US20210259503A1

US20210259503A1 - Cleaning Device and Method of Use Thereof

Info

Publication number: US20210259503A1
Application number: US17/182,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Yamil Saba; Ahmad Adam Kayali
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-20
Filing date: 2021-02-22
Publication date: 2021-08-26

Abstract

A cleaning device comprising a glove having a first side and a second side directly opposite said first side, a front end defining a fingers section and a rear end defining a glove opening and a palm section between said fingers section and the rear end and an outer perimeter of the glove; a length of insulating material securely coupled to said first side of the glove; a cleaning layer extending the length of the insulating material and said first side of the glove portion and coupled to the length of insulating material; and a pull element operatively coupled to said rear portion of the glove and a securing element coupling said pull element to said rear portion of the glove; wherein said glove is used to clean an external surface and turned around from the glove opening and used as a disposable container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/979,072 filed on Feb. 20, 2020, then entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a cleaning device and a glove cleaning device comprising a pre-moistened wipe and an insulative protective layer. More particularly, the invention relates to a device useful in cleaning external surfaces such as homes and workplaces which can also be used to collect dirt and spills and used as a trash container or receptable after use wherein the hand of the user does not get contaminated by the cleaning solutions or contaminants cleaned with the device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In markets today, there are very limited products offered for cleaning a surface with a pre-moistened wipe without having a user's hand contaminated with either the product of the wipe or the spill and dirt of the surface to be cleaned. In addition, most wipes on the market, either dry or pre-moistened can be hard to use when a user wants to gather and collect the dirt and/or spill at the end of the cleaning. In fact, usually a broom or vacuum cleaner is required to first collect the dirt, then a wipe is typically used afterwards since most single wipes are not absorbent enough for regular spills.
Cleaning products and detergents are usually used for performing cleaning and household chores. These cleaning liquids and cleansers can be detrimental to users with dry or sensitive skin. The cleansers' chemical content may cause rashes, skin dryness or other skin conditions. Even routine contact with water caused by regular dish washing can cause dry skin. Sometimes, gloves are worn when such household chores are performed to avoid skin contact with harsh chemicals or potentially hazardous materials.
Although traditional gloves can protect the hands, it is often difficult to clean with bulky gloves and they don't always provide the required cleaning functionality. And even when cleaning gloves are more flexible and offer better prehensility, the cleaning functionalities are typically limited, and one cannot easily clean up dirt and messes with cleaning gloves alone.
Other pre-moistened wipes products offered or disposable wipes for wiping surfaces are popular in markets today. Single-use items are commonly used for household cleaning, office cleaning and in various businesses and industries. Of these single-use items, both disposable wipes and disposable gloves are popular consumer and professional products. However, there is currently nothing on the market that provides a form fitting glove that can be worn on a user's hand to help with cleaning without contaminating a user's hand with either the cleaning solution used to moisten the wipe or the dirt and spill to be collected.
Currently, there are no useful alternatives that effectively assist a user clean surfaces without contaminating a user's hand and also serves as a trash receptacle or container. As will be disclosed below, the present disclosure addresses these needs and covers a device and method to clean external surfaces to prevent these inconveniences and solve these issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is embodied as a cleaning device including a glove portion, a pre-moistened cleaning layer and an absorbing insulating material between the glove and the pre-moistened wipe such that when a user uses the cleaning device, the user's hands remain dry and uncontaminated by the cleaning products and by the dirt or spill cleaned.
In one embodiment, the cleaning device has a glove with a first side and a second side opposite thereof. The first side or bottom side is coupled to an absorbing material and a pre-moistened wipe whereas the second side or top side remains dry and in contact with a user's hand. The glove portion of the cleaning device has a front portion or a finger section and a rear portion with an opening to allow a user to place their hand inside the glove portion and inside the cleaning device.
In another embodiment, the opening of the glove portion further includes a pull element that can be used for tightening the cleaning device around a user's hand, and when done cleaning, a user can pull the glove opening, turn around the cleaning device and use the pull element to close the cleaning device. This way, the cleaning device is used as both a cleaning apparatus and a receptable or container for trash and the user does not need a separate bag to collect the dirt and grime of the cleanup.
In one embodiment, the cleaning device has an absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe extend to an entire surface area of the first side of the glove such that the entire side of the cleaning portion is covered with a pre-moistened wipe and absorbing material, allowing for an extended cleaning surface area.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the absorbing material is sandwiched between the pre-moistened wipe and the first side of the glove. Here, when a user places a hand in the glove and uses the cleaning device for cleaning, the user's hand remains dry and uncontaminated by cleaning product or dirt cleaned up.
The present disclosure can also be embodied in a cleaning device where the glove, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe are bonded at least along a peripheral edge of the glove. In another embodiment, the glove, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe are heat bonded together, stitched together, stapled together, glued together, and/or cold bonded together.
In another embodiment, the cleaning device of the present disclosure has a pull element that can be either a pull string, a drawstring, a string, an elastic band, a bracelet, an adhesive drawstring, a bracelet and/or a garter. The pull element can also include a tie and/or an adhesive element such that when a user cleans using the cleaning device and removes the cleaning device by turning it over, the adhesive or tie element can help seal the cleanup inside the cleaning device. By turning over the cleaning device, it can be used as a trash receptable to collect the post cleanup.
In accordance with one form of this disclosure, there is provided a method for using a cleaning device comprising the steps of providing a cleaning device with a glove portion and a pre-moistened wipe, inserting a hand inside the glove compartment, using the cleaning device to clean an external surface, removing said cleaning device by pulling on an opening portion of the glove compartment and tying said opening portion to enclose a used cleaning device.
Before explaining the various embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the embodiment, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale.

