WO2006086403A1

WO2006086403A1 - Cleaning tool and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006086403A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/004325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jr. H. Stetser Murphy
Original assignee: Murphy Jr H Stetser
Priority date: 2005-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: US20060174914A1

Abstract

A tool (10) advantageous for cleaning and sanitizing toilet bowls, urinals, and other surfaces. The cleaning tool (10) comprises an arcuate-shaped handle (20) and a cleaning head (30), wherein the cleaning head is permanently affixed to the handle, and wherein the handle and the cleaning head is preferably formed from biodegradable material. Said tool is intended for one-time use and subsequent trash disposal.

Description

CLEANING TOOL AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Be it known that I , H . STETSER MURPHY, JR. residing at 1525 G Terrell Mill Place, Marietta, Georgia 30067 , a citizen of the United States , have invented certain new and useful improvements in a Cleaning Tool and Method of Use Thereof, of which the following is a specification .

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM

To the full extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application claims priority to and the benefit of United States non-provisional patent application entitled ^Cleaning Tool and Method of Use Thereof", filed on February 8 , 2005, having assigned Serial Number 11/053 , 447.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to cleaning tools ,

and more specifically to a cleaning tool and method of use

thereof for cleaning and sanitizing toilet bowls and urinals .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to prevent the spread of germs and disease,

restrooms and bathrooms must be cleaned and sanitized on a

regular basis . Health and sanitation concerns require that

toilets and urinals be cleaned frequently . This is easily

accomplished using a disinfectant, detergent, or cleanser and

manual scrubbing . A brush or textured pad, with handle , is the

cleaning tool of choice .

Unfortunately, a reused scrubbing tool becomes unsanitary

after first use because it repeatedly contacts unsanitary

surfaces . Likewise, a reused scrubbing tool can contaminate the

next surface it contacts . Furthermore, a reused scrubbing tool

is stored wet and dries slowly . This condition of storage

fosters the growth of more bacteria and germs .

Existing scrubbing tools with a one-time use ej ectable

cleaning head are an acknowledged improvement in the art .

However, it is necessary to retain and store the handle . This

handle becomes contaminated and germ-laden unless it is meticulously sanitized after each use . The cleaning head

refills add to the cost .

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for

a one-time use cleaning tool that is formed from inexpensive

disposable materials . Said cleaning tool eliminates having to

retain any part that is unsanitary . Furthermore, there is a

need for such a trash disposable tool that is formed from

biodegradable, environmentally-friendly components or other

disposable materials .

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present

invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets

the recognized need for such a tool by providing a one-time use

disposable cleaning tool for scrubbing toilet bowls and urinals .

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the

present invention in its preferred form is a biodegradable

cleaning tool comprising a handle and a cleaning head . More specifically, the cleaning tool of the present

invention comprises a curved handle, thereby permitting a user

to easily maneuver the cleaning head inside a urinal or toilet

bowl and under the rim. The cleaning head is permanently

affixed to the handle for one-time use and total trash disposal

with the potential to biodegrade .

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present

invention is its ability to effectively scrub a toilet bowl or

urinal without requiring the user to touch these surfaces .

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is

its curved handle to permit a user to easily maneuver the

cleaning head within a urinal or toilet bowl and under the rim.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention in

its preferred form is its environmentally-friendly biodegradable

components . Another feature and advantage of the present invention is

its inexpensive materials thereby providing a cleaning tool that

is advantageously suitable for trash disposal and replacement

after one-time use . It is not necessary to retain an unsanitary

handle .

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is

its small , lightweight and slender design, thus facilitating

ease of use and packaging of multiple units for retail sale .

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is

the option to use it with any common household sanitizing

solution, detergent, or cleanser, or to offer it with a

disinfectant impregnated within the cleaning head .

These and other features and advantages of the present

invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art

from the following description and claims when read in light of

the accompanying drawings . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading

the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate

Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings , in

which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer

to like elements throughout, and in which :

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according

to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning head according

to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool

according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning tool according

to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing the

cleaning tool in use . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

EMBODIMENTS

To the full extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application claims priority to and the benefit of United States non-provisional patent application entitled "Cleaning Tool and Method of Use Thereof" , filed on February 8 , 2005 , having assigned Serial Number 11/053 , 447.

In describing the preferred embodiments of the present

invention, as illustrated in FIGS . 1-4 , specific terminology is

employed for the sake of clarity . The invention, however, is

not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so

selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element

includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar

manner to accomplish similar functions .

Referring now to FIGS . 1, the present invention in a

preferred embodiment comprises cleaning tool 10, wherein

cleaning tool 10 may be advantageously utilized for cleaning and

sanitizing toilet bowls and urinals , and wherein cleaning tool

10 comprises handle 20 and head 30. Preferably, handle 20

comprises first end 22, middle portion 23 and second end 24. Handle 20 is preferably formed from wood, however, it is

contemplated that handle 20 could be formed from other

biodegradable materials , such as , for exemplary purposes only,

cardboard or particle board . Further, although biodegradable

materials are preferred, handle 20 could be formed from

polyester nylon or any other synthetic, non-biodegradable

material .

