Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02715025 2010-09-14
WO 2009/114037 PCT/US2008/076715
UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION
TITLE:
A COMPOUND WATER-WIPER AND PET HAIR/FUR REMOVAL APPARATUS AND
METHOD
INVENTORS:
DONALD VARNER
TOM PALECKI
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This patent application claims priority based upon Patent Cooperation
Treaty Utility
Application Serial Number PCT/US08/56966 filed on March 14, 2008 which claims
priority to
United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/894,735 filed on
March 14, 2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for removing
excess water
and/or hair and fur from a variety of surfaces. The apparatus and methods for
removing excess
water and/or hair and fur in the present invention encompasses multiple
applications for use in
the bath and body industry for both people and pets. In particular, the
present invention relates
to an apparatus and methods for removing excess water and hair or fur from
surfaces such as a
human body, animal, or clothing. The surfaces for which the present invention
can be used to
remove excess water generally includes any surface for which a towel or
chamois material could
be used. The surfaces for which the present invention can be used to remove
dead hair or fur
generally include an animal's body, such as a pet, or clothing and furniture.
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BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The bath and body industry is constantly evolving to provide the
consumer with the
latest and greatest gadget to simplify one's life. Currently there is an unmet
need for accessories
that remove water from a surface other than a towel that must be washed and
dried. There is not
an effective tool to remove water from a surface, such as one's body or a
pet's body, that quickly
removes the water and is immediately ready to be used again. Additionally,
there are no tools
that when drying or brushing a pet, also effectively remove dead hair or fur.
The present
invention combines these multiple uses into one apparatus, saving precious
time while delivering
results.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0004] The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus that
efficiently removes
water from a surface without the need for a towel and effectively removes hair
or fur from a
surface. The invention further provides a handle which may be fitted to the
human hand on the
apparatus for easier use of the apparatus in removing water or hair or fur
from a surface. Further,
the material that the apparatus is made from can be static electric
attracting, in order to more
effectively remove charged particles such as hair or fur from a surface. The
apparatus may also
include a comb edge which can further provide efficient fur and hair removal
from a surface. A
second edge on the apparatus can provide further drag over a surface to
collect even more hair
or fur.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] For fuller understanding of the present invention, reference is made to
the
accompanying drawings numbered below. Commonly used reference numbers identify
the same
or equivalent parts of the claimed invention throughout the several figures.
[0006] Fig. 1 a is a top view of a flex edge apparatus according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] Fig. lb is an elevation view of the apparatus of Fig. I a.
[0008] Fig. Ic is a section view of the apparatus of Fig. lb taken along lane
A-A.
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Fig. 2a illustrates a flex edge having a flex cavity with a wiper leg having a
triangle wiper tip.
[0009] Fig. 2b illustrates a flex edge having a flex cavity with a wiper leg
having a square
bar wiper tip.
[0010] Fig. 2c illustrates a flex edge having a flex cavity with a wiper leg
having multiple
triangle shaped wiper bars.
[0011] Fig. 2d illustrates a flex edge with a wiper leg having a round wiper
bar.
[0012] Fig. 2e illustrates a flex edge having a flex cavity with a wiper leg
having a square
wiper tip.
[0013] Fig. 2f illustrates a Y-shaped flex edge with rounded wiper tips.
[0014] Fig. 2g illustrates a flex edge having a solid bottom with an elongated
triangle wiper
tip.
[0015] Fig. 3 illustrates a flex edge having a comb and second flex edge
having a lip
region.
[0016] Fig. 4 illustrates a flex edge having a comb and second flex edge
having a lip
region.
[0017] Fig. 5 illustrates a flex edge having a comb.
[0018] Fig. 6 illustrates an apparatus having a flex edge that bulges outward.
[0019] Fig. 7 illustrates an apparatus having a flex edge that bulges outward.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0020] Fig. la is a top view of an apparatus 501 in an embodiment of the
present
invention, Fig. lb is an elevation view of apparatus 501, and Fig. lc is a
cross-section of
apparatus 501 taken along line A-A of Fig. lb. Apparatus 501 has utility for
wiping water and
moisture from complex surfaces, for example a human body or animal after a
shower or swim.
Additionally, the apparatus effectively removes hair and fur from surfaces.
