tab receptacles may be configured for receiving tabs 802, 804, and 806 of a dustpan pad 800 as shown in FIG. 8. For example, tab receptacle 110 may receive tab 802, tab receptacle 112 may receive tab 804, and tab receptacle 114 may receive tab 806. Tab receptacles 110 and 114 may be positioned on opposed sides of dustpan 100, and tab receptacle 112 may be positioned on a rear portion of dustpan 100. Dustpan 100 may comprise fewer than three tab receptacles or more than three tab receptacles.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are bottom views of example dustpan 100. Tab receptacles 114, 112, and 110 may protrude from a bottom side base 102.
FIG. 4 is an example of a top view of dustpan 100, with an example of a dustpan pad 800 positioned on an upper surface 103 of the base 102. The dustpan pad 800 may include one or more dustpan sheets. Example tab receptacles 110 and 114 may be positioned on opposed sides of dustpan 100, and tab receptacle 112 may be positioned on a rear or back portion of dustpan 100.
FIGS. 8-9 disclose an example of a dustpan pad 800 for insertion into dustpan 100. In an example embodiment, dustpan pad 800 may comprise three tabs 802, 804 and 806 for insertion into three tab receptacles 110, 112 and 114 respectively. Dustpan pad 800 may comprise more than three tabs or fewer than three tabs.
In example embodiments, dustpan pad 800 may comprise an adhesive layer 808 so that dust and debris that is, for example, swept onto the adhesive layer 808 may stick to the adhesive layer 808. Dust and debris may be swept onto the adhesive layer 808. The adhesive layer 808 may therefore be made of an appropriate stickiness (adhesion) for collecting dust and debris. For example, adhesive layer 808 may have an adhesion of a minimum of 20 oz/in or up to an average of 30 oz/in. Adhesive layer 808 may further be an alternative level of stickiness. Once contaminated with dust and debris, the top adhesive sheet 812 of dustpan pad 800 to which dust or debris or both may be adhered to may be removed and disposed.
With reference to FIGS. 10-11, dustpan pad 800 may comprise a plurality of removable dustpan sheets that are arranged in an aligned stack, such as example sheets 812 and 814. Top sheet 812 may be removable from lower sheet 814. A user may grip one of tabs 802, 804 or 806 a and withdraw top sheet 812 from lower sheet 814. Top sheet 812 may be withdrawn from lower sheet 814 and disposed of while dustpan pad 800 is inserted into dustpan 100, for example, after sufficient dust and debris has been swept onto adhesive layer 808 such that little or no more dust and debris can stick to top sheet 812. In alternative embodiments, top sheet 812 may be removed when dustpan pad 800 has not been inserted into dustpan 100. Each of the sheets 812, 814 etc. may be formed from a respective flexible substrate sheet layer (such as paper or plastic) and include a respective adhesive layer 808 on its respective upper surface.
In some examples, one or more of the plurality of sheets 812, 814 may be coated with an adhesion prophylactic on an opposite facing surface (for example a bottom side surface) than adhesive layer 808 to limit a top dustpan sheet from sticking to the sheet below it. For example, top sheet 812 may be coated on its bottom surface with adhesion prophylactic 815 to limit the degree of adhesion of top sheet 812 to lower sheet 814. This allows for ease of removal of top sheet 812 from lower sheet 814.
In some examples, with further reference to FIGS. 10-11, the layer of adhesion 808 may not extend to any tabs such that the tabs are non-adhesive. For example, adhesive layer 808 on top sheet 812 may not extend to example tabs 802, 804 and 806 a. Further, adhesive layer 808 on lower sheet 814 may not extend to example tab 806 b. The lack of adhesive layers 808 on tabs 802, 804, 806 a and 806 b allow for ease of gripping and removal of top sheet 812 from bottom sheet 814.
Upon removal of the top adhesive sheet 812, at least one unsoiled adhesive sheet 814 may remain and may be removably attached to the base 102 of the dustpan 100 or to a bottom rigid sheet layer of the dustpan pad 800.
In example embodiments, a bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 may be thicker and/or more rigid than each of the adhesive sheets 812, 814 and may be made of a material such as cardboard or another suitable material. A thicker or more rigid material may provide added support to dustpan pad 800 as it adheres to base 102 of dustpan 100.
In some examples, both a bottom side of the bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 and a top side of the bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 are coated with adhesive layers 808. The bottom rigid sheet layer 820 of dustpan pad 800 may therefore adhere to base 102 of dustpan 100 and also to the adhesive sheet above it (for example sheet 814).
The dustpan 100 may comprise handle 116, which may include a hinge at the connection of the handle to the base. The base 102 may be attached to one end of the handle 116. According to an embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be an upright dustpan, wherein the handle 116 may be greater than one foot in length and may be held by a user in a standing position. According to an alternative embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be a handheld dustpan, wherein the handle 116 is less than one foot in length and shaped to be received in a human hand. The dustpan 100 and the dustpan pad 800 and/or adhesive sheets 812, 814 may be of varying shapes and sizes such that the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814 may be configured to fit within the base 102 of the dustpan 100.
According to an embodiment, the sheet pad 800 is an adhesive sheet 812 that can be removed from dustpan base 102 and replaced after each use. According to a further embodiment, the sheet pad 800 includes a stack of individually removable adhesive sheets 812, 814. The number of adhesive sheets may be chosen according to the thickness of the adhesive sheets and the configuration of the base 102 such that the thickness of the plurality of adhesive sheets in aggregate does not unduly impede the collection of dust or debris into the dustpan. For example, the stack could include between 2 to 10 adhesive sheets 812, 814 that each include an adhesive layer 808 on a top side thereof, secured to a bottom, rigid sheet layer 820 that has adhesive layers 808 on both its top and bottom sides.
