US3428987A - Combined brush and scouring mat - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 25, 1969 z. LOSTON 3,428,987

COMBINED BRUSH AND S'COURING MAT Filed June 5, 1967 Zmua .bosr'aM,

055 6 15 prr'op/ueyf United States Patent 1 Claim Int. Cl. A471 13/12 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cleaning implement comprising a generally rectangular piece of material having a relatively rough surface which is adapted to removing dirt and stains from ceramics or other materials having smooth surfaces. The material is used by placing it over a conventional scrubbing brush or any other frame having a long or short handle folding it to form a cover enclosing the brush, rubber, mop-type or other framework. The edges are then fastened by snaps or other joining means to retain the material in position while a surface is being cleaned. The material has randomly oriented fibres which produce a rough surface. It is supported by a conventional brush or other framework and the snaps are fastened. Cleaning of a smooth surface can then take place.

Background of the invention Field of the inventi0n.-This invention relates to a removable cleaning fabric which can be attached to a conventional brush or any other framework. In particular the invention relates to a removable brush cover which has a surface particularly suited for cleaning ceramic articles or other articles having smooth surfaces such as sinks, toilets, ceramic tiles, dishes, cooking utensils and auto chrome.

Description of the prior art Conventional prior art methods of cleaning ceramics and other smooth surfaces such as sinks and toilet bowls or other tile work are generally brushes having hard bristles or sponges which are fitted into a framework having a handle. Brushes generally have bristles which are rather hard and stiff which on the whole do not do an adequate job of cleaning smooth shiny ceramic surfaces. Furthermore, brushes are relatively expensive. Sponges are also disadvantageous in that they wear out rapidly and generally do not remove stains and other deeply engrained particles that cause discoloration of ceramics.

Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fabric material having a surface that is particularly adapted to removing dirt and other agents from smooth ceramic surfaces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a material that can be adapted to fitting over a framework or a conventional brush or a sponge for cleaning smooth hard surfaces.

Summary of the invention The invented article is a cleaning implement comprising a piece of cleaning material having at least one surface adapted to cleaning smooth surfaces; fastening means for fastening the edges of the material together to form a cover; and a framework having a handle. The framework is capable of supporting the material during cleaning operation, thus the material can be folded over a framework or brush, snapped into place and used to clean any desired surface.

The advantage of the present invention is that the surface of the material selected is such that it is particularly efiicient in removing dirt, greases, particulate matter and discolorations from smooth ceramics. It is more efiicient 3,423,937 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 than prior art brushes, and bristles or sponges, because it is somewhat in the nature of a light abrasive surface, which, however, does not scratch smooth shiny surfaces. A further advantage of the present invention is that it is easily disposable. It can be used a few times and then discarded merely by unsnapping it and throwing it away and can be replaced by a new unit which is relatively inexpensive. Thus from a standpoint of hygiene this invention is highly advantageous.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a fiat piece of the material which forms a cover with snaps shown on the periphery thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of the cover as folded for placing on a prior art toilet or vegetable brush.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a prior art brush inserted into the cover.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation partially sectioned along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective of an alternative fastening means embodying hooks and pile, such as Velcro.

FIGURE 6a is a perspective of a flat piece of material having the preferred configuration.

FIGURE 6b is a perspective of the cover shown in FIGURE 6a when folded.

Description 0 the preferred embodiment Referring now to FIGURE 1, a piece of fabric 10 which comprises the cover has indentations 16 and 18 in each of its long sides. These indentations facilitate the folding over of material 10 and allow easy water drainage when the cover is fastened. The fabric can be of generally rec-' tangular configuration. Its dimensions can vary according to the size brush or framework it is desired to cover. One convenient dimension is about 13 inches long by 6 inches wide and 4 inch thick. Joining means are placed around the periphery of the material. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, plastic snaps are used. It is convenient to place male plastic snaps 12 around one edge of the periphery and female plastic snaps 14 around the opposite edge of the material such that when the material is folded over at indentations 16 and 18 the male snaps and the female snaps meet and can be fastened, thereby retaining the material in the form of a cover. The material itself may be comprised of mat having randomly distributed fibres of nylon or other plastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester. The fibres could also be of aluminum oxide.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 4, snaps 12 and 14 can conveniently be made of a nylon such as Delrin which is tough and water resistant. The snaps could also be made of metal if desired. Snap 12 is a generally circular body conveniently made of plastic which has a cylindrical portion depending therefrom. Snap 14 is a corresponding generally circular body having an opening therein just sufiicient to receive the male portion of snap 12; there being a sufficiently tight fit to keep the snaps tightly closed against normal pressures. When the material is in position over a framework, the snaps 12 and 14 are brought together and enough pressure is applied to engage them. The fit being such that they will remain together until sufficient force is exerted to break them apart, The snaps are embedded in the matting and penetrate it such that the top side of a snap in the form of a button appears on the outside surface of the material while the engaging portion is forced through the mat and appears on the inside surface of the material where it is in position to engage its opposing snap at the other edge of the material. Thus the snaps become an integral part of the mat. It is also possible to use eyes and hooks placed around the periphery of the material instead of snaps. Another method of joining is adhesive tape or tape having hooks and pile such as that known as Velcro that connect together and thus retain a bond, this is shown in FIGURE 5. The Velcro surface is designated in FIGURE 5 by surface 40. In any event all that is required of the joining means is that it be easily opened and closed yet strong enough to hold the material in position while the cleaning operation is carried out.

