Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using solid work treating agents
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-22
2003-12-23
Gulakowski, Randy (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using solid work treating agents
C134S022100, C134S022180, C134S021000, C015S304000, C015S344000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06666926
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of a computer mouse device cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A computer mouse device is an accessory that is commonly used as a companion to a computer keyboard. The mouse has a mouse ball that is located in an interior ball cavity. The mouse ball is held loosely inside of the interior ball cavity by a removable cover that has an opening with a smaller diameter than the mouse and extends outwardly through the cover opening when the mouse is positioned ball side down. In use, movement of the mouse across a mouse pad or other flat surface causes the mouse ball to roll inside of the interior ball cavity, thereby causing mouse contact rollers inside of the mouse to roll. The movement of the mouse contact rollers is then translated into instructions that ultimately cause a cursor on a connected computer screen to move in response to movement of the mouse ball across the mouse pad.
Over time, the mouse ball can become dirty, or even sticky. In addition, dust, hair and other contaminants can get inside of the mouse through the opening in the removable cover and stick on the mouse contact rollers or mechanical parts. When either of these things happen, the ability of the mouse to properly function will be impaired, or the mouse may even cease functioning. To remedy such a situation, the mouse cover must be removed and the parts of the mouse must be cleaned.
At present, there is no inexpensive, easy way to clean a dirty mouse device. If the cover is removed, the mouse ball can easily be removed. However, if the mouse ball or the inside of the mouse are not properly cleaned, the mouse may still not function properly even after it is cleaned. This can cause frustration by users, or even result in discarding a dirty mouse in favor of a new, clean mouse.
One cleaning kit that is presently being sold for cleaning mouse devices is called Mouse Doctor™. This kit instructs its user to first remove the ball from the mouse device. Next, compressed air is sprayed into the interior cavity to remove dust particles. Next, cleaning pads and cleaning swabs are used to wipe the mouse contact rollers clean and the ball is replaced for operation. If the mouse contact rollers have a heavy build-up of grime, the user is instructed to saturate the swab with isopropyl alcohol before scrubbing the rollers. However, this cleaning kit is relatively expensive, and the cleaning process is cumbersome.
Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive, simple, easy to use cleaning kit that can be used to clean computer mouse devices and thereby increase their performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to an improved computer mouse device cleaner and a method for using the cleaner.
An additional aspect of the invention involves a method for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The method includes removing the computer mouse ball from the interior ball cavity; inserting a cleaning surface of a mouse cleaner into the interior ball cavity; and rotating the cleaning surface with a motor of the mouse cleaner so as to cause one or more of the plurality of mouse contact rollers to roll and thereby be cleaned by the cleaning surface.
Another aspect of the invention involves a method for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The method includes removing the computer mouse ball from the interior ball cavity; providing a mouse cleaner including a handle; connecting an attachable, disposable cleaning surface to the handle; inserting the cleaning surface into the mouse; rotating the cleaning surface so as to permit removal of mouse contaminants from the plurality of mouse contact rollers and the plurality of mechanical parts; removing the cleaning surface from the mouse; and disposing the cleaning surface after a single use.
A further aspect of the invention involves a method for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The method includes removing the computer mouse ball from the interior ball cavity; inserting a cleaning surface of a mouse cleaner into the interior ball cavity, the cleaning surface attached to a lumen and in communication with a pressure mechanism via the lumen; actuating the pressure mechanism so as to cause an operative effect at the cleaning surface; and rotating the cleaning surface so as to cause one or more of the plurality of mouse contact rollers to roll and thereby be cleaned by the cleaning surface.
An additional aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The mouse cleaner includes a motor, a shaft rotatably driven by the motor, and a cleaning surface connected to the shaft for rotatable movement therewith for cleaning the plurality of mouse contact rollers and the plurality of mechanical parts in the interior ball cavity. In implementations of this aspect of the invention, the computer mouse cleaner may additionally include a cleaning surface cleaning mechanism to remove dirt and other debris collected on the cleaning surface during cleaning and/or an electrostatic mechanism to add an electrostatic charge to the cleaning surface to help attract dust and other charged contaminant particles to the cleaning surface.
Another aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner kit for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The mouse cleaner kit includes a handle, and multiple disposable cleaning surfaces adapted to be detachably connected to the handle.
A still further aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The mouse cleaner includes a handle and a cleaning surface connected to the handle. The cleaning surface is pre-saturated with a cleaning substance.
An additional aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The mouse cleaner includes an expandable and collapsible cleaning body including a cleaning surface and an interior, a lumen in communication with the interior of the expandable and collapsible cleaning body, and a pressure mechanism in communication with the lumen and the interior of the expandable and collapsible cleaning body to expand the body when the body is within the mouse cavity so that the cleaning surface compresses against the mouse contact rollers and the plurality of mechanical parts to enhance cleaning of these parts.
Another aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner for cleaning a computer mouse device with a computer mouse ball located in an interior ball cavity that has a plurality of mouse contact rollers and a plurality of mechanical parts. The mouse cleaner includes a cleaning body including a cleaning surface, an interior, and a plurality of pores in communication with the interior, a lumen in communication with the interior of the cleaning body, and a pressure mechanism in communication with the lumen and the interior of the cleaning body to deliver cleaning fluid through the lumen and plurality of pores to the cleaning surface.
A further aspect of the invention involves a computer mouse cleaner for cleaning a computer mouse
Hanscom Eric A.
Naghi David
Naghi Herschel
Chaudhry Saeed
Gulakowski Randy
Procopio Cory Hargreaves & Savitch LLP
Technology Creations, Inc.
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for cleaning a computer mouse device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for cleaning a computer mouse device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for cleaning a computer mouse device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3140908