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[0021] Apparatus 501 has a flex edge region 503 of a substantially constant
thickness in
one embodiment, joining with a handle region 502 formed in a curved aspect,
which may be a
circular curve in one embodiment. The flex edge region may in some embodiments
be a flexible
panel. The apparatus effectively wipes standing water from a complex curved
surface due to the
flexible panel having an upper long edge and a lower long edge, each of said
edges having a
different radii of curvature in the plane of the panel. In one embodiment, the
radius of curvature
of the lower long edge is greater than the radius of curvature of the upper
long edge. In the
embodiment shown the curvature of handle portion 502 extends over a total are
of greater than
180 degrees, and may be about 200 degrees.
[0022] In the embodiment shown handle portion 502 has a width (see cross-
section view)
of about 1.2 inches, but may vary in other embodiments. The width and height
(about 1 inch)
of the handle portion may vary in other embodiments. The goal is to provide a
comfortable grip
for a user's semi-closed hand. Indented regions 505 are provided over at least
a portion of the
curvature of the handle region to provide a gripping region that allows a sure
grip for the user.
In the embodiment shown there are such indented regions 505 spaced apart on
each side of the
handle, but there may be more or fewer in other embodiments. These regions may
be extruded
with the handle or otherwise molded into the handle parts, or may in some
embodiments be
added in another way. In some embodiments the handle may be molded in two
separate pieces,
and the halves may be fastened together with conventional fasteners, such as
bolts or screws.
[0023] The lower long edge of the panel forms a flex edge having a lip. This
aspect may
best be seen in Fig. 1 c where at a lower edge away from the handle region,
flex edge region 503
has a lip region 504. The lip region 504 can be molded to create various tips
at the end of the lip
region 504, as shown by example in Figs. 2a-g described below. Further, the
lip can comprise
a wiping leg, wherein at least one of the wiping legs comprises at least one
wiping tip.
[0024] In one embodiment, the flex edge region 503 is formed such that the lip
region 504,
together with a flex cavity 508, forms, in a preferred embodiment, two wiping
legs 506 and 507,
which may end in wiping tips. In some embodiments the flex edge is formed on
just one side,
so that only one wiper leg 507 is formed with a single wiping tip.
[0025] Fig. 2a for example, illustrates in circle 509 the flex edge region 503
is formed such
that the lip region 504, together with a flex cavity 508, forms, in a
preferred embodiment, two
wiping legs 506 and 507, which end in triangle wiping tips.
[0026] Fig. 2b illustrates an end of a wiper flex edge in an alternative
embodiment, shown
within circle 509 the flex edge region 503 is formed such that the lip region
504, together with
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a flex cavity 508, forms, in a preferred embodiment, two wiping legs 506 (not
shown) and 507,
which end with square bar wiping tips.
[0027] Fig. 2c illustrates yet another wiper tip treatment, shown within
circle 509 the flex
edge region 503 is formed such that the lip region 504, together with a flex
cavity 508, forms,
in a preferred embodiment, two wiping legs 506 (not shown) and 507, which have
multiple
triangle shaped wiper bars.
[0028] In some embodiments the triangle extension is only at the tip, in some
at the tip and
one other place higher on the leg, and in some cases only at positions higher
on the leg. The
lowest one of the extensions typically contacts the surface to be wiped, and a
higher one of the
extensions helps to channel water to the sides as a surface is wiped.
[0029] Fig. 2d illustrates yet another treatment of wiper legs in an
embodiment of the
invention, wherein the tip of the wiper leg is implemented as a round
protuberance at the end of
the leg forming a round wiper bar.
[0030] Fig. 2e illustrates yet another treatment wherein the end of the leg is
a square tip.
Shown within circle 509 the flex edge region 503 is formed such that the lip
region 504, together
with a flex cavity 508, forms, in a preferred embodiment, two wiping legs 506
(not shown) and
507, which end with a square tip.
[0031] Fig. 2f illustrates yet another treatment with a Y shaped flex edge
with round ends.
The legs 506 and 507 can maintain a relatively constant wall thickness in this
embodiment.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the flex edge region 503 is formed such
that the lip
region 504, forms a wiper tip, and the bottom of the flex edge is solid
(without a flex cavity).
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the flex edge region 503 is formed such
that the lip
region 504, forms a wiper tip with an elongated triangle, and the bottom of
the flex edge is solid
(without a flex cavity). Fig. 2g illustrates this alternate embodiment showing
a solid flex edge
bottom, wherein the wiper tip is an elongated triangle.
[0034] In all of these cases the extension, tip or protuberance preferably
extends for the full
length of the wiper flex edge.