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an alternative another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiments of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiments of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present disclosure after use.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging containing cleaning devices of the present disclosure.

The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiment and various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon, FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a cleaning device 100 incorporating a glove 110 having a first side 111 and a second side 112 directly opposite the first side such that when worn, the first side would be the closest side to the palm of a user. The glove also includes a front end defining a fingers section 113 and a rear end defining a glove opening 114. In one embodiment, the fingers section 113 has a delimitation 117 between each finger, and fits snugly on a user's hand. In other embodiment, the finger section is separated into two section, one section for four fingers and a section for the prehensile thumb opposed to the four fingers sections. In yet another embodiment, the glove only has one main compartment where the user can insert their hands but does not have individualized or separate compartments for the different fingers.
In one embodiment, the cleaning device and glove has a length of absorbing material securely coupled to the first side of the glove and to a pre-moistened wipe extending the length of the absorbing material and the first side of the glove portion and coupled to both the glove portion and the length of absorbing material. The absorbing material is used to ensure than when cleaning and when the cleaning glove is worn, a user's hand stays dry and does not get contaminated with either the chemical used in the pre-moistened wipe or the dirt and spill collected by the cleaning device and cleaning glove. While in one embodiment, the absorbing material extends throughout the surface of the glove, in other embodiments, the absorbing length only covers a portion of the glove that includes the pre-moistened wipe.
In one embodiment, the cleaning device and cleaning glove has a pull element 140 along the rear portion of the glove or opening of the glove 114. The pull element can be a pull string, a drawstring, a string, an elastic band, a bracelet, an adhesive drawstring, a bracelet and/or a garter.
In embodiments including the pull element, the glove can be used to clean an external surface and turned around from the glove opening and used as a disposable container. In addition, the pull element can serve as a tie to tie up the glove or disposable container such that the collected dirt and cleanup remains inside the glove which now serves as a trash receptacle. In this embodiment, the glove can be used for pet cleanups to sanitize a surface, pick up pet waste, then sanitarily flipped over thanks to the pull element, and using the pull element, tied together to serve as a waste container.
In some embodiments, the pull element also includes an adhesive element such that when a user cleans using the cleaning device and removes said cleaning device by turning over said device, the adhesive element seals cleaning inside said device.
In one embodiment, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe extend an entire surface area of the first side of the glove. In other embodiments, the absorbing material only extends to the portion of the glove that has the pre-moistened wipe element and the wipe element does not extend the entire surface of the glove. In some embodiments, the wipe has a thickness to it and only the portion facing out is pre-moistened, thereby not needing the absorbing element.
In some embodiments, a portion of the cleaning device includes scrubbing elements on the outer face of the glove or device to assist with clean-ups.
In yet another embodiment, the absorbing material is sandwiched between the pre-moistened wipe and the first side of the glove wherein when a user places a hand in said glove and uses the cleaning device for cleaning, the user's hand remains dry and uncontaminated.
In some embodiments, the glove, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe are bonded at least along a peripheral edge of the glove. In other embodiments, the glove, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe are heat bonded together. The glove, the absorbing material and the pre-moistened wipe can be stitched, stapled, glued, heat bonded and/or cold bonded.
