JP2018515318A - Cleaning device made from closed cell elastomeric foam without latex - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning device (110) suitable for picking up hair and particles during use, comprising a integrally formed wiper blade (112) and an integrally formed channel (140) adjacent to the wiper blade (112) A cleaning device (110) comprising a unitary elastomeric body comprising: the body portion is made of a closed cell elastomeric foam, free of latex. Optionally, the device (110) comprises an arched forward wiper blade (112) and a flat trailing wiper blade (114). The device can be used by users who are allergic to latex to care for animals and / or to pick up pet hair and other debris from a range of surfaces.

Description

  The present invention is a cleaning device made from closed-cell elastomeric foam that does not contain latex, and is particularly suitable for picking up and / or collecting dirt, dust, debris, and pet hair without limitation. Related to the device.

  For example, pets such as cats and dogs tend to lose their hair throughout the year, which can reach anywhere and everywhere, including floors, furniture, bedding, clothing, and the like. Pet hair can be difficult to clean clean from, for example, clothing or textile furnishings, for example in residential and / or commercial areas, or in the car. Because it tends to stick to the fabric and embed in it. Various devices have been developed to help deal with unwanted pet hair.

  If possible, the use of a vacuum cleaner is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to remove pet hair. However, this is not only relatively time consuming, but in some situations the use of a vacuum cleaner is not possible or can be avoided (e.g. when the user is not near a power source). (E.g., vacuuming can sometimes hurt clothing). Several vacuum cleaners have been developed that are cordless and especially adapted for removing hair from clothing, but these can be expensive and may not be universal.

  Alternative devices that do not require a power source include brushes, rollers, mitts, etc., which are described in more detail below.

  First, the brush can be used to remove pet hair from the animal before the animal drops the hair, ie, at the root. In fact, regular brushing can reduce unwanted hair accumulation, but brushes are generally inefficient in terms of cleaning.

  Second, a roller, such as a lint roller, can be used, which includes a sticky or adhesive surface to which pet hair and other debris will adhere during use. The weakness of lint rollers is that they often quickly lose tack, especially when used on dirty surfaces. Unless the adhesive surface can be replaced (it can be expensive), the roller quickly loses its effectiveness.

  Third, mitts adapted to be worn like a glove by the user are often used to remove pet hair from animals, surfaces, and clothing. The user wearing the mitt presses and rubs the mitt against the surface, eg, clothing. If the mitts are made from an electrically insulating material, electrostatic charges accumulate on the mitts and therefore attract hair and dirt particles to the mitts by electrostatic attraction. Mitts are often made from rubber and can therefore be laundered and reused, but dexterity (left or right handedness) weaknesses and size issues ("one size fits all "Mitt is plagued rarely by every user).

  From the foregoing, it is recognized that there are cleaning devices that can be used to pick up pet hair and other debris, but they can suffer from lack of versatility, high current costs, and lack of efficiency. . Therefore, many pet owners need several different devices for different scenarios: vacuum cleaners to remove hair from home surfaces and rollers to remove hair from clothing There is a tendency to. This can lead to potentially unnecessary duplication.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a solution and / or alternative to the above problems associated with devices that pick up pet hair.

  Various aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

  According to one aspect of the invention, a cleaning device suitable for picking up pet hair and particles during use, comprising a surface comprising an integrally formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent to the wiper blade. A cleaning device is provided comprising a unitary, elastomeric body.

  According to another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device suitable for picking up pet hair and particles during use, comprising a unitary, elastomeric body portion, the body portion being at least one integral part. There is provided a cleaning device comprising at least one surface comprising a formed wiper blade and at least one integrally formed channel adjacent to the or each wiper blade.

  The cleaning device comprises wiper blades, ie edges that engage the surface and act on pet hair and other dust / dirt / debris particles. Accordingly, the wiper blade may comprise a blade and / or edge and / or tread or any other similar configuration.

  In use, the surface of the cleaning device can cross the surface to be cleaned. By doing so, the wiper blade lifts the hair and / or other dirt particles from the surface so that the hair and / or dirt particles are retained and / or accumulated in a channel adjacent to the wiper blade.

  In certain and / or preferred embodiments of the invention, there are two or more wiper blades and / or two or more channels.