[0035] - A unique feature of apparatus 501 is a curvature of the flex edge
region 503 as
shown in elevation view Fig. Ib, as indicated by radius Rl . This radius may
vary considerably
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WO 2009/114037 PCT/US2008/076715
in preferred embodiments from a minimum of about 3 inches to about 6 inches,
or even more in
some other embodiments. It is this curvature in particular that makes
apparatus 501 so useful
for removing water and hair or fur from a body, as this curvature allows the
flex edge portion to
wrap around a person's or animal's appendages, as well as to wipe more planar
body areas.
[0036] In an alternative embodiment the apparatus 501 only has a curvature of
the handle
region 502. There is no curvature along the lower edge, resulting in a
straight flex edge. This
straight edge in particular makes the apparatus 501 useful for removing hair
or fur from clothing
or a animals body, as this straight edge allows the flex edge portion to
collect shedding hair onto
the flex edge.
[0037] In yet another embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 the first flex edge 503
comprises
a comb edge 510, which is used to drag across the complex surface to collect
hair and fur, in
particular across the body of an animal. The teeth of the comb edge 510 can be
of varying
distance from each other depending on the coarseness or thickness of the hair
or fur that is being
removed.
[0038] Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the flex edge 503 having a comb edge
510, the
teeth of the comb edge 510 are spaced closely together, while on the opposite
side of the flex
edge 503 slits are cut into the flex edge 512. To groom an animal the
technician may use the flex
edge 503 with the comb edge 510 where the teeth are spaced further apart
initially to collect hair
or fur from the body and then refine the grooming by using the opposite side
of the flex edge
with slits cut out 512 .
[0039] Alternatively, in Figure 5 one may use the flex edge 503 with the comb
edge 510
to remove lint from a complex surface, such as a person's clothes or
furniture. One side of the
flex edge 503 comb edge 510 may have teeth spaced closely together and the
opposite side of
the flex edge has slits cut out 512 to facilitate different levels of removal
of hair and fur.
[0040] Shown in Figures 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment has a second flex
edge lip 511
formed along the apparatus 501 to further catch dead hair and fur as the
apparatus 501 is dragged
across the complex surface. This second flex edge lip 511 has a similar lip
region 504 that
facilitates collecting loose hair and fur. In effect, double collection occurs
when the second flex
edge lip 511 is on the apparatus due to the first flex edge 503 lip region 504
and second flex edge
lip 511 lip region 504 acting in concert to remove loose hair and fur from a
complex surface. The
second flex edge lip 511 can be used on all variations of the apparatus.
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[0041] Shown in Figures 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the flex edge
has the flex
edge bulge outwards to facilitate maneuvering around complex surfaces. The
bulge also
facilitates the collection of pet hair and fur while dragging the apparatus
across the surface.
[0042] In all cases, the apparatus 501, when used on an animal, will collect
shedding hair
onto the flex edge 503 via static electricity. It is also very effective at
removing animal hair from
clothing.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment the entire apparatus is molded in a single
operation,
using an appropriate rubber-like material, which in most cases will be a
polymer material. The
apparatus may also be molded from static electric attracting material in order
to facilitate the
removal of hair and fur from a surface. In some cases the handle 502 may be
made of a firmer
material than the flex edge 503, and in some cases a stiffener may be molded
into the handle
region 502 for extra support. The material may be clear, opaque, or in any of
a variety of colors,
and color may vary from region to region. The durometer of the material is
preferably between
58-60, but may be higher or lower depending on the desired stiffness of the
apparatus 501 and
the flex region 503 versus the handle region 502.
[0044] It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that a number of alterations
might be made
to the embodiments of the present invention described thus far without
departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, there are a variety of materials that
might be used in
different embodiments. Natural or synthetic rubber might be used, for example,
for the flex edge
503 and many rigid and semi-rigid materials, or even metals might be used for
the handle 502.
There are many ways such a flex edge 503 and a handle 502 might be joined
other than the
specific ways described above. There are similarly a variety of changes in
dimensions that might
be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. The inventions
illustratively disclosed
herein may be practiced without any element which is not specifically
disclosed herein. For
these and other reasons the invention is only limited by the scope of the
claims that follow.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0045] The present invention applies industrially to both the human and pet
bath and body
industry. More particularly, the present invention applies industrially to
water removal from
complex surfaces, as well as hair and fur removal from complex surfaces.
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