FIGS. 1 through 5 show various embodiments of the cleaning device. In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the cleaning layer covers the entirety of the first side 111 of the glove 110, whereas in other embodiments, the cleaning layer only covers a portion of the first side 111 of the glove 110 and covers the finger section and part of the palm section. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the cleaning layer extends outwardly from the outer perimeter 116 of the glove. In this embodiment, the cleaning layer 130 can be a pre-moistened wipe and can be rectangular, square of circular.
In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning device 100 includes a glove 110 having a first side 111 and a second side 112 directly opposite the first side. The cleaning device also has a front end defining a fingers section 113 and a rear portion defining a glove opening 114 and a palm section 115 between the fingers section 113 and the rear portion 114 and an outer perimeter 116 of the glove.
In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 10, the cleaning device also comprises a length of insulating material defining an insulating layer 120 securely coupled to the first side of the glove 111. This insulation layer can be a protective layer, a waterproof layer or any other material which stops cleaning agents and outside contaminants from permeating into the glove or a hand of a user. In other embodiments, the insulating layer also includes padding for ease of use and comfort.
In other embodiments, the cleaning device does not include an insulating layer 120 and the cleaning layer 130 is directly attached to the glove portion 110 which is made of a waterproof and insulating flexible material.
As shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, a cleaning layer 130 extends at least the length of the insulating material 120 and the first side 111 of the glove portion 110. Here, the cleaning layer is coupled to the length of insulating material 120. In other embodiments, the cleaning layer is attached directly to the glove portion 110.
In some embodiments, the cleaning device 100 includes a pull element 140 operatively connected to the rear portion 114 of the glove. In some embodiments, the cleaning device also includes a securing element 142 coupling the pull element to the rear portion of the glove 114. In other embodiments the pull element is attached directly to the cleaning device 100 and does not require securing elements for the pull element. In these embodiment when the glove and cleaning device is used to clean an external surface, a user can turn it around from the glove opening 114 and used as a disposable container 150 as shown in FIG. 11.
In some embodiments the cleaning layer 130 can be a pre-moistened cleaning wipe coupled to the insulating layer and the glove and extending outwardly from the outer perimeter of the glove. In other embodiments, the cleaning layer 130 can be directly attached to a glove which acts as a glove and insulating layer to protect a user's hand.
In some embodiments, the cleaning layer 130 can be a pre-moistened cleaning wipe, a textured cloth adapted to receive a solution, a reusable cleaning wipe saturated with a cleaning solution, a padded absorbing wipe for cleaning and/or a disposable cleaning wipe saturated with a cleaning solution.
In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insulating material 120 and the cleaning layer 130 extend an entire surface area of the first side of the glove 111. In some embodiments, the cleaning layer and insulating layer can extend beyond the entire surface area of the first side of the glove 111.
In other embodiments, the insulating material and insulating layer 120 is sandwiched between the cleaning layer 130 and the first side of the glove 111 such that when a user places a hand in the glove and uses the cleaning device for cleaning, the user's hand remains dry and uncontaminated.
In one embodiment the glove 110, the insulating material 120 and the cleaning layer 130 are bonded at least along the outer perimeter of the glove with at least one of an adhesive and mechanical stitching. In other embodiments, the glove layer 110, the insulating layer 120 and the cleaning layer 130 are bonded together along an entire surface area of the first side of the glove. Here, the glove's first side 111, the cleaning layer 130 and the insulating layer 120 can be secured together with stitches, staples, an adhesive, a reusable adhesive, a glue, a heat bond and/or a cold bond. In one particular embodiment the cleaning layer is bonded either directly to the glove portion or to the glove and an insulating layer with a reusable adhesive. In this particular embodiment, the cleaning device 100 can be reused a user can use a cleaning layer, remove it and attach another cleaning layer for ease of reusability all while keeping a user's hand dry and uncontaminated.