  The cleaning device comprises a unitary body part, i.e. manufactured from a single piece of elastomer. Conveniently, therefore, the body portion can be manufactured by a molding process, which can reduce the manufacturing cost and / or complexity of the device and / or (e.g., there is no portion to remove from the body portion). ) Durability can be improved.

  The body portion is made from a closed cell elastomeric foam that does not contain latex.

  Optionally, the latex-free elastomeric foam comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Elastomers have several useful properties. First, they are elastically deformable, which makes it easier for the body portion, in particular the wiper blade or blades, to conform to a non-planar surface during use, which is the effectiveness of the device Can improve. Second, elastomeric materials, particularly foamed elastomers, are relatively metered and in some cases have a relatively high friction surface, thus facilitating manual operation of the device. Third, elastomeric materials are generally good electrical insulators, which can facilitate the accumulation of static charges on surfaces, blades, or channels, which pick up hair and / or dirt particles and It may be easier to hold.

  Suitably, the elastomeric material comprises a foam and / or a resin elastomeric material. Optionally, the elastomeric material includes closed cell, foam / resin elastomeric material. The use of closed cell elastomeric foam / resin may be advantageous for several reasons. First, the closed cell nature prevents or prevents the device from absorbing water and / or moisture, which can facilitate cleaning of the device (eg, it can be washed out under running water). And / or improve its lifetime (i.e., its surface can dry faster, in which case water is not retained within the mass of material). Second, by using a closed cell foam material, if the surface is worn / when the new surface exposed on the lower surface has the same closed cell structure as the original surface, the device therefore It can be used even after it has been damaged, worn out, even worn away, etc.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body portion is made from closed cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. This material has been found to exhibit unexpectedly good cleaning properties due to its low electrical conductivity. This material is also durable, lightweight, has a low elastic modulus, and is relatively durable. Another advantage of closed cell EVA resin is that it is generally smooth, which can prevent clogging. A further advantage of using a latex-free, closed cell elastomeric foam, such as EVA, is that it is hypoallergenic and also does not contain latex, which is latex It can be used by users with allergies. EVA is considered to share characteristics, i.e., elasticity and durability, with natural rubber, but can be cheap.

  Suitably the body part has antibacterial quality. The body portion is manufactured from a closed cell material, which can prevent bacterial growth. Bacteria are generally thought to be badly cultured on non-porous surfaces and usually do not survive longer than a few hours. Optionally, the body portion is provided with an antimicrobial additive, which can further improve the antimicrobial properties of the device.

  EVA shares many attributes associated with other rubbery materials that make it useful in manufacturing. That is, EVA can be treated like other thermoplastics because it shares a similar moldable temperature threshold. As such, no special considerations are required to process materials and / or manufacture devices. EVA also has a relatively high coefficient of friction, facilitates gripping of the device during use, and also improves the cleaning ability of the device.

  The channel is formed adjacent to the wiper blade, and such a configuration can help to retain collected hair and / or dirt particles, as appropriate. In other words, hair and / or dirt lifted by the wiper blade can be immediately carried into the channel where it is held at least temporarily.

  The wiper blade may include any one or more of a group including a square edge, a tapered edge, a chamfered edge, and a curved edge.

  In certain and / or preferred embodiments of the invention, the channel may typically have a depth of about 2 to about 20 mm, which is the hair and / or collected during a typical cleaning operation. Or it has been found to contain enough filth particles.

  The perimeter of the channel or channels may be tilted, which can help guide the collected debris into the channel as the device slides across the surface. The edges may be inclined at an angle in the range of about 30 ° to about 50 °, or at any angle such that the inclination provides a shallow region around the channel. The sloping shallow area can collect debris from the wiper blades in use, such as debris from the shallow area to a relatively increased depth area near the channel or at the midpoint of the channel. Can make it easy to carry. Optionally, the or each channel may be oriented in a variety of ways, and in preferred embodiments of the invention, the wiper blades and channels are lateral and longitudinal so that the device can be used in any direction. Extending to both.

  Advantageously, the body portion may comprise a relatively narrow portion so that the relatively narrow portion can fit within the "corners and gaps" and remove debris from these normally difficult to reach areas. Good. This can provide advantages over, for example, a lint roller that often cannot fit into a small corner.

