SUCTION DEVICE WITH AN ELECTROSTATIC FLEXIBLE STICKING SHEET

DISPOSITIF D'ASPIRATION AVEC FEUILLE SOUPLE COLLANTE

English Abstract

A suction device includes an electrostatic flexible sheet having a predetermined thickness; an attaching member permanently secured to the sheet and comprising a base, a neck on the base, and an outward extending peripheral flange on a top of the neck; and a holding member comprising a T-shaped recess and a holding element extending outwardly. In response to sticking the sheet to a smooth surface by pressing the sheet a vacuum is created therebetween. The recess is adapted to slidably, securely attach to the attaching member.

French Abstract

Un dispositif daspiration comprend une feuille souple électrostatique avec une épaisseur prédéfinie; un élément de fixation fixé de manière permanente à la feuille et comprenant une base, un col sur la base et une bride périphérique sétendant vers lextérieur sur un sommet du col; et un élément de retenue comprenant un évidement en forme de T et un élément de retenue sétendant vers lextérieur. En réponse au collage de la feuille sur une surface lisse en pressant la feuille, un vide y est créé. Lévidement est conçu pour se fixer solidement de manière coulissante aux éléments de fixation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:


1. A suction device comprising:

an electrostatic flexible sheet having a predetermined thickness;

an attaching member permanently secured to the sheet and comprising a base, a
neck on the base, and an outward extending peripheral flange on a top of the
neck;
and

a holding member comprising a T-shaped recess and a holding element
extending outwardly;

wherein in response to sticking the sheet to a smooth surface by pressing the
sheet a vacuum is created therebetween; and

wherein the recess is adapted to slidably, securely attach to the attaching
member.


2. The suction device of claim 1, wherein the flexible sheet is formed of PE
(polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene).


3. The suction device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined thickness is in a
range
of 0.05mm to 0.5mm.


4. The suction device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary sheet member

having an inner surface adapted to adhere to a non-smooth surface and an outer

surface adapted to adhere to the sheet.


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Description

CA 02704472 2010-05-14

SUCTION DEVICE WITH AN ELECTROSTATIC FLEXIBLE STICKING SHEET
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to suction cups and more particularly to a suction
device
having an electrostatic flexible sticking sheet for reliably sticking to a
smooth surface.
2. Description of Related Art

A conventional suction cup is shown in FIG. 1. The suction cup comprises a
plastic disc 11 having a gradually raised central portion, and a hook 12
integrally
formed on an outer surface of the disc 11. In use, a person may press the disc
11 to a

smooth surface to greatly reduce air pressure inside, thereby creating a
vacuum
inside. Then the person may hang an article such as a hanger on the hook 12.
However, the well known suction cup suffers from several disadvantages. For

example, the disc 11 may deform permanently due to increased times of use.
Hence,
air may flow into the disc 11 to decrease the degree of vacuum. This in turn
can
greatly decrease an atmospheric pressure difference between the disc outside
and

inside, i.e., decreased suction. Eventually, the suction cup may fall after
putting even a
light load on the hook 12.

There have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for suction cups. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,306 discloses a rapid-actuating suction cup
device.
Thus, continuing improvements in the exploitation of suction cup are
constantly being
sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a suction device having
an
electrostatic flexible sticking sheet for reliably sticking to a smooth
surface.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the
accompanying
drawings.

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CA 02704472 2010-05-14

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional suction cup;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of suction device
according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the assembled suction device of FIG. 2 stuck to
a
smooth surface;

FIG. 4 is another sectional view of the assembled suction device of FIG. 2
stuck to
the smooth surface;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of suction
device
according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of suction
device
according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of suction
device
according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of suction
device
according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, a suction device in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the following components as
discussed in detail below.

A flexible sheet 2 made of soft plastic such as PE (polyethylene) or PP
(polypropylene) has a shape of rectangle. The sheet 2 has a thickness in a
range of
0.05mm to 0.5mm. Moreover, the sheet 2 has an electrostatic nature.

An attaching member 3 comprises a rectangular base 31, a rectangular neck 32
formed on a central portion of the base 31, and an outward extending
peripheral
flange 33 formed on a top of the neck 32.

A holding member 4 comprises a T-shaped recess 41 on an inner surface facing
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CA 02704472 2010-05-14

the attaching member 3, and a tumbler holder 43 extending outwardly from an
edge.
The recess 41 is a mating member of the flange 33, the neck 32, and the base
31
together.

Both the attaching member 3 and the holding member 4 are formed of hard
plastic. Also, the attaching member 3 is either formed integrally with the
holding
member 4 or manufactured separately prior to assembly together by means of
adhesive. That is, both the attaching member 3 and the holding member 4 are
sold as
a unit.

In use, a person may stick the sheet 2 to a smooth surface (e.g., bathroom
tile) by
pressing the sheet 2. The electrostatic nature of the sheet 2 can
substantially
completely stick same to the surface with air therebetween being completely
squeezed out, thereby creating a vacuum therebetween. Further, atmospheric
pressure outside the attaching member 3 is much higher than the vacuum so that
both
the attaching member 3 and the sheet 2 are prevented from lifting off the
surface.

Then the person may align the recess 41 with all of the flange 33, the neck
32, and the
base 31 and then slidably attach the recess 41 thereto until the sliding
operation is
stopped by bottoms of both side channels of the recess 41. As a result, the
suction
device is assembled. In this embodiment, a toothbrush may be hanged on the
tumbler
holder 43.

It is contemplated by the invention that the suction is sufficiently strong to
prevent
both the suction device and an article hanged thereon from falling. Moreover,
both
assembly and disassembly of the suction device are easy.

Referring to FIG. 5, a suction device in accordance with a second preferred
embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristic of the second
preferred
embodiment is detailed below. The tumbler holder 43 is replaced with a hook 42
for
hanging an article (e.g., hanger) thereon.

Referring to FIG. 7, a suction device in accordance with a third preferred
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CA 02704472 2010-05-14

embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third
preferred
embodiment are detailed below. An auxiliary sheet 5 has both surfaces being
smooth
in which an inner surface of the sheet 5 is adapted to adhere to a non-smooth
surface
(e.g., bathroom tiles) and an outer surface of the sheet 5 is adapted to
adhere to the

sheet 2 due to the electrostatic nature of the sheet 2. Moreover, the hook 42
is
replaced by a soap dish 44.

Referring to FIG. 8, a suction device in accordance with a fourth preferred
embodiment of the invention is shown. The fourth preferred embodiment is a
modification of the second preferred embodiment with a unitary base member 6
being

formed integrally with the sheet 2 (or adhered together by means of adhesive)
as a
replacement of both the attaching member 3 and the holding member 4.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific
embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by
those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention set forth in
the claims.

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Representative Drawing