In one embodiment, the pull element 140 can be a pull string, a drawstring, a string, an elastic band, a bracelet, an adhesive drawstring, a bracelet and/or a garter attached directly to the glove rear end portion 114, or secured to the rear portion 114 with stiches, staples and/or adhesive. In one particular embodiment, the pull element is within the rear portion 114 where the rear portion includes a fold creating a channel for the pull element. In another particular embodiment, the fold includes an opening such that the pull element 140 is visible to a user and the user can pull the pull element 140 to secure the glove snug onto the user's hand, and then use the pull element to close the inside of the cleaning device and dispose of the contaminants.
In yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, the pull element 140 also includes an adhesive element 145 such that when a user cleans using the cleaning device and removes said cleaning device by turning over said device, the adhesive element seals an outer contaminant inside the cleaning device 110.
In one particular embodiment, the securing element 142 coupling the pull element 140 to the rear portion of the glove 114 is a structural portion of the rear portion of the glove folded and on itself and coupled to itself thereby defining a channel for the pull element and wherein the glove folded portion further comprises an opening allowing the pull element to be pulled outwardly and adapted to be tied.
In some embodiments, the cleaning layer 130 is a pre-moistened cleaning wipe including comprising perforations 135 adapted to facilitate adhesion to the insulation layer 120 and/or the glove portion 110.
In another embodiment, the glove 110 is formed from a single sheet of flexible plastic and can be a hypoallergenic plastic, a recyclable plastic, a recycled plastic, and/or a biodegradable plastic.
In one particular embodiment the glove 110, the insulating material 120, and the cleaning layer 130 are attached together along the outer perimeter of the glove 116.
The present disclosure can also be embodied in a kit 200 which includes a resealable packaging 210 as shown in FIG. 12, and comprise one of more cleaning devices 100 disposed within the packaging. Here, each of the ne cleaning devices comprises a glove having a first side and a second side directly opposite the first side, a front end defining a fingers section and a rear end defining a glove opening and a palm section between the fingers section and the rear end and an outer perimeter of the glove. The cleaning device also includes a length of insulating material attached to first side of the glove, a pre-moistened cleaning layer extending the length of the insulating material and the first side of the glove portion and coupled to the length of insulating material; and a pull element operatively coupled to the rear portion of the glove and a securing element coupling the pull element to the rear portion of the glove; wherein the glove is used to clean an external surface and turned around from the glove opening and used as a disposable container.
In some embodiments, this kit includes cleaning devices that do not comprise an insulating layer. In other embodiments, the packaging includes a plurality of cleaning devices. In one particular embodiment, the cleaning devices inside the packaging are folded around a portion of another cleaning device such that when a user pulls a cleaning device, a second cleaning device is at the packaging top surface for ease of use.
The present disclosure can be embodied in a method of using a cleaning device comprising the steps of providing a cleaning device with a glove compartment and a pre-moistened wipe, inserting a hand inside the glove compartment, using the cleaning device to clean an external surface, removing said cleaning device by pulling on an opening portion of the glove compartment, tying said opening portion to enclose a used cleaning device.
In some embodiments, the method includes having a cleaning device with a glove compartment, an insulating material and a pre-moistened wipe and a pull element; inserting a user's hand inside the glove compartment; cleaning an external surface with the cleaning device; removing said cleaning device by pulling on the pull element; and tying the pull element to enclose a used cleaning device. In other embodiments, a user removes cleaning devices individually from a package prior to inserting their hand inside the glove compartment, removing the cleaning device from a resealable packaging. In another embodiment, the user seals the used cleaning device with a sealable and adhesive pull element.
As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

