Continuously curving cleaning element

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9408521-B2
Application number	US-201313785042-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 5, 2013
Priority date	Jul 10, 2012
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

The disclosed cleaning element, which may be secured to a cleaning tool, includes a cleaning material that continuously curves from a first working surface to a second working surface allowing for easy cleaning of sharply curving surface, such as, for example, bowls and cups. Also disclosed is a method of making a continuously curving cleaning element.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning element comprising:
a support comprising a first portion and second portion, wherein the support includes a slot for receiving separate attachment device;
a cleaning material having a first working surface secured to the first portion of the support and a second working surface secured to the second portion of the support; and
a hinge between the first portion and second portion;
wherein the first working surface comprises a first width and the second working surface comprises a second width, and wherein the width of the second working surface that aligns with the hinge is narrower than the width of the first working surface; and
wherein the first working surface continuously curves to the second working surface forming a curving portion between.

2. The cleaning element of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the support comprises a second connector and the first portion of the support comprises a first connector for receiving the second connector.

3. The cleaning tool of claim 1 , wherein the cleaning material continuously curves at least 45 degrees, as measured by the angle formed through the cleaning material by the first working surface and second working surface.

4. A dish wand comprising:
a handle with a holding end and a working end, wherein the working end comprises a first attachment;
a support comprising a first portion and second portion, wherein the support connects with the first attachment; and
a cleaning material for cleaning dishware having a first working surface secured to the first portion of the support and a second working surface secured to the second portion of the support;
wherein the first working surface continuously curves to the second working surface forming a curving portion between, and
wherein the second portion of the support comprises a second connector and the first portion of the support comprises a first connector for receiving the second connector.

5. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the handle comprises a receptacle for holding a liquid.

6. The dish wand of claim 5 , further comprising a passage from the receptacle to the cleaning element.

7. The dish wand of claim 5 , wherein the handle comprises a deformable actuator for forcing liquid from the receptacle out the passage.

8. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the support comprises a slot with a flexible guard for receiving the first attachment and wherein the flexible guard wraps adjacent the working end of the handle.

9. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the first connector and second connector provide for a secure, interlocking connection.

10. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the second connector can be removably connected with the first connector.

11. The dish wand of claim 4 , further comprising a hinge between the first portion and second portion of the support.

12. The dish wand of claim 11 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

13. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the first working surface comprises a first width and the second working surface comprises a second width, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

14. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the cleaning material continuously curves at least 45 degrees, as measured by the angle formed through the cleaning material by the first working surface and second working surface.

15. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the cleaning material continuously curves at least 90 degrees, as measured by the angle formed through the cleaning material by the first working surface and second working surface.

16. The dish wand of claim 4 , wherein the cleaning material continuously curved less than 180 degrees, as measured by the angle formed through the cleaning material by the first working surface and second working surface.

17. A dish wand comprising:
a handle with a holding end and a working end, wherein the working end comprises a first attachment;
a support comprising a first portion and second portion, wherein the support connects with the first attachment;
a cleaning material for cleaning dishware having a first working surface secured to the first portion of the support and a second working surface secured to the second portion of the support; and
a hinge between the first portion and second portion of the support,
wherein the first working surface continuously curves to the second working surface forming a curving portion between.

18. The dish wand of claim 17 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Molinet Michael C
• Chipman Trevor
• Fox Jeffrey S
• Roehm Kayo M
• Timmerman Cynthia A
• Broen Martin E
• Bayer Johannes

Classifications

• A47L17/00 Primary

  Apparatus or implements used in manual washing or cleaning of crockery, table-ware, cooking-ware or the like (foam-making devices A47K5/14) · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A47L17/08

  Pads; Balls of steel wool, wire, or plastic meshes · CPC title