  Preferably, the body portion of the device comprises an ergonomic shape and / or dimensions to facilitate the user to grasp and use the device with one hand. The device may be about 5 cm wide and about 17 cm long, but different dimensions may be used and different embodiments of the invention may be of completely different sizes. It will be appreciated that, for example, smaller (eg, pocket-sized) embodiments of the device may be 3 cm wide and 6 cm long.

  Advantageously, the device is reusable so that it can be cleaned by hand wiping with a cloth to remove the collected hair and / or dirt, or simply under running water It is intended that it can be washed away with. This is a much simpler operation than separating the hair / filth from the brush bristles. Permanent reusability of the device is considered advantageous from both a waste / material usage perspective and an economic perspective.

  Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view from above and from one side of an embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention. FIG. It is the perspective view from the downward direction and 2nd side surface of the cleaning device of FIG. It is the perspective view from the downward direction and 1st side surface of 2nd Embodiment of a cleaning device. FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a third embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention. It is a perspective view from the downward direction and 2nd side surface of the cleaning device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view from above and a first side of a fourth embodiment of a cleaning device according to the invention. It is a perspective view from the downward direction and 1st side surface of the cleaning device of FIG. FIG. 8 is a side view of the cleaning device of FIGS. 6 and 7. It is a top view from the upper part of the cleaning device of FIGS. FIG. 10 is a plan view from below of the cleaning device of FIGS.

  Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a cleaning device 10 according to the invention comprises an injection molded body portion 12 made from latex-free, closed cell foam, preferably EVA. The body portion 10 is about 17 cm long, about 5 cm wide, and about 3 cm thick, which allows it to be easily grasped with one hand during use.

  The body portion 12 includes a slightly convex, generally smooth upper surface 14 that leads to the nose tip portion 16, which is a series of slightly lower sides that extend laterally from one side 20 to the other side 22 of the device 10. The groove 18 is cut out. Slightly undercut grooves 18 form a series of wiper blades defined by edges 24 that project slightly beyond the corresponding channels 26.

  In use, the body portion could be reversed (as compared to how it was shown in FIG. 1) and the convex surface 14 was used to wipe the surface (not shown) to be cleaned. Since the body portion 12 is manufactured from EVA, which is a good electrical insulator and it has a relatively high coefficient of friction, the convex surface 14 accumulates electrostatic charges during use, which is Other filth particles are attracted onto the convex surface 14. Hair and dirt particles so collected can be easily removed, for example, by wiping after a cleaning operation or by rinsing the device under running water.

  Alternatively, the device 10 can be slightly tilted so that the nose tip portion 16 can be rubbed against the surface to be cleaned, in which case a series of edges 24 remove hair and dirt particles from the surface. Facilitates lifting, in which case they are collected in a channel 26 immediately adjacent to each wiper blade edge 24. Again, the hair and dirt particles so collected can be easily removed by hand, for example by wiping after a cleaning operation or by rinsing the device under running water.

  In FIG. 1, it can also be seen that the device sidewalls 20, 22 comprise an array of nodules 28, which makes it easier to grasp the device by hand during use, and it also assumes that the device 10 Is also used to facilitate lifting hair and dirt particles from the surface to be cleaned when the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10 are rubbed against the surface to be cleaned Can be done.

  The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings provides the user with a variety of options when it comes to the cleaning surface, such as gently wiping using the convex surface 14, the corner using the nose tip portion 16 of the device. It will be appreciated that it provides more powerful cleaning in the gaps, or intermediate cleaning using the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10.

  The underside of the device 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing, from which it can be seen that the device 10 has a generally flat lower surface 30, which lowers the main cleaning surface of the device 10. Form. The lower surface 30 includes a pair of elongated channels 32 that define a longitudinal wiper blade 34 and a pair of lateral wiper blades 36.

  The channel 32 includes a relatively deep central portion 38 that slopes 40 at an angle of about 30 degrees at its end and meets the lateral wiper blade 36. The side wall 42 of the channel 32 is substantially square with respect to the longitudinal wiper blade 34. This configuration is two slightly different cleaning modes, i.e. more active cleaning modes in which the device 10 is moved to the left and right 46, thereby cleaning the square edge of the longitudinal wiper blade 34. An active cleaning mode in which hair and dirt particles are scraped off the surface to be removed, and an inactive mode in which the device 10 is moved in the longitudinal direction 48, with an inclined surface 40 leading to the lateral wiper blade 36; Provides an inactive mode that lifts hair and dirt particles more gently from the surface to be cleaned. In either case, the collected debris is collected in the channel 32, from which it can be wiped off the channel, for example using cloth or running water, respectively, or washed away.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the device 10 in which the underside has a generally flat surface 30, similar to that previously described. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, there is a generally straight central channel 32 surrounded by a ring-shaped channel 50, which results in four longitudinal wiper blades 34 and four lateral wiper blades 36. Define. The function and operation of the wiper blades 34, 36 and channels 32, 50 are as previously described.