With reference to FIGURE 3, the framework 22, having a handle can conveniently be a brush or a bare framework that has been made specifically for this particular material. It is especially advantageous to employ a conventional brush in which the bristles serve to reinforce the covering material and to produce in cooperation with material a surface that is highly adapted to cleaning smooth ceramic or other surfaces. The fabric is folded over the brush or framework in such a manner that it is supported and is prevented from sagging. A framework that serves the same purpose can be made of stiff wire or even wood.

With reference to FIGURE 6a an alternative configuration of fabric 10 can be employed. With this configuration a smaller area of the brush or frame is covered with the fabric but sufiiciently large working area is covered to allow eflicient cleaning, while at the same time a portion of the brush is left uncovered so that the bristles can also be used to remove stubborn substances. This configuration also provides more economical brushes by eliminating some of the snaps and reducing the amount of material required. FIGURE 6a illustrates a flat piece of material 10 in an alternate configuration for the brush cover. Material 10' is cut in a generally rectangular shape with indentations and 31 cut into the narrow sides of the rectangle. Male plastic snaps 12' are attached at one end of the rectangle and female plastic snaps 14 are attached at the other end. FIGURE 61) illustrates the material 10 folded with the snaps 12' connected to 14'. Space for the brush handle is shown in FIGURE 61) where the indentations 30 and 31 are joined.

In operation a brush having a handle is placed so that the longitudinal axis of the brush is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the material and such that the brush portion remains below the indentations 16 and 18 and is placed on approximately the centerline of the material. The top flap of the material is then folded over the snaps 12 and 14 and all other snaps on the periphery of the material are fastened, thereby forming a cover containing the brush. This cover has a stiff surface because it is reinforced by the bristles or other framework that it enclosed. The material so enclosing the brush has an outside surface that is composed of randomly oriented fibres which are lightly abrasive, and are suitable for cleaning smooth surfaces. The implement then can be used by manipulating the handle 20 and cleaning in the normal matter.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the material comprising randomly orientated plastic fibres in a mat material is very advantageous because it is adapted to cleaning smooth surfaces. Another advantage of the present invention is that the cover so formed by the material is easily replaceable and is inexpensive. Yet another advantage is that such a cover is hygienic and sanitary because it can be replaced after only a few uses, if necessary.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular applications, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning implement comprising a plastic scouring mat comprising randomly oriented plastic fibers, said mat having a general rectangular configuration, said mat providing a first planar surface and a second planar surface; having a bifurcated top edge and a bifurcated bottom edge;

fastening means for fastening the said edges of the mat together when the mat is doubled upon itself to form a cover; said fastening means comprising a pair of snap fastening means each having male and female parts;

said male part located at one bifurcated edge and said female part at said other bifurcated edge, said male part projecting from one surface and said female part projecting from the other surface, whereby said plastic mat may be effectively secured to a brush with a minimum of fastening means, a brush having bristles and a handle, said bristles positioned within the cover with the handle projecting through the aperture formed by the contiguous bifurcated edges, said bristles cooperating with said mat to provide a firm cleaning surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,63 8,800 8/1927 DAlbora. 1,817,050 8/1931 Wiegert 15474 XR 2,140,578 12/ 1938 Goodloe. 2,790,193 4/1957 Wilding 15231 XR 2,813,291 11/1957 Wark. 2,958,593 11/1960 Hoover et al. 3,034,132 5/1962 Landsberger et al. 3,081,772 3/ 1963 Brooks et al. 3,099,032 7/1963 Webb 15-222 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 994,741 8/1951 France. 889,828 9/ 1953 Germany. 249,830 5/ 1948 Switzerland.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

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