The dustpan 100 may be constructed from lightweight materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity. According to an embodiment, the dustpan 100 may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable lightweight material known to a skilled person that would provide sufficient strength and rigidity.
In an example embodiment of use of the dustpan 100, the dustpan 100 may be used with a removable adhesive sheet pad 800 to collect dust or debris or both. According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet pad 800 may be removably attached to the base 102 of the dustpan 100. Dust or debris or both may be swept into the dustpan 100 onto an exposed or top adhesive sheet 812 of the adhesive sheet pad 800. Next, the exposed adhesive sheet 812, 814 with dust or debris or both now adhered to it may be removed and discarded, exposing a lower adhesive sheet 814. The tab 802, 804, 806 a/b may be pulled by a user to remove the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814 from the dustpan 100.
According to an embodiment, the adhesive sheet pad 800 may comprise a bottom sheet layer 820. The bottom sheet layer 820 may include a first side (e.g. bottom) and a second side (e.g. top), wherein the first side is positioned against the upper surface 103 of the base 102 of the dustpan 100 and the second side is positioned proximally to the at least one adhesive sheet 812, 814. The first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 may attach to the base 102 of the dustpan 100 by adhesive as noted above, or by any other suitable means known in the art including hook and loop fasteners or clips. According to an embodiment, the first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 of the adhesive sheet pad 800 may attach to the upper surface 103 of the base 102 of the dustpan 100 using hook and loop fasteners such that a hook fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom sheet layer 820 and a loop fastener is secured to the upper surface 103 of base 102 of the dustpan 100, or vice versa.
With reference to FIG. 12, an alternative embodiment of an example dustpan 1200 is disclosed. Sticky sheet edge protector lever 1204 and edge protector 1202 protect edges of a sticky sheet on a sticky pad stack 1206 from collecting dust and debris. Edge protector 1202 may further retain sticky pad stack 1206 on dustpan 1200 and hold sticky pad stack 1206 in place on dustpan 1200.
FIG. 13 discloses lever 1204, which in some examples is attached to edge protector 1202. In some examples, lever 1204 is depressed or pushed to release edge protector 1202. A sticky sheet on sticky pad stack 1206 may then be removed. Sticky sheet on sticky pad stack 1206 may comprise a tab 1208 to allow for easy removal of sticky sheet from sticky pad stack 1206. In some examples tab 1208 is not sticky to allow for easy removal of the sticky sheet.
With reference to FIGS. 14-17, an alternative example dustpan embodiment is disclosed. FIG. 14 discloses compression elements 1410 that may be attached to dustpan 1400. Compression elements 1410 may help force sticky pad stack 1406 and sheets on stack 1406 upward to seal against an underside of dustpan 1400. The compression elements 1410 may include spring clips. Lever 1404 may be depressed to allow for removal of sticky pad stack 1406 and/or removal of a sticky sheet on sticky pad stack 1406.
With reference to FIG. 15, an embodiment is shown with lever 1404 depressed and an example removal of sticky sheet 1403 from sticky pad stack 1406. Sticky sheet 1403 on sticky pad stack 1406 may comprise a tab 1408 to allow for easy removal of sticky sheet 1403 from sticky pad stack 1406. Edges of sticky sheets on sticky pad stack 1406 adjacent to dustpan 1400 may be perforated to allow for easy removal of a top most layer of sticky pad stack 1406, for example sticky sheet 1403. Further, the underside of sticky sheet 1403 may comprise an adhesion prophylactic 1405 to reduce stickiness and allow for easy removal of a top sticky sheet 1403.
FIG. 16 discloses a bottom side of example dustpan 1400. Refill cartridge holder 1600 contains sticky pad stack 1406. Sticky pad stack 1406 is insertable into cartridge holder 1600, for example by sliding sticky pad stack 1406 into cartridge holder 1600.
Sticky pad cartridge holder 1600 is further disclosed in FIG. 17. Sticky pad cartridge holder 1600 may comprise a bottom rigid layer 1602 providing sufficient strength and rigidity, and one or more sticky sheets 1604 positioned in a stack on top of bottom rigid layer 1602.
An alternative example dustpan 1800 is disclosed in FIG. 18. Dustpan 1800 has a pad 1802, which may be removable or non-removable. Pad 1802 may be washable and may be a polymeric pad or other suitable material. During an example of using dustpan 1800, a user may sweep dust and debris onto the pad 1802. Pad 1802 may then be washed, for example, in a sink, to remove dust and debris.
Dustpan 1800 may further include an angled surface 1804, which is angled with respect to pad 1802 to allow for sweeping of dust and debris onto pad 1802.
FIG. 19 discloses examples of shape profiles of example dustpans, which may be shapes of, for example, dustpans 100, 1200 and/or 1800 disclosed herein. Further, other shape profiles may be used.
Further example embodiments will be disclosed with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.
According to an example embodiment shown in FIG. 20, a dustpan such as dustpan 1000 may be used with a broom or a brush to collect dust and debris from a surface. The dustpan 1000 may comprise a base 1050, which may have an open face for collecting dust and debris. The dustpan 1000 may comprise at least one side wall for retaining dust and debris swept into the dustpan 1000. According to an embodiment, the base 1050 may have at least one side wall, and in a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 20 the base 1050 may include a rear-side wall 1100, a right-side wall 1150 and a left-side wall 1200.