  A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, in which the device 10 is shaped in the form of an animal, in this case a crocodile. The profile of the side walls 20, 22 of the device 10 has the shape of a crocodile with raised “back” 60 and “nose” 62. The ridges 18 so formed create a series of lateral blades 24 and channels 26 as previously described with respect to FIG. 1 of the drawings.

  Viewed from the bottom, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the crocodile “foot” 64 forms a generally smooth, flat surface 14 that can be used as previously described for the gentle wiping action. Can be seen. In addition, a laterally extending groove is provided below the “nose” 62 and below the “tail” 66 to form the wiper blade 24 and channel 26 described above. It will be appreciated that the device outline can be shaped to resemble a range of animals, such as cats, dogs, rodents, and the like, which can appeal to the owners of those animals.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, device 110 comprises an arcuate leading edge 112 and a generally flat trailing edge 114, as can be seen in FIGS. 6-10 of the drawings.

  The arcuate leading edge 112 (first wiper blade) of the device 110 is configured with a plurality of grooves (similar to a tire tread) configured to be able to engage with the convex contour of the animal body during use. 118 is provided in the concave inner surface 116. The radius of curvature 116 of the arch 112 depends on the intended target animal, but is typically about 60 mm. The lower surface of the arch forms a first wiper blade composed of a plurality of separate block portions 120 separated by grooves 118, which can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings. The block portion 120 is generally frustoconical with a chamfered edge 124 facing inward.

  The trailing edge 114 (second wiper blade) of the device 110 is generally flat at the bottom and also has a groove 130 therein that separates the separate wiper blade block portions 132. The trailing edge 114 also includes a chamfered edge 136 that faces inward.

  A central groove 140 is located between the leading edge 112 and the trailing edge 114 of the device 110. Central groove 140 extends substantially the length of device 110 and is adapted to collect hair and / or debris during use.

  It can be envisaged that for animals, the front edge 112 of the device 110 will function as a caregiver in use in that it is adapted to pull away the animal's fur in a manner similar to a brush. . Once the fur is pulled away, loose fur, or other debris, can adhere to or be picked up by the wiper blades 120, 118 of the leading edge 112 and then via the chamfered edge 124. , Into the central groove 140 of the device 110. Collected fur is prevented / blocked from leaving the central groove 140 via the trailing edge 114.

  Additionally or alternatively, device 110 may be used on a flat surface, such as a floor, where only the generally flat trailing edge 114 of device 110 is configured to engage the floor surface. In this case, loose hair and / or debris is passed under the arch formed by the leading edge 112, as appropriate, and is captured by its chamfered edge 136 by the trailing edge 114 in the central groove 140.

  Near the rear of the lower surface of the device 110 is a further independent groove 142 located between a pair of mountain-shaped wiper blades 1361, 1362, as can be seen in FIG. The central groove 140 is separated. In use, this portion of device 110 may be used for more vigorous care using back and forth movement 1364.

  Referring to FIGS. 6 and 9 of the drawings, it can be seen that the top surface of the device 110 is generally convex 14 to provide an ergonomic shape. Toward the rear of the middle section of the device 110, a grid-like array of generally pyramid shaped block portions 144 is provided. Block portions 144 are separated by grooves 146. In use, the top surface provides an additional means for caring for animals and / or for wiping flat or concave surfaces. The grid array of block portions 144 allows the device 110 to be used back and forth, left and right, or in a circular motion to achieve cleaning and / or care.

  Near the front of the device 110, two spaced shallow recesses or depressions 148 are further opened, which beneficially accommodates the user's fingers during use, thus making the ergonomic characteristics of the device 110 It can be considered to improve. A blob 1462 is also provided on the front upper surface of the device 110, which may be used to massage the animal during use.