Preferably, handle 20 is arcuate-shaped, such that middle

portion 23 is advantageously curved for maneuvering head 30

inside a urinal or toilet bowl and under the rim.

Referring to FIG.2 , head 30 is preferably disc-shaped

and comprises means for scrubbing and scouring . It is

recognized that head 30 could alternatively embody other

suitable shapes , such as , for exemplary purposes only, a semi¬

circle, oval , sphere, cube, triangle or diamond . Head 30 is

preferably a textured pad formed from a porous , biodegradable ,

cellulose material , wherein head 30 preferably comprises first

surface 32 , second surface 34, peripheral surface 36, and slot

38. Again, although biodegradable materials are preferred, head 30 could be formed from polyester nylon or any other synthetic,

abrasive pad material .

Slot 38 is preferably rectangular-shaped and preferably

adapted to receive second end 24 of handle 20 there within . It

is contemplated, in alternative embodiment, that head 30 could

be formed from other suitable biodegradable materials , such as,

for exemplary purposes only, paper, sponge, loofah, or the like .

Referring to FIG.3, head 30 is preferably permanently-

secured to handle 20 utilizing an adhesive . However, it is

contemplated that other suitable means to secure head 30 could

be utilized, such as , for exemplary purposes only, frictional

fit, rivets, clamps , hooks , clips, or staples . In an

alternative embodiment, second end 24 of handle 20 could possess

a slot and surface 36 of head 30 could possess a rigid tab for

insertion into the slot of handle 20, wherein the tab could be

secured within the slot, thereby attaching head 30 to handle 20.

To operate cleaning tool 10, as seen in FIG.4, first end 22

of handle 20 is preferably gripped by the user whereby the user directs handle 20 to maneuver head 30 in a scrubbing action .

Preferably, utilizing a side-to-side, back and forth, and/or

circular scrubbing motion, head 30 removes dirt, grime and

stains from a subj ect surface . Preferably, the user may apply

disinfectant, detergent or other like cleanser to the subj ect

surface and/or to head 30. Alternatively, head 30 may be

impregnated with a cleanser that dissolves in conjunction with

the scrubbing action . After use, the cleaning tool 10 can be

disposed of in the trash with the potential to biodegrade .

It is recognized in an alternate embodiment that handle 20

could be bendable and, for exemplary purposes only, made with

one or more hinged j oints and/or corrugated, formable sections

to further facilitate maneuvering cleaning tool 10 in confined

spaces .

In another alternative embodiment, handle 20 could be

extendable or telescopic . In still another alternative embodiment, handle 20 could

possess bumps , dimples , ridges , grooves and/or indentations for

a non-slip gripping surface .

In still yet another alternate embodiment, head 30 could be

scented for emitting a pleasant fragrance .

In another alternate embodiment, head 30 could possess

cleaning bristles .

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present

invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that

the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various

other alternatives , adaptations , and modifications may be made

within the scope of the present invention . Accordingly, the

present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments

illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A cleaning tool, comprising :

an arcuate-shaped handle, said handle formed from

biodegradable material ; and

at least one cleaning head, said at least one cleaning head

formed from textured or bristled biodegradable material .

2. The cleaning tool of claim 1 , wherein said at least one

cleaning head comprises a cavity for receiving and retaining

said handle therewithin .

3. The cleaning tool of claim 1 , wherein said arcuate-

shaped handle is bendable .

4. The cleaning tool of claim 1 , wherein said arcuate-

shaped handle is extendable .

5. A method of cleaning, said method comprising the steps

of : a . using a biodegradable cleaning tool comprising

an arcuate-shaped handle and at least one cleaning head;

b . directing said handle ;

c . maneuvering said at least one cleaning head

proximate a subj ect surface ; and

d . scrubbing the subject surface with said at least

one cleaning head utilizing a back and forth, side to side,

and/or circular scrubbing motion .

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of :

e . applying a disinfectant or detergent to said at

least one cleaning head or surface to be cleaned .

7. A cleaning tool, comprising :

an arcuate-shaped handle , said handle formed from polyester

nylon material ; and

at least one cleaning head, said at least one cleaning head

formed from abrasive synthetic material .

8. The cleaning tool of claim 7 , wherein said at least one

cleaning head comprises a cavity for receiving and retaining

said handle therewithin .

9. The cleaning tool of claim 7 , wherein said arcuate-

shaped handle is bendable .

10. The cleaning tool of claim 7 , wherein said arcuate-

shaped handle is extendable .

11. A method of cleaning, said method comprising the steps

of :

a . using a disposable cleaning tool comprising an

arcuate-shaped handle and at least one polyester nylong cleaning

head;

b . directing said handle ;

c . maneuvering said at least one cleaning head

proximate a subj ect surface ; and

d . scrubbing the subj ect surface with said at least

one cleaning head utilizing a back and forth, side to side,

and/or circular scrubbing motion .

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step

of :

e . applying a disinfectant or detergent to said at

least one cleaning head or surface to be cleaned .