According to a further embodiment as shown in FIG. 21, a dustpan 2000 may comprise a base 2050 and a detachable top frame 2400. The dustpan 2000 may comprise at least one side wall for retaining dust and debris swept into the dustpan 2000. The at least one side wall may comprise a rear-side wall 2100, a right-side wall 2150 and a left-side wall 2200. The base 2050 may comprise a bottom portion having an open face. The detachable top frame 2400 may attach to the bottom portion of the base 2050 at or near the perimeter of the base 2050 using a securing mechanism. The detachable top frame 2400 may comprise a rear-side edge 2450, a front-side edge 2500, a right-side edge 2550 and a left-side edge 2600. The front-side edge 2500 of the detachable top frame 2400 may provide a ramp 2300 upon attachment of the detachable top frame 2400 to the bottom portion of the base 2050 of the dustpan 2000. The ramp 2300 may be used to facilitate the sweeping of dust and debris with the broom or the brush from the surface into the dustpan 2000.
The bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 may further comprise at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 that may be removably attached to the open face of the bases 1050, 2050. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be used to collect dust and debris swept into the dustpans 1000, 2000. Once contaminated with dust and debris, the top adhesive sheet of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 to which dust or debris or both may be adhered to may be removed and disposed. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may also include a non-adhesive tab extending outwardly away from an edge of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The non-adhesive tab may be used as a grip for selectively removing the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 that has become contaminated with dust and debris. Upon removal of the top adhesive sheet 1250, 2250, at least one unsoiled adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may remain or a further adhesive sheet may be removably attached to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 before further use of the dustpan.
The dustpans 1000, 2000 may comprise handles 1300, 2300, which may include a hinge at the connection of the handle to the base. The bases 1050, 2050 may be attached to one end of the handles 1300, 2300. According to an embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be upright dustpans, wherein the handles 1300, 2300 may be greater than one foot in length and may be held by a user in a standing position. According to a further embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be handheld dustpans, wherein the handles are less than one foot in length and shaped to be received in the human hand. The dustpans 1000, 2000 and the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be of varying shapes and sizes such that the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may fit within the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 is a single adhesive sheet that is replaced after each use. According to a further embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 is a plurality of adhesive sheets where the number of adhesive sheets chosen is influenced by the thickness of the adhesive sheets and the configuration of the bases 1050, 2050 such that the thickness of the plurality of adhesive sheets in aggregate does not unduly impede the collection of dust or debris into the dustpan.
The dustpans 1000, 2000 may be constructed from lightweight materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity. According to an embodiment, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be made of plastic, metal or any other suitable lightweight material known to a skilled person that would provide sufficient strength and rigidity.
In use, the dustpans 1000, 2000 may be used with a removable adhesive sheet to collect dust or debris or both. According to an embodiment, at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may be removably attached to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. Dust or debris or both may be swept into the dustpans 1000, 2000 onto one of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. Next, the adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 with dust or debris or both adhered to it may be removed and discarded. The at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may include a non-adhesive tab extending outwardly away from an edge of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The non-adhesive tab may be pulled by a user to remove the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 from the dustpans 1000, 2000.
According to an embodiment, the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may comprise a bottom layer. The bottom layer may include a first side and a second side, wherein the first side is proximal to the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000. The bases 1050, 2050 may include a first side and a second side, wherein the second side is proximal to the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250. The first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may attach to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 by any suitable means known in the art including hook and loop fasteners, clips and adhesives. According to an embodiment, the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 may attach to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000 using hook and loop fasteners such that a hook fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 and a loop fastener is secured to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000, or a loop fastener is secured to the first side of the bottom layer of the at least one adhesive sheet 1250, 2250 and a hook fastener is secured to the second side of the bases 1050, 2050 of the dustpans 1000, 2000.
The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are intended to be examples only. The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms. Alterations, modifications and variations to the disclosure may be made without departing from the intended scope of the present disclosure. While the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a specific number of elements/components, the systems, devices and assemblies could be modified to include additional or fewer of such elements/components. For example, while any of the elements/components disclosed may be referenced as being singular, the embodiments disclosed herein could be modified to include a plurality of such elements/components. Selected features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments not explicitly described. All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges are also disclosed. The subject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