  The invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the shapes, sizes, and dimensions are merely exemplary when instructed or inferred, and other shapes and dimensions may be selected to accommodate different applications. Combinations of features from different embodiments of the invention, such as the channel illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing on one side of the device and the channel of FIG. 3 on another surface of the device, may also depend on the scope of the invention. Expected and included within the scope.

The following description is not a claim, but relates to various possible features of the invention.
Description 1. A cleaning device suitable for picking up pet hair and particles during use, comprising a unitary, elastomeric body comprising a surface comprising an integrally formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent to the wiper blade. A cleaning device.
Description 2. A cleaning device suitable for picking up hair and particles during use, comprising a unitary, elastomeric body comprising a surface comprising an integrally formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent to the wiper blade; A cleaning device wherein the body portion is made from a closed cell elastomeric foam that does not contain latex.
Description 3. 3. The cleaning device of statement 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of integrally formed wiper blades and a plurality of integrally formed channels.
Description 4. The or each wiper blade is adapted to lift hair and / or other dirt particles from the surface to be cleaned during use, and the collected hair and / or dirt particles are in the channel adjacent to the wiper blade. Any preceding description of the cleaning device held in.
Description 5. Any of the preceding described cleaning devices, wherein the body portion is made from a foamed elastomer.
Description 6. The cleaning device of any preceding description, wherein the body portion is made from a closed cell elastomeric foam.
Description 7. Any of the preceding described cleaning devices, wherein the body portion is manufactured from a resin elastomer.
Description 8. The cleaning device of any preceding description, wherein the body portion is made from closed cell ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

Claims (26)

  A cleaning device suitable for picking up hair and particles during use, comprising a unitary elastomeric body comprising a surface comprising an integrally formed wiper blade and an integrally formed channel adjacent to the wiper blade A cleaning device, wherein the body portion is made of a closed cell elastomeric foam that does not contain latex.   The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the latex-free, closed-cell elastomeric foam comprises ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).   The cleaning device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of integrally formed wiper blades.   The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein a first one of the wiper blades has an arcuate profile and a second one of the wiper blades has a generally flat profile at the bottom.   The or each wiper blade comprises one or more transverse grooves therein, so that the wiper blade or blades comprise a plurality of separate block portions separated by the transverse grooves. The cleaning device in any one of -4.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of integrally formed channels.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer is electrically insulating.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer includes an antibacterial additive.   9. A cleaning device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the or each channel typically has a depth of about 2 to about 20 mm.   10. A cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channel sidewalls or end walls lead into the wiper blade at an angle of substantially 90 degrees.   11. A cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channel sidewalls or end walls lead into the wiper blade at an angle of substantially 30-50 degrees.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper blade includes any one or more of a group including a square edge, a tapered edge, a chamfered edge, and a curved edge.   13. A cleaning device according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the channel comprises a groove cut out below.   14. A cleaning device according to claim 13, wherein the undercut groove extends laterally from one side of the device to the other.   15. A cleaning device according to claim 13 or 14, comprising a plurality of undercut grooves forming a series of wiper blades defined by edges projecting slightly beyond their corresponding channels.   16. A cleaning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the surface of the body portion comprises an array of nodules.   The cleaning device of claim 16, wherein the blob comprises a grid-like array of generally truncated pyramid shaped blocks separated by grooves.   18. The body portion of any of claims 1-17, wherein the body portion comprises a plurality of elongated channels, the plurality of elongated channels defining a set of longitudinal wiper blades and a set of lateral wiper blades. The cleaning device described.   18. The body portion of any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the body portion comprises a generally straight central channel surrounded by a ring-shaped channel that defines four longitudinal wiper blades and four lateral wiper blades. Cleaning device.   20. A cleaning device according to any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the body portion further comprises a convex, generally smooth surface.   21. A cleaning device according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the body portion comprises a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion.   The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the body portion includes an ergonomic shape and / or dimensions.   23. The cleaning device of claim 22, wherein the body portion has a width of about 5 cm, a length of about 17 cm, and a height of about 3 cm.   24. A cleaning device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body portion comprises a side profile shaped to resemble an animal.   25. A cleaning device according to claim 24, wherein the animal comprises any one or more of the group comprising crocodile, cats, dogs, and rodents.   A cleaning device substantially as previously described with reference to the accompanying drawings and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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