Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using solid work treating agents
Patent
1994-06-08
1995-07-04
Roberts, Jr., Edward L.
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using solid work treating agents
15118, 15121, 152441, 152443, 15245, B08B 1104, A47L 106, B60S 304
Patent
active
054296781
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
THIS INVENTION relates to the washing of extended surfaces open to atmospheric pollution and grime, and is specifically, although not exclusively, concerned with hand-cleaning the paint-work of a motor vehicle.
STATE OF THE ART
The conventional way of cleaning the paint-work of a motor vehicle by hand, is to sponge down the paint-work with water, apply a cleaning agent such as a detergent or soap to the paint-work with a sponge and plenty of water, wash down the paint-work after cleaning with plenty of water usually supplied by a hose, and finally wiping residual spots of water from the paint work with a chamois leather which removes any free surface water from the paintwork.
OBJECTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide an improved implement for cleaning an extended surface by hand.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention an implement for cleaning grime from an extended surface susceptible to atmospheric pollution, comprises a resiliently-flexible block of relatively water-absorbent, spongy material having one face exposed for applying a cleaning solution such as soapy water to the surface to be cleaned, and the opposite face sheathed with a resiliently-flexible, externally-ribbed skin of material which is relatively non-absorbent to water.
The implement enables the cleaning solution to be hand-applied by way of the exposed face of the spongy block, and, after the cleaning solution has been washed off with clean water, residual drops of the water are removed by wiping the ribbed face of the block across the surface. The ribs on the face flex to conform to the contour of the surface beneath the block and act with a squeegee action to provide dams which remove water droplets from the area of the surface over which the ribbed face of the block is passed, so that the water droplets are removed and a clean and virtually drop-free surface emerges from beneath the block.
PREFERRED FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
In the preferred form of the invention the block has a flat rectangular face on one side, and its opposite side is of generally semi-cylindrical shape and is sheathed with the ribbed skin.
The ribs of the skin conveniently extend parallel to one another between opposite end-faces of the block so that they are wiped across the paint surface in a direction which is transverse to the direction in which the ribs extend. However, it is not essential for the ribs to be continuous. Experiments have shown that the implement works equally well where the ribs are interrupted or are of non-linear shape such as S-shape, or U-shape.
As one possible example of the shape of ribs which is useable it was found that ribs in the form of overlapping capital letters spelling out the name of the manufacturer and using the letters in staggered lines provided a satisfactory squeegee action. Whatever shape is chosen for the ribs, it is preferred that there is continuous band of the ribbed skin in contact with the paint surface when the water droplets are being wiped off, to prevent the droplets leaving streak-lines on the paint-work behind the implement.
Suitably the sheath covers the bulk of the generally semi-cylindrical shaped face of the sponge so that the sheath provides a hand-hold for the block and prevents liquid absorbed into the spong from flooding out over the hand of the user when the cleaning solution is being applied. The semi-cylindrical shape of the block facilitates the ability of the block to perform a partly wiping action and partly rolling action, as the user's wrist turns naturally during the wiping movement of the block over the surface being cleaned.
INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of examples, with reference to the accompanying partly diagrammatic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a spongy implement for cleaning a painted surface;
FIG. 2 is an under plan view of the implement;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the implement, both ends appearing the same;
FIG. 4 is
REFERENCES:
patent: 2116645 (1938-05-01), Silverman
patent: 2678458 (1954-05-01), Vosbikian et al.
patent: 2715745 (1955-08-01), Jacobsen
patent: 3611468 (1971-10-01), Michael
patent: 3748684 (1973-07-01), Fraser
patent: 3857133 (1974-12-01), Linenfelser
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