WO2009005739A2

WO2009005739A2 - Moisture absorbing cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2009005739A2
Application number: PCT/US2008/008059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Todd Nesler
Original assignee: Todd Nesler
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: WO2009005739A3

Abstract

An apparatus for cleaning a glass surface includes a handle and a head. The head is carried at an end of the handle. The head includes a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof. The head additionally includes at least one layer of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion. The head further includes a moisture directing member proximate the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material operative for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member.

Description

MOISTURE ABSORBING CLEANING APPARATUS

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for cleaning glass or other surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for cleaning glass or other surfaces that absorbs moisture so as to reduce dripping.

BACKGROUND [0002] A common technique for cleaning glass and related surfaces involves application of a cleaning solution to the surface and removal of the cleaning solution from the surface with a squeegee-type device. The squeegee- type device will typically drip and thereby necessitate a secondary cleaning action to collect the drips. A need for continuous improvement in the pertinent art exists.

SUMMARY

[0003] According to one particular aspect, the present teachings provide an apparatus for cleaning a glass surface. The apparatus includes a handle and a head. The head is carried at an end of the handle.

The head includes a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof. The head additionally includes at least one layer of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion. The head further includes a moisture directing member proximate the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material operative for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member.

[0004] According to another particular aspect, the present teachings provide a head for an apparatus for cleaning a glass surface. The head includes a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof. The head additionally includes at least one layer of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion. The head further includes a moisture directing member proximate the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material operative for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member..

[0005] According to yet another particular aspect, the present teachings provide an apparatus for cleaning a glass surface. The apparatus includes a 5 handle and a head. The head is carried at an end of the handle. The head includes a main body portion having a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof. The head additionally includes first and second layers of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion. The head further includes a moisture directing member disposed between the first and second layers of io moisture absorbing material. The first and second layers of moisture absorbing material operate to direct directing moisture away from the wiping member. The moisture directing member has a plurality of spaced apart teeth with tips disposed proximate the wiping member.

[0006] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the i5description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0 [0007] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a moisture absorbing cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1. 5 [0009] FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a toothed member of the moisture absorbing cleaning apparatus shown removed from the apparatus for purposes of illustration.

[0010] FIGURE 4 is a front plan view of a portion of the moisture absorbing cleaning apparatus taken generally in the direction of Arrow A of0 Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

[0011] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0012] With general reference to Figures 1 -4 of the drawings, a cleaning apparatus or assembly 10 for cleaning glass or a similar surface constructed in accordance with the present teachings is illustrated and identified at reference character 10. The apparatus 10 may generally include a handle 12 and a head 14. As will be discussed below, the head 14 may be moisture absorbing. Insofar as the present teachings are concerned, it will be understood that the handle 12 is conventional in both construction and operation. Various other handles may be employed with the scope of the present teachings.

[0013] The head 14 includes a main body portion 18 carried at a distal end 20 of the handle 12. The main portion 18 may be elongated along an axis B. The axis B may be generally perpendicular to an axis C generally defined by the handle 12. The head 14 may be integrally or otherwise formed with respect to the handle 12. One suitable material for the head 14 is a rigid plastic. Metal or other materials may be alternatively used. In certain applications it may be desirable to couple the head to the handle for universal movement therebetween.

[0014] The main body portion 18 may include a wiping member 22 proximate a distal end thereof. The wiping member 22 may extend substantially along the entire width of the head 14 and may be constructed of a flexible rubber material. The wiping member 22 may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the remainder of the main body portion 18. In certain applications, the wiping member 22 may be removably and replaceably secured to the remainder of the main body portion 18 through a channel and tang relationship, for example. [0015] The apparatus 10 may additionally include at least one layer of moisture absorbing material 24. As illustrated throughout the drawings, the apparatus may include first and second layers of moisture absorbing material 24. In certain applications, the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material may comprise absorbent foam layers 24. The apparatus 10 may alternatively include a greater or lesser number of layers 24 within the scope of the present teachings. [0016] The at least one layer 24 may be generally triangular in shape.

In this regard and as perhaps best shown in Figure 2, the at least one layer may include a forward edge 26 and a rear edge 28. The forward edge 26 may have a first height and the rear edge 28 may have a second height. The second height may be greater than the second height. [0017] The first layer 24 may be positioned proximate lower side 30 of the main body portion 18. The first layer 24 may be adhesively or otherwise secured to the lower side. The first layer 24 may extend substantially along the main body portion 18 in a direction parallel to axis B and in a direction perpendicular to axis B. [0018] The apparatus 10 may additionally include a moisture directing means or member 32. The moisture directing member 32 may be positioned proximate the at least one layer 24. In the embodiment illustrated, the moisture directing member 32 may be positioned between the first and second layers 32. The moisture directing member 32 may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the at least one layer 24.