Claims

1. A dustpan sheet comprising:

an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, wherein the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a dustpan.

2. The dustpan sheet of claim 1, wherein a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.

3. The dustpan sheet of claim 1, including a plurality of tabs extending from one or more side edges thereof, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.

4. The dustpan sheet of claim 3, wherein the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.

5. The dustpan sheet of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. A method of manufacturing a dustpan pad for use in a dustpan comprising:

providing an adhesive layer on at a least a portion of an upper surface of a plurality of sheets;

arranging the plurality of sheets in an aligned stack with the adhesive layer of each sheet other than a top sheet releasably securing an adjacent one of the sheets in the aligned stack; and

cutting the aligned stack to comprise a stack of dustpan sheets configured to be received in a dustpan.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cutting comprises cutting a protruding tab on a side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the cutting comprises cutting a plurality of protruding tabs extending from one or more side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of each of the plurality of dustpan sheets that extends between the opposite side edges.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. A dustpan assembly comprising:

a dustpan comprising a base, the base having an open face for collecting dust and debris; and

a dustpan pad comprising at least one dustpan sheet comprising an adhesive layer on at least a portion of an upper surface of the dustpan sheet, configured to be received in the dustpan.

23. The dustpan assembly of claim 22, wherein a tab on a side edge of the dustpan sheet is configured to be received in a tab receptacle of the dustpan.

24. The dustpan assembly of claim 22, including a plurality of tabs extending from one or more side edges of the dustpan sheet, the tabs each configured to be received in a respective tab receptacle of the dustpan.

25. The dustpan assembly of claim 24, wherein the plurality of tabs comprises at least two tabs positioned on opposite side edges of the dustpan sheet and at least one tab positioned on a back side edge of the dustpan sheet that extends between the opposite side edges.

26. The dustpan assembly of claim 22, wherein the adhesive layer has an adhesion of at least 20 oz/in.

27. The dustpan assembly of claim 22, wherein the dustpan sheet comprises a plurality of the dustpan sheets, the dustpan sheets being arranged in an aligned stack with each of the dustpan sheets being removably secured to the adhesive layer of a next one of the dustpan sheets in the aligned stack.

28. The dustpan assembly of claim 27 further comprising a final dustpan sheet layer in the aligned stack, the final sheet layer having an upper surface with an adhesive layer removably secured to a final dustpan sheet in the stack, and a lower surface removably securable to a surface of the dustpan.

29. The dustpan assembly of claim 28 wherein the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a further adhesive layer for removably sticking to the surface of the dustpan.

30. The dustpan assembly of claim 28 wherein the lower surface of the final sheet layer includes a fastener securing mechanism for securing to a surface of the dustpan.

31. The dustpan assembly of claim 27 wherein a lower surface of each of the dustpan sheets includes an adhesion prophylactic layer.

32. The dustpan assembly of claim 27 wherein the final sheet layer is more rigid than the dustpan sheets.