WO1998028654A1

WO1998028654A1 - Eyeglass cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO1998028654A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/024011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael T. Dilworth
Original assignee: Dilworth Michael T
Priority date: 1996-12-23
Filing date: 1997-12-22
Publication date: 1998-07-02
Also published as: AU5722898A

Abstract

An improved eyeglass cleaning device (10) comprising sheet (12) formed of a thin layer of resilient and liquid-absorbing foam material (14) laminated to a layer of a very soft, lint-free cloth (16), shaped to correspond generally to the shape of a pair of eyeglasses, having a pair of relatively large portions (18) connected by a central relatively narrow neck (20) offset to one side. This enables eyeglass cleaning device (10) to fit easily into a conventional eyeglass case for storage and transportation without folding or creasing. For eyeglass cleaning, sheet (12) is removed, foam layer (14) is wetted by a liquid cleanser, sheet (12) is doubled over an eyeglass lens, and foam layer (14) is used to rub liquid onto both sides of the lens. Then sheet (12) is reversed and cloth layer (16) is used to dry both sides of the lens. After use, sheet (12) resumes its original shape for re-storing in the eyeglass case.

Description

Description Eyeglass Cleaner Technical Field This invention relates to eyeglasses and is particularly directed to an improved means for cleaning eyeglasses which avoids scratching and fits conveniently into an eyeglass case for storage.

Background Art As is well known, many people need to wear eyeglasses to assist their vision, especially when reading. Unfortunately, eyeglasses are extremely susceptible to smudging which temporarily distorts, obscures or obliterates the wearer's vision. Thus, eyeglass wearers have an almost constant need to be cleaning their glasses

However, eyeglasses are also extremely susceptible to scratching which permanently distorts the wearer's vision through the glasses. Conseguently , only clean, very soft, lint-free materials can be used for cleaning eyeglasses. On the other hand, such clean, very soft, lint-free materials are generally unavailable.

Therefore, eyeglass wearers are obliged to carry some sort of eyeglass cleaning material about with them wherever they go. However, if the eyeglass cleaning material is not kept extremely clean, the eyeglass cleaning material may serve to increase the smudging or scratching of the eyeglasses instead of cleaning them. Obviously, eyeglass cleaning materials cannot be carried in a pocket or purse without being subject to becoming dirty and contaminated and, hence, more dangerous than useful.

Some eyeglass wearers carry small pieces of soft, lint- free cloth in their eyeglass cases for use as a cleaner. However, in such cases the pieces of cloth often become folded or creased, and dirt tends to gather in the folds and creases, which causes scratching and smudging of the eyeglasses when the cloth is used as a cleaner.

Sometimes liquid cleaning solutions are used to enhance cleaning of the eyeglasses. However, this requires the eyeglass wearer to carry a supply of liquid cleanser, in addition to the soft, lint-free cloth. Also, once used with the liquid cleanser, the wet cloth tends to be even more attractive to dirt, and rapidly becomes useless for cleaning the eyeglasses. A search in the United States Patent Office has revealed the following:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED

5,000,204 R.E. Smith March 19, 1991 5,344,002 M. Backowski September 6, 1994

Each of these references is subject to the disadvantages discussed above. Thus, none of the prior art eyeglass cleaning devices have been entirely satisfactory.

Disclosure of the Invention These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention which provides an improved eyeglass cleaning device which is soft and lint-free and which will readily absorb liquid cleansers, and yet is resistant to adhesion of dirt, and can conveniently be carried in an eyeglass container without fear of becoming folded or creased. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved eyeglass cleaning device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyeglass cleaning device which is soft and lint-free and which will readily absorb liquid cleansers, and yet is resistant to adhesion of dirt.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyeglass cleaning device which can conveniently be carried in an eyeglass container without fear of becoming folded or creased.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved eyeglass cleaning device which can be used with or without a liquid cleanser to clean eyeglasses.

These objects and advantages of the present invention are preferably attained by providing an improved eyeglass cleaning device comprising a thin sheet of foam rubber or the like laminated to a sheet of very soft, lint-free cloth and shaped to correspond generally to the shape of a pair of eyeglasses, having a pair of relatively large portions connected by a central relatively narrow neck offset to one side, which enables the eyeglass cleaning device to fit easily into a conventional eyeglass case for storage and transportation without folding or creasing.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing.

Brief Description of the Drawing

FIGURE 1 is a front view of an eyeglass cleaning device embodying the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the eyeglass cleaning device of FIG. 1.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

In that form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, FIG.l and FIG.2 show an eyeglass cleaning device indicated generally at 10, comprising a sheet 12 formed of a first layer 14 of resilient foam material, such as rubber or plastic, laminated to a second layer 16 of soft, lint-free cloth. As best seen in FIG.l, the sheet 12 is preferably formed with two relatively large portions 18, corresponding generally to the size and shape of an eyeglass lens, and joined by a relatively narrow neck portion 20 which is offset toward the top of large portions 18 in a manner similar to that in which the nose piece joins the lenses of a pair of eyeglasses.

In use, due to the shape of sheet 12, the eyeglass cleaning device 10 can easily be stored and carried within a conventional eyeglass case, and can be removed, whenever desired, for use. Once removed, the user may pour a liquid cleanser onto foam layer 14, and may then fold sheet 12 about the eyeglasses to be cleaned, so that large portions 18 lie adjacent either side of an eyeglass lens with neck 20 extending about the edge of the eyeglass lens to join large portions 18. Then, by rubbing large portions 18 about the lens, the user can spread the liquid cleanser evenly over the lens area to clean the lens. Thereafter, by reversing sheet 12, the user can apply cloth layer 16 of sheet 12 to dry the lens.

Preferably, layer 14, of foam material, will have a thickness of not more than about 1/8 inch. This allows foam layer 14 to absorb liquids such as lens cleansers, yet to be sufficiently flexible to allow eyeglass cleaning device 10 to be folded easily about a lens of of a pair of eyeglasses to enable the user to clean both sides of the lens simultaneously.

Because of the resilience of foam layer 14, sheet 12 will, when released, normally assume the flat position seen in FIG.2, and hence can be inserted quickly and easily into a conventional eyeglass case for storage and transportation without danger of creasing or folding. Also, due to the thinness of sheet 12, eyeglass cleaning device 10 can be carried and stored in the eyeglass case without interfering with the insertion or removal of eyeglasses.

Obviously, numerous variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clearly understood that the form of the present invention described above and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing is illustrative only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An eyeglass cleaning device comprising: a thin sheet of foam material laminated to a sheet of very soft, lint-free cloth.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein: said sheet is shaped to correspond generally to the shape of a pair of eyeglasses, having a pair of relatively large portions connected by a central relatively narrow neck offset to one side.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein: said foam material is resilient.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein: said foam material can absorb liquids.

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