[0019] The moisture directing member 32 may be constructed of plastic or other suitable material and may integrally or otherwise include a plurality of spaced apart teeth 34. The teeth 34 may include tips 36 disposed proximate the wiping member 22. The tips 36 may be pointed. The teeth 34 may extend substantially across the member 32.

[0020] Adjacent teeth 34 may define channels or gaps 40 therebetween. The channels 40 may function to direct moisture from the wiping member 22 generally in the direction of Arrow D. In this manner, the moisture directing member 32 may function to draw moisture away from the wiping member 22 for more fully saturating the layers 24.

[0021] The apparatus 10 may additionally or alternatively define grooves in a lower surface of main body portion 18 (as shown in hidden lines in Figure 2). The grooves may be parallel grooves or may increase in cross- sectional area in a rearward direction. In this regard, the grooves may increase in height (as shown in Figure 2) and/or increase in width. The groves may additionally direct moisture from the wiping member 22 generally in the direction of Arrow D.

[0022] The apparatus 10 may additionally include on or to Arrow D. As shown in figure 2, the apparatus 10 includes two such members 41. The members 41 may partially or completely extend across the apparatus 10. The members 41 may function to increase the draw of moisture through a baffle-type effect. The members 41 may be constructed of plastic, metal or other suitable material and may be carried by member 32 or by main body portion 18 in the event main body portion 18 defines grooves.

[0023] The head 14 may additionally include a scrubbing portion 46. The scrubbing portion 46 may be carried proximate an upper side 48 of the main body portion 18. The portion 46 may be integrally formed with the portion 18 (i.e., molded-in) or may be a discrete member. As illustrated, the portion 46 is a discrete member and may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the portion 18. The portion 46 may be a layer of material having a coefficient of friction greater than the plastic of the portion 18. In certain applications, the apparatus 10 may be adapted to carry a supply of cleaning fluid for delivery to the scrubbing portion 46.

[0024] The head 14 may additionally include a lower member 50. The member 50 may be constructed of a material having a coefficient of friction lower than the at least one layer 24 and may be adhesively or otherwise suitably secured to the at least one layer 24. The member 50 may substantially extend across the at least one layer 24 in the direction of axis B. In use, an operator may run a finger across the member 50 to compress the at least one layer 24 to remove moisture therefrom.

[0025] While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present teachings as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art would appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the present teachings without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it may be intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode of presently contemplated for carrying out the present teachings but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments following within the foregoing description and any appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for cleaning a glass surface, the apparatus comprising: a handle; and a head carried at an end of the handle, the head including: a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof; at least one layer of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion; and a moisture directing member proximate the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material operative for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material includes first and second layers of moisture absorbing materials.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the moisture directing member is disposed between the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material.

4. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material includes a foam layer.

5. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the moisture directing member includes a plurality of spaced apart teeth.

6. The apparatus in claim 5, wherein the teeth of the plurality of spaced apart teeth include tips disposed proximate the wiping member.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the at least one moisture absorbing layer includes a forward edge having a first height and a rear edge having a second height, the second height being greater than the first height.

8. The apparatus in claim 5, wherein adjacent teeth of the plurality of spaced apart teeth define channels, the channels increasing in cross-sectional area as the progress rearward.

9. A head of an apparatus for cleaning a glass surface, the head comprising: a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof; at least one layer of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion; and a moisture directing member proximate the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material operative for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material includes first and second layers of moisture absorbing materials.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the moisture directing member is disposed between the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material.

12. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the at least one layer of moisture absorbing material includes a foam layer.

13. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the moisture directing member includes a plurality of spaced apart teeth.

14. The apparatus in claim 13, wherein the teeth of the plurality of spaced apart teeth include tips disposed proximate the wiping member.

15. The apparatus in claim 9, wherein the at least one moisture absorbing layer includes a forward edge having a first height and a rear edge having a second height, the second height being greater than the first height.

16. The apparatus in claim 14, wherein adjacent teeth of the plurality of spaced apart teeth define channels, the channels increasing in cross-sectional area as the progress rearward.

17. An apparatus for cleaning a glass surface, the apparatus comprising: a handle; and a head carried at an end of the handle, the head including: a main body portion including a wiping member proximate a distal edge thereof; first and second layers of moisture absorbing material carried by the main body portion; and a moisture directing member disposed between the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material and for directing moisture in a direction away from the wiping member, the moisture directing member having a plurality of spaced apart teeth with tips disposed proximate the wiping member.

18. The apparatus for cleaning a glass surface of claim 17, wherein the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material are first and second from layers.

19. The apparatus for cleaning a glass surface of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first and second layers of moisture absorbing material has a generally triangular cross section.

20. The apparatus for cleaning a glass surface of claim 17, wherein adjacent teeth of the plurality of spaced apart teeth define channels, the channels increasing in cross-sectional area as the progress rearward.