a) a glove having a first side and a second side directly opposite said first side, a front end defining a fingers section and a rear portion defining a glove opening and a palm section between said fingers section and the rear portion and an outer perimeter of the glove;

b) a length of insulating material defining an insulating layer securely coupled to said first side of the glove;

c) a cleaning layer extending the length of the insulating material and said first side of the glove and coupled to the length of insulating material; and

d) a pull element operatively coupled to said rear portion of the glove and a securing element coupling said pull element to said rear portion of the glove; wherein said glove is used to clean an external surface and turned around from the glove opening and used as a disposable container.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning layer is a pre-moistened cleaning wipe coupled to the insulating layer and the glove and extending outwardly from the outer perimeter of the glove.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning layer is one of a pre-moistened cleaning wipe, a textured cloth adapted to receive a solution, a reusable cleaning wipe saturated with a cleaning solution, and a disposable cleaning wipe saturated with a cleaning solution.

4. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the insulating material and the cleaning layer extend an entire surface area of the first side of the glove.

5. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the insulating material is sandwiched between the cleaning layer and the first side of the glove wherein when a user places a hand in said glove and uses said cleaning device for cleaning, said user's hand remains dry and uncontaminated.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the glove, the insulating material and the cleaning layer are bonded at least along the outer perimeter of the glove with at least one of an adhesive and mechanical stitching.

7. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the glove, the insulating material and the cleaning layer are bonded together along an entire surface area of the first side of the glove.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the glove, the insulating material and the cleaning layer are secured together with at least one of a stitch, a staple, an adhesive, a reusable adhesive, a glue, a heat bond and a cold bond.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the pull element is at least one of a pull string, a drawstring, a string, an elastic band, a bracelet, an adhesive drawstring, a bracelet and a garter.

10. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the pull element further comprises an adhesive element such that when a user cleans using the cleaning device and removes said cleaning device by turning over said device, the adhesive element seals an outer contaminant inside said device.

11. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the securing element coupling said pull element to said rear portion of the glove is a structural portion of the rear portion of the glove folded and on itself and coupled to itself thereby defining a channel for the pull element and wherein the glove folded portion further comprises an opening allowing the pull element to be pulled outwardly and adapted to be tied.

12. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the cleaning layer is a pre-moistened cleaning wipe further comprising perforations adapted to facilitate adhesion to the insulation layer and the glove.

13. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the glove is formed from a single sheet of flexible plastic being at least one of a hypoallergenic plastic, a recyclable plastic, a recycled plastic, and a biodegradable plastic.

14. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the glove, the insulating material and the cleaning layer are coupled along the outer perimeter of the glove.

15. A kit comprising:

a) a resealable packaging; and

b) at least one cleaning device disposed within said packaging, each of the at least one cleaning device comprising:

i) a glove having a first side and a second side directly opposite said first side, a front end defining a fingers section and a rear end defining a glove opening and a palm section between said fingers section and the rear end and an outer perimeter of the glove;

ii) a length of insulating material securely coupled to said first side of the glove;

iii) a pre-moistened cleaning layer extending the length of the insulating material and said first side of a glove portion and coupled to the length of insulating material; and

iv) a pull element operatively coupled to said rear portion of the glove and a securing element coupling said pull element to said rear portion of the glove; wherein said glove is used to clean an external surface and turned around from the glove opening and used as a disposable container.

16. The kit of claim 15 wherein the at least one cleaning device includes a plurality of cleaning.

17. The kit of claim 15 wherein each individual cleaning device is folded around a portion of another cleaning device such that when a user pulls the at least one of the cleaning device, a second cleaning device is at a top surface of the packaging for ease of use.

18. A method of using a cleaning device comprising the steps of:

a) providing a cleaning device with a glove compartment, an insulating material and a pre-moistened wipe and a pull element;

b) inserting a hand inside the glove compartment;

c) cleaning an external surface with said cleaning device;

d) removing said cleaning device by pulling on the pull element; and

e) tying said pull element to enclose a used cleaning device.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising prior to inserting a hand inside the glove compartment, removing the cleaning device from a resealable packaging.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising sealing the used cleaning device with a sealable and adhesive pull element.