US20020031392A1

US20020031392A1 - Device for cleaning footwear

Info

Publication number: US20020031392A1
Application number: US09/778,272
Authority: US
Inventors: Maria Villahoz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-09-13
Filing date: 2001-02-06
Publication date: 2002-03-14
Also published as: EP1188410A1

Abstract

A device for cleaning footwear, including an applicator component consisting of a sponge block (3), a box (1) divided in two compartments (12-13), one of which (12) contains the cleaning product (4) while the other compartment (13) has an arrangement consistent with the sponge block (3) fixed in a lid (2) which is coupled over the open face of the box (1).

Description

The present invention, as indicated by the title, refers to a device intended to clean footwear or sports shoes. Said device comprises an application component consisting of a sponge block used to rub the footwear surface.

A plurality of tools for cleaning footwear are known, the oldest ones consisting of simple brushes or swabs which were gradually replaced by sponge blocks. This sponge blocks are normally stuck to the container itself and the cleaning product is liquid or pasty, so that it emerges from an attached hole or in the cleaning sponge. Other devices consist solely of a sponge block impregnated with an amount of the product and exclusively used for cleaning. This sponge is normally protected in a box.

No device is known which easily combines in the same container the sponge intended for cleaning and the cleaning cream or product, kept separately and with an arrangement permitting easy cleaning or product application, since the sponge is fixed on the container lid, this being used as a handle.

This device comprises a box which is divided in two compartments, one of them contains the footwear cleaning product, while the other compartment is arranged like a sponge block intended for cleaning. This box has a lid which is coupled in the open face thereof. Its inner side has the cleaning sponge fixed, matching with the cavity existing in the box, so that on closing it, one of its cavities contains the cream while the other cavity is an ideal place for keeping the cleaning sponge.

This simple arrangement permits product availability to be improved since a container for the product and another one for the application brush or sponge are not necessary, as both components or products are available in the same container. Cleaning is also more comfortable since the cleaning sponge is fixed to a firm base which is the container lid and this create a handle or gripping means when applying it over the footwear.

Although this device is mainly intended for cleaning footwear, it may have an application in other fields. For example, with the same shape, it may be used to apply waxes for furniture or for the floor, only having to change the type of product in the container.

These and other features of the present invention may be more easily appreciated with the aid of the following description made in accordance with a practical example of an embodiment. This description is made on the basis of the attached drawings, in which: [0007]
FIG. 1 shows a view of this device with the box ([0008] 1) and the lid (2) unfolded.
FIG. 2 shows several elevation, plan and profile views of this cleaning device when closed for its storage or transport. [0009]
FIG. 3 shows a cleaning device complemented with another accessory sponge.[0010]
The cleaning component of the figures comprises a box ([0011] 1) and a lid (2) having attached to it, on its inner face, a sponge (3) creating the cleaning component itself, while the product used in cleaning is kept in the cavity (12) of the box (1).
This box ([0012] 1) comprises a body, generally with a cell shape open in its upper face and having an intermediate partition (11) dividing the box contents in two cavities (12) and (13), one of which (12) is destined to contain the cream or the cleaning product (4), while the other cavity (13) receives the sponge (3) when the box (1) is closed with the lid (2).
The lid ([0013] 2) has a lengthened body matching the box (1) over which it is applied. On its inner side, the sponge (3) is stuck in a convenient position, so that on closing the box (1) it is contained in the cavity (13) designed for such a purpose. Preferably, this lid (2) is provided with a plurality of grooves (21) which facilitates its gripping for cleaning operations.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the box ([0014] 1) has a second sponge block (5) in the bottom and optionally a second lid (6). This complementary sponge also allows to carry out cleaning operations over the footwear without using the inside product, so that for example it is possible to use it in order to obtain a better shine or more superficial cleaning.
It is not considered necessary to extend this description further for any skilled person in the matter to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it. The materials, shape and arrangement of the components may be varied provided this does not involve a change of the fundamental features of the invention which are claimed below. [0015]

Claims

1.- A device for cleaning footwear, including an applicator component consisting of a sponge block (3) and characterised in that it comprises: a) a box (1) divided in two compartments (12-13), one of which (12) contains the product (4) for cleaning, while the other compartment (13) has an arrangement consistent with a sponge block (3); b) a lid (2) which is coupled over the open face of the box (1) and has a lengthened body externally provided with grooves (21) facilitating its grip, and having the sponge (3) on the inner side opposite the box (1) and stuck to it, in a position matching that of the cavity (13) existing in the box where it is located when the container is closed.

2.- A device in accordance with the previous claim, characterised in that on its outer side the box (1) has a second sponge block (5) optionally protected by a lid.